The Shapoor Mistry led Shapoorji Pallonji Group sponsored mile-long championship events for both juvenile colts and fillies give a glimpse of the potential individual contestants may or may not possess. These two events come handy for trainers who feel that their wards have the prospects of a bright future and put them to an early test in such races. Regardless, based on their current form to a certain extent, Pesi Shroff trained colt The Panther and Malesh Narredu nursed filly Running Star received overwhelming support in their respective groups. Unfortunately, both the favourites failed to meet the race-goers’ expectations.

Unlike his debut run, second favourite Pamchavan failed to get a fluent jump and rambled in the rear. In stark contrast, aided by a change in equipment, Malesh’s ward Divine Hope jumped out smartly to head the seven horse field and was followed closely by Desert Classic, Gambino, Ready To Rumble, The Panther, Break Point and Pamchavan. S. Saqlain-ridden Divine Hope dictated the terms till the final furlong and just when it appeared that the bay colt was heading for his maiden success, he started to hang and drifted towards his left. Desert Classic could not make any significant progress whilst Gambino and The Panther were desperately trying to assert themselves. Meanwhile, R. Ajinkya-piloted Break Point came motoring towards the rails to tackle Gambino in the last hundred metres and with Divine Hope losing his way, Ajinkya powered the colt to a glorious victory in the Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders Juvenile Colts’ Championship (Gr.3). Break Point (Dreamfield – Sweet Caroline) was a length clear of Divine Hope and an identical distance behind was Gambino who had The Panther a short-head away. The Panther did not give an adequate response to Trevor Patel’s frantic efforts in the straight and found his rhythm only in the last fifty metres. His late burst was impressive but no consolation for the race-goers as The Panther finished fourth, about two lengths behind the winner. Break Point shied away shortly after the start and travelled wide when the field was taking the first right-handed turn. Ajinkya however did well to control Break Point and bring him back into contention. Break Point is co-owned by Messrs Jatin L. Trivedi and Nitin H. Jain and was sent out in top fettle by Sheraz Sunderji. Break Point was reared at Dashmesh Stud Farm and born at the Punjab-based Dr Kehar Singh Stud & Agricultural Farms. Break Point became the first black-type winner for his freshman sire; Dreamfield who is standing at Dashmesh Stud Farm.

Yash Narredu partnered Running Star, who had beaten Break Point out of sight and lost narrowly to The Panther later was also backed heavily. Running Star, however, ran far below par and even failed to figure on board as rank outsider Pyrite claimed the Forbes Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies’ Championship (Gr.3). The grey filly Pyrite (Leitir Mor – Grey Allure) had finished third, a distance behind Break Point that too when the handlers, having failed twice when she was declared to start earlier, finally succeeded in getting her inside the starting stalls. Ridden by G. Vivek on this occasion, Pyrite showed good early speed to take charge of the running and forced Earth to wait for her turn. Yash also seemed inclined to let Pyrite do the running and settled Running Star in the third spot ahead of Spanish Eyes. Contrary to the expectations of her rivals, after entering the home stretch, Pyrite picked up momentum and kept going as Vivek made free and excessive use of his whip. Despite drifting out under pressure, Pyrite proved too good for her rivals as she romped home nearly three lengths ahead of Spanish Eyes, who just about held on to the runner-up slot from late-warming Doctor Dolly. Earth and Running Star ended fourth and fifth respectively. Pyrite was saddled by S. Waheed and the filly, who was bred at the Poona Stud Farms, is the joint property of Messrs Ketan S. Wakkar, Amit V. Menda, Chirag V. Shah and Anil V. Poduval.

The J. Rustomji Soparivala Trophy, the other juvenile race run during the day, was reserved for maidens and to be run over a five-furlong scurry. Interestingly, debutant Trigger opened favourite ahead of Fast Approach, who was knocking at the doors of success having finished on the judges’ board in all his three appearances. Smart money came pouring in on Sanjay Kolse-trained and Trevor-steered Fast Approach only in the final minutes as business was coming to a close in the betting ring while the odds against Trigger began expanding. Regardless, Fast Approach (Fiero – Findlerhof) ran true to form and showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals and won comfortably from debutant Celestial, who needed this run, Touch Of Gold and Turn And Burn. Trigger failed to reproduce the spark she had shown in the morning trials and was outpaced throughout when finishing a poor sixth.

Barring the two unexpected winners in the championship events, the other five winners in the seven-event card were right on the money for the bettors. The day started with the victory of Imtiaz Sait-saddled Geographique, who trounced her three rivals including two hailing from her own yard when lifting the Pronto Pronto Trophy. Neeraj Rawal-steered Geographique (Golden Horn – Island Dreams) made short work of her rivals after Flaming Lamborgini showed the way till the final bend and surrendered the lead to Vincent Van Gogh. The second favourite led for a furlong before Geographique overhauled him with a powerful run and the race ceased to be a contest thereafter. Vincent Van Gogh, Truly Epic and Flaming Lamborgini followed her home.

Bubbly Boy from Malesh’s string also had a safe passage in the JP Vazifdar Cup contested by a field of six. Yash hit the front with Bubbly Boy (Fiero – Bubbly Bellini), who made every post of the seven furlong journey a winning one and scored without raising a sweat. The anticipated fight between Bubbly Boy and Raffaello didn’t materialise as the latter proved no match and gave up soon after entering the straight. Zarak ran on to finish second ahead of Raffaello while the winner’s owner-mate Django ended fourth.

Sunderji and Ajinkya completed a double when even-money favourite Walter revealed his true potential in the Lahinch Trophy immediately on relegation to the lowest class. Walter (Leitir Mor – Retained), who was on a weight reducing mission since his previous success a year ago, travelled on the bit behind no-hoper High Street, Ashford, Toofan and Prince O’War. Walter went cruising into the lead when Ajinkya released the brakes and left his rivals fighting for the minor places. Prince O’War ran a close second ahead of Esfir and Toofan, who finished a short-head apart.

Adhirajsingh Jodha led in Malet Spring, who graduated from the maiden ranks in the concluding event, the Mogadishu Trophy. It was kind of a well-disguised doosra from the young professional’s yard as he had a second runner, Pure For Sure, in the fray. Aman Hussain saddled Goddes Of Dawn had her own set of enthusiastic followers but there was equal support for Malet Spring from those in the know who chose to give Pure For Sure a miss. Neeraj tried to make a pillar-to-post dash with Goddes Of Dawn but the filly succumbed to Malet Spring’s onslaught in the last half furlong. HM Akshay drove Malet Spring (Sedgefield – Saporelli) confidently to overpower Goddes Of Dawn and also keep Arbitrage at bay close home. Risteretto ran fourth. For the record, Pure For Sure finished in the ruck.