Malesh Narredu trained Another Conquest proved too good in the 1200 metres Jimmy Bharucha Trophy, a terms race for three year olds, the feature event of Sunday`s races which was another day-night affair. Though the races failed to attract the sizeable crowd of the previous day, nevertheless the attendance was much more than what is par for these days.

Night racing has its own attractions in getting crowd to spend time at race course which offers the services of a bar. However, in the long run, merely attracting the crowd is the ultimate reason for conducting night racing or whether to get more people become regulars for racing remains to be achieved. Night racing for locals may be a big attraction but for those at other centres, it is rather taxing. These are early days and one has to wait and see after a number of day-night race days to know the full impact.

Pesi Shroff trained Maleficent who had won against the run of expectations last time out was the firm favourite to win the 1200 metres Jimmy Bharucha Trophy. There was significant support for Brahmachari to repeat. However, both these horses were never in the hunt as Sugar Bay did the front running till displaced from this position by eventual winner Another Conquest who proved overwhelmingly superior. Sugar Bay held off Maleficent for the runner up berth while Brahmachari was a tame fourth.

After three runner up efforts, Niobrara finally made it, by the skin of his teeth in the 1000 metres Daddy Adenwalla Trophy (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. Niobrara has this habit of slackening close home after going at a fast clip with aggressive start to finish tactics. Niobrara went in a similar mission and appeared to be shaping for a comfortable win when Governor General decided to spice things up with a belated charge. The winning post came to the rescue of Niobrara who held on by a whisker. There was significant betting on Shivalik Story who however failed to pick up speed when it mattered the most. The lower division of the race produced a dead heat. Indian Serenade shaped to bring off a big upset but in the waning yards of the race, Jeanne came up with a big burst of speed which saw both of them go past the post locked together. It was difficult to call out who the winner was and it came as no surprise that the Judge announced a dead heat. Mizilla Gold who was putting in good work towards the close was third.

Sanjay Kolse trained Fortune Favours duly won the 1800 metres H R Shantidas Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Snowing did all the front running before being overtaken by The General in the straight. However, the latter failed to pick up speed swiftly which resulted in Fortune Favours measuring him with ease. Fortune Favours then skipped away to win comfortably. Though The General fell to third position, he came home with a second wind to occupy the runner up berth ahead of Honest Pleasure while long time pace maker Snowing finished a dismal last.

Apprentice jockey Ajinkya guided Toofan to a start to finish win in the 1600 metres Racing Journalists Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Toofan shook off Ukulele in the straight and shaped to win comfortably. A late charge by Star of Babylon and Replica served to add some excitement to the race but it was clear that the front runner had the race firmly under control.

Lancelot came in for one sided support in the 1400 metres Track Charm Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Long shot Vasco Da Gama, who was running after a long layoff, produced a strong gallop in the final furlong to get the better of Frankanella while Lancelot finished a tame third. Another fancied runner Zambian failed to make any impression.

Unless they are backed down heavily, ante post favourites of M K Jadhav rarely oblige. So it proved yet again when Grey Mist plodded when he needed to change gear and finished a poor fourth in the 1200 metres Frish Cup, a race for horses in the lowest category. Whitesox brought off an upset with a powerful charge down the final furlong to win at the expense of late finishing Rapid Girl and Masterstrike.

A Jodha`s Gold Bag made rapid advance along the rails to clinch the issue from late finishing Blue Flame and favourite Fribourg to win the 1200 metres West Coast Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The lower division of the race was won by favourite Logano who despite drifting out of a straight course managed to win with great deal of ease from Ice Gate.