As usual Pesi Shroff had some of the best horses from his yard out on the race-track on the Indian Oaks day. The two sprinters Amadeus and Martinique were found wanting as also debutant Set Ablaze, all his wards lived up to the expectations of their master. Storm Tracker, another debutant sent out by Pesi, won despite drifting out alarming in the straight. However, he lost the race to M. A. M. Ramaswamy owned and Karthik Ganapathy trained Maple Tree (Mull of Kintyre – Sonic Symphony) who also veered out under pressure but got the race after her rider Imran Chisty lodged a successful objection against Anthony Crastus atop the winner. The close verdict in fact went in favour of Maple Tree after Storm Tracker bumped her slightly when going across the track. Tachyon had his chance when both Storm Tracker and Maple Tree went wide but his opponents moved a bit faster for his comfort.

After Smashing got him the Indian Oaks, Martinique made her appearance after her Kolkata campaign. The filly however was a bit rusty and she was outpaced by Silk Cut and Aliyana. Hormuz Antia’s four runners took turns in leading the field with Super Hero being the first one to show out. Albuurz tried to assert his authority when Super Hero began to fade out. But Bezan Chenoy schooled filly Silk Cut (Diffident – Sensuality) powered her way through an opening between these two horses and Dashrath Singh then steered her to go beyond the reach of both Aliyana and Martinique.

Sorrento (Diamond Green – Sonatina) graduated from the maiden ranks in the third appearance of his career and owes his success to the forceful riding of Stephane Pasquier. The bay gelding was headed by Akshay ridden Star Goddess soon after the field had straightened for home. But Stephane was not the one to accept defeat easily. He got Sorrento, the joint property of Byram N. Jeejeebhoy and Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy, to give a second run and wrest the lead once again. Purple Patch and Augustus followed them home. This was some enthusiastic support for Rehanullah Khan saddled This Ones For You who remained in the hunt till turning for home and retired failing to outwit Sorrento.

Mansingh Jadhav trained Hachiko (Noverre – Indira) proved that his debut victory was no fluke. The property of Vijay Shirke family lay unconcerned in the rear as Sharaarat shot into the lead from the gates. B. Prakash made his move only when the heads turned for home and bay gelding unleashed a tremendous turn of foot to overwhelm Sharaarat. Wings of Glory raced on the bit as the field reached opposite the grand stands but he gave no response when David Allan asked him for an effort. He ran third ahead of Ice Empire. Set Ablaze ran in the rear and made no meaningful move till the end. She will however benefit from this educative run.

Berlusconi (Ikhtiyar – Highland Ghillie) from Shyam Habbu’s yard gave a solid performance over the mile trip to win the prestigious Rajpipla Trophy. Stephane Pasquier rode him off the pace as Dear Henry tried start to finish tactics. The five-year-old gelding came with giant strides even as favourite Su Chaliyo, Harlamoff and Star Alliance attempted to gain the upper hand over Dear Henry. But all were left licking their wounds as Berlusconi breezed past them for a convincing win. Dear Henry held on to the second spot while Su Chaliyo ended a tame third ahead of Harlamoff.

Dallas Todywalla nursed Class Apart (Burden of Proof – Royal Deeds) avenged her defeat at the hands of Amadeus in the P. D. Avasia Trophy. The filly was clearly superior on the weight difference and she ran true to form in the hands of Anthony Crastus. Amadeus cornered the runaway leader Star of Venus in the straight but had no answer to the onslaught on Class Apart. Pure Elation who joined the issue late denied Amadeus the second berth with the other runners finishing faraway.

Hills and Heights from the Wadhawan camp landed a quiet touch for her connections and the lucrative price she was offered at was only because she was entrusted to I. Pasha. Making a late debut, the Vinayak trained Hills and Heights followed leader Fortuner into the straight and went on to win as she liked when Pasha released his grip on the reins. The filly returned the most comfortable winner of the day almost a distance ahead of favourite Sterling Silver who had long time leader Fortuner following her home.

Young Adhirajsingh Jodha led in top-weighted Fairy Empress (Hymn – Skipperess) after C. S. Jodha brought the filly with a dazzling run to join the issue with favourite Last Tango, who was being hailed as a winner after taking over the running from Tomorrows Dreams. Guernica arrived on the scene quite late to make an impact to the result and ended third ahead of Daredevil.

Earlier in the day, Antia trained Pharaoh (Royal Gladiator – Aerobica) caused a flutter when apprentice Akshay snatched the lead in the last furlong and sailed away for a comfortable win over Daughter of Destiny. The runner-up was followed closely by Double Diamond, Atlantic Star and Ashwa Yodhaa.