On her debut she may have had to share the honours with Isadoro, who is bred as full brother to the 2008 Indian Derby winner Hotstepper, but the three-year-old filly Mint Approach (Ace – Endorsement) advertised her potential in no uncertain terms when she outwitted favourite Archie in the Bennett Coleman – Procam Million on the last day of the Mumbai racing season.

Owned by the Villoo Poonawalla Racing Syndicate comprising of Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Mr & Mrs Adar C. Poonawalla, Mr Essaji G. Vahanvati, Mrs Aban D. Chothia, Mr Dinsha P. Shroff, Mr Munchi P. Shroff, Mr K. Dadachanji, Mr Manav Suri and Mrs Leena Suri, the Dallas Todywalla schooled Mint Approach raced a handy second behind Intesar with Bombardier and Alaindair following them. Archie however was racing in the rear. Sandesh gave Mint Approach her head when the field straightened for home and she readily stole a march over her rivals. Initially Rekindle and Alaindair tried to intimidate Mint Approach but she shrugged them off and then held fort gallantly to ward off the late challenge of Archie. The runner-up incidentally was making a comeback after a knee chip surgery and which explains why Zervan had to nurse him from the rear position and was certainly not disgraced in this defeat. Alaindair ran third with Rekindle and Golden Princess in close tow.

Protector Of Paris (S Zervan up) winner of the Euphemia Plate (Div-I), being led in by trainer P Shroff (right)Protector Of Paris (S Zervan up) and joint owner Dara K. Mehta

Pesi Shroff trained Protector of Paris (Noverre – La Cienega), who is bred as half-brother to Bullseye and is co-owned by Messrs Keki D. Mehta, Dara K. Mehta and Sultan Singh, graduated from the maiden ranks with a smashing win in the upper division of the Euphemia Plate. After racing in the fifth spot till the turn as Rajasthan Glory showed the way to the field, Zervan brought Protector of Paris through the shortest way home and the winner was sighted long way from home once he took charge at the distance post. His rival ran all over the place in the straight with Pretty Hot managing to finish second and was followed home by Archimedes, the winner`s stable-mate, and Arabian Queen. Aravali ran a disappointing race and faded out meekly after being prominent till entering the straight.

Zervan won three more races during the day to claim the coveted championship title for the first time in his career at Mahalaxmi. Faisal Abbas provided him two winners through Dreamliner (Diffident – Dreaming) and Shygirl (Mr Mellon – Hygirl). The rising odds against Dreamliner in the betting ring were a cause for concern for the punters but the favourite gave no anxious moments to those who chose to stick with his chances. Dreamliner took a smart jump to hit the front and was never headed over the five-furlong trip. Zervan had an armchair ride and left his mediocre rivals fighting for crumbs. Speed Baby improved towards the end to take the runner-up berth ahead of Bethlehem, who chased the winner in vain, and Stylish Strokes.

Shygirl however was required to be hard-ridden after Cosmic Dancer almost upset her applecart after overtaking leader Zaagros in the straight. Gitano laboured hard to finish a close third while Rio ended a faraway fourth.

Zervan astride Rehanullah Khan trained Awesome Smile (China Visit – Subsonic) had to wage a fierce battle with Purple Mokara before he could oblige his followers. Purple Mokara fell short by half-length and played second for the fifth time this season. The writing was already on the wall for Matrioshka as the odds against her went up. The filly was lethargic at the start and could only finish third despite covering steady ground. Home Factor too raced at the wrong end of the field till turn and moved up only when the race was in the safe-keeping of Awesome Smile.

Adhirajsingh Jodha saddled Fairy Empress (Hymn – Skipperess) earned her corn bill when D. K. Ashish spurred her to assume command from Blue Casper and Run Like The Wind in the final furlong and stretched out well thereafter. Run Like The Wind ended second ahead of Money Strike, who warmed up late to his task, and Stella. A lot of smart money was attracted by Stella but she was flat-footed in the straight.

Jens Secret (Royal Gladiator – Edelweiss) ran much above expectations and earned some precious stake-money in the bargain. R. K. Mahesh ridden Strike Again was being hailed as a winner close home when she seized the running from leader Star Builder. But A. Sandesh`s urgings evoked a fabulous response from Altaf Hussain schooled Jens Secret, who came with a long stretched run to taste her maiden success.

Victorious Cause (Cool Creek – Primal Cause) also shed her maiden status and provided her master Ivor Fernandes a win when Ashhad Asbar powered her to a narrow victory over Trump Card, who could have won had her rider had shown more enterprise. Allegiance ended in the money ahead of StarsOnBoard.

The season ended on a sour note for punters when Narendra Lagad trained National Glory (Glory of Dancer – Painted Faces) chose to manifest the glorious uncertainties of the game, ironically, in the last race of the season. National Glory, who had gone without success for over two years and whose five career wins had come over five-furlongs, literally broke all shackles as Akash Agarwal took her to the front. The winner kept his victorious march going much to the chagrin of all punters and this despite the threat posed by Saints N Sinners close home and the late charge produced by Emerald Valley, the winner`s barn-mate who carried the stable`s hopes. Jimbo and Augustus, the two fancied runners in the race, lost all chances at the gates itself and ran off the board.