The first day of the Mumbai Season 2019-20 panned out on expected lines with form horses coming to the fore and there were no downright ‘shockers’ although a couple of hot favourites bit the dust. The nine-race card for the opening day was an attractive proposition and at the end of the day one, the off track battle between arch rivals – the punters and the bookies could safely be termed as a draw, with either side having their good moments through the day. The only wee bit of dampener would be that the racing action had to be kept away from the famed Mahalaxmi racecourse and run on the Pune turf due to the prolonged monsoon hampering the preparation for the scheduled start at Mumbai.

One of the riveting moments on the day was when Governor General (Phoenix Tower – Dancing Highness, Manjri Stud) snatched a close verdict to claim the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, the feature event of the day. It was a tight finish that saw four of the five horses in the field finish within half a length!

Holy Smoke led them past the 600m and weakened as Excellent wore him down to take the lead. Excellent Gold may have hurried a tad too early as he usually reserves his best for the last. And there he was grappling with Excellent just at the turn! Awesome One was right behind these two on the outside, while Governor General was the last one to turn for home.

Excellent Gold stuck by Excellent on straightening up and the pair fought hard with the latter a shade ahead. Awesome One drifted out badly despite the jockey’s efforts to correct him. While these three were engaged in a grim battle, one young whip-less apprentice – Pranil, put his head down and started pushing Governor General and the MK Jadhav ward was galloping straight as an arrow. That paid rich dividends as the thro in front was a bit wayward in the final furlong. Governor General caught up with the three past the stands and had just the right acceleration to land the spoils in a thrilling four-way finish. Excellent nosed out Awesome One for the second, while Excellent Gold ended a neck behind Awesome One.

For his first assignment in India, Jockey David Egan could not have asked for a better start. He tasted victory on his first mount in India atop Questina (Phoenix Tower – Meadowlark, Manjri Stud) saddled by Dallas Todywalla. Coming from a family of racing stalwarts, David’s father John has been a jockey of high repute. David is the nephew of champion jockey-turned-trainer Richard Hughes who is fondly remembered in the Indian racing circuit for his brilliant partnership with the famous filly Jacqueline, among his other great conquests on Indian turf.  David started off on a winning note and lived up to the high expectations on a difficult Pune track.

David had a wall of horses in front of him approaching the 600 m marker, as Dilbar was in the lead with Knight Superior, Tristar, God’s Decree, C’est L’Amour galloping in a bunch. Questina was in the seventh as they began to wheel round the corner.

Knight Superior took over the running briefly coming into the straight but soon fell to C’est L’Amour; David got around horses to produce Questina on the outside and make the final charge. Questina responded gamely and covered ground briskly to zip past C’est L’Amour, galloping away towards the winning post. Despacito came with a good run but by then it was way too late. Questina had the momentum and she won well. Despacito ended a close second on the haunches of the winner. Ron showed some improvement to take the place money.

The opening race of the season held great suspense and even greater joy for the large number of supporters that Tasch attracted. Jockey Zervan had to pull all the tricks in his bag to finish off triumphantly and ignite the adrenaline of those in the stands.

Brave was on his usual start-to-finish essay and was followed closely by Westeros, Godsword, Isinit and Highland Woods. Tasch was not too far away from the front-bunch but was certainly in peril for want of clear passage. At the turn, Zervan had to urge the Faisal Abbas trainee while switching lanes to find his way forward. Brave led them into the straight but had Westeros throwing a game challenge. Tasch got past the others runners and Zervan switched back to the inner rails getting on the inside of Brave. Tasch picked up momentum thereon and showed he was far superior to the field. He zipped ahead in the last 100 meters to romp home a clear winner to the delight of his backers. Westeros beat Brave for the runner up berth.

Top weighted Pablo (Varenar – Si Gentille, Equus Stud) finally added to his solitary win with a convincing effort to down hot favourite Hunt For Gold. Pablo has been pleasingly consistent figuring in the frame on all his ten previous outings, however he had not been able to win since his maiden win in August last year. This win ought to have come as a big relief for trainer Sanjay Kolse in particular.

