Baby Bazooka boomed and how! The Vishal Gaekwad trained filly showed dazzling speed from the word ‘go’ to pull off another sensational victory to make it two in two. She proved that her debut win was no fluke and that she is blessed with fiery speed as she outpaced a quality set of rivals with absolute ease. 

Jockey Zervan launched Baby Bazooka with precision and the speedy filly shot into the lead in quick time. She was comfortably in front as they turned for home with the others crowding behind her. Viktorina made a sincere attempt at catching up with the leader, but could only keep up without making much progress. Alastair too went all out in chase, but all he could do was peg back Viktorina and wrench out the runner-up berth, without making any impact on the winner. Baby Bazooka was in complete command in the final furlong, bouncing away from her rivals to score impressively. The daughter of Kingda Ka and Bullseye bred at the Nanoli Stud Farm was at her scintillating best and looks set for a third win as well. Alastair too, would not take too long to come out of his maiden ranks. 

SS Attaollahi trained Bellator (Western Aristocrat – Nickel Chrome, Manju Stud) notched up his third career win in the hands of Trevor by a comfortable margin of three lengths. Majestic Warrior led them from the start with Bellator in second; the two other runners were simply making up the numbers. 

Majestic Warrior enjoyed the lead only until Bellator decided to take charge. Bellator cruised past Majestic Warrior with about 300m to go and then sailed away to score without having to do too much. Trevor eased the gelding to cruise past the post well ahead of Majestic Warrior to win the Sonny Brar Trophy thereby notching up his first success on the Mumbai turf. 

Trainer Sanjay Kolse reaped twin successes one of which was in claiming the Behram Engineer Trophy with Vincenzo (Ravel – Confiance, Mukteshwar Stud). Vincenzo had to battle it out to achieve his maiden success which came on his fourth start. 
Blazing Bay cut loose to work up a fairly good lead until into the straight. Vincenzo was in second and soon started to catch up with the leader. Favourite Gilt Edge moved to second behind the new leader, but just could not pick up momentum well enough to get past. Vincenzo on the other hand, was determined to capitalize on the small lead he had built and galloped on gamely to stay ahead by a length to pull it off. Gilt Edge was found wanting on his finish and ended a fair second. Arabian Phoenix improved to take the third spot from The Bawaji. 

Sanjay’s other success came with Tasman (Arazan – Attractress, Poonawalla Stud) a race later. Tasman had lost his way after his maiden win last year, but found his form to score a convincing win. He was up in the front bunch close behind leader Shae and made a forceful charge ahead soon on entering the homestretch. Tasman picked up speed and had no trouble getting past those in front and soon sped away to seal the issue in the final furlong. He won by more than three lengths clocking a fast timing of under 1:37 for the mile. Ron did well to hold on to the runner-up spot, while Pride’s Angel arrived when all was over to finish a tame third.

Trainer Pesi Shroff also led-in two winners on the day. Moon River (Speaking of Which – Moonlight Romance, Usha Stud) had to work hard to earn her first winning bracket on her sixth attempt. Shadows, on a start to finish mission, fought on bravely making the task tougher for Moon River. Shadows entered the straight slightly ahead of Twelfth Earl and soon sped further ahead as neither Twelfth Earl nor Accenture were up to the task. Moon River, with jockey PS Chouhan in the saddle, started to claw her way up closing in on Shadows. Chouhan had to ride out the filly to get her to wear down Shadows. This pair fought stride for stride in the final furlong when Moon River eventually broke the shackles and surged ahead to carve out victory by half a length. Kamaria ran on to finish in the money. 

Shorff’s Minx (Sea The Moon – Sylvette, Chester Stud) built on her last start second and scored her maiden win with relative ease. Apprentice jockey Kirtish Bhagat was biding his time sitting in fourth spot as Irish Eyes led them all the way into the straight.  

Irish Eyes shaped well galloping at full steam and amassed a sizable lead too approaching the distance post. Minx started to move up fluently and although she was still a few lengths behind, Minx was seen catching up at a quick rate. Sure enough, Minx moved past along the rails to overhaul Irish Eyes well into the final furlong and then drew away to win by a little over a length. Irish Eyes fought all the way to finish a good second. Aira beat Chezza for the place money. 

Trainer Rehanullah Khan won both divisions of the Washington Irvine Plate with old timers and seasoned campaigners. The started the day on a winning note with Safdar (Ace – Flaming Glory, Poonawalla Stud) clinching the lower division. 
Safdar was quick at the start and then settled in second as Forever Free took over from Arabian Storm. Jockey Shahrukh Khan was a lot more alert and aggressive this time and shot ahead soon on turning for home. That was it, as none could chase Safdar down. Safdar galloped on at a good clip and kept a safe distance all the way past the post. Thea’s Pet rallied well to beat Forever Free for the second slot. 

Rising Brave (Ace – Palazzio, Poonawalla Stud) picked up his third win carrying the top weight in the bottom class to clinch this one with a good measure of comfort. He squashed Dowsabel’s runaway tactics and called the shots from midway in the straight. Jockey Bhawani Singh   had no difficulty in getting Rising Brave to unleash a powerful finishing run. Rising Brave sped past Dowsabel in the final furlong to win drawing away, piling up three lengths in quick time. Dowsabel ended a decent second, while Seniority improved to take the third spot. 

Karthik ward Rubik Star (Corporate Jungle – Olympic Skater, Hazara Stud) came alive with a spirited display and dished out a winning performance, his first win in ten starts. Jockey Bhawani Singh held Rubik Star in the third spot alongside favourite Immeasurable as they raced behind Fassbinder until into the straight. Rubik Star warmed up nicely past the 400 m marker and then accelerated fluently to snuff out the challenge from Immeasurable. Rubik Star stretched away to win by a comfortable margin. Immeasurable ran green and never looked settled at any stage. Hioctane came from behind to get the measure of the favourite and snatched away the second spot close home. Immeasurable may have needed the run and deserves another chance.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff, Sanjay Kolse and Rehanullah Khan saddled a double each, while jockeys Trevor and Bhawani Singh scored a double each.