Pesi Shroff trained Cambridge made it five-for-five while recording a brilliant win in the Gr 3 A C Ardeshir Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races. The progeny of Burden of Proof displayed an amazing turn of foot inside the final 300 metres to leave his opponents stranded and easily won the race from the late-rallying Caprisca and New England.

New England appeared to be well placed in scales but the problem with the five-year-old gelding is that he always produces an encouraging effort but falls short of winning. New England began as favourite but close to race time, the support for Cambridge firmed up and he ended up as a favourite to extend his winning streak. Caprisca was in the betting even though the mile-long trip was sharp considering his exploits in the past.

Captain Courage set a fast pace followed by B Fifty-Two and New England who raced up with the front bunch this time while Sandesh eased Cambridge in the fourth or fifth position. Rounding the final turn, Captain Courage weakened, and, in a flash, Cambridge moved from behind and went sailing clear even as B Fifty Two and New England were in the process of changing gear. Cambridge immediately established a winning lead and even though Caprisca came up with a late bid, the favourite was under no threat. New England stayed on to take the third position ahead of pace-maker Captain Courage.

Hoshidar Daji trained New Crystal who was making his debut in the 1200 metres Hall of Famer Trophy, a race for two-year-olds appeared to be well prepared to have a decisive say. New Crystal was supported with conviction and the progeny of Western Aristocrat did not disappoint. Royal Crystal assumed command inside the final furlong and stretched away to win by a widening margin of seven lengths over Dandi March and Astounding Bay who lost good ground at the start.

Karthik Ganapathy trained Grand Accord who had a fair Pune season, produced an upset win in the 1600 metres Sardar H S Brar Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Sandesh took Brainstorm on a start to finish mission and the favourite enjoyed an uncontested lead in front. Brainstorm appeared to be on course as he led by lengths into the final furlong. The complexion of the race changed once Grand Accord began to move up from behind with brisk strides and came into strong contention. Brainstorm held the initiative till the closing strides of the race, but Grand Accord managed to head the favourite at the wire. Forest Fairy showed intent but failed to produce that bit extra and had to settle for the third slot.

Karthik`s another ward My Precious also put paid to the hopes of on-money favourite Kingsman in the 1400 metres Aristos Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The long shot My Precious held sway in the stretch and though Kingsman covered ground with menacing strides, the favourite fell short by a neck. Adonijah failed to make much impression when settling for the third position.

Visiting jockey Robert Downey recorded his first win in India when the Imtiaz Sait trainee Gloriosus swamped the opposition in the 2000 metres Master Shifu Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. After Othello led the field into the straight and weakened, Bold March surged ahead. Gloriosus who was travelling handy was set alight by Downey and the progeny of China Visit collared the front-runner with a minimum of fuss and went away for an effortless win by a margin of over five lengths. Lucky Luciano edged out favourite Star Bright to get the runner-up berth.

Karthik lost saddling the third winner of the day as Majestical went down fighting to the fancied Dusky Siren in the 1200 meters Astana Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 4 to 30. From a handy third position at the final bend, Majestical in the hands of raw apprentice A Prakash shot ahead. Although strongly challenged by Dusky Siren, Majestical battled on resolutely with the apprentice not giving up. The battle lasted all the way in the final furlong with Dusky Siren, under a vigorous ride by T S Jodha who had the aid of the whip, managed to get the verdict by a whisker. Andalucía was third four lengths adrift. The lower division of the race was won by lesser fancied Bourbon Princess who held off a strong challenge from favourite She Is A Spy to win by a neck. Faberge was a close third.

Antia trained Romantic Warrior brought off a big upset in the 1000 metres Kanthara Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Fancied Locarno led deep into the straight but closer home, Romantic Warrior produced a strong effort in the hands of apprentice M Ayyar and overhauled the front-runner. Philadelphia finished with a rush to edge out Locarno from the runner-up berth. Favourite Furious N Fast was never in the hunt.

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Romantic Warrior (M Ayyar up) winner of the Kanthara Plate

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Gloriosus (Robbie Downey up) winner of the Master Shifu Plate

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Bourbon Princess (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Astana Plate (Div-II)

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My Precious (Vishal N Bunde up) winner of the Aristos Plate

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Grand Accord (A Imran Khan up) winner of the Sardar H S Brar Memorial Trophy

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Royal Crystal (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Hall Of Famer Trophy

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Cambridge (A Sandesh up) winner of the Dashmesh Stud A C Ardeshir Trophy (Gr.3)

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Dusky Siren (T S Jodha up) winner of the Astana Plate (Div-I)

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