Pesi Shroff-trained Denny Crane proved too superior to the opposition by cantering home in the 1000 metres Shantidas Askuran Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Thursday`s evening races held at Mumbai. The speedy son of Arazan, Denny Crane led from the start and out-sprinted the rest who proved that they were not good enough to even chase his shadow.

Denny Crane, Undisputed, Nescar and Victorio appeared to be well matched for a close contest as per their previous runs but the race turned out to be a non-contest. Once Denny Crane hit the front and enjoyed an uncontested lead, the others were left with no chance as the favourite kept on increasing the lead without having to exert himself. Denny Crane has shown tremendous improvement since Pune and should record an encore. Nescar who chased Denny Crane stayed put in that position and took the runner-up berth ahead of late rallying Undisputed who held off Victorio to get the third place. Surely the last named ran well below expectations.

Cooji Katrak trained Palatial had recorded a runaway win at Pune and even though the five-year-old gelding was coming back in distance, he was nevertheless head and shoulders above the rest in the 1600 metres Director General of Police Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Anteros attempted to win from the word `go` but in the run in for home, was easily collared by Palatial who skipped clear in the final furlong to record an emphatic win. Multiglory got the second place ahead of Dancing Lord without having to be hard-ridden. Anteros weakened to finish disappointingly.

Sherlock was another impressive winner from trainer Pesi Shroff`s yard. His Master`s Vice was the favored runner in the 1600 metres Desert Lightning Plate, a race for three-year-olds. Zervan took Sherlock to the front and the progeny of Holy Roman Emperor did not allow anyone to come near him en route to a facile win. There was spirited support for Reds Revenge but he found the eventual winner too strong for comfort. In fact, he lost even lost the runner-up berth to the favourite by a whisker.

Faisal Abbas trained Lady Coachman flopped as a short-priced horse in the 1000 metres Dhun P Kothavala Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Lady Coachman did not get a clear run in the early part of the race and appeared a spent force well before the race came on the boil. Lesser fancied Mizilla Gold managed to get the better of Mt Tianmen in the final stride to land the spoils. Zadora headed Speedo for the third place. Lady Coachman was not sighted at the busy end which was a surprise considering the runaway win recorded by her at Pune in her last run.

However, another ward of Faisal Abbas Tchibouela who hadn`t shown any signs of striking winning form as evidenced by his previous runs was seen in a different light in the 1200 metres Guest Connections Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest category. Perhaps Tchibouela found his mark in a less exalted company as the three-year-old gelding got the measure of the front-runners in the final furlong to win in the hands of apprentice G Amit who had flopped on Lady Coachman in the previous race. Isinit occupied the second place ahead of Tonteria. The well-backed Name of the Game from the stables of trainer Rajendra obliged in the lower division of the race. Smart Choice nosed out The Big Revival for the runner-up berth. Jockey Pereira was half-hearted in his efforts on The Big Revival who should oblige before long.

Mansoor Shah trained horses generally oblige if they are running out of class and suddenly come in for big betting. However, Alien flopped in the 1400 metres Venus De Milo Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The presence of Sandesh perhaps resulted in Alien getting more virtues that he had. Sensex who had the disadvantage of a wide outside draw and badly positioning in the run in for home flew home and flashed past the front-runners in the final furlong to record an excellent win. Long shot Aeolus Maximus ran on well from behind to take the second place ahead of favourite Alien.

Trainer Antia is a king of the lowest category of races. Diwali Lights who had given subdued performances thus far suddenly sparkled after receiving inspired betting in the 1400 metres Snow Dew Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. True to expectations, Diwali Lights came on after Zervan induced a strong effort from the favourite to get the better of Mythical Sunrise close home. Matrioshka who was not smart at the gates nevertheless made up ground to finish third.