M K Jadhav trained Governor General whose last run was deceptive enough to hide his strong credentials duly won the 1200 metres Kailashpat Singhania Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Thursday`s evening races held at Mumbai. The important criteria for any horse to be seen racing in earnest are the odds and this is what ruled the day`s action. Jockey Sandesh who guided Governor`s General to victory, ended with a treble along with jockey C S Jodha while Trevor Patel drew a blank. Punters, as usual, did not fare too well as there were not straightforward winners.

Governor General had recorded two wins at Pune but his first run on the local track was surprisingly poor. Then he had a forward run where he had finished third but since the credentials of horses like Ancient Glory, Allora and Alisha`s Pet were better, Governor General could run at nourishing odds which perhaps also was a factor in the horse being in serious contention. Sandesh brought Governor General into contention on the wide outside and the progeny of Phoenix Tower devoured ground to get the better of front-running favourite Ancient Glory in the shadow of the post. Alisha`s Pet who is a habitual late-finisher, came up with a strong rally to save place money ahead of Nescar. Allora was not seen at the busy end.

Bezan Chenoy trained Sawgrass halted the winning sequence of Chizzler in the 1400 metres Astral Flash Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Chizzler did not get a brisk start from the gates and though the progeny of Arazan came up with a strong effort, he failed to get the better of Dancing Lord who had taken over the running with two furlongs left in the race. Sawgrass gathered momentum in the final furlong and jockey Jodha could get the lesser fancied runner to neck out Dancing Lord in the closing strides of the race. Chizzler was a well beaten third.

The forward run stood Sanjay Kolse trained Gentillesse stood her in good stead as the daughter of Verenar took over the running on turning for home and spurted clear to win the race quite easily from late flashing Sassy Lass in the 1200 metres Madras Race Club Cup (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. Loire set the pace and weakened in the homestretch allowing Gentilesse to cruise ahead. Sassy Lass added some excitement to the proceedings with a late flourish which brought her within striking distance of the eventual winner. Sereno was a close third. Jodha drove out Lord Commander to a resolute win in the lower division of the race. Shamwari led the field from the start but closer home began to falter which allowed Lord Commander to surge ahead. Though Lord Commander drifted out under pressure, he had enough cushion to win with a measure of comfort. Manzanita came up with a powerful late dash to snatch the runner-up berth from long-time leader Shamwari.

Imtiaz Sait trained New England under Jodha, put paid to the hopes of a big touch on Flag Flying in the 1200 metres Running Star Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Apprentice jockey Raghuveer Singh took Flag Flying to the front from the wide outside draw and the progeny of Whatsthescript had a healthy lead going into the final furlong. However, the fact that the energy of the horse had been expended in hitting the front from the wide draw told on his energy close home as he began to lose his grip in the shadow of the post. This enabled New England to catch up with the front-running with a late flurry and land the spoils at nourishing odds by the proverbial whisker. Angel Girl was third. Trainer Antia who had aimed for a double but had the mortification of losing in the final moments of the race on Flag Flying, however, led in the winner of the lower division of the race where the heavily supported Slam Dunk just about held off the challenge of She`s A Tiger and Beneficial.

Alpine Express won the 1000 metres Ibrahim A Rahimtoola Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, as a well-priced runner. The last run of Alpine Express was deceptively poor and her real worth was thus masked by that run. Sandesh brought Alpine Express with a strong effort down the final furlong to grab the initiative. Alpine Express was not unduly troubled by the late rally of Queen Credible while landing the spoils. Queen Credible nosed out Rock N Rio to get the runner-up berth. Cyclone was a tame fourth.

Narendra Lagad trained Aeolus Maximus who was pretty consistent this season claimed the 1400 metres P A D`Avoine Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Jockey Dashrath Singh brought Aeolus Maximus with a well-timed run to get the better of front-running favourite Hunting Pleasure who weakened close home and thus lost a winning chance. Rapid Girl was third.