ockey C. Alford marked his return to the saddle by winning the Playwin Million astride Star of China (China Visit-Dazzling Star) on Sunday. The bay filly trained by Arti Doctor had given an encouraging performance in the Breeders Produce Stakes on Derby day and then a none-too-bad performance in the Poonawalla Breeders Multimillion. Pitted against her was Schnell from Altaf Hussain’s yard. Schnell’s effortless victory earlier fetched him more admirers than Star of China in the betting market. But that didn’t affect the performance of the latter. Star of China got straight down to business from the barriers and Christopher didn’t experience much trouble in keeping her going when Schnell attempted to make a race of it. He was clearly outclassed a furlong away from home and to add insult to injury, Mathematica came with a long stretch run to strip the favourite of the runner-up berth. Christopher lost a golden opportunity of gaining cent per cent results on his visit to Mahalaxmi when he lost narrowly astride favourite Oh What A Babe in the opening race. The Imtiaz Sait nursed mare entered the home stretch last and had to make her bid from the wide outside. Oh What A Babe started to inch closer to the frontrunners but Christopher failed to keep her on an even keel. The Conquering Hero progeny appeared to hang out when she was asked for an effort. Master Planner had meanwhile started to fall back after being ridden to the ground by Malcolm Kharadi. Saarah was always poised for an assault but her weight proved to be a stopper. Nana Raghunath’s Rare Look (Mischevious Music–Winning Look) on the other hand was immensely favoured with the feather-weight carried by Neeraj Rawal in the saddle and lasted out to win from Oh What A Babe. A mere neck separated the two horses. Silent Presence ran thereabouts to finish a tame fourth. Neeraj Rawal rode a back-to-back double with the on-money favourite Gruezi (Royal Kingdom–Sarmatara) in the Radha Sigtia Trophy. Nosher Cama’s ward had just Dream Destiny racing behind her as Golden Triangle led the field over the Derby trip. Neeraj cajoled Gruezi to sort out her rivals which was not a difficult task to accomplish. Adrenaline Rush raised the tempo with a short deceptive run only to surrender before Golden Triangle once again. Gruezi was engaged in a minor scuffle by Golden Triangle but the grey filly stamped asserted her superiority in no uncertain manner. Too little, too late would be the best way to sum up the Malesh Narredu ridden runner-up Dream Destiny’s finishing efforts. Shiraz Sunderji saddled a princely double with Desert Conqueror and Magical Music. Desert Conqueror (Tirol – Voices of Spring) celebrated her return to Class III with an authoritative win over Wild Vegas and Morpheus. Radical Power, like before, flattered to deceive at the top of the straight leaving the onus on Morpheus. The Faisal Abbas trainee headed the field for a while before D. K. Ashish brought the bay mare into contention. Desert Conqueror treated her rivals with absolute contempt and sailed away for an easy win. Wild Vegas ran on to finish second ahead of Morpheus and Radical Power. Magical Music (Mischevious Music – Satin Lover) survived a scare from the rank outsider Pursuit of Power in the concluding race. Pursuit of Power’s final burst was such that it appeared for a moment that she would measure both Magical Music and Siberian Siren in her next stride. Jockey R. Shelar has never been known for possessing exceptional riding skills hence racegoers were hardly surprised to see him accept defeat on Pursuit of Power. Amyn Merchant was relentless astride Magical Music and earned rare success for himself. Siberian Siren was the only horse to remind punters that it was All Fools Day. The Hosidar Daji trained filly owned by Haresh Mehta had flopped badly in the hands of Malcolm last time out and was entrusted to C. Rajendra on this occasion. But the Rajendra continued in the same vein as Party Celebration and Ka Ching. Siberian Siren ran third and it would be in the best interest of the punters to leave her alone till she proves herself to be capable of carrying the burden of the public’s purse. Star Girl disappointed for the third time in succession as she continued to experience trouble in tackling the shortest trip of the sport. This frustrating trait of Nina Lalvani’s paved way for the Magansingh Jodha schooled Spiritual Hymn (Hymn–Spirit of Patxi) to hit the wire first. Alamshaara made her presence felt when the winning post was well within reach of Spiritual Hymn and ended a fair third ahead of The Dominator. S. N. Joshi saddled Raiba (Meritocrat–Oriental Chimes) earned an overdue victory in the hands of C.S.Jodha. The grey gelding fought a resolute battle with Crespo and Master of the Game before gaining an upper hand. Regina flashed on to the scene to complete the judges’ frame.