While War Hammer stole the hearts on the day and not without reason, there were some hard-core performances and one that really was right up there was in the Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr2). Galloping through the backstretch, Sacred Roman called the shots and led comfortably going at a crisp pace over the 2000 m journey. Steinlight chased the leader most of the way with Roberta a couple of lengths behind. Tasawwur and Salazaar kept one another company slightly ahead of Bronx and Raees, while Truly Epic was tailed off in the rear, a couple of lengths behind the bunch.

Sacred Roman dashed forward once in the straight but soon Roberta started to close in. Salazaar (Burden of Proof – Saddle Star, Kunigal Stud Farm) saddled by Irfan Ghatala, went for the narrow gap alone the rails with Tasawwur flexing his muscles from the outside. Roberta was flanked between the two trying who seemed in tearing hurry to go for the kill. In doing so Tasawwur moved lightly inward and Salazaar outward there by causing Roberta a severe check that put paid to her chances.

Salazaar and Tasawwur battled hard and battled royally all the way to the winning post. Both jockeys Suraj Narredu atop Salazaar and Sandesh astride Tasawwur were in the win-at-all-cost mode. It was an epic battle of sorts and closer home Truly Epic appeared to have a say at the finish. Truly Epic was clearly gaining on the fighting duo, but had left a tad too much to do at the business end. Salazaar just about managed to stick his nose in front at the wire in the nick of time to get the verdict from Tasawwur and the latter raced gallantly to fight all the way. Truly Epic ended a close third and his effort was noteworthy as well.

Jockey A Sandesh had a memorable day as he achieved a landmark 1000th winner astride trainer Imtiaz Sait’s Flying Visit (China Visit – Ooh Ahh Camera, Usha Stud) who has shown sublime form this season. He lined up an impressive hattrick and each one against some seasoned horses. As they jumped out it was Bateleur who raced off ahead with Flying Visit close behind. Cosmic Ray, who was tipped to win this race, settled in fourth with La Rondine the other fancied runner further behind.

Flying Visit shot past the leader with woo to go and soon Cosmic Ray went after him. They drew level approaching the distance post and Cosmic Ray did look like collaring Flying Visit as she had covered ground getting to him. However, Sandesh rode fiercely and Flying Visit began to rally. The two were stuck together all the way to the wire with Flying Visit wresting it back to win by a long neck. Cosmic Ray missed out narrowly but fought hard all the way.

Attaolahi’s charge Forest Flame (Letir Mor – Memory Bay, Ponawalla stud) showed out in a splendid fashion to romp home a clear winner while bagging the Ebco Worksmart Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Gr3). Jockey David Egan settled the filly in the mid-bunch until they tured for home and then darted through the centre working up fine acceleration to leave the field cold. She picked up past the 400m mark and once she saw daylight, it was all over for her hapless rivals. She was different class from there on and won easing up by a massive margin.  Rubik Star warmed up late but covered good ground briskly to peg back Super Girl for the runner up berth.

Mumbai played good hosts as another outstation runner in Golden Oaks (Leitir Mor – Messalina, Poonawalla Stud) picked up the BK Rattonsey Memorial Multi-Million with ease. He tracked down Joaquin soon on turning for home and then unleashed a fluent gallop in the hands of jockey David Allan to rush ahead and score an easy victory. El Capitan tried hard to catch up, but found the winner too good. Golden Oaks won by a comfortable margin of two-and-half lengths. El Capitan beat the rest by a clear four lengths margin and will live to fight another day. Joaquin ran on to finish in the money.

Malesh Narredu trained Giant Star (Excellent Art – Sweeping Star, scored an impressive victory on debut, clinching the DR MAM Ramaswamy Multi-Million, although he did run a little erratic towards the end. Taimur and Salvo were clear of the rest until the turn with Giant Star entrenched in the mid-bunch. On turning for home, Taimur raced ahead leaving Salvo behind and had a handy lead coming into the final two furlongs. Jockey Yash Narredu then pressed the button and Giant Star started to devour ground at a brisk rate. Before long, he was all over Taimur and then shot ahead and clear of the long-time leader. He veered out awkwardly in the finishing stages, but that had no bearing on the result as he had pretty much sealed the issue. Wind Whistler ended a faraway third.

Kildare (Leitir Mor – Awarding, Poonawalla Stud) bounced back after an ordinary run in the Guineas to score with authority. Barak went into the lead soon on start but fell to third around the turn with Storm Breaker going ahead and Kildare making progress to join the leader.

Into the straight, Storm Breaker found Kildare too hot to handle (as did the others) and fought hard to stay in contention. Kildare was in a different zone altogether as he went sailing clear to leave the rest fighting for the minor placing. Jockey Sandesh had little to do as Kildare galloped on impressively to win with a measure of comfort. Dandy March ran on to finish second ahead of Questina.

David Egan rode out a difficult race as he received a check soon on start and then had to wriggle out to make his run in the homestretch astride Dallas Todywalla trained Hidden Gold (Leitir Mor – Coccinella, Poonawalla Stud). Copper Queen looked well in command as she spurted further ahead in the homestretch with none close behind looking a threat. She galloped on gamely and was still a couple of lengths past the distance post when Mighty Warrior came with a strong run to challenge Cooper Queen. The duo battled hard and Copper Queen seemed to have the upper hand to last it out, which is when Hidden Gold arrived from the wide outside to storm past and shock the fighting duo. Hidden Gold made a dramatic appearance in the final stages of the race to showed a superb turn of foot to beat them by one length from a position that was hard to foresee his victory. He pulled off a sensational win from the fighting pair Copper Queen and Mighty Warrior. Raising Brave too fired in with a good burst to run alongside the beaten pair.

For the professionals, jockeys Suraj Narredu, A Sandesh and David Egan scored a double each.