Cooji Katrak trained Melinda completed a hat-trick of wins in tremendous fashion, collaring the opposition in the final furlong and speeding away for an effortless win in the 2000 metres Storm Again Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s evening races held at Mumbai. Sandesh had no problem in steering the horse to victory in his patented style. The trainer jockey combination of Malesh and his son Yash had a rewarding day, being associated with three winners through Miss Arazan, Be Cautious and Arabelle, all of them being favourites.

Jigsaw did the job of pace setting followed by Phenomenal Memory, Melinda and Rodeo, all of them racing a few lengths adrift of each other. The order remained the same till the final 300 metres at which point Sandesh began to work on Melinda. When asked to quicken by the jockey, the response was immediate from the favourite who accelerated very well and left the rest stranded in the final furlong to record an emphatic win. The five-year-old daughter of Dancing Forever has struck purple path. Jigsaw held off Phenomenal Memory for the runner up berth.

Arabelle who was making her debut was strongly backed ahead of the experienced Rock In Rio to claim the1000 metres A F S Talyarkhan Trophy (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. The speedy daughter of Arazan led from the start and kept on expanding the lead to eventually check in by a widening margin of four lengths over Rock In Rio who chased from the start without hope. Beneficial who had the benefit of a race run, returned rich dividends on place betting. The lower division of the race was also won by Malesh Narredu trainee Miss Arazan who made an identical start to finish dash and was more than 10 lengths ahead of second placed Copenhagen and Forward Thrust.

Pesi Shroff trained Sans Peur had showed out in her last effort and her victory in the 1600 metres S A Wahid Plate, a race for horses rated20 to 46, looked very much a possibility. Trevor had Sans Peur gain places in the straight and by the final furlong, pulled away from the rest for an emphatic win. Lucky Strike held off Jeena and She`s An Ace in a close finish to gain the runner up berth.

Imtiaz Sait trained Nescar had served notice of an early win and accordingly was well backed to win the 1000 metres Kingfisher Ultra Sundowner Challenge (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Apprentice jockey Raghuveer Singh had Nescar dictate the pace in front and the speedy daughter of Phoenix Tiger had the race sewn up long way from home. Romantic Lass made a late rally to get the second place ahead of Velentino. The last named along with other stablemates which also raced in this race and other handicap races of the day seem to be itching for the Pune season to make their mark. Be Cautious was running after a longish break but despite this disadvantage, was backed strongly to win the lower division of the race. Be Cautious was taken on a start to finish mission by jockey Yash Narredu but the front runner began to dig his heels close home. Wind Craft closed the gap with a big rush only to find the winning post coming a fraction earlier. Be Cautious survived by the skin of her teeth. Magnus Opus finished on late from behind to edge past Palace Girl for the third place. Zahrazan played up at the gates and sat down. The horse was subjected to a routine examination and allowed to run. The trauma had affected the filly who finished a dismal last.

Adhiraj Singh Jodha trained Koal came out of the maidens ranks when winning the 2000 metres W Buckley Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Of the nine runners that were in the fray, only Allegiance and Yodha Shakti had winning experience. Allegiance led the field from the start before fading out in the run in for home. Koal who was in the rear end of the field, made good progress in the straight, picked up speed in the nick of time to edge out Limekilns to land the spoils. Wizard of Odds ran on to finish third.