With Oisin Murphy in the driver’s seat while taking on his conqueror African Gold on his home turf, Santissimo, Pesi Shroff’s superstar from the string of 2024, showcased his superiority in no uncertain manner in the HPSL-sponsored Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) on Sunday. The crowd in attendance at the Mahalaxmi racecourse, and also those away from the venue, were eager to witness the clash between the two top-rated juveniles – African Gold and Santissimo. However, disappointing as it may have been for them, Santissimo was unwilling to indulge in any sort of triviality and seemed to have made up his mind to give no quarter to his rivals in the second Indian classic of this season. Shambala found himself in the front when the starter flagged off the mile event and Trevor Patel let the chestnut make his own running with Santissimo striding comfortably behind him. African Gold and Psychic Star followed Santissimo while no-hopers Mighty Sparrow and Golden Thunder raced in the rear. Shambala entered the home stretch with a handy lead but he started to lose steam in the final lap. With about two furlongs left for home, Murphy decided it was time for the fireworks as he set the bay colt alight following which Santissimo strode resolutely and cut down Shambala’s lead with every stride. A few cracks from Murphy’s whip spurred Santissimo (Gusto – Beldon Hill) to wear down Shambala inside the last furlong and the flashy bay colt had the race sewn up far more easily than anyone had expected. Shambala held on to finish runner-up after African Gold and Psychic Star were hard-pressed but unable to overhaul the pair ahead. Despite failing twice, once at Bangalore and then in the Pune Derby, Shroff didn’t lose faith in his protégé’s talent and Santissimo justified his master’s faith with a splendid performance. Bred at the Track Supreme Stud Farm, Santissimo is jointly owned by Messrs Gautam P. Lala, Kishore P. Rungta, Joydeep Datta Gupta, Saleem Fazelbhoy and Achuthan Siddharth.

Despite Shroff throwing him into the deep in only the third appearance of his short career, three-year Odysseus confidently tackled the Class III opposition he faced in the Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy. Odysseus tracked leader Giant King all the way over the mile and quarter trip and just when he was about to overtake Giant King, Shrikant Kamble-ridden Multiverse slipped through the rails after the heads turned for home. Multiverse put in a splendid run to assume command but Odysseus was not on his heels. Jockey Neeraj Rawal, who was making a comeback after recovering from an injury, drove Odysseus (Ulysses – Hidden Valley) vigorously and the bay colt got up just in time to pip Multiverse on the post for a short-head victory. Booster Shot, Kimiko and Alexandros ran in a huddle close behind.

Saeed Shah-saddled Fighton scored a superb win over the six-furlong sprint for the KM Munshi Trophy, which had only four contestants in the fray. Nikhil Parmar had Fighton racing within striking distance of Portofino Bay right from the word go with favourite Fast Pace and Ataash settled close behind. Fighton (U S Navy Flag – Starletina) ranged alongside Portofino Bay at the two-furlong marker and surged ahead under the whip a furlong later to win comfortably from Fast Pace, Ataash and Portofino Bay. After the conclusion of the race, it was observed that B. Prithviraj-saddled Fast Pace ran with a hood, an equipment which was used without the permission or knowledge of the stipendiary stewards. The stewards have reportedly asked the stipes to investigate into this incident and submit their report at the earliest.

Adhirajsingh Jodha-groomed two-year old Elusive Art made a stylish debut when sweeping her rivals off their feet with a speedy display in the Ahead of My Time Trophy. Elusive Art (Dali – Elusive Legend) sped into the lead as soon as the gates opened and bowled along merrily in front leaving no room for jockey A. Sandesh to display any of his riding skills. Sandesh rode the filly plain hands and heels and won convincingly from Big Bay, Pristine Glory and Rafael. Much was expected from Diligence and Marissa who had shone in their preparatory gallops but both were outpaced by the winner.

Substantial, who raced in the same colours as Santissimo but was saddled by Adhirajsingh, graduated from the maiden ranks in the Gulamhusein Essaji Trophy. Substantial  unleashed a sparkling run when Sandesh asked her for an effort, which caught R. Ajinkya-steered Desert Class flat-footed in the final run-in. Till then, last-outing winner Desert Classic was in chase of Balthazar all the way from the gates and was poised to launch his assault. Substantial (Speaking of Which – Prescription) quickened well to hit the front and won warding off Desert Classic’s desperate bid. Treasure Gold improved in the closing stages to finish in the money ahead of Nostalgia. Ataturk ran hopelessly throughout and finished off the judges’ board.

Another filly was to make a winning debut albeit a belated one in the Faiz Jasdanwalla Trophy, a handicap event for three-year old maiden juveniles. The Altamash Ahmed-schooled three-year old filly Chardikala (Western Aristocrat – Jersey Girl) took charge of the running a furlong after the field of eleven had sorted itself out at the start with Trevor content with a slender lead over his rivals headed by Star Impact. Trevor increased the tempo in the straight as favourite Red Mist made his bid and the filly stretched out well to win by a comfortable margin over Red Mist. Flashman finished late to peg back Yukikaze for the third place.

Lady trainer Nazzak Chenoy led in a winner each both at the start and the end of the day, both victors partnered by Trevor. Precioso raced in the rear bunch behind favourite Northbound till the field was led into the straight by Mohsin, who had Anoushka and Benignity in pursuit. As soon as Trevor switched him on the outside, Precioso (Ampere – Gruezi) zoomed forward to swoop down on the leaders and was home and dry by the time runner-up Northbound could warm up to his task. Anouskha retained the third place ahead of last-outing winner Anaira, who languished in the rear till the turn.

Debutant Mila scripted a perfect ending for the classic day as she gave a breath-taking performance to topple Toscana in her last stride. Akshay Kumar-partnered Toscana, who was being hailed as a winner close home after she had divested Majestic Warrior of his lead inside the final furlong and half. However, Mila (Roderic O’Connor – Star Goddess) put in a brilliant run when Trevor alerted her and came from way back to frustrate Toscana right on the post with Rush ending a close third. The first three finishers were separated by a head and a short-neck with Axlrod, who seemed to have saved his best for some other day, finishing a length and quarter behind in the fourth berth.

On the professional front, trainers Shroff, Adhirajsingh and Nazzak had a winning brace each whilst Trevor and Sandesh achieved a successful treble and double respectively.