There comes a time in the career of a champion horse when words fail to describe that equine’s greatness. The genius of the grey mare Juliette is a case in point. Her innumerable conquests notwithstanding, every time she steps on to the race track, Juliette creates a flutter among the racing fraternity, the measly odds offered for her victory not diluting the spectators’ interest a bit. The field competing for the CN Wadia Gold Trophy (Gr.2) was small but the presence of Dyf and Jendayi in the line-up meant that the opposition Juliette was facing was not inferior, so to speak. Nevertheless, both Dyf and Jendayi were up against a titan, a rarity in the world of Indian equine sport. The field of five took off for the mile and half journey and went through its motion as Sentinel set the pace for her stable-mate with CS Jodha biding his time in the rear atop Juliette. Jendayi tackled the exhausted Sentinel shortly after turning for home and Dyf was also off the bridle. But all the hard work of this duo came to a nought when the piping-hot favourite Juliette ranged alongside Dyf and Jendayi as if she was taking a stroll in the park. Juliette (Musketier – Gimmesumsugar) overhauled them both at the 300-metre marker and the race ceased to be a contest there and then. Juliette was eased up a long way from home and yet won by a six-length margin. Dyf and Jendayi expectedly followed the winner home but the latter finished a distance behind the runner-up. Jendayi reportedly burst her blood vessels during the race which explains her below par performance. Juliette, who was bred at the Sohna Stud Farms, is jointly owned by the Zavaray Poonawalla family and Raunak Banerji. Juliette has flourished under the watchful eyes of Karthik Ganapathy, who has done an exceptional job by keeping her in top fettle throughout her career.

Pesi Shroff-nursed Supernatural also gave a heart-warming show when lifting the Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy (Gr.3). The five-year old bay gelding, who had returned to the winner’s enclosure last month after a series of disappointing performances, unleashed a superb run to carve a gallant victory over Geographique and barn-mate Chopin. Trevor Patel-ridden Supernatural lay unconcerned in the rear as Coeur De Lion called the early shots and had the three Bangalore challengers – Prana, Shubankar and favourite Knotty Charmer in early pursuit. With about two furlongs left for the destination to arrive, G. Vivek divested Coeur De Lion of his lead and stole a march over his rivals. Meanwhile Trevor stirred Supernatural, who weaved his way through the bunch racing ahead and threw his challenge at Knotty Charmer. Geographique and Chopin also joined the issue as Knotty Charmer battled hard to retain his supremacy. Supernatural (Multidimensional – Psychic Light) fell back momentarily but Trevor’s power-packed riding got his mount to renew his attack and sneak through before stretching out to record an encore. Supernatural had to stave off the threat posed by Geographique in particular and scored by just under a length with Chopin and Knotty Charmer finishing close behind. In hindsight, it appeared that Vivek had made his move astride Knotty Charmer too early for comfort as the favourite seemed sapped of his energy when trying to repel his rivals’ attack.

Shroff and Trevor both notched up a double when the hot favourite Santissimo made short work of his three rivals in the Poonawalla Stud Farms Auction Sale Stakes. Fiorentini made a start-to-finish bid for over the seven furlong event and was followed by Field Of Dreams, Santissimo and Applause in a single file. Field Of Dreams and Santissimo (Gusto – Beldon Hill) both joined Fiorentini in the final furlong but it was the latter who gained the upper hand and skipped away for a convincing victory. Field Of Dreams, Fiorentini and Applause followed her home.

Having spent almost a year on the sidelines and drawing a blank when resuming his duties in the saddle a day earlier, jockey A. Sandesh found his winning touch and steered a winning brace through Ariyana Star and Thalassa. Sandesh guided the Aman Hussain groomed filly to her maiden win in the opening event of the day, the Rapier Million. Sandesh kept Ariyana Star (Kingda Ka – Malawi) in close attendance of Reciprocity, who made the initial running, till after entering the final stretch and then asked her for a response. Ariyana Star quickened well and had the measure of Reciprocity in the last furlong. Sandesh drove her to safety and won well from Etoile, who took a long time warming up to her task. Prince Igor ran on to deprive Reciprocity of the third slot.

Faisal Abbas trained filly Thalassa was also steered to her maiden success by Sandesh in the Bombay Club Multi-Million. Divine Hope embarked on his usual front-running role but failed to contain the challenge of Thalassa, who was gradually brought into contention by Sandesh in the home stretch. Thalassa snatched the lead about a furlong and half from the wire but had to be hard-ridden as favourite Mansa Musa came with a menacing run in the last furlong. Shroff-schooled Mansa Musa, after a sluggish start, graced the wrong end till the final turn. The bay colt started to manoeuvre his way after the field had straightened for home but was required to be steadied by Trevor to avoid Aerodynamic, who was falling back. Mauna Musa finished on powerfully but fell three-part length short at the wire. But for that minor hassle, Mauna Musa would have definitely finished close to Thalassa (Excellent Art – Thurayaat). Amadeo ran a game third with Saifa also showing improvement to finish on the judges’ board.

A determined riding effort from Neeraj Rawal enabled favourite Christophany to deliver the goods in the Act In Time Million. Imtiaz Sait saddled Christophany was settled behind Dufy, who stormed into the lead as the gates opened and was in command till the last two furlongs. Neeraj alerted Christophany to her task as they approached the final run-in but, before she could assert herself, Flashing Famous came with a flashy run to join Dufy. Flashing Famous grabbed the lead briefly but Neeraj drove Christophany vigorously and managed to survive the late surge of Rush, who lost the battle by a proverbial whisker in a very tight finish. Flashing Famous ended a length away while Dufy finished fourth.

Trainer Shazaan Shah entrusted the speedy mare Esperanza to 5kg-claimer Praveen Shinde and made her a handicap certainty in the Native Knight Million, the concluding event of the Mumbai season. Esperanza (Phoenix Tower – Anacapri), who had accomplished her weight-reducing mission and landed in Class IV, showed a clean pair of heels to outpace her rivals and tasted success after almost a year and half. House Of Lords ended runner-up after a futile chase in the straight while Arbitrage ran on to finish in the money ahead of Queens Pride.

Champions List:

Champion Owner: Mr Vijay B. Shirke

Champion Trainer: Pesi Shroff

Champion Jockey: Trevor Patel

Champion Apprentice Jockey: Mustakim Alam

Champion Apprentice Jockey claiming allowing: Navnath Bhosale

Champion Stud Farm: Usha Stud Farms