Despite his summer campaign at Bangalore being cut short by an untimely setback, the dark bay colt Christofle resumed his career with a convincing win in the A. Campbell Trophy, which featured Thursday’s card of seven events. Pesi Shroff-trained Christofle (Le Havre – Enzina) took over the running soon after the starter’s flag came down and was a winner at every post of the seven-furlong trip. C. Umesh confidently steered the favourite, who was chased by Star Romance and stable-mate Emperor Roderic in the initial stages of the race. Late-finishing In My Time came from way back to nose out Emperor Roderic for the runner-up spot whilst Pride’s Angel had to overcome traffic problems before finishing fourth. Three-year old Christofle was not really tested by any of the seasoned campaigners on his comeback endeavour, which was a dress rehearsal for the Indian 2000 Guineas.

Shroff had earlier led in another three-year colt, Bugatti, who graduated from the maiden ranks in the Bejan Bharucha Plate run over nine furlongs. Bugatti (Multidimensional – Moonlight Romance), who is bred as full brother to the Indian Oaks winner Roberta, was ridden off the pace as Neeraj Rawal astride the bottom-weighted Giant King decided to adopt runaway tactics. Trevor Patel (who replaced the indisposed PS Chouhan in the saddle during the day) brought Bugatti into contention as the field of six turned for home but the colt displayed his lack of racing experience when running green as he joined the issue with Giant King opposite the stands. Trevor had great difficulty in keeping the bay colt on an even keel as he hung in and leaned on to Giant King in the last furlong or so. Bugatti stretched out close home to win sparing a length and half to Giant King. Big Red ended third, a neck behind Giant King with Daianne finishing a faraway fourth. An objection lodged by Neeraj against Trevor for taking Giant King’s ground was overruled by the stewards.    

Vincent Van Gogh and Lord and Master, the least fancied duo ridden by two lesser-known jockeys in the field of six contesting for the JM Shah & CM Shah Gold Trophy, upset the calculations of many by finishing first and second. Adhirajsingh Jodha-schooled and HM Akshay-ridden Vincent Van Gogh (Multidimensional – Irises) was settled behind last-outing winner Lord and Master, who was taken on a start to finish mission over the mile journey by H. Zeeshan. The three fancied youngsters – favourite Dream Alliance, Julius and Waikiki, decided to play the waiting game. This strategy didn’t work as they were outpaced in the straight. Meanwhile, Lord and Master seemed to be kicking on before Akshay pulled out his stick to remind Vincent Van Gogh of his task ahead. The bay gelding responded well to catch up with the leader and overhauled him in the dying moments of the race. Waikiki laboured hard to finish third ahead of Brave Beauty. Dream Alliance put up a doleful show to finish last.

Imtiaz Sait-saddled Opus Dei also surprised his fancied rivals to claim the Dr Jagjit Singh Trophy run over seven furlongs. Littorio ran keenly to hit the front and was followed initially by Milli, Kanya Rashi and Azrinaz. Littorio called it a day after bringing the field into the straight and it was Azrinaz who grabbed the lead with a furlong and half left for home. Opus Dei (Planetaire – Surprise Party), who raced in the mid-bunch towards the rails till then, was pulled out by CS Jodha and sent in chase of Azrinaz. Opus Dei improved steadily to close the gap and had the measure of Azrinaz close home. Walter finished in the money ahead of Angelo. The last named warmed up late to his task after racing in the second last position till the heads turned for home. Bred as full brother to King’s Ransom and making only the second appearance of his career, three-year old Angelo moved attractively towards the end but ran green before finishing fourth, a short-head behind Walter. He should not linger in the maiden ranks for long and should strike over a longer trip.

Bubbly Boy from Malesh Narredu’s yard, who had been knocking at the doors of success in his last few runs at Pune, finally found his mark in the Captain G. Hall Trophy, the day’s concluding event. Top-weighted Bubbly Boy (Fiero – Bubbly Bellini) raced close behind Neilina and Etoile as the former showed the way to the eleven-horse field over the six furlong sprint but soon faded out in the home stretch. Etoile took charge but was strongly challenged by Neeraj-ridden Bubbly Boy who gained the upper hand after a brief tussle. Trevor-piloted King’s Retreat, who was slowly off from the gates and badly placed till the final turn, finished third and was easily the best of the beaten lot. Ricochet, the winner’s owner-mate, was not given a punishing race when finishing fourth.

Shazaan Shah-groomed Lord Murphy, who sported the same colours as Bubbly Boy, took toll of the four submissive rivals he came across in the day’s curtain raiser. Ridden by apprentice Navnath Bhosale, Lord Murphy (Fiero – Historica) dictated the terms right from the word go with on-money favourite Goldiva, who was slowly out from the gates, making lost ground to be in close attendance of the leader. Navnath released the brakes after entering the straight following which the enthusiastically backed Lord Murphy drew away for an easy win over Goldiva, Leo the Lion and Come Back Please. Away She Goes trailed behind.

C’est L’amour, who had gone down to Flashing Famous in the concluding event of the Pune season, made amends to shock the field over a five-furlong scurry. Narendra Lagad-trained Mirae, who was fancied ahead of stable-mate C’est L’amour, hit the front with favourite Champagne Smile within striking distance. The latter challenged Mirae about a furlong away from home but J. Chinoy-partnered C’est L’amour (Varenar – Edith Piaf) came with a flashing run down the straight to swoop down on the two leaders and went on score easily. Champagne Smile, Mirae and Arbitrage followed him home. Well-bred Nobility, who was running after a long lay-off, finished on well to finish an encouraging sixth, within five lengths of the winner.