Karthik Ganapathy schooled grey mare Kamaria proved that she can stay till the cows come home when galloping away with the Byculla Club Trophy, run over a mile and three quarters. Though out-handicapped by Caprisca and Truly Epic, it was the speed and stamina displayed by Kamaria (David Livingstone – Ridawana) which enabled her to overshadow her three opponents including favourite Chamonix. Caprisca led on sufferance as Kamaria was restrained in the first two furlongs and that’s when jockey Bhawani Singh decided to give the grey mare her head. Kamaria then dictated the terms as Caprisca, Chamonix and Truly Epic did the chasing business. 

As the field approached the final bend, A Sandesh aboard Caprisca was forced to make his move by PS Chouhan as Chamonix ranged alongside. Caprisca tried to overhaul Kamaria as the heads turned for home but Bhawani Singh swung into action by giving a couple of reminders to his mount who responded gallantly. Chamonix improved to throw a challenge at the leader as Caprisca threw in his towel in the last two furlongs. However Bhawani and Kamaria were in no mood to let the advantage slip and Chamonix could only reduce the margin of defeat.

Coeur De Lion is proving to be a money-spinner for trainer Narendra Lagad as the bay colt registered his third victory this season. Partnered by Mustakim Alam, Coeur De Lion (Roderic O’Connor – Sweeping Star) assumed his customary front-running role and returned home unscathed from the late assault launched by Kamilah and In Contention in the last hundred metres. Both of them graced the wrong end of the field as Knight Templar and Giant Star chased Coeur De Lion into the home stretch. The on-money favourite kicked on gamely after Mustakim reminded him of his task ahead at regular intervals as the winning post was in sight. Kamilah and In Contention improved in the straight and ended runner up and third respectively. Giant Star completed the judge’s frame. 

Golden Neil, also from Lagad’s string, registered an encore thanks to Sandesh, who judged the pace perfectly. Golden Neil, who had won start to finish over a mile earlier, was asked to take on some experienced rivals and travel an extra two furlongs on this occasion. Sandesh allowed Key To The Mint to show the way as he kept Golden Neil (Excellent Art – Mauna Kea) within striking distance till the last two furlongs and then let the chestnut loose. Regal Command, Easy Rider and Own Voice were frustrated in the straight and it was left to Zarak to threaten Golden Neil. Zarak covered good ground when K Nazil switched lanes and showed daylight to the bay gelding. Zarak moved menacingly and looked like he would devour Golden Neil but Sandesh dug into the favourite’s reserves and the flared nostrils of his mount saved the day for the punters. Regal Command edged out Easy Rider to finish in the money. Treasure Gold, who was second in demand, toiled in the rear for most of the journey and finished off the board without raising any hopes for his admirers.

The bay juvenile filly Generosity from the yards of Pesi Shroff made a smashing debut to claim the Noble Eagle Plate. Trevor Patel had her positioned handy behind leader Maysara, Miranda and Emerald Queen till the field had straightened for home. The bay daughter of Cougar Mountain out of Sentimental unleashed a terrific run when Trevor changed reins and came charging towards Maysara and Miranda. The winner was spotted a long way from home as Generosity moved with raking strides to collar the two runners and sailed away for an authoritative win close home. Miranda ended a fair second ahead of Maysara who lasted out to stay in the money with Bubbly Boy finishing a short-head away.

Trevor completed a back-to-back double by steering Hosidar Daji’s ward Brave Beauty to a fluent win. Backed down to favouritism ahead of Attained and Sweet Emotion, Brave Beauty (Territories – Bravia) raced in the third last position as Adamas called the early shots with Attained and Alpha Domino in close attendance. Sandesh urged Attained to take charge while Neeraj Rawal also alerting the tail-swishing Alpha Domino to her task.  Trevor meanwhile essayed his challenge on the wide outside and alerted Brave Beauty to her task. The chestnut filly rallied well, catching both Attained and Alpha Domino flat-footed en route her maiden win. Alpha Domino finished runner up ahead of Attained while Sweet Emotion ended fourth after failing to quicken close home.

Last-outing winner Jet Typhoon competed a quick encore on promotion though in a race reserved for older horses. Jet Typhoon (Speaking Of Which – Star Of China) showed plenty of early speed to hit the front after coming from the widest draw. Apprentice Kirtish Bhagat steered Jet Typhoon won untroubled thereafter. Twelfth Earl, Jetfire and Dalasan followed the winner home. Favourite Superleggera caused a lot of money to go down the drain after failing to make any impression though it is reported that he bled through the nostrils during the race.

Dallas Todywalla nurtured Goldiva finally tasted success after lingering in the maiden ranks for long. After being ridden off the pace, Sandesh brought Goldiva (Multidimensional – Goldie’s Pet) with a sustained run in the straight to overwhelm Gimme and Toofan in the last furlong. Stunning Visual ran on to take the runner up berth, a head in front of Gimme. Toofan retired to be fourth.

Dali Swirl earned an overdue bracket immediately on relegation and the decision of his master Faisal Abbas to exploit the 5kg claimed by Haridas Gore fetched him rich dividends. Dali Swirl (Roderic O’Connor – Pandora) stayed on the heels of Majorella Blue till the turn where Haridas brought him into contention. The bay gelding swooped down on Majorella to gain the upper hand in the last furlong and drew away for an easy win over Balenciaga, who warmed up late to her task, and Attained who failed to accelerate in the straight. San Salvatore came in for enthusiastic support in the betting but failed to show up at the busy end.