He was strongly tipped to do it. All the racing buffs across the country wanted it. And the champion did it in style. Pesi Shroff's honeymoon with the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) continues and the railbirds are loving it. It was a perfect Summer Slam. Advantage Fynbos it was before the classy filly walked out of the parade ring to compete in the blue riband of the season, the Zavaray S Poonawalla Bangalore Derby and the moment her pilot Trevor Patel changed gear at the top of the straight,  it was game, set and match, Fynbos. It was easy. As easy as sweeping autumn leaves from garden path. Pesi Shroff was delighted. He knew that his filly was the one to beat in the mega event and the fact that the star performer had improved after her success in the Fillies Championship Stakes provided the talented daughter of Kingda Ka the cutting edge. She sliced through the big 16-horse field like a knife through butter and it was all over bar the shouting, a furlong from home. The best horse cracked the pot of gold, 1.48 crore on offer to the winner and thankfully there was no hard luck story. Fynbos emerged the Big Boss. And after the coronation the bubbly flowed and it was time for song and dance all night long in the Pesi Shroff camp.

Four Derby victories in a row at this premier centre. Supernatural (2022), Jamari (2023), Santissimo last year and again keeping the appointed Derby date this summer with Fynbos is unmatched. And you need to doff your hat to the champion, who has scaled a new high. Next summer Pesi will be in line for the high-five and the racing fraternity will be looking forward to it. 

Back to the race and result. Prokofiev from Prasanna Kumar's yard followed Fynbos home ahead of the Padmanabhan schooled Miracle Star who impressed most after shedding his maiden status only last week and Red Bishop, stablemate of the Queen filly Fynbos completed the classic Derby frame. 

Prasanna who missed out on Prokofiev earlier led in Prana, the winner of the Amokbash BTC Anniversary Cup, the principal added attraction on D-day. Top saddle artiste Suraj Narredu produced a near-perfect effort, biding his time before he timed his final challenge to a nicety. The favourite Meropi from Aashay Doctor's yard and the Darius Byramji schooled African Gold, back after a long four-month layoff cut each other's throat, needlessly speeding up in the first couple of furlongs and it was clear from this injudicious effort that the front two will have their task cut out at end and that's exactly what happened. African Gold back after the long layoff shot his bolt at the top of the straight and Meropi had no legs in the final furlong. Prana and the Madras raider Crown Drive from Suresh's yard at this juncture charged in to take command before Prana and Suraj gained the day. 

While African Gold failed to make a impression after a layoff, Promiseofthefuture produced a cracking effort to reign supreme in the Hyderabad Salver coming back after a six-month layoff. All credit to leading trainer Irfan Ghatala, who sent out Promiseofthefuture fighting fit to do battle and the game galloper made his master proud galloping home in fine style. Mention must be made that the five-kilo claimer Pavan too did produce a neat effort, keeping his calm after he was knocked back early in the race, content to race in the rear before he pushed Promiseofthefuture, hands and heels and the winner darted through to assume command and romp home a deserving winner. The favourite Mountain Jewel followed Promiseofthefuture home ahead of Don Carlos. 

The Five Stars Shipping Million produced a pulse-pounding finish, two rankoutsiders from the stables of Adhirajsingh Jodha, who is enjoying his stint here this summer, flashing past the post locked together before the `magic' eye nodded in favour of Baychimo partnered by A Prakash who edged out Arrived, piloted by Saqlain by the shortest of margins. The top favourite Schoenberg from Vijay Singh's yard, who had impressed most in his last essay flopped badly in the mile long trip and Cigar Galaxy too found the top two too hot to handle. 

The Arjun Manglorkar-trained Inspire, Money Bags from Prasanna Kumar's yard, N Rawal schooled Uchchaihshravas and Flamingo Road from the stables of Dominic were the four others who earned their winning brackets on the big classic day.  Inspire justified favouritism in the opening event, Money bags proved too good in the upper division of the Indian Pattern Committee Trophy, Hyderabad challenger Uchchaihshravas recorded a shock win in the Mumbai Cup and Flamingo Road had it easy in the lower division of the Indian Pattern Committee Trophy, though he did bump Slice Of Luck at a crucial stage of the race.