Dallas Todywalla trained Ahead of My Time brought off a big surprise in the hands of jockey Sandesh to win the Gr 1 Betway Indian 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season on Sunday. There was no doubting the class of Ahead of My Time but the only question mark was his ability to get the mile-long trip against horses which had greater accomplishments to their name. In the event, Sandesh who excelled in the saddle, booting home four winners on his first day after being back in the action after a suspension for a whip-related offence, got everything right, as Ahead of My Time came from last to first in tremendous fashion for an easy win against the run of expectations.

Bangalore Derby winner Supernatural was the favourite though his trainer Pesi Shroff kept stating that the mile-long trip could be too sharp for him. Supernatural had also suffered an unexpected defeat in the hands of Son of A Gun over seven furlongs last time out but was expected to make amends over the extended trip. Ahead of My Time had won well last time out in modest company, after being settled well off the pace. The same tactic was adopted this time out successfully and Ahead of My Time went on to accomplish what his celebrated full sister Ruffina could not, that is win a classic over a mile. Supernatural had all the chances but could not quicken enough and had to struggle to stave off Mojito to keep the runner-up berth. Bangalore challenger Ravishing Form was expected to spice things up but the luck of the race did not go in his favour as he got pocketed at a crucial stage of the race and by the time, he was pulled wide and given a clear run in the final furlong, the cause had been lost. Ravishing Form ran on to take the fourth position but with better luck could have gone close though on this day, Ahead of My Time was clearly superior.

Son Of A Gun bolted to the front as is his wont but he could not breathe easy as Phenom who was used as a spoiler for the front-runner was pushed to hustle the front-runner. Son Of A Gun went too fast in front for his own good to last out in this company. Coeur De Lion was in the third position about 10 lengths adrift ahead of Fortunate Son, Supernatural Mojito, Ravishing Form while Ahead of My Time was detached last, three lengths behind the penultimate runner.

Son Of A Gun held forte till halfway in the stretch. Sandesh brought Ahead of My Time with an untroubled, ground-saving run along the rails. Ahead of My Time picked up speed remarkably and by the final furlong, fired forward even as Supernatural was being put in top gear. Ahead of My Time was travelling so well that he was hailed a winner a long way from home. Supernatural struggled hard to stave off the late rallying Mojito. Ravishing Form covered some ground to be fourth.

Dallas Todywalla trained Successor had no problem in completing a hat-trick when easily accounting for the opposition in the 1400 metres Mulraj Goculdas Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. Though many of the runners whom he had beaten in the previous outing were better placed in scales, punters put their faith in Successor to maintain his winning streak. This time out, Successor won even more handsomely. Sandesh had Successor leading from the start and the progeny of Leitir Mor maintained a healthy lead and then skipped clear in the final furlong for a facile win over last start winner Count of Savoy and Augustus Caesar. Flying Visit ran way below expectations finishing down the field. It was later reported that Flying Visit had bled during the race which explains the reason for his miserable performance. Taimur who was sluggish at the start never recovered from the poor start and stayed glued to the last position.

There was a topsy-turvy result in the 2000 metres Nawabzada Rashiduzzafar Khan Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, with the on money favourite Wall Street dropping its jockey Suraj Narredu midway through the race. Long shot Easy Rider gained momentum in the dying moments of the race to beat long-priced Flaming Lamborgini who led all the way but slackened close to home. However, Flaming Lamborgini managed to stave off stablemate Rasputin to keep the second position. Regal Command and Wordsmith were slow in their stride.

Midway through the race, Wall Street who was racing keen was cramped for space as the pace slowed down and the horses were bunched too close for comfort. Wall Street clipped one of the horses in front and Suraj Narredu was unseated. Flaming Lamborgini led the field deep into the straight before Easy Rider loomed large. Jockey Zervan pulled Easy Rider on the outside of the pace-setter and the progeny of Quasar managed to go ahead in the shadow of the post to pull off a big surprise. Second favourite Wordsmith who raced keenly after a sluggish beginning quickly improved and was in striking position at the final bend but found no extra gear and finished in the ruck. There was a Stewards enquiry into the race but there was no change in the placings. Suraj Narredu informed the Stewards the pace was too slow and his horse ended up clipping one of the horses in the front. He added that he was fit to ride the remaining races of the day.

Altaf Hussain tried Kings Best who had twice disappointed, was backed with great conviction this time out in the 1600 metres Gulamhusein Essaji Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Kings Best led the field from the start, and had a commanding lead all through the race. Jockey Sandesh was not required to be vigorous as King Best swept the others off their feet in the straight to eventually win by a widening margin of seven lengths. Galway Bay gave a chase in vain. Mad Love ran on to finish third. Lesser fancied Jet Typhoon from the stables of trainer Hoshidar Daji was ridden out for an easy win in the 1000 metres Cole Gold Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 30. Antia trained Reciprocity was the favourite but like all horses of this trainer, his horses always go on a start to finish and pack up approaching the final furlong or if they are on their best behaviour and ready to win, kick on to win. In this instance, Reciprocity led the field into the final furlong and weakened. Amyn Merchant pushed Jet Typhoon to take charge. The lesser fancied runner went sailing clear for an easy win. C`est L`Amour rallied along the rails to take the second spot ahead of Power of Neath who held off Victoria Peak for the third place. Victoria Peak reportedly came back bleeding.

These days it is difficult to make out when Antia horses are backed in the ring, one is not sure whether the trainer is selling a dummy or the horse is genuinely fancied. Hagibis was backed down from a higher quote in the 1200 metres Faiz Jasdanwalla Trophy (Div II), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The fact that Hagibis had the racing form, and held the price despite Champagne Smile coming in for solid support, gave hopes for the punters that Hagibis may after all be in serious business. Champagne Smile led the field from the innermost draw and held sway till the final furlong. Hagibis who was in the chase easily overhauled the front-runner in the hands of jockey S S Amit and then spurted beyond the reach of the rest to win the race by a widening margin of six lengths over Champagne Smile. Slotting the third place another four plus lengths behind was Arbitrage. The upper division of the race went the way of Imtiaz Sait trained Milli who led all the way and had no problem in checking well ahead of late rallying Scaramanga who found foot after the cause had been lost. Sandesh guided the winner. Favourite Montgomery once again disappointed finishing third.

The well-backed Jubilant Journey from the stables of trainer Imtiaz Sait produced a good effort in the final furlong to easily overhaul the front-running Willy Wonkaa to win the 2000 metres Wild Eagle Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest class. Sandesh who was bidding for his fifth winner, had Willy Wonkaa take charge soon after turning for home but the four-year gelding was easily sorted out by the eventual winner. Ajinkya rode a confident race on the winner. Verdandi ran from way behind to finish third. Favourite Eleos once against disappointed, the slapping of blinkers making no material difference to her performance.