Victorious Sermon (Whatsthescript – Crystal, Nanoli Stud) was perhaps the most impressive winner of the day and he not only just beat Pune Derby winner Trouvaille, but beat him by a margin! Trouvaille, on paper at least, looked invincible more so because he had beaten each of his rivals in previous encounters convincingly.  He was the half-money favourite for a reason.

But all reasoning can go out of the window when the action begins on the turf and the first thing that may have gone against Trouvaille was the friendly pace at the start of the race. Malwa was the one to go about the motions out in front with Victorious Sermon tagging close behind. Sultan Suleiman was next with Trouvaille and Daddy’s pride keeping each other company at the tail end.

Victorious Sermon made the first and early move to close in on Malwa and jockey Colm O Donoghue spurted ahead at the turn. Trouvaille had to hurry through only to not let the new leader get too far ahead. Sultan Suleiman and Daddy’s Pride also swung into action mode at the same juncture.

Approaching the distance post, Donoghue had the Vishal Gaikwad ward speeding ahead enjoying a handy cushion and Trouvaille was clearly under pressure. He picked up momentum but by then it was way too late. Victorious Sermon cruised past the winning post a good three lengths plus ahead of Trouvaille and Sultan Suleiman to win the RR Ruia Gold Cup (Gr2) comprehensively.   

Jockey Nicky Mackey played a ‘waiting game’ astride favourite Intense Stylist (Western Aristocrat – Spica, Nanoli Stud) and charged in just at the right moment to peg way bottom weight La Magnifique close home. He had to also tackle Gazino who was right on his outside most of the while in the throughout the scurry. Clymene found the weight a burden and fell back after entering the straight and finished a poor last. La Magnifique usurped the lead from Clymene soon on turning for home and then accelerated fluently to stay in command. Gazino moved up on the outside and started to challenge La Magnifique. All this while, Mackey had the Sunderji ward right behind these two, refraining from switching lanes and waiting for the slight opening instead. With La Magnifique not letting Gazino get past, the supporters of the favourite were on their feet with prayers on their lips.

With a furlong to go, Intense Stylist was still in third and right behind the fighting duo in front. Mackey avoiding attempting to take the gap on the rails and preferred to wait a couple of strides more and finally his wait paid off as La Magnifique increased the tempo and moved further ahead of Gazino giving Mackey that chance he was waiting for. Intense Stylist shot through between the two and pounced on La Magnifique at a nippy pace and won by a convincing half-length. Nicky Mackey was supremely confident and his trust in the gelding showed in his astute riding. La Magnifique was gallant in defeat and although she was carrying feather weight, she picked up speed and sustained it right until the final couple of strides. Gazino tried hard and ended a close third.

Benghazi (Phoenix Tower – Meadowlark, Manjri Stud) pulled off a neat start to finish victory to earn his maiden victory in a pleasing manner, if you ignore his outward drift in the homestretch. He was quickest out and Trevor settled the Pesi Shroff trained colt nicely to gallop in a good rhythm. ON turning for home, Benghazi quickened well and looked in control all the way. Percivale moved into second but never looked a threat. Hot favourite Wind Whistler was found wanting as he didn’t pick up as he was expected to and ran on to finish a tame third. he may have disappointed but should improve after this run. Benghazi pulled off victory by a comfortable margin, but did shift out considerably and Trevor was seen doing his best to keep him from doing so, without much success. He won well however and can score again soon.

Shroff trained King Solomon (Win Legend – One Life To Live, Dashmesh Stud) showed commendable improvement over his last tame third finish and this time galloped to achieve his maiden victory. He sat second behind leader Tasman until into the straight and made a quick early move and shot into the lead soon on turning for home. King Solomon stole a march soon after had built a handy lead. Moriseiki had some leeway to cover and that proved to be his undoing. He did cover ground fast in the final furlong and was clearly moving the fastest of the lot, King Solomon included, but that three or four lengths leeway was too much of an ask, unless King Solomon ran out of gas; King Solomon didn’t and Moriseiki ended a neck shy. Justified was a well-beaten third.

Judy Blue Eyes (Western Aristocrat – Penny Lane, Nanoli Stud) saddled my Cama, flew out of the gates and held a tight grip on the curry all through past the post. Jockey PS Chouhan got her going in the straight and she soon established a good lead approaching the final furlong mark. Dilbar who was always in chase of the leader, could not muster much, neither bowing out. Resolute was a bit tardy in getting off to a fast start and was in the mid-bunch until they turned for home. He took a while to warm up, suggesting that the scurry may have been a tad sharp for him. He finished on well though and ended a length behind Judy Blue Eyes, pegging back Dilbar for the runner up berth.         

Anatevka (Multidimensional – Smashing, Usha Stud) came into her own this time and swamped the opposition to score a fluent victory. Tristar led them until the turn and soon Anatevka shot into the lead. Once in front apprentice jockey Kavraj rode out the mare galloping away from the rest. Istanbul, who was closest behind Anatevka, simply could not keep pace and fell back. Mount Olympus, Stick to the Plan and Jetfire could not catch up either and Anatevka skipped away to win by three lengths. Istanbul finished second with Mount Olympus ending on his haunches.

 Narendra Lagad’s Abraxas (Roi Maudit – Flaming Ruby, Country Stud) showed a lot of steam to down stablemate and favourite C’est L’Amour close home. C’est L’Amour shaped well as he led them into the homestretch and then accelerated well to stay what seemed safely ahead. Neither Perfect Shining nor Gold Member was making any impact but Abraxas, with apprentice Kavraj in the saddle, came with a bug rush in the final fifty to surge past the favourite and score by half a length.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a fine treble, while apprentice jockey PS Kavraj scored a double.