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| Buster (Daniel Grant Up), winner of The P R Mehta Trophy |
Ekhabinskya (Placerville – Moving Image) won the R M Munshi Trophy start to finish. Hitting the front soon on start, Ekhabinskya was hotly chased by the favourite Successor and the two sped well ahead of the rest reducing the race to a two horse contest. In the straight, Ekhabinskya always held the advantage and never allowed Successor to have any say in the matter. Successor put in a tough fight and Grant gave all he had, but Ekhabinskya proved superior and in the dying moments only pulled further away to post a well-deserved victory.
The Div I of the Racing Official’s Trophy saw a keen finish involving three horses at the winning post. Moonstorm (Black Cash – Millywakay) got the better of favourite Forbes List and late challenger Generalissimo at the wire. Forbes List easily got past Absolute Reality past the 400 and soon Moonstorm found a good rhythm to pose a strong challenge. As the fight got fiercer, Generalissimo came in with a late bid and 50 meters from the post, it could have gone in anybody’s favour. Moonstorm held on grimly to win in a close finish.
Snowden (Placerville – Snowdew) showed a lot of grit to win the Div II of the Racing Officials’ Trophy. Chasing the leaders in close vicinity, Snowden took charge early in the straight. Caramel tried to look for the rail run and Pine Crest came up with a strong run from the outside. Rubidium was there too but could not make much progress as was the case with Daffodils. Snowden kicked on and reached the winning post to settle the issue even as Pine Crest finished on his haunches, Caramel returning a good third.
Notable Runner (Case Law – Notable Ballerina) surprised everyone by marching on over the seven furlongs Trainers’ Trophy, surrendering his early lead to destined Prince only to wrest it back past the 400. Once into the lead, Notable Runner pushed further and had the race sewn up long way from home. Gatravat tried hard to catch up but was spent in the final 100. Kings Troop finished on well to claim the runners up spot.
Statjford (Senure – Tudor Queen) won with a good measure of comfort making quick progress from behind while turning the bend. He was in the lead and in top gear soon on entering the straight and never looked in any danger. Last Nights Sonnet and King of the Ring looked in futile chase as Statjford kept the momentum going until the very end.
Highland Vision (Alnasr Alwasheek – Prenom Carmen) put in a sustain burst in the homestretch to zip past Real Dream to win convincingly. Coming in fourth into the straight, Highland Vision accelerated fiercely to easily sail past the front-runners and coast to a facile victory with encountering any challenge. Real Dream held on to the second spot. Favourite Cloud Cover just could not quicken and ended a tame third.
River Star (Major Impact – Precious Act) caused no anxiety while scoring his maiden win as a hot favourite. Sitting well in touch with the leaders, River Star quickened as they turned for home and easily got past the leaders early in the straight. Past the distance post, River Star had built a sizable lead that allowed his to ease up in the final strides. Crème De La Creme ran on to finish second.
Landlord (Mischevious Music – Uranium) shocked the followers of money by pulling off a surprise win in the last race. Settling well in touch of the leaders, Landlord tracked Surmount and Viceroy entering the straight. Past the 400, Landlord put his neck in front, Surmount was fighting hard to keep up, Red Cloud fifth at this stage, began to warm up past the distance post. Landlord, by then, had established a handy lead and was kicking on towards the fast approaching winning post. Surmount too began to catch up and Red Cloud was the fastest moving horse in the final 50. Fortunately for Landlord the lead came in handy and he held on by just a length. Red Cloud is the one to note.
Among the professionals Trainers SK Sunderji, Faisal Abbas and jockeys Daniel Grant, Neeraj Rawal and apprentice Zervan scored a double each.
