Sunday`s Mumbai racing was pedestrian, while punters, armed with confidence and empty optimism, repeatedly managed to pick everything except the winner in most races. The feature, the 2000 metres Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy, was less a contest and more a courtesy call. Pesi Shroff`s King Ke, who had earlier lost his way behind a stablemate, found redemption in what can only be termed a public workout with betting.

Taking on two rivals, whose primary ambition seemed to be collecting appearance money, King Ke was handed a gift-wrapped opportunity complete with a ribbon. Alpine Star showed early enthusiasm, before apprentice Siddharth nudged King Ke forward at the top of the straight. That was the end of the drama. King Ke swept past with embarrassing ease and widened away to score by five lengths from Kimiko, leaving Alpine Star marooned in a distant third and the audience wondering why the race was rated at all.

The 2000 metres Aslam Kader Salver promised more intrigue but delivered the usual sucker punch. Dedication, trained by Shazaan Shah and backed with the optimism of those who selectively remember only favourable form lines, folded the moment pressure arrived at the top of the straight. Enter Ekatarina from Imtiaz Sait`s yard, ignored in the betting ring like an uninvited guest. With Neeraj Rawal timing the run perfectly, the filly stormed down the final furlong to land the spoils at long odds from fellow outsiders Allez L`Etoile and Little John. Diego Garcia was fancied and then forgotten. Ekatarina, meanwhile, clearly relished the extended trip, covering ground with the enthusiasm of a horse wondering why she was ignored in the first place.

The 1400 metres Behram A Engineer Salver continued the theme of favourites testing the patience of their supporters. The well-backed Tyrannus ran like a damp squib, while Bahram Cama`s Axlrod, loitering at the rear like he had nowhere urgent to be, found a dream run along the rails. Money Fair appeared to have the race in safe keeping until he decided to veer out. Drifting wide and finally to the outer rail, he generously donated victory to Axlrod, who snatched it by a neck. This was less about brilliance and more about being the last horse standing after chaos. All For Love finished on for third, Star Impact was also thereabouts, and Tyrannus, despite being well placed, failed to locate the mythical extra gear.

Trevor Patel made partial amends in the 1200 metres White Metal Trophy (Div I), guiding Ariyana Star to a thrilling neck victory in a five-horse skirmish. Chelsea led, Escape Velocity chased, and both politely stopped when it mattered. Ariyana Star came swooping down the outside with a powerful run to deny long shot Marcus, who produced a flashy finish for second. Escape Velocity salvaged place money ahead of Alexandria and Chelsea. In the lower division, the betting spotlight shone brightly on Spotlight, which usually signals trouble. Aman Altaf Hussain`s Manor House, dropping in class and ignoring market scripts, made all under jockey Prasad. Despite wandering about in the final furlong like a horse sightseeing, Manor House still won by five lengths from Spotlight, with Mila third.

Pesi Shroff`s Margaretta showed marked improvement in the 1200 metres Keem Singh Salver for maiden three-year-olds. Mystica led with confidence but ran out of ideas late, allowing Margaretta to pounce and draw clear with authority. Paloma finished on encouragingly for third.

Malesh Narredu`s Enforcer, unlucky previously, made amends in the 1000 metres F K Vakil Salver. Blessed with a better draw, Enforcer went straight to the front and stayed there, winning comfortably under Yash Narredu. House of Lords was second, while Akitania once again underwhelmed, finishing third and leaving supporters searching for explanations.

The finale, the 1200 metres R R Komandur Plate, featured a betting ring in mild hysteria. Whisper was backed, Ekla Chalo was smashed in the market, and Agatha was quietly allowed to go about her business. Apprentice Omkar seized the initiative, sending Agatha on a start-to-finish mission that paid handsomely. Ekla Chalo chased hard but could not reel her in. Jetfire held off Whisper, who discovered speed far too late after spending most of the race contemplating the scenery.