Hosidar Daji trained Sunrise Ruby (Whatsthescript – Venus Arising, Nanoli Stud) picked up well latter half of the homestretch to put up a stiff fight with the other fancied horse Northern Lights and finished with a scintillating burst to win the Smasher Trophy. Sunrise Ruby raced closer to the rear with only Excellent Gold behind her until the turn. Majestic Warrior did all the front running and led them into the straight.

Northern Lights moved up quickly through the rails realising that Majestic Warrior was weakening. Pride’s Angel too put in a good effort and challenged Northern Lights strongly at one point and these two were going hard for the lead. Jockey Trevor had to wait a little bit longer as he had to skirt around horses to get a clear run. Once he switched to the outside, Trevor worked on the mare and got her to pick up speed. Sunrise Ruby produced a powerful finishing burst and easily got past Pride’s Angel. Northern Lights still had a fight left in him and he prolonged the inevitable for a few more strides. However, Sunrise Ruby was gaining on Northern Lights briskly and soon surgedahead to post a fine victory with a margin of over a length. NorthernLights fought well to take the runner-up berth finshing a length aheadof Pride’s Angel.

Flaming Lamborgini (Planetaire – Ruby Royal, Sohna Stud) posted his first win on the Mahalaxmi turf adding to his solitary win scored in Pune. He too raced off the pace in the second last position with only Spinoza behind him.

Flaming Fire essayed it from start to finish and led until into the straight. With Bhaktawar tiring out, Flaming Lamborgini moved up in the hands of jockey Anthony Raj and the Imtiaz Sait trainee made rapid headway to sail past the long-time leader. Season’s Greetings failed to gather momentum and petered out sooner than expected. Multistarrer too was trying hard but not measuring up to the challenge ahead. Spinoza progressed well and came close to challenging Flaming Lamborgini. There was a brief tussle, but Flaming Lamborgini had it covered and never really looked under threat. He kicked on gamely warding off Spinoza to score by a length and quarter. Spinoza was a good second, finishing well ahead of Multistarrer.

Imtiaz and Anthony Raj had another winner later in the day with Remus (Multidimensional – Heidi, Usha Stud) scoring a facile victory. Remus raced along the rails initially in the mid bunch as Belenus hit the front and led them into the straight. Belenus didn’t last long as Pepper got past him to take charge and build a slender lead. Anthony Raj started to urge Remus on and the gelding responded well to take on Pepper. Pepper stuck close by as Remus strode out into the lead and stretched out nicely from there on to stay well ahead of the rest. Remus won by more than two lengths. The fight was on only for the minor placing with Fassbinder putting up a strong finish to take the second place. Northern Singer, who was tailing the field all the way until into the straight, finished on well to take the third spot, pegging back pepper close home.

Hot favourite Mandeville (Multidimensional – Ambrosia, Usha Stud) justified the short price on him with a spirited run down the homestretch to notch his second career victory. Last start winner Key to the Mint led all the way from the early stages with Royal Alamdaar in second, Mandeville and Hela raced alongside just behind, with Animous and Aira at the tail end.

Mandeville came alive in the homestretch and caught up with Key to the Mint putting up a strong run. Key to the Mint resisted for a couple of strides, but Mandeville was just too strong and began to pull away. Royal Alamdaar progressed well and got past Key to the Mint, but found the winner too good. Mandeville sailed away to coast to a comfortable victory by a margin of two lengths from Royal Alamdaar and key to the Mint ended third.

Asad Siddiqui trained Lagertha (Arazan – Nora, Poonawalla Stud) had caught the eye while finishing a close second last time out and duly raised her game to go one better this time. Blazing Bay went on from start to finish and looked on course as he entered the straight with a handy lead. Myrcella and Between Friends raced close behind the leader, followed by Dreams, Honourable Eyes and Lagertha in that order. Sufiyah and Percivale were off slowly and made no impact on the race.

Blazing Bay blazed away gamely and had a good lead until Lagertha arrived with a big gallop. Jockey AS Peter rode hard to get Lagertha into a rhythm and the six year old mare picked up speed with every stride to storm ahead in the final 100 meters and win by a clear margin. Blazing Bay put in a gallant run and was a clear second well ahead of Dreams and the fast finishing On Va Danser.

HJ Antia’s ward Waverunner (Chevalier – Shockwave, Ruia Stud) earned his maiden win on his seventh start. Although the five year old had not done much of note in his previous engagements, he was strongly supported and was the on-money favourite.

Zukor was off to a good start and led comfortably until into the straight. Magic In The Wind soon came alongside and as these two were grappling, Waverunner arrived with a strong challenge. Zukor bowed out after a few strides as Waverunner wrested the advantage. Magic In The Wind fought hard and stuck by Waverunner, putting a bit of pressure on the favourite. Jockey Kavraj Singh however, handled the task remarkably well and rode Waverunner deftly to push forward and carve out a narrow win. Magic In The Wind finished a gallant second, while Intense Belief came with a good late run to peg back Jughead for the place money.

Karthik’s Midas Touch (Saamidd – Springbrokemistake, Hazara Stud) also picked up her first winning bracket with a determined effort in the homestretch. She was in the mid-bunch as they turned for home, with Red Riot just taking charge from early leader Polaris. Dali Swirl joined this pair with Indian Crown and favourite Lord Byron on his haunches and Midas Touch ridden hard by jockey Bhawani Singh also coming into the action mode. Lord Byron charged ahead but was not galloping smoothly and jockey Chouhan had to do more than just a bit to get him to focus on the task at hand. Lord Byron got the measure of those in front and shaped well approaching the distance post. At that point he looked on course to deliver, but Midas Touch found her touch just at the right moment and started to gain ground with every stride. Fairmont too was catching upfast from the outside. Lord Byron could not pick up as desired and Midas Touch kept the momentum going to wear down Lord Byron and win a hard-fought battle, just about managing to hit the wire with a ‘head’ to spare from Fairmont. Lord Byron finished third, while Verdandi improved well to take the fourth spot.

Hot favourite Hunting Goddess (Territories – Regency, Nanoli Stud) proved simply too good despite appearing on the race track after March last year. Hilad brought the field homewards and was soon accounted for by Rhythm of Nature. Hunting Goddess was still languishing far back, however, jockey Kritish Bhagat waited patiently for the right time to wriggle free. Hilad stuck-by Rhythm of Nature as they fought the first half of the straight. Hilma Klint was close with them but not really making an impact. Hunting Goddess, once she got the clear passage, arrived with a superb burst of speed and dashed all hopes of those in front to run away with the race in the last 100 meters or so. Hunting Goddess, trained by Shroff, looked very impressive and should be able to pull off another one before long. Rhythm of Nature, although overwhelmed by the winner, stood her own while taking the settling for the runner-up berth. Hilma Klint managed to pip Hilad for the third spot.

For the professionals, trainers Pesi Shroff and Imtiaz Sait saddled a double each, while jockey Anthony Raj scored a fine double as well.