After performing consistently and success yet eluding him during his campaign this season, Malesh Narredu-saddled Count Of Savoy finally hit the bulls-eye when lifting the Indian Equine Practitioners Association Of India Trophy on Sunday. The finish for this event for horses in the highest class was widely expected to be restricted to Successor and Count Of Savoy and so it was. Both these contestants, who relish setting their own pace, found their younger rival Son Of A Gun going sailing into the lead but that was no bother for them as they were nicely settled close behind. Neeraj Rawal brought Count Of Savoy (Leitir Mor – Lombardia) alongside the tiring leader as soon as the field straightened for home and snatched the lead with a furlong and half left for home. Successor came with a big run down the last furlong when spurred by Trevor but Neeraj drove Count Of Savoy with determination and kicked on gamely to keep his rival at bay. Last-outing winner Flying Visit moved menacingly towards the fag end of the race but couldn’t get a clear run and ended a whisker behind runner up Successor.

Dallas Todywalla-schooled colt Irish Gold, being the most experienced of the eight juveniles vying for the Race For Hope Trophy, was backed as if defeat was out of question. The piping-hot favourite however was treated with scant respect by debutant Jendayi from Pesi Shroff’s yard who scored one of the finest victories witnessed at Mahalaxmi this season. Pesi had two other runners, Chagall and Chenevix Trench who were entrusted to Trevor and Neeraj respectively while apprentice Haridas Gore was chosen to guide the fortunes of Jendayi, who turned out to be the virtual rabbit which Pesi had pulled out of his hat.

The bay filly, who was brought in-foal to the British broodmare Monasada and who is by Gleneagles, raced at the wrong end of the field till entering the final lap of the seven-furlong event. Meanwhile, Sandesh-piloted Irish Gold had just about measured leader Supreme Spirit when Haridas produced Jendayi, who unleashed a brilliant turn of foot which had to be seen to be believed. Jendayi scorched the turf and the last furlong belonged to her as she put daylight between herself and her nearest rival Irish Gold as also the rest who were all left stranded. Chenevix Trench and Chagall ended close behind the runner up. Haridas drove Jendayi plain hands and heels to experience the thrill of the most fascinating success of his career thus far. The timing clocked by Jendayi was a fraction short of Count Of Savoy’s in the Class I event which in itself speaks of the potential held by Shroff’s protégé.

The on-money favourite El Greco suffered the same fate as Irish Gold in the previous event, the upper division of the Dady Adenwalla Trophy. Imtiaz Sait-groomed Opus Dei, who was running for the first time after being gelded last month, graduated from the maiden ranks after showing remarkable improvement over his previous performance. Bhawani Singh had Opus Dei (Planetaire – Surprise Party) settled alongside El Greco as Ugly Truth showed the way to the field over the six-furlong sprint and swooped down on the leader in the last furlong even as the favourite was trying to find his rhythm, Opus Dei, despite veering out after overtaking Ugly Truth, romped home with El Greco behind. Ugly Truth retained the third spot ahead of She’s A Teaser, who failed to quicken after chasing the leader into the home stretch.

The fight for the jockeys’ championship title between Sandesh and Trevor enlivened the proceedings as the latter tried hard to bridge Sandesh’s three point lead. Sandesh started the day on a winning note when he partnered Faisal Abbas-saddled Murwara Princess to a convincing victory in the day’s curtain-raiser. Key To The Mint called the early shots over the mile and quarter trip followed by Flaming Lamborgini and Murwara Princess. Sandesh judged the pace to a nicety and made his bid astride Murwara Princess only when the field entered the home straight. Key To The Mint held on till the last 100m but was forced into submission by Murwara Princess, who came with a devouring run and went cruising away for her fourth career victory. Key To The Mint, Kiefer and Empower followed her home.

Sandesh completed his treble with a back-to-back double aboard Midsummer Star and Ultimo, both hailing from trainer SK Sunderji’s yard. Midsummer Star (New Approach – Ghasabah) showed good initial speed to grab the lead shortly after the start and made every post of the six-furlong journey for the first division of the Racing Officials Trophy a winning one. The winner won untroubled all the way with Demetrius gaining ground towards the end to finish second ahead of Trinkets and Mount Sinai. Jockey Amyn Merchant escaped serious injuries following an accident in which his mount Kardashian suffered a fatal fall after stumbling soon after entering the straight.

Ultimo (Surfrider – Honeydew) showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the lower division of the Dady Adenwalla Trophy. Sandesh hit the front with Ultimo and cantered away to a facile win over Bubbly Boy, who was in futile chase throughout. Kings Love, Impunity and Tess ran on to finish behind the runner up.

Trevor tasted his first success of the day atop Balenciaga who relished the mile trip for the Jockeys Trophy. Balenciaga (Aclaim – Eskdale) raced within striking distance behind Alpine Star and Galway Bay till the field took the final turn. Balenciaga then moved up to tackle Alpine Star and steal a march over his rivals opposite the stands. Neeraj-ridden Kirkines posed a serious threat to Balenciaga at this juncture but Dallas’s ward stretched out well in the last furlong to thwart Kirkines. Hooves Of Thunder, Galway Bay and Kimiko finished in a huddle behind.

Trainer Nazzak Chenoy’s sparingly raced filly Ataash finally had her say when she scored an emphatic win in the hands of Trevor to claim the second division of the Racing Officials Trophy. Ataash (Speaking Of Which – Sacred Fire) lay unconcerned in the mid-bunch as Phanta led the field and brought them in to the straight. Ataash, when shown the daylight, sorted out the pretenders ahead one by one and assumed command in the last furlong. Trevor drove her out to score a bloodless victory over Remy Red, Daulat Mai and Lord Murphy.

Earlier, Magileto’s age and handicap helped Altaf Hussain’s ward make amends for his previous defeat. Nikhil Parmar held back Magileto (Sedgefield – Providence) and allowed Cellini to head the field in the initial stages of the race. Parmar alerted Magileto once the heads had turned for home following which the bay gelding surged ahead and was safely home before runner up Raffaello could pose a threat to his chances. Star Romance ended third ahead of Baby Bazooka, who had to be steadied after being caught up in a traffic snarl about a furlong away from home.