Young Rajesh Narredu saddled the first group race winner of his career when his ward Authentic swamped the opposition in Gr 3 Audi Presents The Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy, a terms race for four year olds and over, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races. It was a day of favorites as barring the odd race; all the horses which carried the weight of public expectations came through.

Shivalik Showers who had been on the upgrade having notched up three wins in a row including a group race was strongly backed to continue his winning ways. The runners in the field lacked experience though a couple of them had won a graded race in the past. In hindsight, Authentic had good credentials to win the race as he was the only Derby placed horse in the race having lost to Bold Majesty in the Bangalore Derby in January. He found the Stayers Cup distance of 3000 metres too taxing for comfort and had packed up. His last run was best ignored because the saddle had slipped midway through the race and his jockey could do little thereafter. However, Authentic being from Bangalore enjoyed less confidence than the local counter parts.

Perhaps the pace at which Shivalik Showers had to go in front because he was continuously hassled by La Femme Fleur perhaps took a toll on him as also decided the outcome of the race. Though Shivalik Showers fought on resolutely and managed to beat the rest of the opposition comfortably to take the second place, La Femme Fleur disappeared without a trace in the straight. While these duo were engaged in a battle for supremacy, Authentic was eased in the penultimate position with only Maximus behind him.

Shivalik Showers shook off La Femme Fleur and appeared to be in control of the situation when Authentic came home with a big run on the wide outside. He simply outclassed the rest by drawing clear in the final furlong to win in emphatic fashion. Shivalik Showers was second while Maximus ran on from behind to take the third slot ahead of Mr Gorgeous. The hectic pace of the race suited Authentic who could unleash a big burst of speed which had the rest stranded. The Harisinghji trophy was the last of the graded race of the season with the long winding Mumbai season set to wind up in two weeks time.

Malesh Narredu trained Attraction proved good in the 1800 metres Mischievous Trot Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Attraction was taken on a start to finish mission and the progeny of Dylan Thomas who enjoyed the longish trip stayed put in front and finished well ahead of Lhotse who edged out Spontaneous Eddie for the runner up berth.

Ladybird recorded the third win of the season when she easily overhauled the front running Gangnam Style to win the 1000 metres P B Avasia Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Gangnam Style appeared to be travelling well in the straight but under pressure, failed to produce that bit extra and surrendered meekly.

Sandesh took favourite Zander on a start to finish mission and the progeny of Phoenix Tower had no problem in checking in clear of the battling duo of Moon Shadow and Victorious March in the 1200 metres Storm Again Double Stakes, a race for horses rated 80 and above. Moon Shadow managed to get the runner up berth in the final moments of the race.

Debutant Rigoletto was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the J D Peggy Banatwala Trophy, a race for three year olds. Magnificence who had the benefit of a race run led all the way but faltered in the final stride of the race which enabled Rigoletto to clinch the issue by a whisker. Rigoletto had the benefit of a mock race and sharp workouts to aid his cause. Rigoletto hung in badly which perhaps affected him from winning more easily.

Apache who had let down huge expectations in the earlier part of his career, has struck a purple patch as he recorded an encore in the 1600 metres Clifden Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, with a start to finish mission, distancing himself from his only pursuer His Highness in the final furlong. Glorious Opinion was faraway third.

Favourite Desert Rage had no problem in claiming the 1200 metres Rustomji Byramji Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. In a three horse cluster finish for minor placings, Earth Tamer got the runner up berth ahead of Alderley Edge and Secret Oath. The well backed Cold Play managed to pull it off in the lower division of the race with an aggressive effort in the final furlong, staving off the late bid of Winds of Change who covered plenty of leeway only to find the front runner escape to victory. Winds of Change however managed to nose out Queen of Venus for the runner up berth.

Trevor Patel who booted home a treble, drove out Rocking to get the better of Leothefiercehorse to win the day`s opener, the 1400 metres Sprint Star Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class, to provide trainer Antia with one of those rare fancied winners of the season.