Findlerhof (Phoenix Tower –Mabaahej, Manjri Stud) built upon his last start second to score an emphatic maiden victory and claim the Greater Mumbai Police Trophy. The Imtiaz Sait trainee settled in the mid-bunch until the turn and made steady progress soon after. Laburnum set the tone from the start and had Articulate in tow until into the straight, with the rest following not too far behind.  Articulate shot ahead with about 400 to go and picked up good pace. Findlerhof got into the act soon and started to gain on the new leader. Outrageous was well off the bridle and searching her way along the inner railings with Pondarosa up with the front bunch.
Findlerhof accelerated smoothly and within a matter of strides, collared Articulate and bounded ahead. Jockey P Trevor got the filly going and in no time she flew away adding turf showing pleasing rhythm, outpacing her rivals with authority. Articulate held on grimly to take the runner-up spot. Sullivan caught the eye finishing on fastest of the lot, falling just short of Articulate with his late bid.

Ms Boss (Varenar – Eubee, Equus Stud) galloped away to a clinical start to finish victory to achieve her maiden victory while winning the Bahrain Trophy in style. She was off to an electric start and maintained a firm grip throughout the race. Once into the straight, Ms Boss, trained by Sanjay Kolse, quickened effortlessly with jockey Sandesh easing her ahead and working up smooth acceleration. Sandesh relied on hands and heels right through and was a safe distance ahead coming into the final furlong. Ms Boss won handsomely by a healthy margin and was eased up in the last part. Enid Blyton improved in the final furlong, her late burst was commendable and she did extremely well to rally from some distance behind to pip Oui Sauvage and The Cheetah for the runner up berth. Enid Blyton was the pick of the beaten lot.

Pesi Shroff trained Smasher (Multidimensional – Exquisite, Usha Stud) made it a one-horse race while bagging the General Obaidullah Khan Trophy. Showing no fatigue on his previous two runs over 2000 meters not too long ago, Smasher lived up to his name and left the field cold by cantering to win by a distance.

Smasher hit the front right from the start and increased his lead all the time. Frivolous was woeful to say the least and was never in the hunt as were the others. Smasher, with jockey NS Parmar in the saddle, went about the motions and reduced the race to a ‘no-contest.’ For the records, Zanara ended second.

Trainer SN Joshi enjoyed his day in the Sun saddling a fine treble on the day. Well, providence did play a part as all the three runners came under Joshi’s charge from the Shah-stables following recent Mansoor Shah’s ouster.      

Alsace (Mull of Kintyre – Arhaaff, Sohna Stud) who had never been in the judge’s frame ever any in his previous eleven runs soared his stocks with a spirited stretch run. Vitesse led them into the straight and fought on hard to stay in contention. Alsace moved up nicely early in the straight and progressed well to inch closer to the leader. Samurai and Lovely Fairy were warming up too; however favourite Smokey Haze was caught in a traffic jam and was frantically looking for a way out.

Meanwhile, Alsace progressed well under jockey Zeeshan’s riding and got past Vitesse with ease. He pushed further to gain a slight upper hand which came in handy at the finish. Lovely Fairy shaped well but lacked the killer blow. Smokey Haze switched lanes and when he picked up momentum it was far too late. Alsace had enough legs to hold on and Smokey Haze fell short by just half a length. Lovely Fairy ended third ahead of Forever Free, who too didn’t get a clear run and had to be content with the fourth slot.

Joshi next saddled Myrcella (Dean’s Kitten – Caressed, Sohna Stud) to her maiden victory and this was the filly’s eighth start. Apprentice jockey Zeeshan was right behind Dance Emperor all the way into the straight. Once they straightened up, Myrcella inched her way closer to Dance Emperor who was not in a hurry to give up his lead. Myrcella wore him down with little effort and in the final furlong sped away to score with a comfortable margin. Dance Emperor, to his credit, kicked on gamely to stay in second well ahead of the rest. Grand Architect laboured to finish in the money, while Hi Ho Silver did well to cover good ground to finish abreast with Grand Architect.   

Joshi’s third visit to the winner’s circle was brought about by Poco Azul (Mull of Kintyre – Kalimanka, Sohna Stud) and was ridden by jockey Akshay. Poco Azul settled alongside Top Wizard soon on start with Ebony joining the pair approaching the turn. Gladalf was galloping under constant pushing in the first half and also did drop positions as several rivals got past him.

Ebony led into the straight with Poco Azul looming large on the outside. It didn’t take Poco Azul too long to get the measure of Ebony who once again faltered at the business end. Poco Azul shaped well inside the final furlong and kicked on at a good clip to stay well ahead at the winning post to notch up his maiden victory after seven previous attempts. Gandalf rallied well to improve remarkably while snatching the runner-up berth. Dragonmoss kept his followers interested for a brief while midway down the straight, but failed to make an impact. Ebony ended in the money.  

Vijay Kasbekar trained Felix Felicis (Juniper – Masterafar, (Master Racing Stud) produced a strong finishing effort that floored favourite Faberge and company. Faberge did all the hard work and led them until well into the straight, but when Felix Felicis put up a challenge, Faberge surrendered tamely. Felix Felicis arrived with a powerful burst that catapulted her into a sizable lead midway in the straight and she carried the momentum all the way past the post. Faberge however, didn’t let anyone get past and held on to the second slot, just ahead of Teodor Monte and Macgyver. Primum Non Nocere had a rough passage and was shunted out one off the frame, but close.

Hudson (Excellent Art – Mystic Dancer, Cyza Stud) surfaced from the mid-bunch to launch an all-out attack in the homestretch and grew stronger at the finish to pick his second victory, the last one coming eleven months back. Speedo led them into the straight but was soon pushed back by Alpine Express. Ridgewood Star was getting nowhere when Hudson start to work his way to the front. Jockey PS Chouhan rode out the Malesh Narredu ward forcefully to win narrowly from Alpine Express and the fast finishing Epiphany. Epiphany had to be checked more than once and also had to switch lanes of clear passage that proved costly in the end result. The mare came with a terrific burst in the final 100 meters, but was a tad too late as the top two had gained considerable leeway over the tote favourite. Epiphany needs to be persisted with in her next outing as well.  

For the professionals,  trainer SN Joshi saddled a treble and apprentice jockey S Zeeshan scored a double.