Dance the Dream (Western Aristocrat – Breeze And I, Nanoli Stud) made a dream debut winning the BK Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million dominating the opposition and winning with ease.

Steppenwolf was quickest out of the gates, but settled in third as Shivalik Queen and Dance The Dream got past him to take the top two positions. Shivalik Queen led them into the straight and jockey YS Srinath arrived with a fluent gallop racing ahead soon on straightening for home.

Dance The Dream galloped in fine rhythm all the way and never looked under threat at any stage. Steppenwolf ran a tad green in the homestretch and that didn’t help his cause as he veered out alarmingly and had to be corrected by his jockey. He however finished on with a burst of speed to end a good second. It could pay to keep an eye on him next time out. Dance the Dream was clearly better prepared and showed out in the latter half of the straight to notch up a comprehensive win.

Trainer Pesi Shroff may have missed out on the Derby, but he made his presence felt by rattling out four winners taking home a big chunk of the day’s card.

Pesi saddled Checkmate (Canford Cliffs – Sparkling Crystal, Nanoli Stud) in the second race, the Rule Breaker Trophy by Shaze.

This one was a well fought race and jockey Sandesh arrived with a dramatic finishing effort to win. Furiosa bowed out after leading them into the straight and Abraxas in second until then, couldn’t find much. It was Southpaw who took snatched the early initiative and shaped well to last out the long Mumbai straight. At this juncture, Checkmate and Wilshire graced the rear of the field. Sandesh stuck to the rails and wove his way through horses to be in striking position coming into the final furlong. Southpaw was ridden all out and was still in the lead with the winning post approaching fast. However, his brave effort was negated when Checkmate made his final run. As soon as he got the opening he was seeking, Sandesh, with some forceful riding had Checkmate ripping through with a flourish that  ended Southpaw’s reign on the lead. Checkmate won impressively pushing Southpaw to second; Wilshire too did well coming from way behind to save the place money.  Abraxas yet again squandered an opportunity and ended fourth.

The Shroff-Sandesh combine struck again in the very next race, the Sakshi Gallery Million run over the Derby distance. Here two there was that bit of drama when Smasher seemed to be faltering at a crucial juncture of the race.

Daughterofthesun galloped ahead to led the field with Silver Edge in tow. As they were passing the 2000 meter mark, Smasher veered out and would have gone on to the far end of the track had baby Face not been on the outside. Sandesh quickly got him on even-keel and Smasher progressed to settle in the third spot through the backstretch.

Daughterofthesun led them home but could not find that extra bit to carry on. Silver Edge spurted ahead and was going well. Smasher looked under pressure and Sandesh was seen using his whip hand effectively. Silver Edge was still in front inside the final furlong and Sandesh was making desperate attempts to get Smasher going. Anther coupe of cracks got the desired response from Smasher and he surged ahead fifty meters from home to score his second win on the trot. Gdansk rallied well to finish second ahead of Silver Edge.

Shroff compiled a fine hat-trick with Brainstorm (Dream Ahead – Roof Fiddle, Hazara Stud) with David Probert in the saddle. Brainstorm was backed confidently and his backers reaped a good return on their investments.

It was not the easiest of rides for David as he was surrounded by horses in the mid-bunch until they turned for home. Astral Flare led them in and was soon challenged by Reds Revenge. Arrecife joined the two and the others too were beginning to close in. Brainstorm had to squeeze his way out and David deftly got him free approaching the distance post. A couple of cracks and Brainstorm was alerted to the task. David changed his whip hand and another crack or two saw Brainstorm literally storming ahead to post a victory with a good margin in the end. Goshawk ran on to finish second ahead of Inittowinit, who too was hard ridden. Reds Revenge just failed to save place money.

Pesi was not done yet, he scored his fourth of the day with Lincoln (Excelebration – Evelyn May, Nanoli Stud) this one coming as easy as it gets. Lincoln with Sandesh in the saddle was off quickly and settled in second behind Wild Fire, the rest following close behind.

Wild Fire entered the straight just a length ahead of Lincoln. Sandesh cruised past Wild Fire with ease and nursed Lincoln further ahead picking up speed with every stride. Sandesh started moving his elbows only past the 300 m marker and Lincoln galloped resolutely to bounce away from the rest. He won easing up sparing just under two lengths to pick up his second successive victory this season. Rising Brave did well to finish runner up to the impressive winner, warding off Double Nine and Governor General. Anacapri disappointed and ran below par.

In The Stars (Phoenix Tower – Little Treasure, Manjri Stud) proved too good for this set and although the margin of victory shows just a neck, In The Stars clearly was superior.

In The Stars didn’t get an ideal start as there was a jostle and she fell back to the last position in a big field of 14. Jockey P Trevor did a splendid job to guide the filly initially and then made gradual progress, switching lanes all the while to ensure a clear run in the straight.

Flag Flying could not hold on to his lead this time and could not stop the scramble brewing up close behind. Triple Threat was the first on to challenge for the lead. No sooner she had done so, Gallant Knight arrived with a big gallop to snatch the lead. In The Stars was making steady progress on the wide outside and once she warmed up they all fell apart. Only Gallant Knight put up some resistance, but he too looked beat while In The Stars was in full flight. This was a show of scorching turn of foot from the filly and she is slowly moulding into a sprinter of quality.

Colombianaprincess (Hymn – Kanthara, Jai Govind Stud) put in a gritty performance and never gave up even when challenged strongly by the favourite Run Forest Run. She was quick to surge past leader Julio Cesaro once they turned for home and then accelerated nicely to assume command. Run Forest Run got a nice rails run and he slipped in to join Colombianaprincess. The duo battled hard for almost a furlong, but eventually Colombianaprincess held her ground and stretched away nicely to score on debut. Run Forest Run found one better, but will live to fight another day.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled four winners, while jockey Sandesh partnered him in three.