The Arjav Diamonds' day at the Mahalaxmi racecourse was truly a sparkling one where Oasis Star (Senure–Gumbaru Itsu) was the true star of the day in every sense! The zippy five-year old mare owned by Shapoor Mistry, Cyrus Mistry and Tariq Vaidya was most impressive while galloping to a remarkable victory with utmost ease. The field was a fairly formidable one, with nearly half a dozen big names in the line-up. Oasis Star was giving weight all round yet managed to actually toy with the opposition and canter away. That she was on a tight rein for more than 90 per cent of the seven furlongs for the Arjav Diamonds Salver, was by itself awesome, but even in this she won drawing away and this was truly an amazing display of her prowess!
 
Oasis Star could have settled anywhere, but Srinath had her ambling along in the mid-bunch and as they straightened for home, Portrush was finding it difficult to keep up and Oasis Star surged smoothly past, in complete disregard to the fact that Cotswold Arms was going all out just on her outside. Oasis Star cruised ahead and stormed further away without needing any assistance from Srinath. Just two cracks in the final furlong for reasons best known to the jockey, and Oasis Star was home by a convincing margin, split seconds shy of the course record!

Oasis Star

Schnell (Alnasr Alwasheek–Astor Place) was another seasoned campaigner who dominated his rivals and clocked under a minute for the five furlong Blue Star Diamond Trophy, on a day when the timing on other races was not exactly the fastest. Star Adventure led the field with Appreciate in chase and Schnell in close touch. Monopoly was not too far behind but failed to quicken when the heat was turned on. Schnell progressed steadily and challenged Star Adventure who caved in to the pressure. Monopoly was getting nowhere despite an all-out effort. Amberogio looked the only threat to Schnell but the latter easily thwarted the ambitions of the challenger to romp home in style.

Trainer Hormuz Antia was delighted by the manner of his charge's victory. "I have high hopes pinned on Schnell and I am confident that he will pick up a couple of races more as we go through the season," he told Indiarace. When I asked him if he saw anything special about Schnell, he replied, "Of course he is special! Don't be surprised if he forces his name in the record books for the best timing ever over five furlongs! He has the potential and I will ensure that he is in the best of fitness to achieve this feat. He is very nearly there and I know exactly how to get him to peak. I am confident he has it in him to be the fastest horse on the course for the sharp distance."

Those were brave words from the normally shy and low profile trainer, but I got the impression that he knew what he was talking about and sounded not just optimistic but downright confident.

Trainer Cooji Katrak and jockey Daniel Grant have gotten off the blocks in a flash this season. Their win percentage is high and both are consistent. On Sunday too, both notched up a double each. While Oasis Star won the cream event of the day for Cooji, Sea Sparrow, earlier in the day, won him the Arisia Royal Solitaire Sparkle.

Hitting the front readily as the gates flung open, Sea Sparrow (Mr. Mellon–Strike It Right) surged ahead in the straight to stride well and further from his rivals. He was in complete command all through the race and Grant seemed to know just what to do and when. Sea Sparrow got stronger nearing the finish and won with a fair measure of comfort. Both, Astral and Natouchka tried hard to raise a challenging effort, but Sea Sparrow left nothing to chance maintaining a safe distance all through. Blue Danube came from behind to grab a place in the frame and this effort is worth keeping in mind. Salute The Star too was seen catching up when it was all over.

While Sea Sparrow provided Cooji with his first of the two winners for the day, Grant had already notched up his first in the day's opener astride Fantastic Fury (Young Senor–Cornelia). Second in demand after Blue Vision garnered most of the support, Fantastic Fury was galloping right alongside the favourite till they turned for home. Once into the straight, Fantastic Fury shook off Blue Vision and sped ahead finishing on strongly and none from the back troubled the Hosidar trainee.

Blue Vision was a tame second. However, I don't reckon that Blue Vision should be written off, as the mare galloped away to hang on to the runner-up berth. Blue Vision had settled well and cut her own pace but just did not quicken. With trainer Imtiaz Sait making notes on this race, one can be sure that he will get her to do much better the next time out. Hosidar Daji, the winning trainer, however, needs to be complimented for pulling off a well-planned assignment and for bringing home the Kalista Trophy for Mr. and Mrs. Percy Mistry.

