A glimpse of champion trainer Pesi Shroff's acumen of placing his wards to claim success, not to mention his meticulous preparations to get them fit for the fray, was visible when he led in a popular double through Thunberg and Claudius on Saturday. The bay filly Thunberg (Roderic O'Connor - Ice Glacier) reached Class II with a solitary win in maiden company at Pune under her belt and then placing twice in the Indian 1000 Guineas and Oaks behind stable-mate King's Ransom this season. On this occasion, Pesi pitted him against seasoned campaigners in the Smasher Trophy, which was run over a mile and quarter. Thunberg was a winner at every post of the journey after she shot into the lead as the starter's came down. Rasputin did come close enough to challenge Thunberg in the last furlong but the filly spurted well to keep him at bay. Jockey C Umesh did not falter when countering the threat posed by Rasputin and justified Pesi's faith in his ability to guide Thunberg to victory. Balor ended third ahead of Rambler.

Despite his appearance after a break of over three months following his facile win on Pune Derby day, Claudius registered an encore after Pesi chose to run him in Class III where the scales were in his favour. Lesser fancied than Singer Sargent, Claudius (Roderic O'Connor - Messalina) raced in the mid-bunch as Sim Sim showed good initial speed to grab the lead after coming from the wide draw while Kings Best was fighting for his head with A Sandesh. As the field turned for home, PS Chouhan brought Claudius into contention but ran into a wall of horses as Sim Sim was dropping back and Lord Vader striding ahead. Fortunately, Chouhan found an opening through which he thrust Claudius to join the issue with Lord Vader. Claudius veered out under pressure before he could tackle Lord Vader but he quickly got his mount to race on an even keel and stormed into the lead in a trice. Claudius won without being extended thereafter and had something in reserve when passing the winning post over three lengths ahead of the late finishing Arabian Phoenix, who pipped Great Guns for the second berth while Moonshot finished close behind. Highly-fancied Singer Sargent with Trevor Patel astride was quite unlucky to have encountered a rough passage and severe interference when alerted to his task. He finished sixth and lives to fight for another day.

The blue-blooded filly Geographique proved that she can stay till the cows come home as she displayed her stamina in the mile and half event, the Icebreaker Trophy. Neeraj Rawal settled the Imtiaz Sait-saddled Geographique a handy third behind Alpine Star and Gimme as the seven-horse field travelled in a single file. Though Gimme started to retreat in the straight, Alpine Star held the advantage till the last furlong as Sandesh was trying hard to overhaul him atop Alpha Gene. Neeraj meanwhile showed Geographique (Golden Horn - Island Dream) the daylight and the bay filly cruised ahead, though failing to chart a straight course, as she raced on the outer flank and had her say in the last half furlong. Jerusalem, the runner up, ran on in the closing stages of the race to put his neck ahead of Alpha Gene and Alpine Star, who finished in close order. 

The card framed for pre Derby day's programme seemed to be all in favour of trainer HJ Antia, who hogged the limelight with three winners and a runner up, who lost on the post by a neck. Remarkably, all these four horses, who seemed to have suddenly sprouted wings, were taken on a pillar-to-post mission by their riders. 

Slam Dunk (Sussex - Escalating) was the first one to bring home the bacon when SA Amit got the ten-year old gelding off to a brilliant start from the wide draw and showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals. Favourite Harriet was clearly beaten for speed as Slam Dunk was home and dry before he could collar him in the straight and lost by three-parts of a length. Red Riot, the winner's stable companion, was in chase throughout and did enough to advertise his fitness when finishing a neck behind Harriet. Power Of Blessings ended fourth.

With ante post favourite Jet Typhoon out of the way after being withdrawn before the race, Dilbar (Ivory Touch - Circus Ring) ran like a scalded cat in the hands of apprentice Haridas Gore to pick the fourth success of her career. Sky Hawk, Power Of Neath and Trinket followed the winner home without causing her any trouble. The speedy customers Hilma Klint and Fidato had left their galloping shoes in the stables, or so it seemed, as they refused to put their best forward and finished off the board.

The seven-year old Luminosity (Sussex - Bling) found his mark after 19 failed outings as he went wire-to-wire to give jockey Amit his second winner of the day. Walter, another favourite from trainer SK Sunderji's yard, had to play second fiddle to a Antia trainee. Lion King finished a game third ahead of Freedom.
Antia's ward Untitled, who was ridden by apprentice AS Peter, almost made it start to finish but just knuckled under to the spirited run of Bezan Chenoy saddled Risteretto. The S Saqlain ridden winner was hard driven as soon the field straightened for home and made steady progress to challenge Untitled who was being hailed as a winner close home. Risteretto (Roderic O'Connor - Elena) wore down Untitled in last few strides to earn a  neck verdict. Zukor was in a futile chase of Untitled from the word go and ended third ahead of Lord Murphy, who seemed to have saved his best for some other day.

Aditya Jadhav schooled Phenom (Multidimensional - Equaranian) carried a heavy impost of 62kg on his back and yet succeeded in graduating from the maiden ranks. NS Parmar-ridden Phenom made gradual progress as the field turned for home to join Remy Red in the last furlong and go surging clear for a convincing victory. Remy Red just about managed to keep the second spot, a neck ahead of Esfir who had Mighty Wings following him home. Sky Commander and Bomber retired after being prominent till the last furlong.