The unstoppable Star filly Miracle (Multidimensional – Khalila) bred at the Usha Stud Farm, put in another delightful run to extend her unbeaten run, taking her tally to eight wins on the trot. Although the opposition was ordinary, Miracle charmed her ever increasing fan base with a walk-in-the-park victory in the hands of jockey PS Chouhan. Animous led the field of five and picked up in the backstretch to increase her lead substantially with Miracle choosing to stay one behind, giving a leeway of more than seven lengths to the leader. The rest followed in a single file with Aah Bella at the tail end.

Animous traveled well within herself leading them into the straight comfortably. Song Song Blue moved up approaching the turn and even headed Miracle for a stride or two; it’s another thing that Miracle was still going easy. Once Chouhan decided it was time, Miracle gradually picked up speed and strode out well to cruise past Animous and dismiss the rest within moments. The pace was not exactly hot for the trip and won could see jockey Chouhan putting all his strength to hold Miracle in check right through the major part of the 2400m journey. Once they entered the homestretch, it was Miracle all the way as she cantered ahead and stretched away from them all. Animous did well to pound away, but just let it slip as Aah Bella picked up just enough to pip Animous for the runner-up berth.

For the Usha Stud Farm, this was their 17th Indian Oaks (Gr1) victory, the last four coming in quick succession with Immortality, Roberta and Manifold winning the previous years with Pesi Shroff training all the four. Shroff had earlier saddled Myrtlewood and Smashing, also bred at the Usha Stud, taking his tally to ten Indian Oaks trophies.

Shroff also led-in another winner - Chopin (Ampere – Northern Melody, Equus Stud), the other graded race in the day, the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr3). Chopin dished out an impeccable start-to-finish win without encountering any challenge. He was quick at start and set his own pace for the 2000m journey with Chieftain in tow. Favourite Darwin jumped without the rider and ran rider less.

Chopin got stronger in the straight and with Chieftain too falling back momentarily; there was no real threat to his lead. Chopin sped away to score a facile win with more than three lengths to spare. Chieftain had a fight on his hand as Zarak closed in from behind, but Chieftain spurred on to take the runner-up berth.

Shroff had earlier saddled debutante Supernatural (Multidimensional – Psychic Light, Usha Stud), a full brother to last year’s Oaks and Derby winner Immortality also bred at Usha Stud. Supernatural lived up to the reputation and produced a scintillating burst of speed to wallop the opposition by a whopping seven and half lengths.

Supernatural settled in the rear of the front bunch as Chat lagged behind owing to a tardy start. Hawk of the Wind darted into the lead and guided the field into the homestretch. Supernatural wove his way between runners and once he got a clear passage, jockey Chouhan got him going at a brisk pace. Supernatural shot into the lead within strides and stretched out fluently to draw away to win impressively. Laim fought his way to ward off Hooves of Thunder, both improving in the final furlong to take the minor slots. Chat, who was detached last until well into the straight, ran green in the straight, yet finished alongside Liam and Hooves of thunder finishing a notable fourth.

Malesh Narredu trained Giant Star (Excellent Art – Sweeping Star, Poonawalla Stud) treated his opponents with complete disregard as he cantered to victory with a huge margin of over six lengths without being extended. Stalking leader Victorious Sermon until the turn, jockey Neeraj Rawal made headway at the turn to join Victorious Sermon soon on turning for home. He then cruised ahead to take charge and strode away powerfully leaving them far behind. Neeraj eased Giant Star as he looked back to ensure he was home and dry long before the winning post. Truly Epic improved in the final furlong to beat Victorious Sermon for second place.

Petronia (Kingda Ka – Smoke Ring, Nanoli Stud) raced to her third victory of the season producing a fiery finish to sail past Multistarrer at the business end of the race to win by a comfortable margin of two lengths.

Majestic Warrior led them into the straight but was soon challenged by Exotique and Petronia. As these three were grappling, Multistarrer moved up along the rails and headed them. While majestic Warrior and Exotique fell back, Petronia warmed up nicely to surge ahead. Mutlistarrer fought well but briefly as Petronia only got stronger with every stride to knock Multistarrer down and skip away to win comfortably. Multistarrer held on to the second slot from the fast finishing Superleggera.

It was sort of poetic justice that one of only two ‘ladies’ in the fray Kamaria won the Uttam Singh Trophy named after the illustrious trainer known to be the ‘ladies’ man for his success with the fillies. Kamaria had to dig deep and she rallied with a never-say-die attitude to spoil the party for favourite Botero closer home.

It appeared that Botero had it covered as he zipped past long-time leader Leto at the turn. Botero opened up a good lead entering the straight and the rest, including Kamaria, were being ridden all out. Botero had a handy lead at the distance post when Kamaria (David Livingstone – Ridawana, Hazara Stud) started to draw closer. Jockey CS Jodha put all his strength in getting Kamaria to dig deeper and the mare obliged with a determined run to collar Botero a couple of strides from the winning post and score a narrow victory.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Nothing To Worry (Phoenix Tower – Dixie Evans, Manjri Stud) had a little to worry when Lagertha started to get too close for comfort. Jockey Akshay got Nothing To Worry to move forward and take the lead at the turn and had to last out the long Mahalaxmi straight. Nothing To Worry responded well as he dashed ahead to build a handy lead. Favourite Dragoness did live up to expectations and was struggling to keep up. Lambretta too was going nowhere. Lagertha made good progress to move into second and started gaining on the leader. Emerald too showed some paces, but failed to quicken. Nothing To Worry was stretched as Lagertha almost came on his haunches as they dashed past the winning post, Nothing To Worry nailing it by half a length. Emerald did well to finish in the money.

Sunlord (Roderic O’conner – Heiress, Poonawalla stud) finally achieved his maiden success on his fourth attempt, producing a forceful gallop in the final furlong. Vikramaditya had shaped well in the straight and led until Sunlord arrived with a good burst of speed. Once Sunlord got going, it was all over for Vikramaditya. Sunlord powered his way past to score by just over a length. On Va Danser ran on to finish third.

The concluding race of the day saw a thrilling finish with Full of Grace (Phoenix Tower – Closing Speed, Manjri Stud) timed her run to perfection to notch up her maiden victory on her third start. The Vishal Gaikwad trainee traveled well in the mid bunch until the turn.

Camden Town and Cherished were up ahead on entering the turn and Cherished eased into the lead soon after. Polaris moved up to challenge the leader with Full of Grace making her bid from the outside. With less than a furlong to go, it looked like it would swing in favour of any of the three, but Full of Grace was the one to finish on the fastest to win by a length from Cherished and Polaris.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff was the star of the day reaping a rich harvest of four winners. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad and jockeys PS Chouhan and Neeraj Rawal each scored a double.