Though Cooji Katrak trained Exodus was taking on seasoned campaigners, the six-year-old gelding made the transition into higher class with minimum of discomfort as he led all the way and easily held off the challenge of Traherne to win the 1600 metres Aziz H Ahmedbhoy Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Thursday`s Mumbai races.

Exodus had won well last time out and was strongly fancied to repeat his act. Jockey J Chinoy took Exodus on a start to finish mission with Shadowfax in close proximity followed by Papakura and Traherne. Shadowfax attempted to overhaul the front-runner on turning for home but was soon out of steam and fell back to eventually finish down the field. Exodus made merry in front with Traherne making a rally from behind to occupy the second position without posing a serious threat to the eventual winner. Papakura appears to have lost form completely as the eight-year-old was a dismal last.

M K Jadhav trained Golden Eclipse and Honey Dew were the market fancies to win the 1200 metres Blue Horizon Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 but confined to four-year-olds only. Among the two, Golden Eclipse had better credentials having recorded an impressive win in her last start. Though Golden Eclipse did not get a good start and had considerable leeway to cover in the straight on the front-runners, the filly found the right spaces and the speed to eventually win from Triple Threat and Kookaburra with a measure of comfort. Honey Dew was not sighted. Golden Eclipse should repeat if campaigned over a slightly extended trip as her style of running suggests that she needs more ground to make an effective presence.

Of the three-year-olds that were in the fray, Texas Gold who had the benefit of a good forward run had a better chance against Cerrado who went to the post in the 1200 metres Allforfun Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds as the favourite. In the event, after Majestical expended energy by running freely in front, Texas Gold who was handily placed, shot clear and went away for an easy win over late warming Cerrado. Big Sur was third. Favourite Rotterdam from the stables of Dallas Todywalla who always get results from first season runners early in the season, led all the way and had no problem in containing the challenge of late finishing Pretty Peach to win the lower division of the race. Gazino threatened to upset the favourite but after putting pressure on the front-runner, faded out in the final furlong to finish third.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Masterofbalantrae duly completed a back-to-back win when staving off Star Comrade to win the 1400 metres Rao Saheb D K Parkar Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Neeraj Rawal brought Masterofbalantrae into contention in the final furlong and the progeny of Multidimensional had enough reserves to reach the post ahead of the rest. Star Comrade was second ahead of Bay of Love who returned big dividends on place betting.

M P Jodha trained horses are prone to erratic form fluctuations. Mt Tianmen had flopped last time out when he appeared to have a good chance. Now neglected in the betting ring for the 1000 metres Tiger Tops Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46, Mt Tianmen came up with a strong run in the final furlong, challenged the front-running Baryshnikov and eventually surged ahead in the shadow of the post to record a facile win. Locarno was an eye-catching third. Furiosa who had come in for spirited betting played up at the gates and was withdrawn from the fray. Zervan drove out Beneficial to an easy win in the lower division of the race. Longshot New England edged out Romantic Warrior to return rich dividend on place investment. Speedo made no show and was a tame fourth.

In a race, which produced an exciting finish, it was difficult to predict the winner of 1600 metres Anmol Preet Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category, till the closing stages of the race as three horses were in with a chance. Care Free and Sir Song were battling it out when Sir Song came home with a power burst of speed to grab the race in the waning yards. The Other Song was at big odds while Care Free was the preferred horse in the betting ring.