M K Jadhav trained Mountbatten appreciated the step up in distance when he came from the rear of the field to overhaul all the front runners in the straight to record an emphatic win in the 2000 metres Moonlight Romance Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday’s races. Falcon had all the chances but lacked that extra gear and he flattered to deceive all over again.

Falcon who had gone down narrowly to owner mate Negotiator was widely expected to bounce back to winning form but the four year old gelding once again let down huge expectations though he had all the chances in the race. Spirit of Mercy moved up swiftly soon after the start to take charge of the proceedings. Caesars Star raced second followed by Negotiator, Falcon, Mountbatten and Rodeo. Sandesh was content to put Mountbatten to sleep in the penultimate position and he drove out the horse only in the final 300 metres to get the desired result.

Spirit of Mercy, Caesars Star and Falcon were engaged in a battle of supremacy with the three runners racing in a line and not conceding an inch to each other even going into the final furlong. Just when it looked as though the battle would be confined to these three came Mountbatten from the rear with a powerful surge which took him past the battling trio. Mountbatten went away to spare a length at the finish to Spirit of Mercy who wrested the runner up berth back from Falcon and Caesars in a tight finish. Rodeo too gained places on the wide outside and was a close fourth.

Altaf Hussain trained Wild Waves had the best credentials to win the 1200 metres Track Charm Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 by virtue of his consistency during the season which had seen the four year old record back to back wins. Wild Waves found himself outpaced in the early part and seemed to have lost the plot when Ice Age surged into a decisive lead in the final furlong. However, Ice Age slowed down perceptibly in the final stages of the race and apprentice jockey S G Prasad was able to induce a vigorous effort from the favourite and managed to collar the front runner close home. Pepe Senior displaced Song of Sparrow for the third place. Wild Waves surely needs little more ground now that he has moved up in scales.

Pesi Shroff trained Belvedere had recorded an impressive win last time out and she was once again backed enthusiastically to record an encore in the 1800 metres Allforfun Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Highlander who recorded a runaway win last time out ended up as the firm favourite. Jockey Trevor Patel had Belvedere in front soon after jump out and raced all alone in front, a few lengths adrift of the rest. The manner in which Belvedere opened up a big lead in the straight it looked as though the daughter of Epsom Derby winner Authorized had succeeded in her catch me if you can tactics. However, the consistent One Wish was there to spoil the party as the five year old son of China Visit came home with a big rush to measure the front runner in the closing moments of the race. Highlander too finished strongly to be close third. Belvedere appeared to be hopelessly one paced.

The 1400 metres Tristar Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46, produced an exciting finish, with the bobbing of heads going in favour of long shot from trainer Antia’s ward Golden Queen. Vanguard stole a march in the final furlong and shaped to win but a strong finishing effort from jockey C S Jodha on the long shot saw Golden Queen get the nod in the final stride of the race. Favourite Tempest lacked early speed and took her own time to warm up in the straight but nevertheless finished a close third. There was a quiet touch on Imtiaz Sait trained Targetmaster who produced a sparkling acceleration in the final furlong to win the lower division of the race at nourishing odds from Saturday Affair and late rallying Copperglow. Alectar who came in for spirited support and Dior were not sighted at the busy end.

Zadmal Singh trained Providence came in for big support close to race time to end up as a strongly fancied runner just behind Stiletto in the 1200 metres Rustomji Byramji Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 for horses which had not won during the season. Providence covered plenty of ground in the straight on the wide outside, came into strong prominence inside the distance past and went sailing clear of Grand Duke to record an easy win. Ice Gate showed out when finishing a noteworthy third.

Nirad Karanjawalla trained Sindbaad brooked no opposition in the 1600 metres Stone Ridge Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class, with aggressive front running effort which saw the four year old finished well clear of Ibis who came in for unprecedented support to end up as the favourite. The rest of the runners were sighted long after the first two placed horses had crossed the post.