Followers of favourites had a profitable day as form held good at Sunday’s races on the Mahalaxmi turf. While some of the prime favourites were at on-money, they looked assured of winning and did so with little apprehension.

Altaf Hussain trained Exclusive (Excellent Art – Skyelady, Poonawalla Stud) was one such on-money favourite who obliged her large number of backers by displaying impressive skills. She returned victorious for the third time in a row, sweeping all the three races she was assigned, thus keeping a clean slate.

Jockey Parmar eased Exclusive into the lead within the first 100 meters and was in complete command thereafter. Exclusive was comfortably ahead coming into the straight and neither Polyneices nor Red Merlot who were following the leader seemed any threat. Parmar had an easy ride as he didn’t have to ride out at any stage. Exclusive quickened effortlessly and was racing ahead piling up her lead to eventually win easing up at the finish. Polyneices finished second, well clear of Red Merlot.

Shroff trained The Bawaji (Dawn Approach – Caught on Camera, Equus Stud) was another one who scored a fine hat-tricks of wins. The Shroff trainee however was stretched by his own stablemate giving the crowd a lot to shout about.

Successor led until the final turn and weakened surprisingly early. Bold Legend assumed command and had a handy lead over The Bawaji with about two furlongs to go. The Bawaji looked under pressure as jockey Neeraj Rawal took out his stick even before turning into the straight to alert his mount. Bold Legend galloped ahead and was shaping well. The Bawaji was ridden out with Neeraj using the whip a couple of times.

Bold legend was still ahead by over two lengths approaching the distance post when The Bawaji stepped up speed. He was narrowing down the margin and got the adrenalin flow going among his supporters. He did veer inwards under pressure, but was visibly catching up with Bold Legend in the final 100 meters. He came in a tad too close to Bold Legend after passing Bold Legend, the latter may have felt a bit squeezed in the process, but there was no doubt that The Bawaji was finishing a lot better and he duly won with a length to spare. The Bawaji notched up his fifth career win and he has shown commendable spirit of fighting to the end in all his victories. Could we make an exception and conclude that it’s all in the name? The clan never gives up!

Speaking of names, Whatsinaname (Admiralty – Sylvette, Sohna Stud) achieved her maiden success on her second start. The Asad Siddiqui trained filly took off well from the gates and soon settled down behind Balenciaga. Liberation was close behind along with Distinction; the latter never really settled into a rhythm and was giving her jockey a tough time. Hence it was no surprise that Distinction went wide at the turn and landed on the outer fence in the homestretch, thereby losing all her chances.

Balenciaga motored on once inside the straight and she had Whatsinaname and Dufy close behind, with Liberation coming up to challenge. Balenciaga could hold on only until the distance post as Whatsinaname, ridden by Jockey Parmar, arrived with a good burst of speed to collar her and dash past. Once ahead, Whatsinaname kept the foot on the accelerator and sped away to win the A Campbell Trophy pretty comfortably. Liberation was the best of the beaten lot and did well to peg back Balenciaga for the runner-up berth. Distinction may have been a threat had he not lost so much ground going wide. Hence deserves another chance.

Sunrise (Phoenix Tower – Sugar Mint, Manjri Stud) added to his solitary win with a fine display of speed and temperament. The top weighted gelding trained by Shroff, settled in the front bunch behind leader Majorella Blue and Rue St Honore’ alongside Multiencrypted. Majorella Blue had a handy lead coming into the straight. Sunrise tried to slip through, but Multiencrypted closed the gap deftly forcing jockey Trevor astride Sunrise to switch lanes. Once he got the clear turf ahead, Sunrise made quick progress to storm past Majorella Blue and then stretch out fluently to leave the rest behind. Moonshot finished on with a good burst of speed to beat Majorella Blue for the second spot.

Faisal Abbas trained Kardashian (David Livingstone – Joleen, Hazara Stud) pulled off a pleasing start to finish victory achieving her second success this season. She was out fast and was at the helm all the way. Gusty Girl took a bit too long to warm up and when she did, she was finishing at a quick rate. Kardashian however, kept galloping steadily to smother the emerging threat and carve out a narrow win over Gusty Girl. Cipher beat Waverunner for the third spot. Favourite Sufiyah failed to take the jump and took no effective part in the race.

Candescent Star (Saamidd – Circus Star, Hazara Stud) followed up her maiden victory two weeks back with another resounding win. She made headway approaching the home turn and was ready to pounce on the leader as they straightened for home. Tasman had just gotten past early leader Fleur De Lys past the 400m mark when Candescent Star picked up speed. Jockey Kirtish Bhagat got the Shazaan Shah mare going and Candescent Star responded with a game gallop. She raced ahead of Tasman with ease and stretched away to win by an impressive margin of over four lengths. Tasman did well to beat the rest, while old timer The Flutist ended in the money.

Rehanullah Khan trained Moment of Madness (Net Whiz – Crosspatch, Hazara Stud) provided a moment of joy for her rider Haridas Gore as the rookie jockey scored his maiden success on his sixth ride of his career.

All he had to do was to take the jump and hit the front and Moment of Madness, showing commendable improvement over her last run, sailed away to victory by over five lengths. Dowsabel did try to throw a fight at one stage but just could not match up to the Rehanullah trainee finishing second way ahead of Nusrat.

Faisal Abbas trained Sim Sim (Kingda Ka – Aristeia, Nanoli Stud) scored a dramatic win, scoring her first win on her second start. M’sarrat had just surrendered her lead to Cognosco, while Beyond Friends was just finding his feet and Juiced fighting hard to stay in contention. Sim Sim was the firm favourite and she had veered out at the bend and was galloping on the wide outside, towards the outer rails. Apprentice jockey Prakash got a grip on things midway in the straight and got Sim Sim to focus on the task. Sim Sim quickened well the moment she found her rhythm and she came hurtling towards the fighting trio at a great speed.

Beyond Friends and dashed ahead and was fancying his chances when Sim Sim arrived with a fiery burst of speed to zip past and score an assertive victory. Beyond Friends ended a game second, while Cognosco pocketed the place money.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff and Faisal Abbas saddled a double each, while jockeys NS Parmar and A Prakash scored a double each.