Malesh Narredu-mentored Enabler produced a gutsy performance when Yash Narredu threw down the gauntlet at Jamari and Synthesis in the final run-in and toppled them both to claim the HPSL Indian Derby (Gr.1). Yash timed his challenge to perfection and went after Jamari who, soon after tackling Fighton, gained the upper hand but was engaged by Synthesis in a fierce duel. In the meanwhile, Enabler produced a sparkling gallop in the last two furlongs when Yash plied his whip and was running abreast of the leaders. Synthesis ran a bit green under pressure allowing Jamari a slender lead but recovered soon to renew his challenge. Jamari, Synthesis and Enabler went stride for stride in the last 150-metres but it was Malesh’s ward who asserted his superiority in the shadow of the winning post. Not only did Yash become one of the youngest jockeys to win the Indian Derby, he and Malesh got their names inscribed in the history books for being the first father-son duo to win this prestigious event. For Yash, it was his first Indian Derby achievement while Malesh got his second success having led in Be Safe in 2015. Enabler (Rule of the World – Rozene), who was bred at the Sohna Stud Farms, is co-owned by Mrs BE Saldhana, Messrs Sultan Singh, Vivek Jain, Balam Mohla and Anil Saraf. Enabler’s victory was a well-deserved reward and a dream come true especially for Mrs Blanche Saldhana and Mr Vivek Jain, who are both ardent lovers of the sport and passionate race-horse owners.

As the start was given, Phenom and Constable went on a fast clip and opened a long gap of over a distance as they led the field of twelve over the mile and half trip. Constable was gasping for breath as the field crossed the half-way mark but Fighton was still in command when approaching the final turn. Trevor Patel astride Jamari and Suraj Narredu-driven Synthesis both made their move as they entered the home stretch. Synthesis shifted in slightly and went on to Jamari, who in turn squeezed out G. Vivek-piloted Giant King who was racing close on the heels of Phenom. A few seconds earlier, while Constable was dropping back, Antony Raj-ridden Dream Alliance shied away and bumped PS Chouhan-partnered Jendayi, virtually sealing her fate in the process. With little over a furlong left for home, Jamari led briefly as Synthesis veered out under pressure but soon recovered lost ground as Suraj brought his mount back into contention. Meanwhile, Yash got Enabler going and the chestnut colt started devouring ground to range alongside his two adversaries. In an electrifying finish, with both Trevor and Suraj going flat out on Jamari and Synthesis, Enabler sneaked ahead with a powerful surge in the last fifty metres to emerge victorious by a length and quarter.

Without taking away any credit from Enabler, it was apparent that Jendayi did not have the luck of the race. As mentioned earlier, after being knocked off her strides by Dream Alliance just before the race came to a boil. Jendayi could not recover from that mishap. Later, Chouhan was probably overcautious when he chose not to take the gap between Enabler and Christofle when turning for home and switched lanes before launching his final assault. After travelling wide into the straight, Chouhan then brought the filly inwards. Jendayi gave her heart out when asked to collar the three contenders ahead but the leeway was too big for her to bridge. Jendayi ended fourth, two lengths behind Enabler and was separated by three-part of a length from both runner-up Synthesis and Jamari, who were a neck abreast of each other.

Star Prosperity had given his master Malesh an auspicious start on the Derby day when he won the HPSL Marathi Cup, the day’s curtain raiser. Winter Agenda snatched lead from Ashwa Yashodhra after she had brought the field into the straight and was in command till the last hundred metres. Trevor aboard King’s Retreat tackled the leader only to find Star Prosperity flying on the outside and divesting him of the lead in the dying moments of the event. Earlier, Star Prosperity (Excellent Art – Stravella) was settled in the mid-bunch during the seven-furlong journey and Neeraj Rawal put him into the top gear opposite the stands. The chestnut colt wore down King’s Retreat and was home and dry by the time late-finishing Christophany could pose a threat. Winter Agenda retired to be fourth.

