Cooji Katrak trained Artistic proved too strong in the 1200 metres National Sports Club of India Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, the feature event of Thursday`s evening races held at Mumbai. The fancied runner led all the way and despite drifting out of a straight course under pressure, still had leeway at the finish to win from Flashy Wings.

Artistic was strongly fancied to win ahead of Beach Game. Apprentice jockey A Gaikwad took Artistic on a start to finish mission. The progeny of Mull of Kintyre always had a healthy lead and though there was a scare when the filly began to veer out, the others were not good enough to capitalize on the same. Flashy Wings tried hard but had to be satisfied with the runner-up berth ahead of An Jolie who moved up with a flourish from the rear but it did not extend long enough to make a dent on the result. Beach Game struggled for speed and disappeared to finish off the frame.

The good forward run that Caprisca had, stood the daughter of Xisca in good stead, as she held off the late rally of Themis to win the 1400 metres Bombay Presidency Radio Club Trophy, a race for three-year-olds. Massimo led from the start with Caprisca in chase. Selfie Star raced in close proximity while Themis was some lengths behind. Caprisca measured Massimo quite easily in the straight and stormed ahead. The expected fight from Selfie Star did not come as the filly began to drift under pressure. It was Themis who added a bit of excitement when the daughter of Lord Shanakill began to devour ground in the final stages of the race. However, Caprisca had enough cushion to scrape home.

Noshir Cama trained Pokerface showed quantum improvement when recording an upset win in the 1000 metres Bombay Gymkhana Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds. The progeny of Stern Opinion showed good speed from the gates to enjoy a healthy lead over Wild Fire and Ascension. Polyneices who was also strongly backed, did not show any spark and struggled for speed and was out of contention well before the race came on the boil. Pokerface ran on relentlessly in front and had no problem in keeping the challenge of Ascension at bay as the latter took a long while to warm up and by the time the filly came home with a big effort, the winning post had been sighted. Wild Fire was third while Polyneices was a tame fourth.

Bezan Chenoy trained St Andrews had no problem in winning the 1400 metres Malabar Hills Club Cup, a race for horses rated 60 to 86 as a short priced favourite. Jockey Suraj Narredu on St Andrews let Khayyam lead the field well into the straight before letting the favourite to take charge. St Andrews quickened well to go clear and with no horse from behind coming strongly to challenge, the victory of the favourite was assured long way from home. Khayyam stayed on to finish second ahead of She Is Special.

Jockey Trevor Patel drove out Shazaan Shah trained Power Shadow to a resolute win in the 1200 metres Otters` Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Power Shadow who had lost the race in the Stewards room after winning it on the track in his previous run, made amends as Trevor persevered with the favourite who managed to saw off the strong challenge of Zoom Zoom and Grande Vitesse to eke out a narrow win.

The biggest upset of the day came in the day`s opener where Subhag Singh trained Elsa led all the way and just about lasted out to win the 1600 metres Acres Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Elsa was strongly challenged by Flashing Honour, Sumaaq and favourite Nelsons Blood in the final moments of the race but the front-runner managed to prevail by a neck to return very high dividend. Bhawani Singh was astride the winner.

Mansoor Shah trained Super Bolt who had consistently placed in his three runs during the season, got the better of Deccan King to land the spoils in the Willingdon Sports Club Cup, a race for horses in the lowest category. Super Bolt had gone down to Deccan King in his last outing but this time out, had the scales in his favour. Apprentice jockey G A Amit drove out Super Bolt to get the better of Deccan King to guide the fancied runner a decisive win. Ricardus was third.

The well backed Knight`s Quest duly obliged in the 1200 metres Cricket Club of India Trophy (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest category. Samurai shaped to win down the final furlong but Knight`s Quest who picked up great momentum put paid to his hopes but overhauling him with something in reserve. Isinit charged home with a big run but just about lost the runner-up berth by a whisker to Samurai.