Vinesh trained Jack Frost who has struck purple patch, had no problem in completing a hat-trick of wins when easily accounting for the opposition in the 2000 metres Chaitanya Chakram Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Mumbai races. Jockey Trevor Patel had a brilliant day booting home four winners through Izarra. Hunt For Heads, Ad Astra and Shahriyar.

Incentio who finished third in the fourth race was disqualified as his jockey J Chinoy failed to weigh in. The Stewards need to go beyond the obvious as these incidents are unacceptable and the jockey concerned deserves a severe punishment lest this malpractice becomes a malady.

Jack Frost was the lowest priced horse of the day. Jockey Sandesh who is not the force that he was during the last season, had Jack Frost dictate the pace from the start and the favourite skipped away in the straight to win as he pleased. Top weighted Highlander came up with a late charge and just about managed to snatch the runner up berth from Caesars Star.

Hoshidar Daji trained Hunt For Heads got stranglehold of the 1200 metres Dr A H Sayed Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 with a furlong left in the race and staved off Stormy Princess for an easy win at nourishing odds. Incentio who loitered at the wrong end of the field, circled round the field and finished on well to get the third slot. There was a Stewards enquiry following Chinoy failing to weigh in and the horse was disqualified and Abderus promoted to that slot. All this is within the parameters of rules.

The authorities must ensure that all jockeys weigh in because they have a responsibility to the public as jockeys may be tempted to use this route at the behest of vested interests who may not be keen that a particular horse wins or places because of betting interests. A race goer backs a horse without having any knowledge of the intentions of the connections and under such circumstances, when he would have nominated a horse to win or place, he cannot be deprived of his rightful earning for the fault of the jockeys. Jockey J Chinoy is an experienced jockey and this infraction from him has to be viewed seriously to prevent recurrence of such happenings. The punishment given to the jockey should be severe so as to serve as a deterrent for any such happenings in future willfully or otherwise. The clerk of the course too should be instructed that all jockeys weigh in. Some years ago, a jockey failed to weigh in at Mysore after the horse recorded an upset win. The jockey was ensuring that the horse which won out of turn would be disqualified in order to oblige connections who had not put money on this horse. The jockey concerned was handed a stiff punishment and the same should happen to Chinoy after due enquiry as to why the jockey did not weigh in when he fully knew the implications of his unlawful act. Unfortunately this season, the present dispensation has been too kind to those indulging in unhealthy practices.

Malesh Narredu trained Sweeping Star who was making her debut in the Mr Greedy Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds, was heavily backed to win. Though the daughter of Invitation Cup winner Sweeping Success was technically running for the first time, she had the benefit of two mock races. In the event, the more experienced Abigail pulled it off at the expense of the favourite. In doing so, Abigail could not keep a straight course but the interference caused to the runner up was marginal and hence the resultant objection was not upheld. Undisputed ran on to finish third. The lower division of the race was won by heavily supported Anvil Star who took command of the race at the final turn and sped away to win from the battling duo of Koal and She Is Special.

Favourite Eternal Royalty was withdrawn at the gates in the 1000 metres Girl From Ipanema Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Plan B bolted to the front from the wide outside draw but failed to sustain his foray in front beyond the final furlong as lesser fancied Joleene easily collared the front runner and went away for an easy win. Rare And Gorgeous who had been relocated from Bangalore did well to finish second ahead of Grand March who pipped the long time leader for the third slot. The lower division of the race was won by Izarra who swamped the opposition with a comprehensive win, storming clear with about 200 metres left in the race to win from My Freedom and Pretty In Patpong.

Nina Lalwani trained Shariyar upset in the opening race of the day easily winning the 1400 metres Regal Equity Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, containing the challenge of favourite Annie. Moneywise who was another strongly backed runner, put up a dismal performance. Shariyar went on a start to finish mission and held off the threat of Annie with a measure of comfort.

Ad Astra had been somewhat of a disappointment failing to meet the exalted expectations of the connections who subsequently sold the four year old. As Astra looked cut above the rest in the 2000 metres Narayandas Plate, a race for lowest class horses. Ad Astra raced a handy third into the straight before getting the better of the long time leader Sabiq in the straight to win by a widening margin of eight lengths. Striking Story was second. In the form that she is in, Ad Astra should repeat.