There were not many race-goers who doubted the ability of King's Ransom to claim the first Indian classic on Sunday and the bay filly from Pesi Shroff's yard lived up to the expectations by giving a heart-winning performance en route her victory in the Betway Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1). Except for the presence of Adhirajsingh Jodha trained filly Dangerous there was not much of a visible threat to King's Ransom chances and not surprisingly she went as the odds-on choice in the mile-long event.

C Umesh ridden Thunberg, one of the four fillies sent out by Shroff in the Guineas event, took up the running as the starter's flag came down and was followed by no-hopers Sierra Dela Plata, Pyrrhus and Kariena as the field spread out in a single file. King's Ransom raced unruffled in the mid pack and PS Chouhan made a gradual move only when the field had straightened for home. He didn't have to exert much pressure on King's Ransom (Multidimensional – China Creek) as she tackled the front runners one by one and was up in front in a trice. Chouhan alerted King's Ransom by just tapping her twice before overtaking Thunberg and the filly sashayed in the last furlong to complete her task in workmanlike manner. 

King's Ransom is co-owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay B Shirke, Messrs Jay V Shirke, Dara Mehta, Khushroo N Dhunjibhoy and Zahir K Dhunjibhoy. At a time when the passion for horseracing and owning horses is on the wane, it was heart-warming to witness family members of all the co-owners remaining present to celebrate King's Ransom's success and lead her before attending the cup presentation ceremony.

Shroff and Chouhan were associated with another winner earlier in the day when two-year-old Lazarus made a winning debut in the first division of the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart) Trophy. Bred as half-brother to Enigma, Lazarus (Admiralty – Maisha) travelled on the bit behind leader Sloane Square and Emerald Queen till entering the final stretch. The winner was sighted long way from home as Chouhan loosened his grip on Lazarus which triggered a smooth run from the shortest priced runner of the day. Lazarus had something in reserve as Chouhan all but eased up the colt close home. Waikiki warmed up towards the end to finish second ahead of Sloane Square and Alexandros, who was the last one to enter the straight. Mi Arion ran disappointingly to finish last without raising any hopes for her supporters.

Earlier, True Epic, the least fancied runner in the five-horse field contesting for the RJ Kolah Trophy, put in a sustained run to overwhelm Northern Lights who was being hailed as the winner close home. Ridden by rookie N Bhosale, Northern Lights assumed command from stable-mate Chopin who led all the way in the mile and quarter race but called it a day with a furlong left for the wire. Northern Lights then took charge but found Truly Epic looming large outside. Imtiaz Sait saddled Truly Epic (Mull Of Kintyre – Sun Control) benefitted from the strong riding of Antony Raj to gain a half-length verdict over Northern Lights. Caprisca ended third with Chopin and Kamaria behind. 

The long-in-tooth Iron Age (Strong Suit – Intrigue) yet again showed that age has not diminished his sprinting ability as the Trevor Patel ridden seven-year-old gelding made his five rivals chase his shadow all the way in the Mahalaxmi Sprint Million. Iron Age checked in comfortably ahead of the hard-ridden favourite Leopard Rock to register his 17th win from 30 career outings. Market King ended third whilst Fast Rain ran fourth.

The three-year-old filly Mozelle saddled by Altaf Hussain made ample amends for her previous failure at Pune when taking on an experienced lot in the KM Munshi Trophy. The bay filly grabbed a narrow lead at the start and then Neeraj Rawal stepped up the pace to steal a march over the field. That lead and her handicap proved to be a cushion for Mozelle (Roderic O'Connor – Equine Lover) as she stretched out to win from Gazino, who failed to concede weight to his younger adversary. The same could be said of favourite Menilly who was outpaced by the winner and ended third ahead of Cellini.  

Trainer Narendra Lagad saddled a lucrative double including the on-money favourite Coeur De Lion after imposing immense confidence in Mustakim Alam's ability and exploiting the 5kg allowance claimed by the apprentice. Coeur De Lion (Roderic O'Connor – Sweeping Star) was the hot favourite in the small field and Alam had no hesitation in taking him to the front. The bay colt, who relishes the front-running role, increased the lead as the race progressed. Coeur De Lion simply cantered home and made his rivals look pedestrian as he put daylight between him and his nearest rival Django before crossing the winning line. Zarak ended third ahead of Aah Bella, who failed to take a smooth jump from the gates.

With the benefit of a run he had behind New Dimension two weeks ago, Dallas Todywalla schooled two-year-old juvenile proved far too speedy for his rivals in the second division of the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart) Trophy. Trevor eased Irish Gold (Roderic O'Connor – Irish Bailey) into the lead shortly after the start was given and skipped away for a convincing win over She's A Teaser, who was in hopeless chase of the winner throughout. Believe ended third ahead of Nirvana and favourite Eaton Square, who were both outpaced and seemed in need of this run.

Last-outing winner Toussaint (Buratino – Ke Es Jay) defied the light penalty earned for his previous win and registered an encore in the hands of Neeraj Rawal. Toussaint encountered a troubled passage in the straight before weaving his way through a wall of horses in front. The Sanjay Kolse groomed Toussaint then unleashed a powerful run to collar early leader Multiencrypted, Luminosity, Anoushka and Dalasan who were engaged in a keen fight. Toussaint pierced through this bunch to gain the upper hand and won keeping Dalasan at bay. Anoushka ended in the money with Luminosity a head away.

Toussaint's victory gave a boost to Lagad's ward Daulat Mai's chances later in the day and the whipless Alam ridden filly ran true to form. Daulat Mai followed Intense Belief into the straight and easily tackled her opposite the grand stands. Daulat Mai drew away for a facile victory with Intense Belief, Toofan and Midas Touch following her home.

The friendless Dowsabel (Kingda Ka – Arta) emerged victorious in the concluding race of the day when the Amyn Merchant piloted mare outwitted even-money favourite Dilbar, Trinket and Tomorrows Dreams who went on a suicidal mission by trying to cut pace with each other in the initial stages of the five-furlong scurry. Faisal Abbas nursed Dowsabel responded well to Amyn's urgings and surged ahead of the leaders who ran out of fuel at the fag end of the race. Walshy ran on encouragingly without much support in the saddle to finish runner up, a head in front of Dilbar, who had Tomorrows Dreams in close tow.