Ganapathy-trained three-year old-filly Magnitude (Alnasr Alwasheek-Divine Diamond) came from way off the pace and stormed home to a sensational victory in The Governor's Trophy on Saturday. In the hands of David Allan, she dug deep into her reserves of stamina to stave-off a belated challenge from Severstahl. Attaolahi's Castro, who was an on-money favourite in this race, flopped miserably to finish a bad last. This race is traditionally held in the second half of the Winter Season. Since it is run over a mile, the result of this race is taken as a pointer for the bigger races later in the year. Many a times, we have seen the winner of The Governor's Trophy performing brilliantly in the Summer Classics. However, this year’s edition of this prestigious race attracted only seven runners. While three of them were earlier winners, the other four were yet to taste success. On the basis of known form, Attaolahi's Castro had the best credentials. This big-made colt had impressed on debut, when he had covered a lot of ground in the straight to finish close behind Severstahl. The extra couple of furlongs today were expected to suit his style of running. Since he requires a lot of galloping space, the smallish field was an added advantage. The unraced Saratoga Spring was an unknown commodity in this race. He had been given a feel of the grass track in a mock race held a few weeks ago. The presence of Suraj astride this runner trained by his father, made him the second choice behind Castro. Current Ray, Severstahl and Magnitude had stray support in the betting rings.

The speedy Magnomical showed early sparkle to set a strong pace in this race. He led by a few lengths from No Doubt, Severstahl and Saratoga Spring as the runners took the rising ground and began to turn for home. Chris Hayes and Castro were content to grace the rear and it seemed as though the jockey was following some strict instructions. Those who had chosen to back him, were beginning to get nervous. The horse was neither responding to the jockey's call, nor was he improving his position. He started and ended last in this race. In the meantime, the ones in front were busy jockeying for positions. Magnomical on the rails, Magnitude in the centre and Severstahl on the wide outside were almost abreast in the final furlong. The forceful handling of David Allan enabled Magnitude to lengthen her strides and skip away from the John-ridden Severstahl. Saratoga Spring rallied late to end a fair third. The poor showing of Castro was attributed to the fact that the horse had bled internally during the running of this race. He must surely be left alone from a betting perspective in the near future.

Jockey PS Chouhan started the day by winning the first two races in the eight-event card, and signed off by completing his treble with a victory in the last race of the day. Warren Singh's Ability (Diffident-Shaandaari) made every post a winning one in the lowest division of a maidens event over 1,200 metres. Ganapathy's Forever Glory was touted as a classic hope of the stable and was backed accordingly. On the basis of a poor showing in his only start, Ability was a rank outsider in this race. Chouhan did not allow Ability to tear away in front, and held him on a tight leash till the bend. Moonlight Shadow and Rappadan Glory followed him till that stage. The moment the jockey released his brakes, the race was over. Ability got stronger in the straight and won by a widening margin from Forever Glory and a late-finishing Will Still. Much was expected from Rappadan Glory, but the filly ran a poor race.

The next race produced the closest finish of the day. The six runners traversed a mile and a quarter, and finished in close proximity of each other. Yamas tried runaway tactics and almost succeeded in his mission. He was more than two lengths clear of Allez Vite and Emerald in the final furlong. It was at this very juncture that Rich Radiant (Epicentre-All Heart) decided to make her move. The chestnut filly devoured ground in the last hundred metres to finish alongside the leader. The digital camera confirmed that Prithviraj's Rich Radiant had got up on the last stride to win by a whisker. Allez Vite rallied on the inner rails to end a very close third. Similar tactics astride Dominic's Super Surprise (Duja-Love’s A Mirage) earned Chouhan his treble. He managed to tuck him behind a bunch of no-hopers till the top of the home turn. Super Surprise was given a couple of cracks, shown daylight and asked to quicken. The four-year-old showed that he was the best horse in the field by running away from the opposition. Silver Court and Inspirator ended in a heap to take the minor placings. The others were totally outclassed in this event.

Leading jockey Suraj Narredu had a much easier time while scoring his treble. Irfan Ghatala's pair of juveniles named Hillfiger and Hillsboro scored bloodless victories while achieving their maiden successes. Suraj rode them in identical fashion. All he needed to do was to take them to the front, and they did the rest. Hillfiger's neat performance in a mock race made him an automatic favourite in his race. This full brother to Clear Mandate showed a lot of class while accounting for a late-finishing Chemin De Fer, Migrolino and Secret Punch. Hillfiger (Burden Of Proof-Clear Cut) is one of the better three-year-olds stationed at this centre. On the other hand, Hillsboro (Mr Mellon-Associate) was taking on some strong rivals. Sunday Cruz and Mi Amor were known to be blessed with a lot of speed. But that made no difference to Hillsboro. He darted out of the gates and showed a clean pair of heels to Mi Amor and Sunday Cruz. Suraj remained a mute spectator as this horse lengthened his strides in the straight. With these two victories, in addition to the double that he had saddled yesterday, Irfan Ghatala has come within three points of Dhariwal. Racegoers can expect a tough fight between the two talented trainers in the next four weeks.

Suraj's third and last winner was Darius Byramji's Kingdomofdreams (Diffident-Lorne). This big-made horse had won his first start this season . He had subsequently disappointed with a couple of poor performances. His last start second had been quite impressive, and the horse received good support behind Marie Curie and Corleone in this race. Suraj seized the advantage at the top of the straight to win by almost four lengths from Corleone and a late-finishing Logan's Run. Suraj has a firm hold on the Jockey's Championship, and hereafter, it is only a question of the size of his final tally.

A successful gamble was landed on the Puttanna trained Pritvi (Juniper-Enchante) in a class IV race for horses aged five years old and over. The bottom-weighted horse was prepared essentially in the swimming pool and was given a single gallop on the training track. A steady flow of money saw him climbing to the top of the betting boards. Jagadeesh was content to amble along in third place, before alerting Pritvi at the bend. He darted forward and opened up an unassailable lead in the straight. The victory margin of a shade under five lengths was a compliment to Sun Gold and I Fancy You. Pritvi looks good enough to defy the handicapper and pick up another race before the culmination of the season.