Dallas Todywalla`s Social Butterfly clearly believes Mumbai is home and Pune was merely an extended networking event gone wrong. After fluttering about aimlessly at Pune, she returned to the Mahalakshmi Racecourse like a socialite reclaiming her corner table. A stiff penalty for her 1000 Guineas placing did not deter her in the least. In the 1200 metres Corfe Castle Trophy for horses rated 80 and above, she treated the opposition as background décor, bowling along from start to finish under Neeraj Rawal and winning without so much as disturbing her mane for her second straight win on Sunday.

This was her third win of the season, and for good measure she reminded everyone she had already pocketed two in the previous Mumbai term. The seasoned veterans chased her shadow. The only real race was for second, where Fontana edged out the ever-game Market King. Credence began as though the alarm had failed to ring and plodded through the day, finishing just ahead of Son Of A Gun, who appears committed to a weight reduction programme via the handicapper`s scale.

If the paddock gossip had centred on Kings Gambit for the 1600 metres Kumar R Dalal Gold Trophy, the betting ring had other ideas. The money drifted toward last start hero Zafferano, while Kings Gambit hovered at tempting odds. Trevor Patel, currently navigating what can only be described as a confidence drought since that much discussed Fynbos episode, saw Zafferano extinguish hope at the gates with a sluggish start and a performance that suggested deep philosophical detachment from competitive sport. He finished fourth, leaving supporters shocked out of their wits. Lesser-fancied Break Point nearly stole the narrative, but Yash Narredu timed Kings Gambit`s run to perfection, collaring the leader in the dying strides. Opus Dei filled the third slot with quiet efficiency.

The 2400 metres Mystical Trophy was billed as a Diego Garcia versus Caccini duel, and the betting confirmed it. Both were equally fancied, both waited in the rear, both were nudged into action. Suraj Narredu asked Diego Garcia serious questions. David Allan posed even sterner ones to Caccini. Diego Garcia promised much and delivered modestly. Caccini, meanwhile, extended with authority and won comfortably. Alezz L`etoile kept on for third, while Chicago Chimes discovered that front running over staying trips can be an expensive hobby.

David Allan was back in the winner`s enclosure aboard Algonquin in the Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Trophy. The Dallas Todywalla trainee slipped through the rails, brushed aside Cornerstone early in the straight and bounded clear. Looking Like A Wow arrived late, full of enthusiasm and short of time. Trevor Patel once again found himself on the runner-up, collecting silver with the consistency of a mint. Giant Gold nosed out Lickety Split for third.

Pinnacle, trained by Malesh Narredu, was backed as though defeat had been outlawed in the Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Trophy for maiden three-year-olds. Enter Minari, the long shot from Imtiaz Sait`s yard, who apparently did not receive the script. Neeraj Rawal sent Minari to the front and drove him out relentlessly, clinging on as Pinnacle loomed large. The favourite had to settle for second while Organised Chaos headed Bravion for third, which felt poetically appropriate.

Vegatha, trained by Pradeep Chouhan, dropped back to six furlongs in the Florrie And Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy after a suggestive run in the 1000 Guineas and found that brevity suits her. Ajinkya delivered a sweeping wide run that rendered the field ornamental. Storm Cloud battled on to edge Manor Out for second. Challenge Accepted, the favourite, declined the invitation entirely.

Finally, in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy over 1400 metres, strong favourite Ministry of Time was entrusted to Trevor Patel. The clock, however, did not cooperate. Machiavellian dictated terms up front, shrugged off Ministry of Time and just survived Ma Cherie`s late surge. Mighty Hero was third, while Ministry of Time added another entry to the expanding ledger of well-backed runners who have discovered that favouritism is a compliment, not a guarantee.