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Shiraz Sunderji trained Turning Point recorded a dramatic last stride win over Moonshine in the 1400 metres Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Friday`s Mumbai races. Four horses were involved in a close finish with Turning Point making a tremendous rally after gracing the wrong end of the field till turning for the homestretch.
Flag Flying took a hesitant start but jockey Zeeshan pushed the horse to take over the running followed by Moonshine, Allora, Odessa and Turning Point who was slightly sluggish at the start. Flag Flying battled on resolutely despite an intense pressure exerted by Moonshine and led into the final furlong. The strong riding of Sandesh enabled Moonshine to measure the front-runner in sight of the post, but her hopes were put paid by Turning Point who finished with a rush to clinch the verdict a thrilling manner from Moonshine by the proverbial whisker. Flag Flying and Allora went past the post locked together and the camera could not separate them and a dead-heat for third place was announced.
Pesi Shroff-trained Carnival who had been campaigned over longer trips, made her presence felt over a mile-long trip in the Samuel Nathan Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Sandesh had Carnival lead from the rest and despite a strong challenge from favourite Brabourne the front-runner had enough legs to sail past the winning post with a measure of comfort. A cluster of three horses finished in a line for the third place, with Grand Vitesse getting by a neck.
The day`s racing did not run kindly for putters who are finding it increasingly exasperating to find winners. Apart from form fluctuations, there is no stable they can back with blind conviction. The malaise of in and out running and no clarity as to the intentions have been hurting the punters.
Pesi Shroff-trained Dixieland came in for spirited betting to win the 1400 metres P D D`Avoine Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 in the absence of finding a clear-cut favourite who could be backed with conviction. Sandesh had Dixieland dictate the pace from the start, but the favourite began to slide backwards when Rincon came up with an aggressive challenge. Rincon easily overhauled the front-runner and went away for an easy win. Polyneices and We Break The Rules fought out for the runner-up berth with the former clinching it by a whisker. Dixieland weakened to finish a tame fourth. The lower division of the race saw favourite Grand Tenton flop. Bronx chased Bhaktawar into the final furlong before storming ahead for a comfortable win. Grand Tenton took time to warm up and was a beaten cause though he ended up finishing second best. The horse failed to show any improvement over the previous effort.
Bounty Queen was well backed to win the V P Koregaonkar Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 but the favourite had all the chances going into the final furlong except not finding an extra gear when the others essayed their challenge. Royal Mews came up with a big run on the outside to easily overhaul the front-runner to record an easy win. Fribourg ran on from behind to displace Bounty Queen to get the third place.
Antia trained Bohemian brought off a long-priced win in the 1000 metres D W Reid Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Apprentice jockey Amit had Bohemian lead from the start and though he looked vulnerable in the final furlong as favourite Beyond Forces put up a strong challenge, the front-runner just about managed to reach the safety of the winning post. Financier ran on to finish third.
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Carnival (A Sandesh up) winner of the Samuel Nathan Plate
Bronx (P S Chouhan up) winner of the P A D`Avoine Trophy (Div-II)
Turning Point (C S Jodha up) winner of the Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Trophy
Bohemian (G Amit up) winner of the D W Reid Plate
Rincon (G Amit up) winner of the P A D`Avoine Trophy (Div-I)
Royal Mews (K Nazil up) winner of the V P Koregaonkar Plate
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