Pesi Shroff trained Maleficent appreciated the step up in distance and won the 1400 metres Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Mumbai races. Maleficent had failed to deliver the good as a fancied runner over a sprint but once she was asked to cover a furlong long, the daughter of Iffraaj had no problem in leaving her opponents stranded.

The trainer had strangely chose to restrict her to five or six furlongs despite her repeated failure. And when he stepped up the distance, punters were not sure whether Maleficent would do well over the extended trip and as such, the filly who was a favourite in her last outing, was allowed to run at big odds. Airco was widely expected to record an encore.

Jockey Dashrath Singh who replaced the regular riders on Maleficent this time, took the filly on a start to finish mission. Inside the final furlong, Airco essayed a strong challenge and looked capable of overhauling the front runner. However, the front runner Maleficent produced something extra and skipped away to record a comfortable win. Mountbatten occupied the third slot. Staristocrat performed miserably and finished a dismal fourth.

Prakash trained Merchantofvenice had run an eye-catching second to Golden Belle and was running on better terms this time out in the 1000 metres T M Goculdas Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Sandesh had Merchantofvenice in front right from the start and the expected challenge did not emanate from Golden Belle who had won her last start over the favourite as she faded out to give a shockingly poor performance. Rider On The Storm who had completed a hat-trick of wins, put up a determined challenge but fell short narrowly as she refused to come out of the rails and hung in badly.

Shadowfax who had let down huge expectations last time out, obliged this time in the 1800 metres H R Shantidas Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, with a comprehensive win. Midnight Dancer shaped to put up a stiff fight in the straight but the five-year-old mare drifted out violently to eventually end up on the outer rail and lost whatever chances she had of putting up a fight. Shadowfax who shot ahead with two furlongs left in the race, had no problem in keeping Daishonin at bay. Majestic who lost some ground at the start, ran on to finish third.

Narendra Lagad trained Velentino brought off a big upset in the 1200 metres Trainers Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66, winning after 560 days. The horses trained by Lagad have been hitting the board often but an element of consistency is lacking about their performance. Valentino had been running game races without looking capable of a win and as such, his win was against the run of expectations. Under apprentice Jorawar Singh, Valentino flew on the wide outside to get the measure of fancied Final Encounter in a tight finish. Celtic Prince, Be Cautious, Cezanne and Zana were all involved in the close finish. The horse which came in for big support namely Vision of Romance was not spotted at the busy end as is the case with horses sporting these colours. Only if horses are backed from a higher quote, one can expect these horses to have a bold show. If a horse starts as a firm favourite from ante post stage, these horses develop cold feet. Squash sporting the colours sported by Vision of Romance, won the lower division of the race, with a brilliant rally. Undisputed was the firm favourite with Squash having her share of supporters to record a hat-trick. Inside the final furlong, Trevor drove Undisputed to take charge but was unable to keep Squash at bay when the filly came home with a big effort. Wind Craft nosed out Hidden Soul for the third spot.

Noshir Cama trained Zambian who had served notice of an early success by his forward run last time out, won the1400 metres Style Cracker Triple Stakes, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, at nourishing odds. Zambian came from a long way back with a powerful surge and easily sailed past favourite Star One to record an emphatic win. Achieve made a late bid to claim the third place.

Mekong Delta won the 1600 metres Kailashpat Singhania Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds, with a late flourish. Shield of Achilles who came in for big support, was troublesome at the gates and was withdrawn from the fray. Mekong Delta who was loitering at the rear of the field for most part, flew on the wide outside in the final furlong to measure Volantis who had taken the lead at this point of time. Zanzibaar was third.

Philadelphia was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1000 metres Jockeys Trophy, a race for horses three year olds. However, the favourite caught a tartar in Alpine Express who led from the start and refused to budge from there. Despite a strong ride by Sandesh, Philadelphia could do no better than finish second. Frosted saved place money by finishing third.

Subhag Singh trained Royal Éclair had run a forward race and was backed strongly to oblige in the1600 metres M D Petit Plate, a race for lowest category horses. These class of horses are highly unreliable and backing Royal Éclair at short odds, was a big folly committed by the punters as the favourite did not show up anywhere in the fighting line. Jester profited from a forward run to edge past the front running Secret Flame to land the spoils at lucrative odds.