Form horses came to the fore and several favourites won without fuss, by healthy margins. Costa Brava (Phoenix Tower – Karakorum Splendour, Manjri Stud) made ample amends to his last start failure while going down to New England recently. The Pesi Shroff trained gelding bounced back to winning ways with a stellar performance that stumped his rivals completely.

Congressional hit the front soon on start with Celtic Prince in second, Costa Brava had Forest Fairy and Perfect Star close behind. At the turn, Celtic Prince raced past Congressional with Costa Brava, Trevor up,  moving up to join the new leader, Forest Fairy too improving on the outside. Costa Brava picked up speed smoothly and soon sped ahead and then quickened well to leave them all behind. He was all alone in front inside the final furlong and galloped on to win by a thumping margin. Celtic Prince edged out Congressional to finish second. Perfect Star looked in distress as he trotted home way behind the others.

Imtiaz Sait trained Raees (Sedge Field – Lost Perfection, Jai Govind Stud) made light work of his rivals and won the traditional Byculla Club Trophy without encountering any challenge. Raees, with jockey Robbie Downey astride, stamped his superiority over the longer trips and he took charge from Vulcan past the 400m mark and then accelerated smoothly to draw away from his two rivals to post his eighth career win by close to six lengths. Frivolous worked hard in the straight and just managed to pip Vulcan for the second spot. Smasher was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Makhtoob (Speaking of Which – Adara, Usha Stud) sparkled on debut and galloped sweetly to a start to finish victory and claim the YM Chaudhry Memorial Trophy. The first timer from trainer SK Sunderji’s yard was off to a quick start and soon led comfortably all the way into the straight. He picked up speed and started stretching away from his rivals and jockey S Zervan rode out confidently all the way to the winning post. The fight was on only for the minor placing with Éclair getting the better of Taarradhin to take the runner-up berth.

Noshir Cama’s ward Emotionless (China Visit – Ooh Ahh Camera, Usha Stud) produced a superlative effort to gallop to her third career win, her first over the 2000m trip. It was not all smooth sailing though as Emotionless seemed under pressure just before the bend and jockey PS Chouhan had to urge her on. Emotionless responded well and tackled the front runners soon on turning for home. However, she was not exactly getting away from them. Jager Bomb was poking through between horses and looked a threat at one stage, while Romantic Eyes was progressing on the outside. A couple of cracks got Emotionless going and in the final few strides she surged further ahead to win by two lengths. Jager Bomb finished comfortably ahead of Romantic Eyes.

Sharareh (Varenar – Pointillis, Equus Stud) produced a dazzling finish to floor her rivals at the business end while achieving her maiden win on her fourth start. She was in the mid-pack until into the straight and then improved steadily. Chosen won was prominent but failed to quicken. Julio Cesaro put in a good run to surge ahead past the distance post, but found Sharareh’s late blitz too good to handle. Sharareh cut cross veering Julio Cesaro inwards which gave a technical ground for an objection, but the same was overruled.

Kaneez (Excellent Art – Amazing Queen, Poonawalla Stud) finally came good to score a rather long pending win and added to her solitary success thus far. Untitled led them into the straight and galloped gamely past the 400m. Albareto was improving on the outside to working up pace to tackle the leader. Jockey R Ajinkya moved up along the races and with some vigorous pushing got the Sunderji ward going with about a furlong to go. Albareto was trying hard to stay ahead when Kaneez started to eat up ground at a good clip. Kaneez finished on with a fiery gallop and won drawing away from Albareto. Take Five finished on well to save place money.

Officer In Command (Hymn – Blue Jay, AB Stud) put up a stubborn fight when it mattered to secure his maiden victory on third start. He seemed to be going well after taking a good jump and leading them into the straight. Officer in Command shaped well approaching the distance post, when Ebony started to inch closer. Ebony too picked up good speed and was dangerously close to topple the leader. They fought for a few strides and the Adhirajsingh Jodha ward showed a lot of resolve while digging deep and showing renewed vigour to pull away from Ebony in the dying moments of the race. Officer in Command eventually won by just under a length, apprentice K Nazil shining in the saddle. Ebony saw a genuinely good effort going down narrowly. Isinit did well to pick up place stakes.
Trainer SK Sunderji was the lone pro to score a double.