The thrill and excitement that usually is the norm and a given at the races in the iconic Mahalaxmi track was in its full glory with as many as six out of the seven races slated for the day going up the wire with a margin of a length or even a lot lesser. Sharahreh was the only horse to have won comfortably. The composition of the winners too (odds-wise) was sedate with no real stunner stumping the punters. Clyemene perhaps would have created a flutter if at all, but that too would be a minor one, as Clymene is no mean contender herself. 

Clymene (Western Aristocrat - Magdelena, Nanoli Stud) too fell into the 'fluke' category due to a couple of below par runs at Pune. She was back to her best this time and spurted ahead soon on start. Piloted by ace jockey P Trevor, Clymene thrived under his guidance and set off at a good clip right from the outset.  Awesome One failed to produce his known acceleration and looked in trouble the moment they turned for home. Gazino progressed nicely from the mid-bunch and was the only one to keep Clymene within reach. Gazino gained considerable ground and put up a strong gallop in the final furlong, but Clymene kicked on all the way to hold Gazino by a length at the post. Awesome One just about managed to keep the third spot nosing the wire from Intense Stylist. Clymene, saddled by Faisal Abbas was impressive, while Gazino too caught the eye, finishing a gallant second.

Trainer Pesi Shroff sent out a fine treble on the day starting off with prime favourite Mzilikazi (Kingda Ka - Al Khazneh, Nanoli Stud) putting up a strong finish to clinch the Sardar Harcharan Singh Brar Memorial Trophy. Jockey Leach Roche did his best and that was indeed needed for Mzilikazi to return triumphant. Tanjo, racing after a break of close to five months, was surprisingly sharp as she took off at a scorching pace to lead the field soon on settling down. Tanjo galloped hard right through and left the others to chase her down. Mzilikazi improved positions round the turn and set about in chase of the leader. Auspicious was a patch on his recent winning form and bowed out without a fight. Dandi March, who was a bit tardy at the start, started to make his presence felt and was working his way closer from the outside. Past the distance post, Tanjo still had a slight advantage but Mzilikazi was gaining on her with every stride. Roche provided a stronger finish and Mzilikazi caught up with Tanjo a couple of strides from the all important end to score by a narrow margin. Tanjo held on to keep the runner-up berth by a neck from Dandi March.

The Shroff-Roche combine struck again in the very next race with Rhapsody (Speaking of Which - Analeah, Usha Stud). Here too Roche had to sweat it out in the final furlong. My Precious led them until the straight and fizzled out tamely. Daddy's Pride was tailing the field all through, and his wait along the inner rails paid off when he got a narrow gap and pushed through it. Rhapsody too was ready for the final finish and sped alongside Daddy's Pride. These two pulled away from the rest as Hokaido was not quickening at all. Daddy's Pride had a slight upper hand coming inside the final furlong and after a fierce battle, Rhapsody got stronger in the last fifty meters to surge ahead and carve out her third career win from five starts. Daddy's Pride fought bravely until the end and ended a good second. Hokaido was a disappointing third.

Shroff's third for the day was with rookie Royalty (Phoenix Tower - Royal Highness, Manjri Stud), the filly achieving her maiden win on her second start in a breathtakingly close finish. Lady Lanette showed good early speed and went for it from the word go. On entering the straight, Lady Lanette sped further ahead and built a slender but handy lead. None close behind the leader looked threatening and that made Lady Lanette the likely winner even with two furlongs to go. However, Royalty, who was in the mid-bunch until the turn, started to gain on the horses in front. Jockey Trevor set Royalty alight and the filly responded gamely to claw her way up to challenge Lady Lanette. The duo drew level in the final furlong and both raged a pitch battle going stride for stride and flashed past the winning post locked together. Royalty prevailed by a nose in that very exciting finish. Dashrath Singh too was equally up to the task, riding at his best, but the bob of the heads swung it in Royalty's favour. Intense Approach held on to finish in the money; however, Successor was unfortunate to have received a check at a crucial stage and failed to get a clear run. That she rallied well enough to finish a close fourth is commendable and Successor is the one to watch out for in her next outing.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Tudor Hall (Kingda Ka - Enaski, Nanoli Stud) put in a sparkling finishing run to notch her maiden victory in her fourth start. She had to make her way through a rough passage and jockey Zervan deserves praise for handling the filly astutely, particularly in those difficult moments soon on turning for home. Last start winner Pulversize and Martini were up in front at the turn while Tudor Hall was close behind along the rails. Favourite Memorable Eyes ran green in the straight and that hampered her chances. Golden Era, Run Forrest Run and Tudor Hall got going approaching the distance post. It looked anybody's race with a furlong to go. Tudor Hall moved slightly ahead with Golden Era sticking close by and Run Forrest Run asking question on the wider outside. Tudor Hall kicked on gamely to hold off the challengers and notch her all important maiden victory in a thrilling fashion. Golden Era just missed it narrowly, while Run Forrest Run ended a good third well ahead of Memorable Eyes.

Rehanullah Khan's Sharareh (Varenar - Pointillist, Equus Stud) was the most comfortable winner of the day scoring a facile victory in the day's opener. Favourite Steppenwolf led all the way into the straight with Maestro in tow and Sharareh a close third. Once into the straight, jockey Bhawani Singh set Sharareh alight and the speedy filly unleashed a terrific burst to storm ahead in the early half of the straight and romp home by over two lengths. Steppenwolf ran on to finish second well ahead of Isinit, the latter managing to pip Highland Woods for place money.

The last race of the day was another cracker of a race with Whispering Queen (Chinese Whisper - Desert Queen, Tohna Stud) pulling off an exciting last stride victory to bring about her maiden win. Saddle In The Wind did all the front running and when came the time to accelerate, she was found wanting. Shapath progressed well to be prominent in the final 400m and Whispering Queen wriggled out to the outside and this pair battled on the final furlong. Apprentice jockey AS Peter rode out well in the crunch situation to finally nail it by a head in a four horse finish. Shapath finished a good second. Arizona Pie finished well to pip Saddle In The Wind for place money.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff was the star of the day, leading in three winners, while jockeys P Trevor and Leach Roche scored a double each.