In the midst of the raging controversy about whether jockey Trevor Patel had failed to do justice in the saddle astride Fynbos when she lost narrowly in the Indian 1000 Guineas four weeks ago, the Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Gr.1) came along the way on Sunday. Race-goers were still looking for answers or rather the reasons behind the filly’s defeat after Trevor got a four-day suspension, which was reduced to two days by the appeal board, and that he chose or was delegated to ride Namiri in the mile and half long event. Forget the answers, a new set of questions were raised by the manner in which Fynbos decimated her opponents in the Ladies’ Derby.
 
Azalea performed the role of a pacemaker perfectly as she rolled out of the gates to show the way to the eight-horse field, half of which came from trainer Pesi Shroff's yard. Namiri was settled well up with the pace by Trevor whilst Kings Gambit and Fynbos raced close on her heels. Namiri had the first run over Azalea when the heads turned for home with Fynbos going off the bridle as G. Vivek brought her into the reckoning. Namiri’s lead lasted till the two-furlong pole where Fynbos went all guns blazing and took charge of the running. The winner was sighted a long way from home as Fynbos went cruising into the lead and was eased up before passing the winning post, over six-lengths ahead of runner-up Kings Gambit. Over three lengths behind ran Dreamer in the third position whilst Golden Dancer took the fourth spot with all the eight runners finishing in a straight line. Fynbos may not have encountered a quality opposition in this group event, however, the fact remains that she has kept the Indian Derby hopes of her connections alive with her sixth career win, which incidentally was her fourth Group 1 victory. Fynbos, who is by Kingda Ka out of Mahali and was bred at the Nanoli Stud Farms, is co-owned by Messrs Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy, Zahir K. Dhunjibhoy, Ms Anousha Meyers, Mr Vispi R. Patel & Ms Anita J. Captain. Pesi Shroff, who has had a way with grooming champion fillies, saddled his fourteenth Indian Oaks winner, the sixth in a row in Fynbos. Incidentally, Shroff had achieved his 36th Indian classic success when he led in Fynbos to the winner’s enclosure. Some record indeed.
 
Half an hour before the Indian Oaks was flagged off, the climax of the prestigious Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Gr.2) was witnessed. On paper, this event, widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the Indian Derby contenders, appeared to be a two-horse race between Baychimo and Zacharias. Adhirajsingh Jodha-schooled Baychimo had upset the applecart of Zacharias in the Indian 2000 Guineas yet the betting trend in the bookies’ ring gave an edge to the latter. Rosario with Kirtish Bhagat astride went surging into the lead when the gates opened for the mile and quarter journey and enjoyed a runaway lead over Stormy Sea with Harrison and Red Bishop in close attendance whilst Zacharias raced alongside Baychimo. Rosario made a desperate bid to hold on to the lead inside the last furlong and half but was soon caught up with by Stormy Sea, Zacharias and Baychimo. G. Vivek spurred Zacharias into the lead in the final furlong but A. Sandesh had ignited a sparkling run from Baychimo (French Navy – Lady Sergeant), who wore down his rival in a couple of strides and strode out majestically once again to log in his sixth success, the same number Fynbos achieved later. Gunsmoke, who raced in the rear for most of the journey, warmed up late to deny Red Bishop the third spot.