First favourite Cavaradosi (Indictment – Innocent Pleasure) caused a lot of anxiety to his supporters before being declared the winner in the Div -II of the Estonia Trophy. As the small field of eight runners settled down, Snowynsky led the bunch with Flying Spirit, Arks Angel and Inch Perfect following closely with Cavaradosi right with them. Falcon Crest and Handsome Returns were in the rear with Grace N Grit. Nearing the turn, Flying Spirit, eager to move close to the rails seeing Snowynsky falling back, came in the way of Arks Angel causing the latter a bad check.

Inch Perfect raised his bid and took charge early in the straight. Cavaradosi was ready to unleash his best from close behind, but suddenly saw the leader swerve awkwardly right in front of him at this crucial juncture. Malesh then started to close in on Inch Perfect and got Cavaradosi to accelerate tremendously specially in the final 100m. Cavaradosi got there a trifle too late. Convinced that he had lost a certain race, Malesh lodged an objection against the winner and the Stewards concurred with his view and awarded the race to Cavaradosi. All the first three horses impressed and that includes handsome Returns who covered a lot of ground to peg back Falcon Crest for the third.

Pacific Zone (Broto – Go Go Go) created a flutter in the opening event. Mysterio and Sarjerao were hotly fancied. Solskjaer lost all his chances at the gates itself when he fly-jumped and lost a lot of ground. Pacific Zone took it up and led the field home. Into the straight, pacific Zone kicked on comfortably accounting for them all. Sarjerao was making little progress while Mysterio dropped completely out of contention. Master Planner who was thereabouts was piped by Black Partridge literally on the last stride. Black Partridge is the one to note and should run a good race over a sprint.

Elementto Style (Warrshan – Unwanted Treasure) justified the favouritism and got the better of Palme Dor and Marmaris in the final furlong. Palma Dor and Marmaris were in front together and began to fight hard no sooner they turned for home. Elementto Style who was not too far behind switched to the outside and joined them at the distance post. In the final run in, Aadesh had to make efforts not to lug in too much as Elementto Style was constantly looking to lug in. Aadesh did well to keep the Nana Raghunath trained filly in firm control and spare just under a length at the wire.

Classic Spirit sprinted into the lead soon on settling down and past the distance post had built a handy lead. Arbudh was all out but gaining little. Lovely Feelings too at that juncture didn't look too menacing. But the equation changed in a jiffy as, Classic Spirit was not able to sustain his momentum and the duo behind was fast catching up. Lovely Feelings practically covered about 4 lengths in the last 100 metres to get past a tiring Classic Spirit. Arbudh ended a further half length to run a close third. Arbudh, in his last two runs might have indicated that he would have liked a little more ground and over a seven furlong trip might be a handful.

Ravishing was the hot favourite in the 4th race. Sea Gull (Placerville – Silver Academy) it was who posted an impressive victory. Sea Gull confidently ridden by Kishore Kadam set the pace as he liked and even as most others were pushing n jostling, Kishore was unperturbed and kicking on. Hisham challenged him in the straight and one could see Baria going all out and coming alongside while Sea Gull was just being niggled a trifle by Kishore. When in the last furlong, Kishore stepped up pace and asked her the go, Sea Gull surged ahead and win with something in the saddle. Ravishing was never prominent.

Telstar and Liberty Speaks fought out the straight and the latter prevailed propelling ahead only in the last 100 metres. Telstar led the field homewards and had Liberty Speaks on his haunches breathing fire. Telstar set about his task and was making Liberty Speaks earn his victory. There was no third horse in sight. Past the distance post Liberty Speaks was still in hot pursuit and closer home Srinath pressed for something extra and Liberty Speaks responding with one final surge that got her past Telstar in the last few strides. Liberty Speaks impressed and so did Telstar. Tommy Carmichael did well to get past Calling The Shots and needs watching over an extended trip.

Buster (Alnasr Alwasheek – Premier Collection) and Exotic Star clearly stood out in the sixth race. It was Exotic Star who shot into the lead and Buster was quick to settle right behind the leader. Shabdeez and Babeinthewoods were close being till the turn. Into the straight, the lead pair pulled away and out of reach of the rest. Exotic Star was soon passed by Buster but Buster never had it easy. Srinath had to ride out all the way as Exotic Star was always lurking just behind Buster all the way. They finished alongside each other with Buster craning his neck in front at the all important end. The others finished too far back to make any impact. Buster was better on the day, but not too dominant. Exotic Star ran a much better race this time and will bide his time.

Prince Lochinva (Major Impact – Speed Of Light) made this one a start to finish essay and easily kept Giocometti at bay at the post. Hitting the front soon at start, Prince Lochinva maintained a consistent lead of over two lengths all through and kicked on in the straight. Giocometti tried his best but could only reduce the margin towards the finish. Combustion was good only for place and did not worry the winner at any stage. Ptolemy did not quicken enough to make an impact and gave up too soon. Ptolemy would do better over a shorter sprint and if his next assignment is over 6 furlongs of r less, neglect him not. Giocometti also needs watching and if there is a positive jockey switch the next time out, you could conclude something is brewing.

Calypso Dancer was the most wagered runner and he raised expectations only till they entered the home stretch firmly in control until the 400m mark. From thereon, it was a free for all with the lead one shocking the other. First it was Slickkit who zipped past Calypso Dancer. Moonstar tried to match strides but could not quicken well enough, Brad warmed up at this moment and was forcing his way into contention when Exuberance (Placerville – Million Girl) lived up to his name and came with a tremendous gallop to a seemingly impossible victory. He was never in the picture till they turned of r home and Appu timed his run to perfection. Exuberance's final assault was no ordinary burst and the gelding should assert himself yet again. Slickkit was indeed unlucky to be de-thronged in such a fashion. Brad showed good improvement and will have his time before long. Exuberance, to me was the pick of the lot.

Trainer MK Jadhav had a fruitful double and jockeys YS Srinath and TS Jodha scored a brace each.

Srinath, TS Jodha & MK Jadhav Shine with a Double Apiece