The grey colt Dyf from Adhirajsingh Jodha’s stables justified his top billing with a tenacious performance in the Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Trophy (Gr.3), Sunday’s main event. Indeed Trevor Patel was a compliment for Dyf’s talent as he rode him with aplomb when snuffing out the challenge posed by Mojito and Supernatural. Earlier, as soon as the field of five was flagged off for the nine-furlong event, Coeur De Lion quickly assumed his front-running role and led his rivals into the home stretch where he was joined by PS Chouhan-partnered Supernatural and Dyf. Meanwhile, S. Saqlain-ridden Rasputin was held up towards the inner rails for want of a clear run whilst Mojito was set alight by NS Parmar at this juncture. Trevor put Dyf (Cougar Mountain – Soak) into top gear inside the last furlong and half and stormed ahead. Mojito was seen to be moving the fastest of the lot as he came with a big run to reach the haunches of Dyf.  But Mojito’s short dash was not good enough to topple Dyf, who strode away majestically to notch his fifth career win. Mojito had to settle for the runner-up slot yet again while Supernatural finished a length away. Rasputin, who didn’t have the luck of the race, ended last behind Coeur De Lion. 

Narendra Lagad-nurtured Golden Neil stunned his fancied rivals with a steadfast effort as he went to win, though not out of turn, in the Mulraj Goculdas Trophy. Apprentice Mustakim Alam-steered Golden Neil got to hit the front as NS Parmar opted to hold back Magileto, who fought for his head as the start was given. Golden Neil (Excellent Art – Mauna Kea) bowled along merrily in the front and, contrary to the expectations of both Parmar and Neeraj Rawal aboard favourite Chopin, sustained his lead till the end. Mustakim was relentless atop the winner when the horses went off the bridle in the straight and got Golden Neil to stretch out and stay beyond the reach of his rivals. Magileto was separated by half-length from the winner whilst Chopin was a head away. Bazooka Babe ran fourth.

Race-goers were treated to one of the closest finishes when six horses were involved in a blanket finish for the Jayaramdas Patel Gold Trophy, a seven furlong race contested by a large field of fifteen horses. No-hoper Nairobi led the field with Lord Fenicia and favourite Reminiscence in pursuit while the rest of the field was spread out behind. Reminiscence was still travelling on the bit when Nairobi threw in her towel inside the final two furlongs but Pesi Shroff’s ward showed no acceleration when asked for an effort by Chouhan. She was soon covered by Lord Murphy and both were joined, one by one, by Nolan, Phenom, Fancy Nancy and Whatsinaname. However, Imtiaz Sait-nursed Fancy Nancy (Roderic O’Connor – Remembrance of You) was the fastest moving horse as she came with a devastating run close home to hit the wire in the shadow of the winning post. Lord Murphy ended runner-up ahead of Nolan, Whatsinaname, Phenom and Reminiscence, who finished abreast of each other in that order. Parmar astride Phenom reportedly lost his reins at a crucial stage of the race and, by the time he could recover, he ran into a wall of horses ahead.

Shroff’s solitary winner came through the juvenile bay filly Jade, who tasted her maiden success without raising a sweat. Ridden by C. Umesh, Jade stayed in close attendance of leader Aafreen and Connexion till about a furlong and half left for the destination where she was given her head. Jade (Multitude – Majestic Opinion) cruised ahead and the race was all over bar the shouting there and then. Jade was followed home by stable-mate The Panther, who was clearly in need of this run. Divine Hope ended in the money ahead of the long-time leader Aafreen.

A similar facile win was registered by Giant King from Malesh Narredu’s yard, who avenged his defeat suffered at the hands of Bugatti in the previous outing when lifting the Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy. Giant King (Speaking of Which – Aster Rose) thus graduated from the maiden ranks over the mile and half trip. Giant King led briefly after the gates flew open and found stable-mate Eaton Square, who was brushed up by Parmar to assume the pace-maker’s role in what turned out to be a well-executed strategy. As the field swung into the straight, Saqlain thrust Giant King into the pole position and the bay gelding skipped away from his rivals including Bugatti, who was out-handicapped and struggled to stay in contention in the last furlong. Multiverse and Alpha Domino ran on to take on the minor places ahead of Bugatti who ended fourth.

Four-year old Outlander, who migrated from Rehanullah Khan’s yard and came under SK Sunderji’s charge during the Pune season, was ridden confidently by R. Ajinkya to nail favourite Misty on the post. Earlier, Into The Storm and Bubbly Boy brought the field into the straight and had Misty and Inishmore following them. Trevor astride Misty grabbed the lead from Bubbly Boy in the last furlong but couldn’t breathe easy as Outlander (Phoenix Tower – Slippers Best) loomed large on his outside. In the ensuing duel, Ajinkya powered Outlander to defeat Misty in his last stride. Bubbly Boy finished third while Into The Storm ended fourth. Inishmore, who ended fifth, was unlucky as Saqlain had to steady his mount after failing to find the gap between Misty and Bubbly Boy just before the winner launched his assault. Inishmore ran fifth, a short-head behind Into The Storm. Dali Swirl, who warmed up late and ended a nose away, will be a different prospect when exploited over a longer trip, preferably in an older set.

Almost two years after his maiden success, Imtiaz Sait-nursed Dexa finally found his way to the winner’s enclosure after his master decided to exploit him over a six-furlong sprint. Unlike his previous run when he was stuck towards the rails, Vishal Bunde steered clear of any trouble by essaying his challenge from the outer flank and showed Dexa the daylight once the field straightened for home. Dexa (Planetaire – My Pension) produced a sparkling run to go breezing past leaders Divine Thoughts, Majestic Warrior and Lord Vader. Trevor-piloted favourite Generosity, who was racing alongside Dexa almost all the way, took the shortest way home but couldn’t match the winner’s acceleration and finished fourth behind Ataash and Majestic Warrior. 

Hosidar Daji-saddled filly Mighty Wings, who was languishing in the maiden ranks thus far, gave a spirited performance after tackling leader Lightning Blaze to taste her first success in the day’s concluding event. Mighty Wings (David Livingstone – Fearless Nadia) took charge of the running after chasing down Lightning Blaze into the straight and was hard-ridden by Amyn Merchant to stave off the challenge of Esfir. High Spirit came from nowhere to finish a notable third ahead of Prince O’War, who was a neck away.