With the plans to take her to the Dubai put on hold for now, Karthik Ganapathy-nursed Juliette was back in action in the Thackers Eclipse Stakes of India. The mare was the odds-on choice to win the event but she hard to work hard to quell the spirited resistance from Dyf. Kamaria, the pace-maker for Juliette, bowled along merrily in front as the three main contenders raced in a single file behind Geographique. The last named flattered briefly after going past Kamaria when they straightened for home and found Supernatural, Dyf and Juliette just warming up to their task. Trevor got Dyf to take charge and then put up a brave front when the CS Jodha-ridden grey mare ranged alongside. Juliette (Musketeer – Gimmesumsugar) quelled Dyf’s challenge in the last few metres from the post and recorded her fourth Eclipse Stakes victory by half-length. Supernatural ran third while Geographique completed the judge’s frame.

After being denied success on multiple occasions since he last won about fourteen months ago, Mojito fashioned a memorable win in the Rusi Patel Trophy (Gr.3). Trainer Mansingh Jadhav’s decision to put blinkers on Mojito seems to have done the trick for the five-year old gelding. Nikhil Parmar played the waiting game astride Mojito as last-outing winner Count of Savoy called the early shots with Northern Lights and Golden Neil close behind. Yash-driven Count of Savoy was still in command when Chouhan and Neeraj brought Northern Lights and Chopin into contention. While these three equines were engaged in a fierce battle, Mojito came cruising along to go sailing past the trio with just under a furlong left for the destination. Mojito (Speaking of Which – Margarita Rita) romped home to score a relatively easy win over Count of Savoy, who was closely followed by Chopin and Northern Lights.

The Sir Homi Mehta Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 3) and the BK Rattonsey Memorial Multi-Million, the two important juvenile events, were claimed by The Panther and Fiorentini hailing from Pesi Shroff’s yard. With an easy run under his belt, The Panther was next in demand only to Running Star. Trevor kept him fourth but in a striking position behind Earth, who went storming into the lead as the gates opened. Running Star was hard-ridden by Yash to catch Earth, who was not in a mood to relent, and just when he wore him down, The Panther loomed large on the outside. The Panther (Churchill – Darinza) took some time in getting into his stride but thankfully did it tantalisingly close to the winning post. Trevor had packed enough punch in his riding to get The Panther to mow down Running Star, who had scuttled Earth’s start to finish bid. The Panther won more comfortably than the official verdict suggests.

Fiorentini also recorded her maiden success quite easily as he unleashed a splendid turn of foot when Chouhan showed her the daylight soon after entering the home stretch. Fiorentini (Leitir Mor – Evatina) tackled the front-runners one by one and skipped away for a bloodless victory in the last furlong. The winner was followed home by stable-mate Mumtaz, Thalassa and Villanelle.

Rank outsider Golden Thunder made a winning debut in the Keki D. Mehta Memorial Million run over a mile. Karthik-schooled Golden Thunder (Crystal Ocean – High Above) graced the wrong end of the field as Desert Classic was taken on a pillar to mission by jockey F. Norton. The leader was still in charge in the last furlong as Seeking Alpha failed to collar him while the front-runners were fighting for supremacy in vain. Golden Thunder,  meanwhile, was produced on the wide outside by Bhawani Singh and the bay gelding was simply unstoppable as he breezed past Desert Classic for an astounding win. Desert Classic held on to the runner-up berth by a neck from Doron, who had Doctor Dolly close behind. Favourite Divine Hope failed to raise a fluent gallop in the straight and ended a tame fifth.

The last two races were run in floodlights and were won by Dexa, who was enthusiastically backed, and Dufy. Imtiaz Sait-schooled Dexa (Planetaire - My Pension) was handily placed behind speedy Soup and Sandwich and Irish Gold till the heads had turned for home. Antony Raj-ridden Dexa pierced through the opening offered by the leaders and drew away to land the spoils for his connections. Irish Gold managed to keep Ashwa Yudhvir at bay for the second place whilst Buckley ran on leisurely to finish fourth.

Faisal Abbas-trained Dufy was gnawing at the heels of favourite Light of Life, who had seized the initiative from the barriers. A furlong away from the wire, S. Saqlain drew a good response from Dufy (Kingda Ka - Magdalena) when Light of Life called it a day and zoomed ahead. Saqlain kept Dufy going under whip and managed to stave off the twin threat posed by Ariyana Star and Toscana, who were a trifle late in making their bid. Dufy won by a nose from Ariyana Star whilst Toscana ended a neck away. Emerald Queen finished fourth ahead of Light of Life.