With the terms of the race loaded in favour of last-outing winner Time and Tide, the bay colt saddled by Adhirajsingh Jodha was the obvious ante post favourite to claim the Group 3 event. However, the Hosidar Daji nurtured filly Misty caught the market’s fancy with her unbeaten stint of two victories at Mumbai and was installed as the firm favourite close to race time. Time and Tide became second-in-demand while The General went out as the third favourite in the six-horse field. Contrary to market sentiments, it was S. Waheed groomed Believe who stunned his opponents with a smashing victory in the hands of lesser-known rider Vishal Bunde.

Shortly after the field took off from the gates, Dream Seller fought fiercely for his head and veered out when his rider Neeraj Rawal tried to settle him down. Meanwhile PS Chouhan astride Time and Time tried to take charge of the running but the wayward Dream Seller took him out causing the former to lose considerable ground. Chililady, the challenger from Bangalore, slipped into the lead during this melee and was closely followed by Time and Tide, Misty and the rest. Misty, who had to be steadied when caught between Dream Seller and Time and Tide at the start, dropped back slightly. Vishal in the meantime brought Believe ahead to stay close on the heels of Time and Tide as they turned for home. Chouhan asked Time and Tide the question while Chililady started to weaken and was about to gain the lead when Believe ranged alongside. Bunde got Believe into this stride and rode with aplomb to quell the second favourite’s challenge. Believe (Planetaire – Noble Lady) hung in slightly but Bunde steered him confidently to achieve a fabulous victory sparing a length and quarter to her nearest rival at the winning post. Misty, Time and Tide and The General finished in that order in a blanket finish. The General raced close on the haunches of the winner at the turn but couldn’t produce the response desired by his rider. Believe, who has amassed almost Rs 3 million as prize money, is the proud property of Mr Ketan S Wakkar, Mrs Jalpa K Boncha, Ms Roshni C Punjabi and Mr Sultan Singh, the owner of Sohna Stud Farm where the winner was bred.

The Mysore Race Club Trophy, the other big event of the day, saw Golden Kingdom sweep his six rivals off their feet when taken on a successful barrier-to-finish mission by PS Kaviraj. The credit of Golden Kingdom’s (Kingda Ka – Albeed) success goes to his master Adhirajsingh for having his protégé in fighting fit condition for the big clash. Despite the odds heavily against him, Golden Kingdom made good use of both his light handicap and better staying ability on this occasion. Kaviraj had Golden Kingdom dictating the terms to his rivals and drove him relentlessly right from the top of the straight until he was home and dry. Kaviraj was guilty of using his whip in excess of the permissible limit of eight times but that would be of little concern either to him or his winning connections. Rasputin and Supernatural both launched their assault in the home stretch but were frustrated by the winner' resolve. The rest of the runners were more or less outclassed. Supernatural has probably not recovered fully from the setback he suffered after the Mumbai season and looked a pale shadow of his former self.

But for Chouhan ridden Rush producing a gallant performance, Waheed would’ve had another surprise winner in Star Gallery earlier in the day. Eaton Square showed the way to the field with highly-fancied Impunity from P Shroff’s yard in hot pursuit. Apprentice Haridas Gore-piloted Star Gallery, who was racing close behind the front running duo, began inching closer along with Kimiko and hit the front after Eaton Square had shot his bolt approaching the final furlong. Meanwhile, Rush (Sanus Per Aquam – Isotta), who was off the bridle before the final turn, was denied a clear run for a few strides but Chouhan drew a tremendous response from the filly after finding the gap. Meanwhile, Star Gallery was being hailed as a winner close home after assuming command opposite the grand stand but Rush, aided by Chouhan’s strong handling, eclipsed the 15 to 1 longshot in the last few strides. Kimiko ran an encouraging third ahead of Eaton Square and Impunity who faded out in the final run-in.

Trevor Patel, who managed to open his account this season last week, seemed to be getting into his groove as he partnered two favourites, Cellini at the start of the day and Adamas in the concluding event. Veteran Bezan Chenoy saddled Cellini (Arazan – Yomalo) easily accounted for the speedy Arcana in the five furlong scurry. Arcana ran like a scalded cat from the gates but shortened her strides in the straight and was overwhelmed by Cellini who came with a fluent run down the straight. Navnath Bhosale ridden Star Romance, who ended third a neck ahead of Soup and Sandwich, was full of running in the closing stages of the race but his rider’s bravado in trying to take a narrow opening towards the rails failed leading to him getting squeezed out. Navnath’s protest against Mustakim Alam ridden Arcana didn’t find favour with the stewards.

Last-outing winner Adamas (Mineshaft – Evelyn’s Dancer) was carrying a negligible amount of extra lead as penalty for his maiden success, which proved no hurdle during his bid to register an encore in the same class. Malesh Narredu trained Adamas hit the front with Trevor in saddle and won untroubled all the way. Trevor in fact had the luxury of peeping over his shoulders to find joint favourite Zip Along struggling hard to catch him. Flying Halo and Flashing Flare improved over their past performance to finish third and fourth respectively.

Favourite Inishmore though better placed on the scales than Buckley, his conqueror during the previous Mumbai season, failed to avenge his defeat during Sunday’s encounter. SK Sunderji’s ward defied the penalty to inflict another defeat on Inishmore, who is desperately seeking his second career success. Trevor allowed Majestic Warrior and Pink Jasmine to make the initial running and rode Inishmore in check till the field straightened for home. Inishmore then pounced on them to wrest the lead but Dashrath Singh, who kept Buckley (Phoenix Tower – Athens) in a striking position behind the leaders, switched lanes and brought his mount on the outer flank. Buckley unleashed a powerful run to neutralize Inishmore and drew away for a convincing victory. Pure warmed up late and was hard driven to finish third ahead of Golden Glow.

Brought down in the handicap like only his master Narendra Lagad is capable of, four-year old Prince Igor finally showed his true colours after 13 insipid runs when carrying the public purse to victory in the lowest class. Prince Igor (Basem – Double Diamond) gathered momentum in the straight as Slam Dunk and stablemate C’est L’amour did the menial job of leading the field. Whipless Praveen Shinde-partnered Lady Di also unleashed her run around the same time but the stronger handling of Mustakim Alam helped Prince Igor prevail in the end. Mighty Wings came from way behind to end in the money while Spirit Bay ran a disappointing fourth.