The performer of the day was surely the Brazilian boy - SA De Souza. He has been riding consistently well so far and on Sunday, he was at his best booting home a lucrative treble. His first was Amadomio (Sir Bruce–Dance Move), a long shot from the stables of Vinay Lagad, in the Kashmir Collection Trophy. Bolting ahead from an outside draw, De Souza called the shots early and kept the momentum going right through. In the straight, he made a handy lead count and safely held on to post a comfortable win. Free Spirit looked to challenge near the distance post but could not match strides with the winner. Wells Fargo came with a late burst but could only beat Modesty for the third, ending a short-head behind Free Spirit. King Of The Ring received a bad check going for the rails and lost all chances of making any impact in the race. This run of his is best discounted.

Palma Dor (Burden Of Proof–Cheers Zone) was De Souza's second successful ride. Sitting just behind stablemate Onus Probandi soon on start, De Souza made a decisive advance early in the straight and got the Naren filly to accelerate with great purpose to win the Div I of the Elle Cup. However, it was Liberty Speaks who caught my eye with her determined last stretch run. The filly was dead-last even as they took the home turn and warmed nicely up to bridge a long gap and run to within 1˝ lengths of the winner. Over an extra furlong, I would pitch for the runner-up. Artistic Liason ran a tame third. Accumulate dropped back after being prominent briefly. De Souza timed his finish right and won a calculated race handing Naren a healthy double.

Bella (Diffident–Spectacular Blood), owned by Dr. SC Jain, Mr. Vivek Jain, Mr. JM Patel and Mr. Rohit Patel, won the Arisia Plus Jewellery Trophy beating a bunch of strongly fancied runners. De Souza once again timed his run to a nicety to easily stave off all lurking threats in the homestretch. Bella rose from the initial fourth position at the turn to soon challenge Swept Away and easily passed the leader. Giannatassio appeared to cover ground briefly and Romantic Impact tried to slip through the rails but Bella did not buckle under pressure and galloped bravely away to hold them all at bay. In fact, she only got stronger at the finish, implying that she had more in the reserve.

Rose Bowl, the favourite, failed to make any impact and that was disappointing. The fact that he had not appeared on a race track since April 2008 may have caused some rustiness. However, his track movements never indicated so. He may have needed this run and speedy that he is, he will not take too long to get back in shape for fiercer performances. Giannatassio fared pretty well but Romantic Impact should have made an impact. Can't really find fault with either and both merit future consideration.

Chieftain and Illusionist, both from Pesi Shroff's stables, were expected to score for the astute trainer. However, while Chieftain went down tamely, Illusionist shaped like pulling it off, but that proved to be only an illusion!

Chieftain never looked settled and once the leaders had established a long lead he never looked in contention. Gold Quest and Ares were safely in front even past the distance post. Doi Moi, owned by Mr. Shyam Ruia, Mr. JH Damania and Mr. Jehangoo Nazir, was always behind this pair. In the straight, he suddenly gathered momentum in the last few strides to fly past the fighting duo at the finish. It was an awesome finishing effort that left the field and the bettors stunned. Doi Moi fitted the bill - 'bolt from the blue' - to the hilt! Doi Moi (Royal Kingdom–Count The Stars) from the Equus Stud, simply flashed in with a terrific run to collar both Ares and Golden Quest for a shock win. Rs 199 for a tenner was the highest payout on the tote win for the day.

Illusionist took his time to settle down, and then found his way between horses to take charge early in the straight. Forces of Law (Mr. Mellon–Brair Creek) who was travelling nicely close behind made his bid past the 400-metre mark and once in top gear, sped past Illusionist for a decisive victory by over 6 lengths. The final furlong belonged to the MK Jadhav-trainee who bounded for home with telling strides. Illusionist found the winner too good. Rattle gained a few paces to grab the place money while Belligerent worked her way up to find a place in the frame.

Earlier in the day, Fire Within (Warrshan–Anodyne) put in a speedy start-to-finish display to land the Div II of the Elle Cup. Kicking off to an alert start Fire Within, with Nirmal Jodha up, galloped fluently to lead the pack homewards. Into the straight, Fire Within stepped up the momentum and weathered the long Mumbai straight convincingly to stay ahead in the race and post a fluent victory. Graces tried her best but could not get anywhere close to the winner. Victory Star warmed up late to take the runner-up berth, providing a welcome first and second position to trainer Narendra Lagad.