Trainer SK Sunderji and stable jockey Nicky Mackay reaped rich rewards, scoring a fine treble, a hat-trick in fact, in the day’s seven-event race card. Strongly fancied Headway (Arazan – Majeez, Poonawalla Stud) galloped gallantly in the homestretch to pick up the Maharaja Sir Pratapsingh Gaekwad Trophy and this was his first attempt over the five-furlong scurry.

Settling well behind the front runners until they straightened up for home, jockey Nicky Mackay made an early move racing past those in front to grab the lead. Wild Fire and Impala were out in front with Hidden Gold picking up momentum alongside Copper Queen with about 400 to go. Headway put in a nippy dash past the 400 m and easily cruised past them all within the next 100 meters. He galloped away even further ahead to eventually post a comfortable victory.  Hidden Gold beat the rest easily to take the runner up berth. Copper Queen just managed to save place money holding on from Namaqua by a neck.

The two other winners from the Sunderji-stables won their maiden races and both were well-backed to win. Live By Night (Arazan – Isn’t She Special, Poonawalla Stud) had to work a lot harder to earn his maiden win. The rush in the homestretch was pronounced as early leader Blue Blood, River Moon, Irish Eyes, Flaming Lamborgini and Live By Night were all closely huddled with under 400 to go. Moon River, Live By Night and Flaming Lamborgini took on one another and fought hard. Live By Night got slightly ahead approaching the distance post and Mackay had to go all out to stay ahead. Bold Legend, who was in the rear until the turn had to manoeuver his way and once he saw daylight, he too was finishing well. Live By Night had to use everything up to hold on as both Flaming Lamborgini and the late finishing Bold Legend were gaining on him and fortunately for Live By Night, he got to the wire just in time to carve out a narrow win. Flaming Lamborgini and Bold Legend ended close behind the winner.

For Menilly (Leitir Mor – Star Goddess, Poonawalla Stud) it was a lot easier as once she picked up momentum in the straight, it was all smooth sailing for her. Finalist led them into the straight and soon it was Pense’e who arrived with a strong bid. Pense’e shaped well as she stretched ahead of Finalist and raised hopes for her supporters. Mackay meanwhile was guiding Menilly through the traffic in front and he managed to zigzag his way, moving in towards the rails and then switching to the outside of Pense’e midway in the homestretch. Once they were clear, Menilly quickened fluently and zipped past Pense’e with ease to score by just under two lengths. Pense’e ended a good second well ahead of Finalist and Monarch.

Long-shot Antarctica (Chevalier – Wild Anzille, Ruia Stud) scored her third career win and fought well in the final furlong. When Hudson’s Horse led the field into the homestretch, Antarctica was at the rear end. Hudson’s Horse too fought gallantly and first warded off Aquarius but soon It’s A Deal posed a new threat. Antarctica too started to catch up with these two inside the final furlong. The trio fought stride for stride, but Antarctica got stronger at the finish to wrap it up beating It’s A Deal and Hudson’s Horse in a close three-way finish.

Noshir Cama trained Judy Blue Eyes (Western Aristocrat – Penny Lane, Nanoli Stud) was tipped to score an encore and she did so comfortably. Jockey PS Chouhan had her up in front and soon settled in second behind Falconette the latter leading them into the straight. Judy Blue eyes didn’t take too long to surge past Falconette and then accelerated well to build a handy lead approaching the distance post. Red Carnation tried all out to catch up, but just could not muster well enough to make any impact on the winner. Judy Blue Eyes won by over two lengths to spare. Julio Cesaro ended a tame third.

Jack Flash (Chinese Whisper – Midnight Special, Tohna Stud) sprang a surprise while bringing up his maiden victory. With four listless runs behind in this season and the fact that he had never raced beyond 1400 m in his career of 12 runs, Jack Flash had no takers in the betting ring.

Big Ben had a sizable lead of over five to six lengths coming into the straight, but he squandered it all away.  Mr Honey covered good ground in the early half of the straight, but failed to sustain. Jockey Nazil atop Hosidar Daji’s ward Jack Flash switched to the inside and the gelding came at Mr Honey with a stiff challenge. The pair fought a couple of strides, before Jack Flash surged ahead to score by a length. Mr Honey was a good second finishing well ahead of Big Ben. Walk The Talk ended close behind Big Ben.

Power of Neath (Phoenix Tower – Neath, Manjri Stud) went for the lead after the first furlong and guided a closely packed bunch into the straight. Jockey Peter put everything into it pushing Power of Neath and urging him on. Officer in Command put in a good gallop past the distance post and it looked like he was going to get there, but Power of Neath kicked on relentlessly all the way. I Am The Way put in a late dash to snatch the runner-up berth from Officer in Command.

For the professionals, trainer Sunderji and jockey Nicky Mackay combined to score a treble.