Thursday's racing was marked by high drama not by any spectacular display on the racetrack by equines but because of the incidents that took place away from the turf. In an act of unexpected belligerence, the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) administration and the Jockeys Association of India (JAI) both put the smooth conduct of the day's racing in peril. According to the jockeys, the RWITC had backtracked on its assurance of not demanding personal information like mobile phone's Call Detail Record (CDR) and bank account details from any jockey who was suspected of being involved in alleged malpractice and suspended jockey R Ajinkya for his effort, or the lack of it, astride runner up Jerusalem on February 19. One of the reasons cited by the RWITC Stewards when establishing Ajinkya's guilt was the jockey's failure to submit the CDR and bank account details to the authorities.

Aggrieved by this decision, JAI members did not accept rides for Thursday's programme. The RWITC, in response, decided to go ahead with Thursday's races with the help of apprentice riders. The jury is still out on whether the decision of these two entities was right and whether it was in the best interest of the sport. One wonders why the RWITC administration and JAI office bearers for once could not keep their egos aside and resort to a dialogue to resolve the issue.

Regardless, Thursday's racing provided young apprentice riders an opportunity to showcase their ability especially Gagandeep Mann who booted home a fine double. Mustakim Alam was confident as usual and also partnered a winning brace including Rasputin, who claimed the Indiarace.comTrophy, the day's main race.

Sandman tried runaway tactics in the four-horse field, which fizzled out at the top of the home straight over the mile and quarter trip in the feature event. The Imtiaz Sait saddled even-money favourite Rasputin (Multidimensional - Anywaysmile), who was tracking Sandman from the word go, then went effortlessly past the leader and Mustakim gave him a couple of reminders before romping home. Zarak was simply outclassed by the winner when finishing a faraway second ahead of Grand Accord with Sandman gasping for breath behind. Mustakim achieved his 20th career win through Rasputin. 

Unfazed by her disappointing debut run, punters once again fancied the chances of Pesi Shroff trained juvenile filly Cordelia. Entrusted to Kirtish Bhagat, one of best apprentice riders on the Indian circuit, Cordelia was backed as if defeat was out of question. The Multidimensional progeny however came across one better in Supreme Spirit in the Hindu Trophy. PS Kaviraj-partnered Supreme Spirit (Dali - Eternal Spirit) was smartly off from the blocks on this occasion and she won almost start to finish. Cordelia raced handily behind Supreme Spirit and Glacier till the last two furlongs where it appeared that she would cruise ahead. The hot favourite was unable to get a clear passage towards the rails yet she had the upper hand briefly in the last furlong when Supreme Spirit veered out under pressure. Kaviraj managed to stem the Imtiaz Sait schooled filly's drift and overwhelmed Cordelia once again. Glacier ran third ahead of stablemate Kinzhal, who had reportedly bled through her nostrils.

Apprentice Gagandeep Mann, who resumed his riding career after a break of two years, steered Subhag Singh's ward Marlboro Man to victory in the Times Of India Trophy. Marlboro Man (Royal Gladiator - Moneypenny) raced on the haunches of Shadows who dictated the terms from the gates. Gagandeep drove out Marlboro Man to initially measure Shadows, who had weakened near the 200m-marker, and found his mark before the fast finishing Dagger's Strike could cause any damage. Shadows held on to the third spot from Come Back Please.

Gagandeep won with relative ease astride Midsummer Star, who finally found his way to the winner's enclosure when asked to compete in the lowest class. Midsummer Star (New Approach - Ghazabah) from the yards of Sheraz Sunderji showed good initial speed in grabbing the lead shortly after the start. The chestnut gelding then established a commanding lead of over two lengths and Gagandeep did not let that advantage slip away till the end. Attained let down his supporters once again after being prominently placed behind the leaders and could only manage to edge out Champagne Smile, who was in vain pursuit of the winner throughout, for the runner up berth. Myrcella fell back after a good start and came with a renewed effort, which didn't affect the final outcome, to finish fourth.

Trainer Rehanullah Khan's decision to race Outlander in the lower class paid off as the gelding snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Mid-Day Trophy. Ridden by 5kg-claimer Haridas Gore, Outlander (Phoenix Tower - Slippers Best) fought a ding-dong  battle with Queens Pride after the latter had tackled Mirae and Mojo, the  front runners. Praveen Shinde-ridden Queens Pride failed to hit the front on being denied a clear run after being caught between the two leaders. The Altaf Hussain groomed filly however had her say in the last furlong but was strongly challenged by Outlander. Just when it seemed that Queens Pride would hit the wire, Outlander's final burst saw the chestnut filly going down by a shorthead. Trinket flourished in the closing stages of the scurry to finish third ahead of Hilma Klint. Mojo faded out into oblivion after a forward run.

Praveen made amends for his failure with a confident ride aboard Superlative (Roderic O'Connor-She Is Special) to claim the Racingpulse.in Trophy. SK Sunderji's ward was in close attendance of Rodrigo, who headed the field from the gates, and this pair was soon joined by Esperanza at the final turn. As the heads turned for home, Rodrigo shifted out slightly and almost slammed the doors on Superlative's chances. Praveen fortuitously switched lanes instantly and brought Superlative through the inner rails to seize the initiative. Esperanza looked menacing close home but Superlative thwarted her bid successfully to win by three-part of a length. Rodrigo ended a neck away and a shorthead behind was Lord Vader, who probably found the trip too sharp for his liking.

Altaf Hussain nurtured Mount Sinai (David Livingstone - Belle Jour) lived up to the promise shown in his previous essay and went on to taste his maiden success. Mustakim settled Mount Sinai behind no-hoper Mascara till the heads turned for home and surged ahead to win untroubled. He scored an easy win over Between Friends, Lion King and the late finishing Speculator.