As the racing season gets into the groove at Mahalaxmi, the focus remains on the individual performance of various classic hopefuls in the events which are considered a dress rehearsal for them. Last week, Pesi had sent out Jade for her trials while this Sunday he had Santissimo go through the ritual. Despite having lost twice in Group I races recently, the three-year old bay colt was still considered as a formidable adversary and none of his age group were willing to cross his path, at least not in the preliminaries for the classics. That explains why the money-back favourite Santissimo was left to tackle just three rivals in the A. Campbell Trophy, a Class II event run over seven furlongs. Every race-goer knew that the race was of academic interest only and not surprisingly, Trevor Patel-ridden Santissimo (Gusto – Beldon Hill) took off smartly from the gates and sauntered home – without being stretched at any stage of the race, in a timing which was three seconds slower than what both Earth and Chagall clocked over the same distance. Charlie ended second ahead of Rambler and Singer Sargent, who walked out of the gates and didn’t raise a gallop for nearly a furlong from the start.
 
A three-way finish was expected in the mile event for the Director General of Police Trophy between – Golden Thunder, The Panther and Inquilab, all three-year old juveniles. The much anticipated close finish failed to materialise but Imtiaz Sait-schooled Inquilab did emerge triumphant after receiving a power-packed ride from Suraj Narredu. No-hoper Lord and Master moved swiftly from the barriers and had a long lead when bringing the field into the straight where Giant King managed to overtake him while The Panther, Inquilab and Alexandros were all making a beeline for the winning post. However, Inquilab wore down Giant King shortly and was skilfully driven by Suraj to repulse the strong challenge posed by runner-up Alexandros in the final stages of the race. Golden Thunder ended third and may have needed this run as he took a long time to warm up towards his task. Eaton Square came from way back after a sluggish start to finish fourth. The Panther dropped back after failing to make headway when the race came to a boil but he too could have been in need of an outing though he could only beat one home in the field of eight.
 
Malesh Narredu-trained Among The Stars emerged victorious in the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (VI Bart) Trophy, a five-furlong scurry for maiden two-year old juveniles on the racetrack but lost the race in the stewards room. Merlet showed plenty of speed to seize the initiative from the innermost draw and was followed initially by Whirlwind and Muskoka before Matisse and Among The Stars improved to be in the frontline. About a furlong and half away from the wire, Shroff’s ward Matisse was brought into contention through the inner rails by G. Vivek even as Among The Stars was put into top gear by Yash Narredu. The latter ran a bit green before shifting in on to Matisse, who in turn rolled on to Merlet inside the last furlong, and eventually beat the former by a length and quarter. Vivek lodged an objection against Yash, which found favour with the stewards, who promoted debutant Matisse (Kingda Ka – Darinza), who is bred as half-brother to The Panther, to the winner’s slot. Merlet, who was pulled up after being squeezed by Matisse, ran third ahead of Whirlwind.
 
The Sanjay Kolse-groomed filly Earth, ridden in check on this occasion as Storm Cloud sped into the lead from the gates, flourished well after the heads turned for home to overtake the leader inside the last two furlongs. Sandesh then drove Earth (Win Legend – Wind of Soul) plain hands and heels to guide her for a convincing victory over Scaramouche, who finished on well to beat Arkadan and Substantial for the second place. Substantial moved attractively in the straight to get closer to Earth but couldn’t sustain the momentum and ended fourth.
 
The connections of Desert Classic pulled off a silent coup with the three-year old bay, who claimed the Captain G. Hall Trophy in the hands of R. Ajinkya. Trillionaire and Oishika sprinted ahead as Desert Classic was settled close behind with Wind Dancer keeping him company. Ajinkya showed Desert Classic (Phoenix Tower – Evelyn’s Dancer) the daylight soon after entering the home stretch following which PS Chouhan’s ward moved resolutely to grab the lead and wrapped up the race before Wind Dancer could play party-pooper. Red Mist made good ground in the straight to finish third, a neck ahead of Star Impact who was outpaced in the initial stages of the race.  
 
Apart from Santissimo, three other on-money favourites – Floyd, Chagall and Shambala, were right on the money in the eight-race card. Behram Cama-saddled Floyd celebrated his relegation to the lowest class and made it a profitable venture in the day’s curtain raiser. Floyd tracked owner-mate Northbound shortly after the start and was given his head by TS Jodha when the field straightened for home. Floyd (Quasar – Artus) then stepped up the pace to take over the running and won fairly easily over hard-ridden The Flutist Daianne and Northbound who followed him home in a huddle.

The sparingly-raced four-year colt Chagall graduated from the maiden ranks with a stylish victory in the Dr Jagjit Singh Trophy (Div-II). Midnight Express was too keen initially as she fought for her head with NS Parmar despite hitting the front and took some time to settle down ahead of Luminosity and second favourite Nostalgia. Trevor meanwhile was sitting pretty astride Chagall and had the Shroff trainee racing on the bit in the mid-bunch. As Midnight Express tried to ward off Nostalgia and Luminosity, Trevor loosened his grip on Chagall, who then strode out majestically to relieve Midnight Express of her misery. The winner was sighted a long way from home as Chagall (Cougar Mountain – Heather) took charge a furlong away from home and won easing up from Rush, Luminosity and Midnight Express. Nostalgia finished fifth after failing to quicken when Suraj asked him for an effort.
 
Nazzak Chenoy-nurtured Shambala registered his third straight victory and made it quite easily over the six-furlong sprint for the Gateway of India Plate. Lazarus and Esperanza disputed the lead soon after the gates flew open whilst Trevor having to deal firmly with Shambala, who was unwilling to settle down when the field had sorted itself out. Esperanza gained the upper hand over Lazarus inside the final two furlongs but she was no match for Shambala, who came with giant strides in the home stretch and put the issue to rest instantly. Azrinaz was ridden vigorously by Sandesh to wrest the runner-up spot from Prasad-piloted Expedite, who lacked adequate assistance in the saddle. Esperanza ran fourth.