Young jockey Kishore Kadam delighted race goers while notching up a fine double on Tuesday’s races at the Mahalaxmi. He fought and won a close contest in the very first race with the Sait trainee Green Valley, whose maiden victory was eluding filly for some time now. Sitting well up, the front running sprinter led from early in the straight, while raised a lot of anxiety towards the finish when Black Hussar (Grant) put up a fiery challenge. A staunchly focused Kishore Kadam kept goading the filly, and took the brave to use the whip sparingly and rely on just vigorous pushing until the end. Black Hussar, who stepped up a sustained challenge past the distance post was all out and to his dismay saw the winning post come too early. He needed just another stride to bag the prize. All credit to Kadam for his persistent riding which got him to a winning start on the day.

Siroco was given another supremely timed run by Kishore, who has now partnered the Rehanullah Khan ward in a well compiled hat-trick. Rehan, although optimistic of his charge’s chances was apprehensive and admitted that Siroco was in fine fettle but was taking on better class sprinters. He was still smarting from the previous race’s narrow loss his other trainee Pepe Junior in a close contest and also recalled the past instance, where Pepe Junior went down fighting and Siroco won him a race the same day. Hoping for an encore, Rehan voiced his confidence that Kishore knew the horse best and would do complete justice and boy, Kishore obliged and how! He nursed the gelding in the rear, brought him on the outside after the turn and set Siroco alight 300 metres from home and Siroco produced a blistering finishing effort to whiz past Oyster Gem (Ashish). Take On, Star O’War and Red Dawn failed miserably as Generalissimo (Bandaal) passed them all easily, as did Oyster Gem from the rails. With 200 metres to go, Oyster Gem shot ahead and that’s when Siroco came in with giant strides to land the spoils with surprising ease.

Narendra Lagad was the only trainer to score a brace. Polar Glow, who was well supported due to his consistent recent runs, looked in fine fettle. House Prefect led into the straight and was soon joined by Landlord. Polar Glow switched on the outside and was ready to charge ahead. Past the 200 metres polar Glow shot ahead and held on gamely from Cinderella Man who was a bit too late. House Prefect (Dasharath) hung on for place money.

Avec Plaisir was the other Lagad schooled horse and this was a closer duel. Hitting the front at the start Avec Plaisir (Shailesh) led the field homeward. Past the 400 metres, Pepe Junior (Kishore) came alongside and the duo fought stride for stride all the way to the post. Hazelhead just did not quicken and made no impression on the pair in front, nor did Englehart or King’s desire. It was an exciting duel which lasted a good 350 metres with two talented youngsters going hammer and tongs. Eventually Avec Plaisir and Shailesh Shinde just managed to scrape through.

The Divsion I & II of the M D Mehta Trophy, the features of the day claimed by the respective favourites with quite comfortably. Bee Quick (Fargeat) made an impressive debut to win with an awesome margin and minimal effort. He was caught behind horses soon on straightening up, and in the process of getting out Fargeat knocked into Wings Of Angels (Neeraj). Once shown the daylight, Bee Quick was super quick in adding distance between herself and her rivals and bounded away exhibiting scorching turn of foot. Knight of Winsor (Donnoghue) was stunned and had to return second best. Wings Of Angles ran on to finish third Blue Jay filled in the frame.

Flaming Ace (Donnoghue) scored in the next race in much the same fashion. Saddler’s Star led them in the homestretch and was joined by Cavzradosi (Rupesh) Sentinel (Rajendra) was all out and Flaming Ace was looking for an opening. The moment he got one Donnoghue surged ahead and the race was over. Flaming Ace kept lengthening his strides and romped home to a comfortable victory. Cavaradosi held for the runner’s up berth and Sentinel pegged back Saddler’s Star for the third.

Samuel Fargeat too completed a good double following his success on Bee Quick by surprising heavily fancied Stellar Affair in the last race. Stellar Affair went for it right from the start and looked like making it until the last furlong. Hidden Dragon Started to bridge the gap and in the final moments got his nose ahead in a four way finish. Ekofisk (Neeraj) did well to pip Stellar Affair (Ruzaan) and King Of The Ring (Dasharath) came up fast to run fourth. However, Dasharath failed to weigh on and consequently the Stewards resorted to disqualify King Of The Ring and awarding Reflection the fourth position.