Governor General (Phoenix Tower – Dancing Highness, Amanali Stud) took full advantage of the bottom weight and scored a well-fought victory to claim the Madras Race Club Trophy in an exciting finish. Mygrator had shaped well coming into the straight and looked good to last out. Governor General started to apply pressure approaching the distance post and drew level with a furlong to go. This pair was fighting it out when Timeless started to make his presence felt. He joined the fight but apprentice K Nazil held his nerves and got Governor General to ward off the stiff challenge. Governor General held on to win narrowly from Timeless and Mygrator. A frivolous objection by CS Jodha, rider of Timeless was turned down by the stewards.

It was a lucrative day at the office for young Adhirajsingh Jodha returning with a rich haul of three winners. He began with a band sending out In It To Win It (Sedgefield – Blitz Kiss, Jai Govind Stud) to a surprisingly easy win, in what was expected to be a keen show.  

Till End of Time hit the front and set a decent pace and led them into the straight and bowed out soon after. Finest Moment just couldn’t quicken and gave up early. In It To Win It and Yellowstone charged ahead together, fought a couple of strides before In It To Win It began to finish on well. Jockey CS Jodha rode out strongly in the final 100 meters to steer clear and notch u a comfortable win. Tar Heel did well to peg back Yellowstone for the runner-up berth. Yellowstone disappointed after a good showing last time out.

Adhiraj next led in Colombianaprincess (Hymn – Kanthara, Jai Govind Stud), his filly providing an encore. Favourite Riquewihr hit the front with Colombianaprincess joining up on the outside. Debutante Excellent took a level jump but fell back considerably making it even more difficult for himself.

Into the straight, Riquewihr failed to quicken and surrendered tamely as Colombianaprincess charged ahead with a spirited run. Excellent warmed up and made a dash for it, cutting down the lead rapidly in the final furlong. However, Colombianaprincess kicked on gamely and defended her lead effectively to stay ahead at the wire and clinch her second victory on the trot following her debut in early February.  Excellent lost a good opportunity of a possible debut win, that little incident soon on start proving costly. She could, however, make amends soon.

Gold Field (Sedgefield – Fort Knox, Jai Govind Stud) pulled off a neat start to finish victory getting even better in the straight. He shot out of the gates to lead the field and once they turned for home, apprentice jockey Shubham pushed the filly getting her to accelerate nicely and stay well ahead of the competition. Nembe Greek tried hard to offer some challenge, but had too much to do in the final furlong and settled to take the runner-up slot. Favourite Queen’s Best failed to make an impact ending a tame third.

Karthik trained Grand Accord (Dream Ahead – Glebe Queen, Hazara Stud) achieved his second success for the season with a determined burst at the finish while winning the second race of the day. Gloriosus led them into the homestretch and his charge petered away when Massimo took over past the 400 m. soon Grand Accord started gaining ground and got the measure of Massimo. Once in the lead, Grand Accord with Bhawani Singh in the saddle, raced ahead. La Magnifique did shape well momentarily but could not sustain his progress, ending a tame second well ahead of Massimo.

The final two races of the day provided some relief for the followers of favourites as none of the prime fancies had obliged in the first five races. Blazing Steps (Chinese Whisper – Feet of Flames, Tohana Stud) changed that trend with a forceful victory taking it to the wire. Arvan did everything right for most of the way. He led them into the straight and also built a handy lead. Blazing Steps started to inch closer with every stride. Soon he got abreast of Arvan and they were racing neck and neck all the way to the wire, with Blazing Steps pulling it off to prevail by a head. Sparkling Thea did well to pip Abraxas for place money.

Beyond Forces (Noverre – Bibi Karam, Sohna Stud) had it ridiculously easy with no one even posing a threat at any given time. She was up and out quickly and darted into the lead with the rest following listlessly.

Once into the straight, apprentice jockey Zeeshan got her going and Beyond Forces bounded forward briskly to shut the opposition out a long way from home, winning by a widening margin. Arc of Passion ran on to finish third ahead of Scion.

For the professionals, it was Adhirajsingh Jodha’s day the young trainer saddling a treble, jockey CS Jodha chipped in with a double.