Pesi Shroff-mentored filly Jendayi was facing such a weak opposition in the Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian (Gr.1) that the bookmakers offered miserly odds for her success. It was apparent that the outcome of this classic event would be of academic interest only which was confirmed by Jendayi (Gleaneagles - Monasada), who treated her four rivals with disdain Bred at the Nanoli Stud Farm, Jendayi is owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay B. Shirke, Mr Khusroo N. Dhunjibhoy, Mr Zahir K. Dhunjibhoy and Ms Anita J. Captain. The Oisin Murphy-partnered bay filly added other feather in the cap of Shroff's classic winners.

Aloysia set the early pace as the field of five set sail for the mile and half journey and had Waikiki, Cordelia, Ameerah and Jendayi chasing her in a single file. The order of running didn't change till past the half-way mark where Cordelia surged ahead and brought the three serious contenders into the straight. As they went off the bridle, NS Parmar-piloted Waikiki tried to snatch the lead while S. Saqlain-ridden Ameerah sought to take the shortest route but couldn't get an opening. Meanwhile, Murphy released the brakes on Jendayi and the bay filly sashayed down the last furlong and half in solitary splendour leaving both Ameerah and Waikiki to fight for the second place. Ameerah eventually gained the upper hand beating Waikiki by half-length. Cordelia and Aloysia finished a distance behind.

Murphy was not required to flex his muscles astride Jendayi but his saddle artistry was on display atop Cordelia and Constable, who were saddled by Shroff and raced in the same colours as Jendayi. Both, however, went down to Enabler and Phenom in a close finish.

For once, the jinxed Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3) which is traditionally considered as an eye-opener for the Indian Derby, had three strong Derby aspirants in the fray. The Indian 2000 Guineas winner Synthesis from Rajesh Narredu's yard was better fancied than Enabler and Christofle, whom he had already beaten. But it was Malesh Narredu-schooled Enabler who avenged his defeat with a solid performance. Enabler was ridden off the pace as Shroff's ward Capitolium dictated the terms as usual as he took off smartly from barriers. Murphy quickly had Christofle on his tail, just ahead of West Brook. Synthesis, not relishing being held in restraint by Suraj Narredu, raced in the fourth position and was closely followed by Enabler, who had Yash Narredu to guide his fortunes. Capitolium led all the way till over a furlong was left for the winning line when Murphy set Christofle in motion and overtook the leader. Yash also timed his challenge to perfection and ignited a brilliant effort from Enabler, who took the gap between the inner rails and Synthesis to range alongside Christofle. Murphy was unrelenting astride Christofle as he sought to repulse Enabler's assault. But Enabler (Rule The World - Rozene) asserted his superiority after being spurred by Yash, who had adrenaline flowing in his veins as he was bidding for a hat-trick following a back-to-back double he had achieved earlier. A neck separated Enabler from Christofle while Capitolium ended third ahead of Synthesis, who was a beaten horse in the last furlong.

The father-son duo, Malesh and Yash, were first rewarded by the gallant show of Giant King, who achieved an encore when lifting the Uttam Singh Trophy. Giant King took charge of the running after Lion King refused to settle down and shifted out after fighting unsuccessfully for his head with apprentice MS Deora. Metzinger and Angelo were in close attendance until the heads turned for home. Metzinger tried to intimidate Giant King (Speaking of Which - Aster Rose) in the straight but the latter stretched out well when Yash removed his whip and drew clear of his rivals in the final furlong to record a convincing victory. PS Chouhan-ridden Angelo was unable to get into his stride at the turn and, eventually, could only reduce the gap between him and runner-up Metzinger. Idealista, who ended fourth, was also outpaced.

Shortly afterwards, three-year old Dash made it two in a row when claiming the Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3), a six-furlong sprint. The bay colt seized the initiative shortly after jumping out of the starting stalls and was never headed at any stage of the race. Dash (Phoenix Tower - See The Sunrise) brushed aside Flashman's attempt to catch him at the turn and stepped up the pace when urged by Yash. Dash sped away for an easier than expected victory over Field of Dreams, who claimed the second berth after a keen tussle with Fiorentini.

The on-money favourite Constable from Shroff's string was expected to make amends for his failure on debut after being entrusted in the hands of Murphy. The favourite, however, caught a tartar in Phenom and had to play second fiddle yet again. Constable came with a powerful run in the straight to wrest the lead from Pure For Sure, who sprinted ahead from the gates, and Into The Storm. But, despite Murphy driving him flat out, Constable failed to contain MK Jadhav-trained Phenom (Multidimensional - Euqranian), who was ridden confidently by NS Parmar. Phenom upstaged Constable in the last couple of strides to win by a long-neck. Debutant Mazal ran an encouraging third ahead of Kinzhal.

SK Sunderji's ward Superlative defeated barn-mate Buckley in the most exciting finish of the day. Lesser fancied than favourite Buckley, Superlative flourished under the strong handling of S. Saqlain to overhaul Soup And Sandwich, who tried to make it a start-to-finish affair, in the home stretch. No sooner had Superlative assumed command in the four-horse field vying for the PD Avasia Trophy,R. Ajinkya brought Buckley into contention. In the fierce battle that followed, Superlative (Roderic O'Connor - She Is Special) snuffed out Buckley's challenge and scraped through with a nose verdict. Soup And Sandwich retired to finish third with Star Romance trailing behind. 

It seems young Adhirajsingh Jodha finally realised that Vincent Van Gogh was not cut out for longer trips and entered him in the mile-long contest for the Yawar Rashid Trophy. His decision was vindicated by Vincent Van Gogh (Multidimensional - Irises), who made every post of the mile trip a winning one in the hands of Chouhan. Neeraj Rawal-steered Kariena had all but defeated Vincent Van Gogh in the final lap but Chouhan's determined effort astride the winner saw him crush Kariena's hopes and skip away for an easy win. Ante post favourite Golden Glow made no impression and ended a tame third behind Kariena. Ashwa Yashodhra ran fourth.

Trainer Rehanullah Khan finally had his first success this season when Arbitrage returned victorious in a three-way finish in the day's curtain raiser. Mirae made her usual dash over five-furlong scurry but was caught up by the F. Norton-ridden favourite, demotee Mi Arion, as also Arbitrage in the final furlong. Arbitrage (Surfrider - Silken Eyes) came charging down the straight when asked for an effort by apprentice Haridas Gore and stunned both Mi Arion and Mirae close home. Spirit Bay finished fourth.

After fooling around in Class IV following his two victories during the Pune season, Narendra Lagad-saddled Mighty Thunder finally had his say in the lower class. Mustakim Alam-ridden Mighty Thunder (Ampere - To The Manor Born) came with a blazing run from way behind to knock off both Dowsabel and Street Sense, who were disputing the issue in the final stages of race. Mighty Thunder won convincingly from Dowsabel. Tanhaiyan and favourite Emerald Queen, who never raised any hope during the race, ran third and fourth respectively.