Veteran trainer Bezan Chneoy was in his elements as he saddled first timer Joshua to a facile win in the 1200 metres Provogue-AGP Multi-Million, a rich terms race for three year olds, the feature event of a crowded card of 10 events that were gone through on Sunday. Bezan and his daughter Nazak corned the day`s glory by claiming four races during the day.

Arguably the best trainer on the local circuit, Bezan had begun his career in a blaze of glory with a few Indian Derby wins to his credit but the trainer has rarely worked hard to realize his full potential. The occasional spark of brilliance manifests in some big race wins which is suggestive of what he could have achieved had he invested more time and effort into his trade.

Be that as it may, Joshua`s win reminded the old timers of Bezan`s magic where his wards would race like seasoned horses even if the horse was only making its debut. The progeny of Noverre, Joshua raced in a handy forward position well into the straight and skipped clear in the final furlong to win with ease from late rallying favourite Vision of Romance. Vision of Romance perhaps found the six furlong trip sharp as he was outpaced in the early part and had to cover leeway on the front runners which he did but in the end he ran out of ground. Zenofic ran on to finish third.

	Joshua (N S Parmar up) winner of the Provogue-AGP Multi-Million, being led in by trainer Bezan Chenoy (left)

Penny Lane was the other winner saddled by the veteran. Penny Lane flashed home with a flourish from the rear to win the 1600 metres Entrepreneurs`` Organization Trophy, a race for horses rated 1 to 26. Backed spiritedly to win the lowest category race, jockey Srinath who has found hunger for wins after the unexpected success in the Indian Derby, brought the favorite into contention late in the race but Penny Lane proved too good for the rest winning with ease from Double Or Quits.

The third race of the day, the 1400 metres Nucleus Trophy (Div II) was declared null and void after Infallible had won the race, staving off the late bid of favourite Aeacus. Establish Predator jumped out from the gates with blind folds on which jockey Nikhil had to remove and the horse was out of contention as a result. The Starter noticed this and immediately raised the red flag. There was some hesitancy on the part of jockeys who may not have heard the hooter but since the others in front went ahead and did not pull up, the rest also had to ride out due to confusion. The Stewards held an enquiry immediately after the race and declared the race as null and void. The club should ensure more effective ways of conveying the false start because nobody in the race was aware of the false start including the Judge who announced the results and the winning connections led in the horse as well.

There was another incident in the 10th race in the form of an objection being upheld with the Chairman of Stewards putting his casting vote. Bella Figura won the race in a tight finish the 1200 metres Wing Rosa Plate from Speed Up with favourite Mohegun Sun weakening in the end. Bella Figura rolled out under pressure and slightly went on to the runner up. Jockey Dashrath Singh raised an objection against Neeraj Rawal who rode the winner. The objection was upheld. These days, the objections are decided in an erratic way. There is neither consistency nor a definite pattern. The important principle that the Stewards are expected to observe is whether it would be fair to meddle with the result that was obtained on the track. Unless the grounds are very serious, it would be fair to let the result stand and action taken on the jockeys for their carelessness or for any other reasons of not exercising sufficient control. Taking away a race from a winner is a various punishment and one has to be completely satisfied before doing so.

Karthik Ganapathy trained Top Commander who appears a good type of youngster had no problem in trouncing the opposition over a more suitable trip of a mile by leaving the opposition stranded to win the Prime Time Plate, a race for maiden three year olds only, by a widening margin of eight lengths despite rolling out in the straight. Forgotten Voice chased the winner in vain being flat footed when the favourite showed greater speed in the straight.
Janardhan trained Dynamo who was once hailed as a classic prospect just about huffed and puffed to win the 1200 metres J P Vazifdar Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Dynamo was hard pressed close home by hat-tricker Zoom Zoom who finished with a rush but fell short by a neck. Jimbo who too was fancied to cause a flutter was two lengths adrift.

Inside the final furlong of 1400 metres Nucleus Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46, it was difficult to predict the winner as a number of horses were in contention but once Achieve began to gain ground along the rails, it became evident who the winner was going to be. Achieve, in the hands of Srinath, gained ascendancy close home to win the race from Earth Tame, Scalanaya and Saturday Affair who were not far behind. Achieve was at fancy odds. Favourite Rubens was not spotted at the busy end.

The odds on Nazak Chenoy trained Brynhill eased slightly as Habibian came in for strong support to win the 1200 metres A Geddis Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Brynhill which is jointly owned by Dilip Thomas and the trainer looked spot on for the race as the five year old showed sharpness from the word `go`, held a forward position and went clear in the final furlong and held on to win from Habibian who covered good ground but found the front runner escaping to the safety of the winning post. Habibian was not too brisk from the gates and had to circle round the field at the final end to make his challenge. This maneuver cost him a possible winning chance.

Sandesh rode a brilliant race on Blue Bay as he extricated himself from a tight situation in the nick of time to drive out the fancied runner to win the 1000 metres Amateur Riders Club Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46 from Fabrizio, Ice Skates and Umarkot. Favourite Neptune`s Ocean easily staved off the challenge of Vasco Da Gama to win the lower division of the race.