Slam Dunk set off at a nippy pace going clear soon on start to establish a big lead. However, his bluff was called even before the turn as they hunted him down sooner than expected. Notting Hill hit the front soon and led them past the final 400m mark. Hunt For Gold was not accelerating well and had to be ridden all out. Soon Pablo got going as jockey Sandesh produced him from the wider out to make a quick dash forward. He sailed past the duo in front and won drawing away by a margin of more than two lengths. Hunt For Gold huffed and puffed to put her neck in front to beat Notting Hill for the second slot.

Sunderji trained Revelator (Chinese Whisper – Martinique, Tohna Stud) justified the overwhelming favourite status he garnered, by winning his maiden race with aplomb. He was quick at start and was the joint leader along with Resolute until into the straight. Jockey Neeraj Rawal rode out aggressively and soon Revelator split from his co-leader and started to draw away. Revelator galloped ‘resolutely’ outpacing his rivals in the homestretch and looked the winner a long way from home. Shapat progressed well to beat the rest although he was well-beaten himself. On Va Danser managed to pip Resolute for the place stakes.

Jockey Suraj Narredu showed why is rated among the top riders with a splendid piece or riding skill astride 2/1 favourite Auspicious (Excellent Art – Lovely Kiss, Poonawalla Stud) trained by his uncle Malesh Narredu. Auspicious was quick at start, but those with a good initial burst soon got past, with Wild Fire hitting the front. Clark Kent and Impala were in pursuit with En Sabah Nur, while Auspicious settled a close fifth, some distance away from those at the helm.

Wild Fire looked good entering the straight and she had a handy lead play with as well. Clark Kent couldn’t stay on to fight and Impala got past him easily. Auspicious arrived on the scene approaching the distance post and picked up speed with Suraj riding out aggressively. Auspicious got into the rhythm and raced past Wild Fire to notch up his third successive victory, all compiled in less than five weeks! Wild Fire nosed the wire just in time to take the second spot from the fast finishing En Sabah Nur. Tomasso ended a tame fourth.

Narendra Lagad trained Julio Cesaro (Diffident – Bayberry, Yeravada Stud) earned a hard-fought victory although he seemed to have the upper hand coming into the straight. Furiosa led them into the straight and put up stiff resistance when Julio Cesaro challenged her past the 400 m mark. Julio Cesaro managed to wear down the leader and skipped ahead past the distance post, but had to work harder to sustain all the way as Wilshire started to close-in briskly. Jockey Dashrath Singh rode out astutely, not letting the gelding slip up in the final few strides. Wilshire was getting too close for comfort, but Dashrath ensured Julio Cesaro warded off the challenger and prevail by a neck at the wire. Wilshire ended a good second, while Odessa, who was always in the front-bunch, saved the place money.  

Vishal Gaikwad trained Hokkaido (Poet’s Voice – Hasanka, Nanoli Stud) posted her maiden win finally after missing out more than once in her previous four starts. She was clinical this time and settled well as her main rival Seventh Mile hit the front soon on start. Hokkaido improved steadily and was up close with Seventh Mile as they turned for home. Seventh Mile did her best to stay in the lead, but Hokkaido was overbearing with her presence and it looked a matter of time before jockey Sandesh would get past and seal the issue. That happened just inside the final furlong when Hokkaido strode past Seventh Mile to score a fairly confortable victory. Power of Thor did well to finish in the money, close behind Seventh Mile. Athulya was at the tail end of the field all through until into the straight. He made some progress thereafter to finish just half a length behind Power of Thor, but never was in the hunt.

Dragonmoss (Girolamo – Banja Luka, Jai Govind Stud) put in a spirited stretch-run to collar all and sundry from some way back to trounce the opposition with ease. Sixth Emperor faded out soon after leading the pack into the straight. There was a bunch of horses huddled together as Highland Wind, Regal Shot, Golden Steal and Nusrat were all scrambling for the lead. Jockey Santosh arrived with Dragonmoss on the wider outside and swamped them all, with the Adhiraj Jodha trainee unleashing a terrific burst of speed at the business end. He floored the hapless lot and was away in a trice. Dragonmoss won by more than three lengths and made up amply for the narrow loss he suffered last time out. Nusrat fought on to take the runner-up berth, while Whispering Queen hushed Regal Shot out for the third spot.

Jockey A Sandesh was the lone pro to record a double on the day.