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Pesi Shroff-trained Cambridge maintained his winning streak with a narrow win over late-rallying Governor General in the 1400 metres Nirmal Ruia Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Friday`s Mumbai races. Cambridge`s cause was helped thanks to the quick response displayed by jockey Sandesh.
Cambridge was widely reckoned to maintain the winning form but the gap with the contestants had narrowed down. Though Cambridge was not off to a brisk start, the favourite who was in the penultimate position in the early part of the race was steadily improved and was pushed to take over the running immediately on turning for the stretch run. On the other hand, Governor General who led for a while, was eased back and by the time, he was brought into contention in the straight with a blistering run by Trevor Patel, Cambridge had established what turned out to be a winning lead. Governor General closed with a rush but was neck shy at the finish. Mygrator ran on to take the third position.
Imtiaz Sait trained Drogo brought off an upset in the 1800 metres Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Zenon who had failed to live up to classic pretensions was strongly backed to win in this handicap race but he flopped miserably after leading the field into the stretch run and then packing up. Drogo who raced several lengths adrift of Zenon and Zanara who ran in front had moved up briskly approaching the final bend and was within striking reach of these runners by the final furlong. Drogo accelerated tremendously and won comfortably from Zanara while her companion Zenon faded out. Sussex Pride saved place money.
Lesser fancied Fleur De Lys held on gutsily to win the 1600 metres Secret Romeo Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Golden Hind who had run prominently in his last start was the on-money favourite with Fleur De Lys having her share of the supporters. Pradeep Chouhan took Fleur De Lys on a start to finish mission and though she was under strong pressure from the favourite in the straight, the front-runner managed to pull out that bit extra to prevail by a length in the end. Gold Magic nosed out Fanfare to return good dividends on place investment. Waheed trains the winner.
Imtiaz Sait trained Iron Age looked outstanding in the 1000 metres Desert Carnival Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 and it reflected in the short price offered on the success of the three-year-old gelding. Iron Age led from the start and checked in by a widening margin of seven lengths over Fire Wings and Kingston Heath.
Altamash trained La Magnifique who had let down expectations on numerous occasions, finally found the occasion and the poor company for recording a long overdue win in the 1200 meters Su Chaliyo Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Jockey Neeraj Rawal brought La Magnifique into contention with a well-timed run down the final furlong and the four-year-old managed to stave off the strong bid by favourite Bottega Louie by a shade less than a length. Epiphany was third.
Asad Siddique trained Sassy Lass has struck good form after a listless performance in the last one year with the connections ambitiously fancying her chances in big races. Now back in handicap company, she recorded her second straight win beating the opposition with a flourishing run down the final furlong to take the 1400 metres Picasso Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Hudson and Queens Best occupied the next two slots while favourite Dazzling Star was not spotted.
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Fleur De Lys (P S Chouhan up) winner of the Secret Romeo Plate
Cambridge (A Sandesh up) winner of the Nirmal Ruia Trophy
Iron Age (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Desert Carnival Plate
Drogo (P S Chouhan up) winner of the Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy
La Magnifique (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Su Chaliyo Plate
Sassy Lass (K Nazil up) winner of the Picasso Plate
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