Racing action finally resumed in Mumbai and although the entry was restricted to a few hundred patrons, the fraternity heaved a sigh of relief. Mumbai city is not the same without the thundering of hooves which is so much a part of the city that never sleeps.  

On the racing front, trainer Vishal Gaekwad and jockey Zervan combined to bag both the Trophy races. Gaekwad’s Victorious Sermon (Whatsthescript – Crystal, Nanoli Stud) was back with conviction and boy, did he delight his supporters! Jockey Zervan pushed him soon on start, only until he shot past St Andrews to lead the field. Thereafter, the gelding dictated the terms and dominated his illustrious opponents all through.

Victorious Sermon was light on his feet and stretched away sweetly looking the winner as early as at least a furlong and half away from home. St Andrews was finding it tough to keep pace, while Flying Visit only progressed to take the runner up slot beating a tiring St Andres to it. Augustus Caesar could not even do that, ending a tame fourth. Victorious Sermon scored a thumping victory by a good margin of four lengths.  

Baby Bazooka (Kingda Ka – Bullseye, Nanoli Stud) provided the same connections of Victorious Sermon a perfect double, only there was a touch more anxiety on this one if at all. Baby Bazooka, out for the first time, shot out of the gates at a brisk rate and lead the field fright from start. Favourite Flying Scotsman was right on the tail of the leader that hyped the anxiety bit.

Baby Bazooka fired away once into the straight and Flying Scotsman was called! What seemed a handy lead for Baby Bazooka, soon turned into decisive lead as neither Flying Scotsman nor Mogul could close-in on Baby Bazooka. The first time out filly won by a comfortable three lengths. Flying Scotsman fought back to gain the second place from Moghul by half a length, while The Awakening ended fourth a head behind Moghul.

Trainer Pesi Shroff also led-in two winners the first being The Bawaji (Dawn Approach – Caught On Camera, Equus Stud) who won warding off a game challenge from Touch of Faith. The start was disastrous for Sophistocrat as he veered out completely on the jump and was out of it completely.

Hioctane surrendered his lead soon on turning for home and The Bawaji raced ahead to take charge. Touch of Faith warmed up approaching the distance post and started to gain on The Bawaji. The duo fought the final two furlongs with The Bawaji ridden hard by apprentice Aniket Karnade. The Shroff trainee held on to win by half a length. Touch of Faith didn’t quite get into a rhythm, yet fought all the way to the wire. Hioctane finished a fair third.    

Pesi Shorff’s next success came with Rambunctious (Kingda ka – Circle of Bliss, Nanoli Stud) and she too was stretched to get past Majestic Warrior.

 The fact that Rambunctious was returning to the shorter distance also could have mattered considering the narrow margin she won by. Majestic Warrior had stolen a march and was good four or five lengths ahead in the homestretch and pegging away. Princess Annabel was not able to sustain and was fight hard to stay in contention. She was passed from either side by Mount Moriah along the rails and Rambunctious on the outside. Rambunctious got more forceful towards the finish and surged past Majestic Warrior a couple of strides from the winning post to notch up a narrow 3/4L victory from Majestic Warrior; Mount Moriah and Princess Annabel finished close behind.

Belenus (Arazan – Lovely Kiss, Poonawalla Stud) galloped hard in the business end of the race to score a comfortable victory over Ms Boss. The two fancied runners were right alongside as Wild Fire and Gold Member entered the straight just ahead of the market fancies. Jockey Sandesh astride Belenus had to check his mount and let Ms Boss get past and then he skirted around to find a clear passage. Ms Boss by then had caught up with Wild Fire and even headed them when Belenus picked up speed and started to accelerate well. Belenus collar Ms Boss within the next couple of strides and picked up good speed to win drawing away. Ms Boss was floored and had to be content with the second position. Wild Fire held on to finish in the money keeping Jetfire at bay.

Fuhrer (Leitir Mor – Awarding, Poonawalla Stud) achieved his maiden success pulling off a facile victory on his third start. Hitting the front within the first furlong, Fuhrer, with jockey Trevor in the saddle, made light work of his opponents without any hard effort. Vincenzo was not making much impression as Fuhrer galloped authoritatively throughout the straight. Pense’e improved a bit in the final furlong to claim the third spot. Fuhrer won impressively and should pick up another victory before long.