Market King (Leitir Mor – Only For Gold, Poonawalla Stud) reaped rich rewards after a frustrating string of second positions in all of his three starts to date. He came into his own on Sunday and scored his maiden win with an impressive margin of eight lengths!

Market King was off to a quick start and led comfortably, with Vincenzo and Isle of Skye a couple of lengths behind him. Jockey Sandesh took off with Market King soon on turning for home and the SK Sunderji trainee raised a fiery gallop to stretch away from the rest and pile up a huge lead in quick time. Market King ruled the straight and was several lengths ahead and it was soon apparent that the fight was on, only for the minor slots. Market King won easing up while Isle of Skye finished a clear second; Spanish City finished third by the skin of his nose beating Desert Fire on the wire.

The same trainer-jockey pair had returned victorious in the opening race of the day with Menilly (Leitir Mor – Star Goddess, Poonawalla Stud) also scoring a facile victory by over six lengths. The start was not ideal for IsInIt who was slowly off and Gravitas who veered out and dislodged the rider. Another furlong and a half later Turmeric Tower also dropped the rider.

Menilly settled in fourth with Falconette and Little More racing in the front and Dashing Image close behind them as they turned for home. Sandesh got Menilly to move up from the outside and the filly quickly surged ahead of the trio in front. Menilly tore away with ease and soon was out of reach of her rivals. She won without being urged and sailed past the winning post on a tight rein. Dashing Image improved in the straight to wrest the runner-up berth off Falconette.

Golden Era (Sedgefield – Feona, Jai Govind Stud), trained by Adhiraj Jodha, was another one to score a facile victory and dominated the homestretch after storming into the lead just before turning for home. Long-time leader Square Moon caved in easily while In It To Win It was lugging out and could not find his rhythm. Golden Era had it easy all the way and won by a margin of over four lengths from In It To Win It.

Adhiraj Jodha led in his second winner of the day with Thunderclap (Whatsthescript – River Cree, Manju Stud) putting in a spirited stretch-run. Belenus, Miss Boss and Mikayla’s Pride raced abreast turning for home and the last named got past his companion to snatch the lead. She led for a couple of strides, before Thunderclap arrived with a strong gallop. Jockey CS Jodha rode out aggressively with the colt responding well and soon they strode out ahead to seal the issue. Oui Sauvage raised slight hope when he got close behind Thunderclap, but found the winner too good on the day. Thunderclap won by just over two lengths, while Oui Sauvage did well to finish second. Ellysia caught the eye while speeding towards the post and managed to pip Mikayla’s Pride for place money.

Trainer Nazzak Chinoy opened her account with a fine double. Her ward Epiphany (Phoenix Tower – Merwaha, Manjri Stud) was ridden well by jockey TS Jodha, who kept her away from getting into the thick of traffic astutely. The scramble for vantage position in the straight was evident as a bunch of horses were lined up abreast, as Untitled, Pokerface, Sea Quest and Sharareh wheeled round the corner. Agrami joined the bunch soon after and Epiphany then arrived with a scorching finish. She surged past them all showing good acceleration and simply shot ahead and stretched away. Agrami fought briefly but in vain. Barak was the one who turned up late but with a good dash to claim the runner up slot. Red Carnation edged out Agrami for third place. Highland Lass also improved in the straight to finish close behind the bunch.

Nazzak’s second winner came in the last race when Enlightened (Leitir Mor – Mjeez, Poonawalla Stud) came alive in the homestretch and raced away to score a well-fought maiden win on his second start. Settling in fifth position jockey TS Jodha made his move from the wider out on turning for home. Warrior Clan faded out after leading them in and soon Exotic Queen took over. She led through the first half of the homestretch and had shaped well too, however, Enlightened picked up speed approaching the distance post and once in top gear, Enlightened was clearly travelling the best of the lot. Enlightened won comfortably in the end and Exotic Queen had to settle for the next best position. Julio Cesaro improved to finish in the money.

Imtiaz Sait’s Miss Scarlet (Multidimensional – Amore Mio, Usha Stud) achieved her maiden success on her 10th start and had to fight for her victory. Sachertorte brushed aside the front running pair of Dowsabel and Principessa and shot into the lead. Miss Scarlet began to accelerate and soon caught up with the new leader. Take It Easy started to close in on the fighting duo and they seemed to be headed for a close finish. Miss Scarlet with Sandesh up, galloped on resolutely to stay ahead and hold on to win by half a length from Take It Easy. Sachertorte did well to finish in the money.

For the professionals, trainers SK Sunderji, Adhiraj Jodha and Nazzak Chinoy saddled a double each, while jockeys A Sandesh and TS Jodha scored a treble and a double respectively.