The Suresh Mahindra Trophy, the only race in the country run over two miles, has been labelled as a gruelling test of stamina for Indian equines since it was first run as the Northumberland Trophy. However, this event has lost its relevance for obvious reasons and the rigour of this race is hardly felt by the contenders in recent times. Faisal Abbas-trained Magneto and Bharath Singh’s ward Ramiel had never travelled beyond a mile and half during their career yet, they finished ahead of last year’s winner Pissarro. The three-horse field headed by Trevor Patel-piloted Pissarro cantered at a moderate pace for the first three quarters of the journey following which all three jockeys alerted their mounts. Trevor increased the speed as they turned for home but Magneto came cruising alongside as A. Sandesh let him loose. Magneto (Kingda Ka – Solar Midnight) was the first to enter the straight and the even-money favourite then romped home as Sandesh kept him going to win by a wide margin. Both Ramiel and Pissarro were left struggling behind.

Owner Jaydev Mody’s runners had a field day as he led in three well fancied winners – Scaramouche, Rambler and Spirit Bay. Three-year old Scaramouche started the rich haul for his owner when making a winning debut in the NK Pudumjee Trophy.  Tuned to the moment by Behram Cama, the bay colt stayed well in touch of Dazzling Duchess, who seized the initiative at the start, and wore down the leader in the straight. TS Jodha-ridden Scaramouche (Roderic O’Connor – Isn’t She Special) gained the upper hand in the last hundred metres after Dazzling Duchess slowed down and went on to score a comfortable win. Betsy, who ran green in the straight, and New Yorker raced in the third and fourth position throughout and finished thus.

Seven-year old Rambler, the oldest horse in the field of eight contesting for the Bawaji Plate, struck immediately on relegation to Class III. Ridden by Antony Raj, Rambler kept favourite Spanish Eyes company as they raced behind Mother’s Grace, who decided to show the way to the field. Antony brought Rambler into contention as they skirted the false rails to enter the home stretch. Antony went flat out to get Rambler (Leitir Mor – Stravella) into his stride and once he had warmed up, Shazaan Shah’s trainee swooped down on Mother’s Grace and soon hit the wire. Singer Sargent, who was the last one to enter the straight, came flying towards the end but despite Trevor’s strong urging, the bay gelding ended a length shy of the winner. Mother’s Grace retained the third spot ahead of Spanish Eyes, who was well beaten at the bend itself.

Spirit Bay claimed the K. Raghunath Plate with a successful pillar-to-post mission in the hands of apprentice Navnath Bhosale. The six-year old mare trained by Shazaan took a smart jump from the barriers and showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals. Well-fancied Otello tried hard but failed to collar Spirit Bay in the last furlong. Otello ended second with Red Dust and Northbound finishing third and fourth respectively after the original placings on the judges’ board were changed. As the race was flagged off, a starting-gate handler was a trifle late in removing blinds put on Trevor-ridden favourite Demetrius resulting in gelding taking off slowly from the gates and eventually finishing fourth. Demetrius was declared a non-starter following a stewards’ inquiry.

Veteran professional Imtiaz Sait also had his labour of love paying off when saddling a lucrative double through Dexa and Pride’s Prince, both steered to victory by Antony. The speedy mare Soup And Sandwich, ridden by Sandesh, went straight down to business as the gates opened for the day’s curtain raiser and had Portofino Bay and Dexa in pursuit. Antony made his bid when the heads straightened for home and overhauled favourite Soup And Sandwich after a brief tussle. Dexa (Planetaire – My Pension) won sparing a length and quarter and this was his first success over a five-furlong scurry. Portofino Bay ended third.

SG Prasad-partnered Rush seized the initiative from Axlrod shortly after the start and was in command till approaching the final turn where the latter regained the lead and brought the field into the straight. Pride’s Prince, who had been in close touch with the pair ahead, was alerted to his task by Antony when the field straightened for home and made steady progress to challenge Axlrod. G. Vivek-partnered favourite Chagall, who was ridden well off the pace on this occasion also moved up gradually to join the issue with Pride’s Prince and Axlrod. Antony’s resolve not only helped him achieve a treble but also enabled Pride’s Prince (Excellent Art – Polished Chrome) to first snuff out Axlrod’s challenge and then keep Chagall at bay. Chagall ended second, half length behind the winner while Axlrod ended three-part of a length behind. Endurance ran fourth.

A similar resolve was displayed in the saddle by Vivek astride Pesi Shroff-trained Marcus, who registered his maiden win in the lower division of the Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy. The 20 to 1 longshot Gimme went on a start-to-finish mission and almost pulled it off before Marcus, who improved from the rear and was ridden vigorously by Vivek in the straight to overpower Gimme in the shadow of the winning post. Marcus (Admiralty – Age of Elegance) prevailed over Gimme by half-length whilst Caliph finished a faraway third. Perfect Light ended fourth after chasing Gimme till the final turn.