Pesi Shroff trained Northern Lights (Lethal Force – Prescription, Usha Stud) pulled off a stylish start-to-finish victory to clinch the AC Ardeshir Trophy (Gr3) taking his tally to five wins from ten starts. He took off at a good clip and jockey Trevor settled him well to gallop at a good pace. Victorious Sermon and Sultan Suleiman raced together just ahead of Flying Visit and Presidential with Giant Star a close last.

Once they turned for home, Northern Lights picked up pace early and built a handy lead. Sultan Suleiman was not up to the mark and could not muster well enough. Flying Visit moved up as did Giant Star. Presidential could not produce anything worthwhile and fell back. Northern Lights was on song as he kept safe distance from his rivals and won easily by a good three-length margin. Flying Visit did well to keep Giant Star at bay while taking the runner-up slot.

Nothing To Worry (Phoenix Tower – Dixie Evans, Manjri Stud) trained by Vinesh, was ridden well by jockey Bhawani Singh who fought out with Sky Fall and Queen O’ War to win the KM Munshi Trophy in a close finish.

Sky Fall was off to a flier and led the field with Nothing To Worry in second; Queen O’ War chased the pair with the rest a couple of lengths further back and none from the rear bunch could match up with the trio in front.

Sky Fall fought resolutely as Nothing to Worry began to apply pressure early in the straight. Queen O’ War had to cover about two or three lengths, but was taking her own time to do so. Nothing to Worry put his neck in front with a furlong to go, but Sky Fall stuck by him, not making it easy for the winner. Queen O’ War picked up momentum far too late and although she was finishing on powerfully, there was not enough ground for her to go for the kill. Nothing to Worry held on to win by 3/4L from Sky Fall, while Queen O’ War was another half a length away.

Shroff trained Kinnara (Kingman – Mujadil Draw, Nanoli Stud) scored an encore with a spirited finishing run and upped her tally to three wins from six starts. Kinnara was the widest one at the turn as those in action mode were Raffaillo, Alastair and Superleggera who were jostling and hurtling past the distance post. Superleggera had barely gotten the measure of Alastair when Remus came along with a strong gallop. Remus had just taken charge snatching the lead from Superleggera, when he came under dual attack. Pure and Kinnara were at top speed. Kinnara was the fastest in the last few strides and jockey Kirtish Bhagat timed his finish to perfection to stump Remus a stride from the winning post to score a thrilling victory and claim the Amateur Riders’ Club Trophy. Remus did well to smother Pure and hold on to take the runner-up berth. Favourite Alastair had to battle a rough passage all through yet managed to wrest the fourth spot from Superleggera.

Dallas Todywalla Key To The Mint (Roderic O’connor – Priceless Glory, Villoo’s Greenfield) picked up second win beating Ladida and company by a comfortable margin after a brief tussle midway in the straight. Key to the Mint darted to the front soon on start and galloped at a steady pace all through. Ladida kept a close distance from the leader while the rest including the favourite Jubilant Journey were not too far away.

Ladida came abreast Key to the Mind soon on turning for home and these two were clear of the rest. Ladida tried hard to topple Key to the Mind and both were involved in a hard battle that lasted a few good strides, however, jockey PS Chouhan had ensured that Key to the Mint had enough left in the tank and he started pulling away from Ladida in the final 100 meters to win comfortably. Ladida ended a good three lengths behind the winner, while San Salvatore finished on the haunches of Ladida. Jubilant Journey disappointed as he never looked prominent at any stage and let down a large following.

Magileto (Sedgefield – Providence, Jai Govind Stud) scored a facile victory to achieve his maiden success on his second start. He took off quickly from the gates and was in command right from the start. Weronika was close behind the leader with the others a few lengths behind.

Trevor had Magileto on tight reins coming into the straight and the gelding steadily picked up speed. Weronika tried hard to stay close, but when the Altaf trainee started to pull away, Weronika could not keep up. Magileto proved far superior to his rivals as he stretched away nicely to pile up a huge gap and Trevor won, easing up the gelding in the final few strides, winning by a massive eight lengths plus margin. Volare improved positions and did well to peg back Weronika for the runner-up slot.

Although he was on his debut run, Mojito (Speaking of Which – Margarita Rita, Usha Stud) was the shortest priced favourite of the day. The MK Jadhav trainee was confidently ridden by NS Parmar, who held him in second spot early on behind Tyrone Black until into the straight. But once they got down to business, Mojito gathered good speed and Parmar had the audacity to peep back even before he had passed Tyrone Black! Mojito drew away at a good clip to win by four lengths. Tyrone Black was the best of the beaten lot and should do well in future. Malachite improved in the homestretch to finish third.

Fortune Teller (Excellent Art – Star Goddess, Poonawalla Stud) was another debutante to taste victory on his first attempt. Considering it was his first outing, Fortune Teller did a splendid jog weaving through horses without flinching and produced a grand finishing run to burst through and beat the more experienced lot with absolute ease.

Fortune Teller was a faraway eighth at the turn. Stars For You was in the lead, with Hilma Klint threatening to take over. Sufiyah was warming up while the others around were only going through the motions. I personally would not have believed if Fortune Teller would have predicted that he would win at that stage. Hilma Klint was going well and Sufiyah too was galloping gamely and Fortune Teller was still not in sight. However, jockey TS Jodha found his way through runners and arrived with a scorching gallop astride Fortune Teller to floor them all and pull off an impressive victory. The Faisal Abbas ward did show he had loads of talent and is likely to progress well. Sufiyah was beaten by a better horse, while Hilma Klint did well to finish in the money.

Lit (Excellent Art – Classic Sky, Poonawalla Stud) got an easy bunch and the cramped odds on her didn’t come as a surprise. She settled behind Tail Event, Daulat Mai and Kardashian until into the straight. Moment of Madness took the shortest way in and easily got past the front runners to race away to a handy lead. Lit took a stride or two to get going and jockey NS Parmar put in some effort for Lit to lighten. Lit collard Moment of Madness about 100 meters from home and then bolted ahead to win by close to two lengths. Moment of Madness was the best of the beaten lot but she could not home-in on the advantage hence will rue her lost opportunity. Kardashian held on narrowly from the fast finishing Carlos to save the place money.

Shazaan Shah schooled Candescent Star (Saamidd – Circus Star, Hazara Stud) achieved her maiden success on her 12th start. Jockey Trevor settled her in the mid bunch and made a quick headway at the turn to be prominently poised when they turned for home. Candescent Star had Spiritual Rock alongside and the pair fought hard for the lead. They were locked in a neck and neck battle midway down the straight and there seemed no other threat in sight. Candescent Star stepped up speed in the final furlong and left Spiritual Rock behind, pulling away fluently to score by three lengths. Spiritual Rock finished a decent second, while Vikramaditya finished in the money.

Jockey P Trevor was the leading pro with a fine treble, while trainers Pesi Shroff and MK Jadhav saddled a double each as did jockey NS Parmar.