Scoffing at whatever doubts that were being harboured by pedigree pundits about her stamina, the bay filly Psychic Star gave a scintillating performance when conquering the mile and half trip for the Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1) with utmost ease. The phenomenal success achieved by Pesi Shroff, a master weaver of sorts, with fillies in this group one event is beyond compare. The same is the case with the Ameeta Mehra-run Usha Stud Farm, which continues to churn out champions year after year. Entrusted in the hands of young G. Vivek, Psychic Star raced unruffled in the fourth slot as A. Sandesh found himself in the front atop Final Call leaving him with no option but to dictate the terms with Expedite and Regina Memorabilis in tow. While Final Call was about to make her exit, both Expedite and Regina Memorabilis saw a glimmer of hope when they ranged alongside the leader. But their hopes vanished the moment Vivek pulled out Psychic Star from the rails to signal that it was time for her to get going. A few strides were all that were required for Psychic Star to take centre stage as she strode away to bring home more silverware for her connections. Regina Memorabilis denied Expedite the second place in the last stride while late-finishing Thalassa ended fourth, all three place-getters separated by a shorthead. Psychic Star (Multitude – Psychic Light) is co-owned by Mr & Mrs Vijay B. Shirke, Mr Jay V. Shirke, Mrs Liane Luthria and Miss Ameeta Mehra.

Shroff marched towards another championship title this season as he achieved a glorious treble having saddled two winners – Gordon and Bluebird, both shedding their maiden status at the age of four. Floyd took over the running as the four-horse field set sail over the mile and quarter trip for the Uttam Singh Trophy and was in command all the way into the straight. With about two furlongs left from home, Floyd was still heading the field and appeared to be kicking on for an upset win when Alexandros, Shroff’s second runner in the field, failed to overtake him. Even Gordon dropped to the fourth spot briefly and displayed his intent only when R. Ajinkya tapped him with his whip. Gordon (Holy Roman Emperor – Phantasmagoric) then gradually picked up pace and eventually wore down Floyd close home to register a convincing win. Uzi ended third as Alexandros dropped back.

Apprentice Navnath Bhosale-partnered Bluebird was lethargic at the start and graced the wrong end of the field even though he got into his stride after travelling a furlong from the gates. Meanwhile, CS Jodha-ridden Ocean slipped into the lead and had Fiorentini and Spirit Bay in chase when she brought the field into the home stretch. Bluebird was the last one to enter the straight but the bay gelding pierced through the field like a hot knife going through a slab of butter as soon as he joined the pack. This breath-taking run saw Bluebird (Phoenix Tower – Tropical Blue) catch up with Ocean at the two-furlong marker and the race ceased to be a contest thereafter. Ocean finished second, over four lengths away from the winner while Spirit Bay and Fiorentini followed them home.

Had Odysseus not failed in his hat-trick bid in the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.3), supposedly a lead up race for the Indian Derby hopefuls, Shroff would have led in another winner. Neeraj Rawal-steered Odysseus set the early pace in the four-horse field on sufferance and was tracked closely by Golden Thunder with Scaramouche and Shambala close behind. Golden Thunder confronted Odysseus in the final run-in whilst Shambala, who fought for his head till halfway through the mile and quarter journey, also throwing his hat into the ring. The three horses fought a pitched battle, however,  David Allan inspired Karthik Ganapathy-saddled Golden Thunder (Crystal Ocean – High Above) to leap forth and put the issue to rest nearer home. Shambala took the runner-up slot whilst Odysseus, despite his valiant fight, ended up in the third berth ahead of Scaramouche.

Bhosale steered another facile winner earlier in the day when Dallas Todywalla’s ward Portofino Bay was swiftly off from the blocks and went wire to wire over the five-furlong scurry for the PD Avasia Trophy. Top-weighted Cellini with Trevor Patel in the saddle was clearly done in by the handicap and proved no match for Portofino Bay (Roderic O’Connor – Star of Venus), who won by a widening margin of over seven lengths. Running after a long layoff, Emperor Roderic ran on to be third in the three-horse field.

The Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3), a six-furlong sprint reserved for three-year old juveniles, was decided through a thrilling finish. A. Sandesh-partnered Elusive Art went straight down to business as the starter’s flag came down and it appeared that the Adhirajsingh Jodha-groomed favourite was coasting home as she had a useful lead in the last furlong. But Elusive Art found Rosabelle, Giacomo and Matisse, who were in pursuit of the filly, started to gain ground as she shortened his strides. However, it was NS Parmar-ridden longshot Stormy Sea, who came with a blazing run, almost knocked over the favourite but the winning post came to the rescue of Elusive Art (Dali – Elusive Legend). A head separated the two at the wire while Rosabelle, Giacomo and Matisse finished in that order in a huddle behind.

Bhawani Singh-piloted Lord Vader from Ganapathy’s yard unleashed a stupendous run down the straight in the opening event of the day to register an upset win. Aafreen showed the way to the field in the initial stages of the sprint and relinquished the lead soon after entering the home stretch. Soon Divine Star and then Dulari hit the front but they were upstaged by Lord Vader (Be Safe – Copper Bracelet) a few metres away from the winning line. Dulari held on to the second spot from hard-ridden Eloquent, who was followed home by Divine Star.

Hosidar Daji-saddled Goodfellow (Dreamfield – Terra Nova) achieved his maiden success immediately after being relegated to the lower class. K. Nazil got a terrific response from Goodfellow, who put in a sustained run in the last furlong to overwhelm Operation Finale, Daianne and Alaricus, who raced prominently in the front all the way after the start was given.