Although pitted against a younger adversary, the chestnut horse Charlie put up a gallant show when taking on Dream Alliance in the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy on Thursday. Charlie not only lived up to the expectations of the punters but, more importantly his master Vinesh, who ensured that his ward was “fit for the fray”, especially this season. No-hopers Emperor Roderic and Alpine Star headed the field of four in the initial stages of the mile trip while Charlie raced ahead of Dream Alliance, who was a bit slow at the start. Dream Alliance was brushed up to run third just after travelling a furlong and the four runners travelled in that order till Bhawani Singh showed some urgency at the halfway mark. He brought Charlie through the rails to range alongside Alpine Star and put enough pressure on his mount before tackling the leader. In his effort to remind him of the unfinished task, Bhawani gave some hard cracks of his whip following which seven-year old Charlie (Planetaire – Miracle of Love) steadily increased his tempo to stretch out and put the issue to rest. Dream Alliance’s efforts to catch the winner in the home stretch were in vain as he finished over two lengths behind and just under a length ahead of Emperor Roderic, who veered out drastically from the bend and raced on the outer track.
 
Although there were no nasty surprises for the punters later in the evening, the day started on a sour note as Ultimo claimed the Ahmed I. Rahimtoola Trophy against the run of expectations. Least fancied in the four-horse field, Pradeep Chouhan-saddled Ultimo took charge of the running as Neeraj Rawal decided to hold Treat on a tight leash while Scaramouche and favourite Angelo followed close behind. In a dramatic move near the five-furlong post, G. Vivek brought Angelo to the fore and led his rivals into the straight. R. Ajinkya switched gears on Ultimo as soon as the field straightened for home and started to close in on the leader. Inside the last furlong and half, Vivek tried to get Angelo to quicken and took a right-handed jab with his whip at the even-money favourite. This move proved to be the favourite’s undoing as the Pesi Shroff-schooled gelding strayed towards his left following which panic-stricken Vivek took another swipe at Angelo, who shifted out further and took Ultimo out with him. Vivek soon changed his whip-hand and Angelo, though shifting in towards the rails, still held a narrow advantage. However, sensing an opportunity ahead, Ajinkya went for the kill and evoked a positive response from Ultimo (Surfrider – Honeydew), who got the measure of Angelo just a few metres before the wire and went on to win by a long neck. Treat and Scaramouche ended a distant third and fourth respectively.
 
It was a case of third time lucky for the Shroff trainee Kings Gambit who graduated from the maiden ranks with a narrow victory. Vivek made ample amends for his error of judgement astride Angelo with a resolute performance atop on-money favourite in the J. Robinson Plate for maiden juveniles. Bright Button showed the way in the early stages of the race and had Aquilius, Heart, Caccini and Kings Gambit in close attendance with Duesenberg gracing the wrong end of the field two lengths away. A. Sandesh swiftly brought Heart to the front after shrugging off Aquilius and took charge of the running with Vivek also alerting Kings Gambit at this juncture. Kings Gambit took the shortest route home and went hunting for Heart but drifted out slightly under pressure before Vivek curtailed her drift. Kings Gambit (Deauville – China Creek) then leapt towards Heart to triumph in the last couple of strides, a short neck separating them at the post. Caccini failed to improve in the straight and ended third ahead of Aquilius.
 
The chestnut colt Shambala resumed his winning ways after trainer Nazzak Chenoy decided to race him over the distance of six furlongs, which had previously fetched him three wins in a row. Antony Raj settled Shambala in the fourth position as Turn And Burn and Hall of Grace seized the initiative with Cellini joining them briefly at the bend. Hall of Grace snatched the lead from Turn And Burn at the two-furlong marker but soon had Shambala looming large on the outside. Shambala (Planetaire – Ice Cube Baby) shot ahead in a trice and was home and dry before Sandesh-piloted Azrinaz could pose any threat. Azrinaz’s vain effort in the closing stages of the race saw her pip Hall of Grace to gain the runner-up spot, well ahead of Turn And Burn.
 
Although running after a long break of nearly five months, Adhirajsingh Jodha had Thundering Phoenix tuned to the moment to take on the Class IV field vying for the Indian Navy Trophy run over a sprint. Applause and Scorcese disputed the early lead in a closely bunched field whilst CS Jodha-partnered Thundering Phoenix raced close behind hugging the inner rails. Just as Scorcese was poised to tackle Applause inside the last furlong and half, Jodha navigated his way through the pack ahead and brought Thundering Phoenix away from the rails. Thundering Phoenix quickened well to overwhelm Scorcese and kicked on gamely to make a winning comeback. Shroff-trained Eagle Day, also making his first appearance this season, was held up for room behind Red Merlot and Rush just after entering the home stretch forcing Vivek to change lanes. Eagle Day went wide into the straight with the erratic Rush taking him further out. However, Thundering Phoenix (Phoenix Tower – Lochness) had the race sewn up by the time Eagle Day could raise a fluent gallop and won sparing a length and quarter. Little Minister and Fable ended close behind.
 
Alpha Gene, who had gone down narrowly to Esconido during the Indian Derby weekend, made amends for that failure in the hands of Trevor Patel. Alpha Gene went straight down to business as the gates opened and made every post a winning one but not before facing a serious threat from Baleno in the closing stages. Trevor’s strong handling did the trick for Ivor Fernandes-groomed Alpha Gene (Smuggler’s Cove – Beldon Hill), who eventually prevailed by half-length over Baleno. The Flutist finished third whilst Mohsin ended fourth.