The morning after the Indian Derby, the Mumbai card felt flat and workmanlike. With the stars absent and the buzz gone, the day’s racing unfolded without much sparkle and only modest drama.

Pradeep Chouhan trained Ultimo won the 1400 metres Mathradas Goculdas Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, by the narrowest of margins. Strongly backed, Ultimo used the weight advantage against seasoned rivals and scraped home by a whisker. Market King and Irish Gold threw in strong challenges in the closing stages. Irish Gold drifted out, Market King shifted in and Ultimo moved out, leading to some crowding in the final furlong. Trevor objected after being squeezed out in the finish, but the stewards took their time and allowed the result to stand.

Golden Dancer, after sightseeing tours in terms races without success, discovered that handicaps are more welcoming places. Dropped into the 2000 metres Sonny Brar Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, he treated the opposition with clinical precision. Exuma did the early donkey work, Endurance tried to make it a contest, but Golden Dancer brushed past with the air of someone who had much zest. The favourite won with ease while others chased shadows and excuses. Kimiko’s sluggish start ensured her chances were filed under “never opened.”

The Nadir and Yawar Rashid Trophy saw Bishop finally deliver after being previously mugged by a stablemate’s late theatrics. This time he took charge early in the straight and stayed there, which is often a useful tactic. Amazing Ruler tried hard but found only one gear too late. Rambler arrived after the party for third, while Seneca threatened briefly before switching to energy saving mode. Amyn Merchant rode with determination and nearly added one of his occasional winners to the collection.

Silver Strike landed the R M and Sukmani Goculdas Million as expected, which was a relief to those who like their favourites to behave responsibly. However, the more strongly backed Starseed repeated his favourite hobby of arriving late and running out of real estate. Lord And Master led them in, Silver Strike took over, and that was that. Interceptor and Starseed finished with a rush that suggested they had just discovered the race had started earlier.

Aman Altaf Hussain trained Storm Majesty woke up dramatically in the maiden race, improving from invisible to victorious. Paloma led bravely but was mugged late. Organised Chaos ran on, living up to the name by keeping punters unsure till the end. Ace In The Field, heavily supported, produced a performance best described as abstract art.

Merchant of Venice overhauled Marius in the Nawabzada Rashiduzzafar Khan Trophy right at the wire, turning a pillar to post effort into a near miss. Bravo Zulu attracted confident money, showed brief promise, then folded without a fight.

The concluding event, the S A Wadid Plate over 1000 metres, produced the tightest finish of the afternoon. Strongly backed Ar First Star never entered the argument. Viennoise secured a smooth rail run and kicked clear in the final furlong, only to be collared late by Sentinel, who threaded through the field and got up on the post. The judge took his time before declaring Sentinel the winner by a nose. Samson held on for third ahead of the fast-finishing Precioso.