As the COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with the equine sport in Western India and the future of horseracing at RWITC hanging in balance a couple of years ago, Leopard Rock was sent packing to Chennai in search of greener pastures. The move paid handsome dividends as the bay horse won in five out of the six starts he had down south at Guindy. The Deepesh Narredu-schooled Leopard Rock, however, always came across one better on return to his base. One of them was Iron Age with whom he was asked to match strides in the Zavaray Poonawalla Sprinters' Challenge on Saturday, the first of the two-day Indian Racing Carnival and the penultimate day of the Mumbai racing season 2022-23. With Hunting Goddess out of his way due the unfortunate fate she suffered after being crowned as the India’s best sprinter recently at Bangalore, Saturday's main event appeared to be at Iron Age' mercy. Sadly, it was not to be. He caught a tartar in Leopard Rock.

Leopard Rock (Kingda Ka – Besame Mucho), settled close on the heels of Iron Age by Yash Narredu till entering the home stretch, went in chase of leader Iron Age as soon as the heads turned for home. The bay inched closer with every stride and was ridden resolutely by Yash to tackle Iron Age soon after passing the 100m-marker. Iron Age, the eight-year old gelding from Imtiaz Sait’s yard, seemingly had a firm grip on the race since he appeared cruising in the hands of Trevor Patel after heading the pack all the way from the barriers. The speed at which he raced may have proved to be his undoing as Iron Age was reportedly found to be sore after the race. That doesn’t take away any credit from Leopard Rock who finally retraced his steps to the winner’s enclosure at RWITC. Market King couldn’t really step up the pace and just managed to hold on to the third spot from the fast-finishing Isn’t She Beautiful, who was a tad unlucky. Just to keep it short and sweet, let’s say that the Bangalore-based filly hailing from S Padmanabhan’s yard didn’t have the luck of the race.

In a tantalising finish witnessed half an hour earlier, Sait’s ward Pride’s Angel nailed Golden Neil bang on the winning post to claim the Sweeping Success Million. Golden Neil took charge of the running as the gates flew open and had favourite Mojito hot on his heels with Magileto and Pride’s Angel close behind. Try hard as Mojito and Magileto did both were unable to tackle Golden Neil and so was Pride’s Angel. Meanwhile, Yukan came into contention when set alight by Trevor and the moment he came alongside Pride’s Angel (Multidimensional – Tammy O), the latter zoomed ahead and his flared nostrils helped him triumph over Golden Neil and Yukan both and who had Mojito and Magileto in close tow.

Charlie, the five-year old dark bay horse nurtured by trainer Vinesh Gaekwad, defied the handicapper to lift the Turf Authorities Of India Million. It’s My Time dictated the terms as usual and had Tough Cookie making a futile attempt to match strides with him. Favourite Dangerous was settled in the mid-bunch behind Sierra Dela Plata whilst Charlie racing unconcerned in the rear. Bhawani Singh switched lanes with Charlie when approaching the final turn. When the field had straightened for home, Charlie (Planetaire – Miracle Of Love) was easily the best moving horse on the track. Bhawani drove Charlie resolutely and caught up with It’s My Time, who failed to repel his assault, in the last 100m. Charlie kicked on to stay beyond the reach of Dangerous, who might have found the distance sharp and took quite some time to warm up to her task, and It’s My Time. Dexa ran thereabouts before finishing fourth.

Young Behram Cama-groomed Gangster lived up to the promise he had shown when finishing a close third behind Brave Beauty in his solitary run in February last to claim his maiden success at Mahalaxmi. Alpine Star showed the way to the field over the mile and quarter journey after taking over from Freedom, who led briefly at the start, and brought the field into the home straight. Apprentice Haridas Gore meanwhile brought Gangster within striking distance of Alpine Star and Freedom as soon as they embarked for the final journey. Bhawani-ridden Justin also made his move at this juncture and attempted to come the shortest way home but was blocked by Alpine Star and was thrown out of contention in the process. In the meantime, with little over two furlongs left for the destination, Gangster (Quasar – Rosie Sunshine) stormed ahead and never let the advantage slip away. Brave Beauty rallied late but could not stop Gangster from avenging his defeat. She ended runner up ahead of Amber Knight and Jerusalem who ran on to complete the frame.

Nazzak Chenoy nursed filly Ataash, who had graduated from the maiden ranks last week, successfully carried an imposing 61kg on her back to register a quick encore. Despite coming out from the wide draw, Trevor had Ataash in close attendance of leaders Lord Fenicia, Ashwa Parth, Phenom and Flashing Famous till the last two of the six furlong trip. Once set in motion by Trevor, Ataash (Speaking Of Which – Sacred Fire) came with a flourishing run to tackle the front-runners. Kariena, the runner up, looked threatening close home but Trevor power-packed finish thwarted her bid. Cipher finished on to claim the third spot ahead of Fortune Teller.

A Sandesh-ridden Believe nosed out Trevor-partnered The Godfather to claim the ZS Poonawalla Juvenile Mile. The Godfather went on a pillar to post mission but was overtaken by Floyd at the final turn. The piping-hot favourite Sea The Sun had also ranged alongside The Godfather and waiting to pounce on Floyd. Just as PS Chouhan-piloted Sea The Sun threw her challenge at Floyd, The Godfather came with a second run to pierce through the pair ahead. With a slender lead in hand, The Godfather soon found Believe breathing down his neck. Both The Godfather and Believe went hammer and tong in the last furlong and it was a see-saw battle which culminated in Sandesh powering S Waheed-saddled Believe (Planetaire – Noble Lady) to a nose victory over The Godfather, whose saddle had reportedly slipped. Sea The Sun ended a disappointing third, faraway behind the runner up. Livermore finished fourth.

The first day of the carnival ended with Narendra Lagad’s ward Charming Star (Kingda Ka – Charmstone) being ridden to victory by apprentice Mustakim Alam, Charming Star came with a powerful run down the straight to overwhelm Adamas whose start to finish bid failed close home. Red Dust appeared late on the scene to wrest the second berth ahead of Arbitrage and Adamas. Favourite Superimpose was badly interfered as he ran into a wall of horses ahead when Sandesh sought to make his bid in the home stretch and couldn’t recover thereafter.