Defying the handicapper for the second time this season, Clinton (Razeen – Veena`s Pet) from Shyam Habbu`s yard humiliated favourite Lake Paradise yet again. Significantly, this was the six-year-old joint property of Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke and the Il Zoras Cinque Racing Syndicate`s third win this season and overall fifth in the eight out of his brief career. The Usha Stud bred Clinton gave a glimpse of his versatility by taking the shortened trip into his stride. He had earlier won over a mile, then a mile-and-quarter and now seven furlongs! On this occasion he gave a whopping 10kgs and a beating to the C. D. Katrak saddled favourite, who races in the famed colours of Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan headed Wadhawan Bloodstock Pvt. Ltd.

Illustrious led all the way from the gates while Clinton and Lake Paradise raced in the rear. The leader`s authority was not disputed till the last furlong where Dictator seemed to be getting strong. Zervan had till then alerted Clinton who devoured ground with every stride and breezed past Dictator. Dashrath Singh brought Lake Paradise wide into the straight and despite being off the bridle early into the race, she could only finish second with an effort that appeared eye-catching to the naked eye. The big striding Clinton had his neck ahead of Lake Paradise at the wire. Dictator ended up third with Snow Blaze was fourth after being in the vanguard behind Illustrious.

	Clinton (S Zervan up) winner of the Valentine`s Day Trophy, being led in by Mr.A S Narielwalla, Mr & Mrs. Vijay B Shirke

Katrak was failed both before and after Lake Paradise`s defeat by two of his other wards, Ice Skater and Romantic Beauty, who were been entrusted to Martin Dwyer. Ice Skater hit the front and was in command till the heads turned for home. Strategy pierced through Ice Skater and Ice Stakes who were already on their way out. Strategy held sway for a brief while before Vaile Rouge stormed into the lead. Vaile Rouge appeared coasting home for his maiden which even prompted RWITC`s official commentator to predict that ‘Vaile Rouge is marching towards an impressive victory!`. But he had to eat his words when Oriental Masti (Glory of Dancer – Shaduf), who was held up for a clear run and had Ice Skater and Ice Skates running abreast, switched lanes. The Amyn Merchant ridden and the Bezan Chenoy trained Oriental Masti snatched the race away from Vaile Rouge, who was second time unlucky when in sight of a victory. Strategy ended third ahead of Ice Skates. The favourite, Ice Skater, ran down the field after suffering burst blood vessels.

After Heartthrob jumped out smartly and led for the initial furlong, Dwyer took Romantic Beauty on a start-to-finish mission. She almost achieved but for Heartthrob (Mr Mellon – Chloe`s Delight) spirited bid towards the end. Heartthrob inherits stamina from her dam and Narendra Lagad took some time realising her forte. Nevertheless, Dashrath had Heartthrob well-settled behind the favourite and Impressive Touch and time his challenge to perfection. He moved out from the rails and came with long-ranging strides to easily pip Romantic Beauty near the post. Interestingly, Romantic Beauty had earlier tasted defeat at the hands of Dance Debonaire, another Lagad trainee. Blue Knight ran a game third while Perfect Strength completed the judge`s frame.

Katrak and Dwyer had saved their best for the last race or so it seemed. But the truth was Stormy Wind (Razeen – Starry Sense) hit the front as soon as the starter`s flag came down and raced on the bit till the field had entered for the final run-in. Once Dwyer released his grip on Stormy Wind, the dark bay filly won as she liked and put daylight between herself and her nearest rival Menage A Trois, who tried to catch her in the straight but in vain. Quando Quando ended third ahead of Colours Flying. Both Sariska and Colours Flying disappointed their followers for one more time with their below par performance.

Going by his pedigree and that his dam was a stayer, the six-furlong trip for the A. F. S. Talyarkhan Trophy was supposed to be a bit sharp for Rewarding Desire (Ace –Astana). But the Malesh Narredu trained property of Mrs Seemantini Agashe and Tanmay Agashe showed a clean pair of heels in the event reserved for maiden juveniles. Neeraj Rawal had Rewarding Desire grab the lead early and then kept him going till the end. Rewarding Desire won untroubled after he shrugged away the initial threat of Porto Banus and Alejor when coming into the straight. Ghanghorr ran on to be second while Alejor managed to stay in the money ahead of Adams Spirit.

Pesi Shroff led in Hamlet (Motivator – Rubyanne) whose success in the four-horse field competing for the Great Investment Plate was a foregone conclusion. The S. Zervan ridden Hamlet didn`t disappoint the moneybags and scored another victory at Mahalaxmi. Hurricane Wind ran second while the other two followed them home.

Taking the opportunity to claim the 5kg allowance apprentice he is entitled to, trainer Faisal Abbas reposed his faith in Shammi Khan by entrusting him with National Ikon. The whipless boy made no mistake and Abbas had National Ikon tuned to the moment so much so that Khan ended up giving him a confident ride. He pulled National Ikon out in the last furlong and pounced upon Mumbai King and Tropical Zone who were disputing the issue close home. Both ended in the same order behind the winner while Desert Eagle finished fourth.

Suresh Chavan trained and Shrikant Kamble ridden mare Highway Express (Diffident – Impazzata) registered her maiden win at the age of five when she scored easily over MinuteToWinIt, Towering High and Neptune.