It was good to see Marthand Singh Mahindra enjoying his dream week-end at the races. Three big plums in two days including the Crystal Properties winter Derby was hard to believe, but it was true and the sporting owner deserved it all. The Mahindra family love horses and it gives them immense pleasure when their horses wins the big plums on the racing circuit.

A very emotional Marthand was all praise for Sulaiman Attaollahi and Trevor Patel who produced a superb effort on Kangra in the blue riband and Zeyn Mirza. Admitting that he just couldn’t believe all this happening in two days, Marthand disclosed that it his wife Rina who has brought him all the luck that one needs in this game. “The moment I included her name in all my horses they started to sport wings. Honestly Rina has brought all the luck and I owe it to her,” said Marthand.

After her success in the Oaks, the Kangra think-tank was confident that the filly had the ability to test the best colts at this centre. Prevalent Force was the top horse in the campus and most pundits rated him the best on the Indian racing circuit after his smashing Derby victory in Chennai. He then started the favourite in the Mumbai Indian Derby and a below par effort from the top gun from Darius Byramji’s yard saw him finish fourth at Mahalaxmi. His connections disappointed with his effort boldly decided to pitch him in the blue riband at his parent-centre but he never could overcome the fatigue and was in distress when the race came on a boil and after the event required urgent medical treatment. Star Carnation from Ganapathy’s yard surprised all including his trainer S Ganapathy while finishing an impressive second behind Kangra who dominated the event the moment she assumed command at the top of the straight. The Hyderabad challenger Mahateji did well to finish third while the moody Romantic Star finished off the frame.
In the principal added attraction, the Commemoration Trophy, it was the Marthand owned Watchmyscript in the care of Irfan Ghatala who came home tops snuffing out the pillar to post mission of Mauritania. Leading pro Sandesh produced a classy effort on the winner biding his time in the mile long trip before timing his final challenge to a nicety. The Mumbai challenger Costa Del Sol finished a tame third.

In the juvenile event, the Rajesh Narredu-trained Star Superior made a good winning debut. The winner was neatly piloted by Suraj Narredu who packed punch in the final furlong to settle the issue from Tyto Alba and Peluche. Trevor Patel who guided the fortunes of Peluche was not at his best on the Imtiaz ward.  Had Trevor shown more enterprise and desire to win, Peluche certainly would have gone very close to earning his winning bracket.

After Kangra, Botswana Bolt was the most impressive winner in the eight-event card, romping home in the Exhilaration Stud Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. Botswana Bolt looked a winner at the paddock itself and he justified it while bringing the smile back on the face of Darius. Glittering Gold refused to get into the gates and hence was withdrawn. The Warren Singh filly had her fair share of supporters who in fact were lucky as none would have beaten Botswana Bolt on this D-day.

Soviet Union, Golden Bow, Sagrada and Why Should I are the four other winners. The first three were fancied to score while Why Should I surprised most in the T B Hanumantharaj Memorial Trophy.