Ahead of My Time (Excellent Art – Miss Danehill, Villoo’s Greenfield) kept his date with victory and was given a flawless start-to-finish ride by ace jockey Suraj Narredu. Mozelle took a fly jump out of the gates; Ahead of My Time too didn’t take off smoothly, but was quick to sail in the lead and find his rhythm. Suraj had him on tight reins until well into the straight. Coeur De Lion was on the tail of the leader with Thunberg along his inside. Mozelle and Golden Neil followed a couple of lengths further behind.

Suraj waited for quite a while, holding Ahead of My Time in check until past the 400m mark before working on his mount. Just one crack did it, as Ahead of My Time rolled on, galloping at a good clip to stay ahead. Thunberg was ridden out and did close-in, but only to cut the margin. Ahead of My Time was safely ahead in the final furlong and won easing up. Thunberg finished second, well ahead of Coeur De Lion.

Altaf Hussain trained Sultan Suleiman (Arazan – Saffron Dancer, Poonawalla Stud) notched up his eighth career victory and this was also his first win beyond 1600 meters. He raced behind favourite Caprisca from the start and jockey Trevor got everything right in the homestretch, waging a fierce attack and snatching a narrow win close home. On the contrary, Anthony Raj, the jockey of Caprisca may have missed a trick here. He could have been better off had he amassed a sizable lead when he had the chance. Knowing Sultan Suleiman’s limitations over the longer trips, Caprisca failed to capitalize even on the weight advantage. By waiting a tad too long even in the straight, Caprisca left a crack in the door open and Sultan Suleiman seized his opportunity to hand Caprisca the killer blow. Sultan Suleiman had obviously not spent a lot coming into the straight and despite giving a chunk of weight to both his rivals, Sultan Suleiman showed great resolve to pull off this narrow win, thereby coming up triumphant in the exciting three-way finish and clinching the Amazing Mauritius Cup.

Pesi Shroff trained Chamonix (Dunaden – Beacon Lady, Manju Stud) compiled a fine hattrick keeping her slate clean in this brilliant start to her career. Jockey Kirtish Bhagat did a good job at the business end of the race after tailing the field all the way until into the straight.

Majestic Warrior weakened at the turn and was passed easily by Aires. Aires had barely taken charge when Aah Bella came alongside to snatch the lead away. Chamonix had to switch lanes and Kirtish used the whip a couple of times approaching the distance post. Once Chamonix had found her rhythm, he put the whip away and the filly started to gain rapidly on Aah Bella. Chamonix was clearly finishing the fastest and she collared Aah Bella a stride before the post to carve out a thrilling win by a neck. Aah Bella was gallant in defeat and could shine on her own soon.

Hosidar Daji trained Arabian Phoenix (Tenth Star – Zahour Al Yasmeen, Mebajeona Stud) justified the favouritism and produced a fluent gallop in the final furlong to score his maiden victory on his eighth start.

Settling in third behind leader Blazing Bay and Fleur Des Lys, apprentice jockey Prakash got Arabian Phoenix going soon on entering the homestretch. Arabian Phoenix picked up speed approaching the 300m mark and he accelerated fluently to surge ahead leaving the rest to fight out the minor slots. Arabian Phoenix galloped strongly to win by two and half lengths. Chancellor was the pick of the beaten brigade as he finished on gamely pegging back She Is On Fire and Jetfire for the runner up slot.

Liam (Planetaire – Swan Maiden, Sohna Stud) showed commendable improvement over his two previous runs and got his act together this time to score an impressive maiden win. He was second in demand after Fortunate Son who was the on-money favourite.

Fortunate Son darted into the lead soon on start with Venus in second followed by Liam and Dedicated boy. Fortunate Son was off the bridle early in the straight. Venus was making a slight headway when Liam started to quicken in the hands of jockey Trevor. The Nazak Chenoy trainee accelerated fluently and stormed into the lead approaching the distance post. It was all smooth sailing thereon and Trevor could also afford a peep over his shoulders once the race was sealed. Liam won by a good margin of three and half lengths from Fortunate Son, the latter finding one better for the third consecutive time. Venus did look good at one point, but failed to pick up the momentum. Liam was clearly the best of the lot on the day.

SN Joshi trained Spiritual Rock (Speaking of Which – Romantic Scene, Usha Stud) produced a resolute stretch run and overcame determined rivals while claiming a satisfying maiden victory on his 20th start. Favourite Baku was in command until into the straight, but he was erratic and veered in and out at a crucial juncture and that cost him dearly.

Myrcella shaped well as she joined Baku past the 400m mark and then had Baku coming on to her. Between Friends too arrived with a late run but he was very much in the reckoning with about 100m to go. It was then that jockey Dashrath Singh rode out astutely to surge ahead with Spiritual Rock and the gelding responded well to notch up his first win by half a length from Myrcella and Between Friends.

Leto (Roderic O’connor – Devoted Eyes, Villoo’s Greenfield) was another one to achieve a maiden success on the day. She was in the mid-bunch at the turn and came in hard when she got a clear run.

Shadows led them into the straight with Mascara tiring out; Irrepressible in action mode was in third. Irrepressible shot into the lead and looked good to deliver initially, but Leto picked up and produced a spirited run to dash her hopes. The Imtiaz Sait trainee had plenty in the tank as she stretched out at a brisk pace to trounce the opposition in a convincing manner. Irrepressible tried hard to stay in contention, but rank outside Leto, in the able hands of jockey Anthony Raj, spoiled his party, winning by a little over one length. Irrepressible did well under the circumstances and finished a decent second ahead of The Flutist and Brazos.

Trainer HJ Antia saddled Flash Force (Varenar – Gavotte, Equus Stud) delighted his large number of supporters while scoring his maiden victory on his ninth start. He tailed leader Tristar until into the straight and then quickened well past the 400m mark. Jockey SA Amit rode out Flash Force deftly and a couple of cracks got the gelding going. Flash Force got past Tristar easily and then bounded away to score a comfortable victory. Tristar ran on to finish second. Silver Steps improved considerably in the final furlong to finish a notable third beating Cipher by half a length.

Jockey P Trevor was the lone pro to score a double.