Narendra Lagad`s horses are known to win when the betting ring planets align, not in neat, predictable streaks. But Western Star threw the rulebook out of the window and galloped to a fourth straight victory in the Director General of Police Trophy, leaving even the DGP wondering if he should investigate. With hot favourite Stormy Sea dissolving into a mild drizzle, punters watched their “safe bets” vanish faster than racing-ring logic.

Narendra Lagad is famously not the kind of trainer who believes in back-to-back wins. His horses usually strike only when the celestial bodies of the betting ring line up in perfect alignment. He doesn`t possess blue-blooded champions, but he does have the enviable patience of a saint waiting for that “right-money-right-moment” miracle.

But Western Star clearly didn`t read the Lagad Manual. Western Star turned rogue picking his fourth straight win in the 1400 metres Director General of Police Trophy for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races, making even the DGP wonder if this was legal.

Classic hopeful Stormy Sea, trained by M K Jadhav and backed as if he had already won, decided to relive his name by dissolving into thin air. Western Star and Fourth Wing floated around in the betting, but it was Mustakim Alam who turned into a traffic policeman, taking Western Star on a start-to-finish mission. The horse drifted out like he was sightseeing, but still had enough in the tank to dismiss the field with comfort.

Stormy Sea, stuck somewhere mid-ocean, didn`t pick up speed and instead vanished from the frame altogether. Opus Dei and Singer Sergent, who started by generously donating ground to the rest, came storming late for the minor slots, while Fourth Wing took the last place on the frame. Stormy Sea, who once ran a blinder in the Colts Championship Stakes at Bangalore, turned up this time like he had forgotten his own résumé. He drowned all expectations and punters` wallets with this uninspired run.

The ante-post markets were brimming with confidence that favourites would rule the roost. A few races later, punters realised the “roost” was owned by someone else entirely.

Behram Cama`s Scaramouche, who had a decent Pune season, made the Campbell Trophy (1200m, 40–66) look like a rehearsal. Sandesh parked him at the rear while Azure, Timeless Fortune and Breakpoint argued over who should set the pace. Densetsu, believed to have a great chance, showed all the enthusiasm of a retired horse.

Sandesh slipped through the rails, and Scaramouche shot ahead with the authority of someone cutting a queue. Azure and Timeless Fortune followed politely.

Pesi Shroff`s Surrealist, with Trevor Patel aboard was expected to dominate the 1000m D J Surti Salver (20–46). He travelled beautifully into the straight, prompting punters to start counting their profits only to disappear by the final furlong.

Akitania attempted a bold breakout but ran out of oxygen in the last 100 metres. Heaven`s Rhythm, in Yash Narredu`s hands, came flying to collar the leader, with Rafael producing a cameo. Heaven`s Rhythm was a long-shot winner and trainer Malesh Narredu, fresh from a Pune season that he`d like to never speak of again, finally smiled with a double for the day.

Adhirajsingh Jodha`s Baychimo, usually known for his unpredictable vibes, was on his best behaviour in the R R Byramji Salver (1600m, 40–66). Sandesh had nothing to complain about. Baychimo sat fourth behind Tyrannus, Rosario and Dedication before disposing of them with professional ease. Rosario and Dedication hung on for the minors, Bugatti arriving too late to matter.

Vegatha, at cheerful long odds, stole the Gentleman`s Trophy (1400m, 20–46). Favourite Diego Garcia folded faster than a beach umbrella in a storm. Vegatha cruised past the field at the bend and kicked away like he had somewhere urgent to be. Exciting finished with a flourish but missed second by a neck.

Malesh Narredu`s second for the day arrived via Enforce in the Captain G Hall Trophy (1200m, 20–46). Previously hopeless, the horse was suddenly ready for battle. Yash Narredu led from the front and held off a strong, determined Charlie Brown. Santana Row beat the well-backed Lucio for third, proving once again that life isn`t fair.

Waheed`s Exotic Star, fresh from a Pune win, barely kept her form alive in the V R Menon Plate (1600m, lowest class). Marlboro Man led, puffed and puffed, and eventually weakened. Exotic Star chased and Pranil had to ride as if his salary depended on it, getting up in the final strides. Marlboro Man fought off Dianne for second.