The Mumbai season signed off on Monday with all the predictability of a well-rehearsed play, headlined yet again by the towering presence of Pesi Shroff. His dominance has become so routine that it barely qualifies as news anymore. Jockey Trevor Patel claimed the riding honours, though Yash Narredu kept him honest till the final furlong of the championship race. Sandesh, usually the ringmaster, watched from the sidelines, a suspension at the worst possible time clipping his wings.

For a season that tiptoed around the looming threat of glanders, racing unfolded without disruption, a credit to the stewardship of the RWITC brass. Ram Shroff and Surendra Sanas ensured the wheels kept turning smoothly, reinforcing Mumbai’s reputation as racing’s safest harbour. Not everything behind the curtains sparkled, but mercifully, the sport stayed centre stage. Still, the club’s telecast and webcast feel like relics from another era, and in a sport driven by thrill, poor visuals are like serving champagne in a cracked glass.

On the track, the familiar chaos of large yards played out once more, where second strings often spring the surprise while the favourites flatter to deceive. In the Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Salver, Ardakan, after a season of anonymity, chose the final act to rediscover ambition. Earth had it comfortable turning for home and even at the furlong pole looked set to justify support, but Ardakan began to unwind with purpose, ranging alongside before asserting in the last 100 metres. Your Unforgettable came charging late down the outside, making up ground with every stride but falling short of even the runner-up berth in a blanket finish that had punters recalculating in disbelief.

Shroff’s embarrassment of riches among the three-year-olds was again on display. Shaandaar, bred to carry expectation as lightly as air, was settled off the pace early while a couple of rivals ensured an honest gallop. Vivek G began to nudge him along approaching the bend, and once into the straight, Shaandaar lengthened rather than quickened, a sign of class. By the final furlong he had the race in safe custody, striding clear with authority. Golden Eye kept on gamely without threatening, while Incredible Luck, slow into stride, was always playing catch-up and could do no better than a one-paced third.

Dreams Come True lived up to the billing in the Blue Pencil Plate with a performance that was equal parts dominance and disdain for opposition. Breaking well, Sandesh allowed him to settle just off the leaders before pressing the accelerator passing the 400 metres. The response was immediate. He shot to the front and in a matter of strides turned the race into a procession, widening the gap with every bound. Sporting Alice plugged on for second, while Absolute Emperor stayed on without ever looking like troubling the winner. Queen Caroline’s race ended almost as soon as it began, a troubled start leaving her detached and never in contention.

American Eagle turned promise into punctuation in the Busy Lizzie Plate, producing a start-to-finish exhibition that bordered on ruthless efficiency. Quickest out of the gates, he was allowed to bowl along in his comfort zone by Yash Narredu, dictating fractions that kept the field stretched. Turning for home, there was already daylight between him and the rest, and what followed was a demolition. He lengthened effortlessly, clocking a new course record while winning eased up, leaving Rafael and Ensky to battle for minor honours in a race that was over long before the winning post.

Youremanorborne, heavily penalised but even more heavily backed, delivered with authority in the Western India Race Horse Owners’ Association event. Settled along the rails, he travelled sweetly behind the pace while Looking Like A Wow called the shots upfront. The decisive moment came in the straight when a narrow gap opened on the inside. Prashant Dhebe needed no second invitation, sending his mount through the opening. Once in daylight, Youremanorborne quickened decisively, putting the race to bed within a few strides and then stretching away to a convincing margin. Caccini ran on to be second, while Wings of Glory wore down the long-time leader for third.

The opener saw Maratha Admiral adopt aggressive tactics, seizing the initiative from the start and ensuring a solid tempo. He travelled strongly into the straight and when challenged briefly by Mighty Hero, found another gear, kicking clear to seal the issue with authority. Mighty Hero stayed on for second without ever looking like getting to the winner, while Abhyankar ran an even race to finish third.

As has so often been the case, the curtain closer went the favourite’s way, though not without drama. Neutralist looked in control for most of the straight, travelling well within himself before being asked to go. He responded gamely and kicked on, but just when his supporters began to relax, Charlie Brown came flying down the outside with a withering late run. The winning post arrived just in time for Neutralist, who held on by the proverbial whisker, leaving hearts in mouths and tickets clutched a little tighter. Densetsu, at long odds, edged out Matisse for the minor placing, rounding off a finish that had just enough sting to keep the faithful awake till the very end.