Adhirajsingh Jodha trained Golden Era took on a jaded a lot of opponents and had things his way in the 2000 metres M H Ahmedbhoy Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 85, the feature event of Sunday’s Mumbai races. The race named after one of those passionate race-goers who dominated the racing season long ago had just five runners in it and three of them came from the stable which robbed the race of its competitive interest. The day’s proceedings were lacklustre.

After Square Moon set the pace and weakened in the homestretch, Neeraj Rawal drove Golden Era to take charge and the on-money favourite quickly asserted his supremacy to win by a margin of over four lengths over stablemate In It To Win It. The only bonafide challenger in the race Gloriosus has always been a moody customer and was never in the hunt while the pace-setter eventually finished last.

Shiraz Sunderji trained Market King had shown out in his last outing and the one-sided support for him the 1200 Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, a terms race for maiden three-year-olds was on expected lines. The others in the fray simply did not look the part. It came as no surprise that Market King toyed with the opposition and checked in by a widening margin of eight lengths. Isle of Skype was second ahead of Spanish City.

The long wait with Epiphany paid dividends for trainer Nazzak Chenoy as the progeny of Phoenix Tower put her best foot in the 1200 metres M M T Pandole Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. The five-year-old mare seized the initiative in the final furlong to win the race with ease from Barack after more than two years. Epiphany had the field covered with big strides in the stretch and zoomed past the front-running Untitled. Barack came up with a late charge to take the second spot ahead of Red Carnation, Agrami and Highland Lass in a cluster finish. Highland Lass who was the favourite did not get a clear run due to a packed field in front.

Nazzak had a double for the day as the heavily supported Enlightened obliged in the 1000 metres Vijays Pride Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Fancied Exotic Queen had the first run on her opponents and led into the final furlong before being overwhelmed by Enlightened who got stronger at the finish. Julio Cesaro rallied well to edge out Warrior Clan who raced up with the field before weakening to finish fourth. Shiraz Sunderji trained Menilly was a cut above the rest in the lower division of the race and this reflected in the price quoted for her success. Jockey Sandesh had an arm-chair ride to victory on Menilly who spared more than six lengths at the finish to Dashing Image and Falconette.

Imtiaz Sait trained Miss Scarlett finally broke the maiden’s ranks in her 10 attempts when she held off a spirited challenge from Take It Easy in the 1600 metres Mrs Patmore Plate, a race for horses rated 4 to 30. Sandesh drove out Miss Scarlett to grab the lead in the final furlong and his perseverance ensured and he did not Take It Easy. Sachertorte was third.

Adhirajsingh Jodha had a double for the day when the fancied Thunderclap assumed command in the final furlong of the 1200 metres Siachen Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 and sped away for an easy win over Oui Sauvage and Elysia. C S Jodha was astride the winner.