The unexpected defeat of Devoted Eyes in the 1200 metres Rotary Club of Bombay Bayview Cup, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, was something that took the race-goers by shock considering the credentials of the filly who is arguably one of the best three-year-old fillies in the country. The Sunday`s feature event had the race goers in disbelief as Devoted Eyes looked a beaten horse well before the final furlong but then these sorts of upsets are par for horses trained by Cooji Katrak as the stable is capable of springing nasty surprises.

Devoted Eyes was running after 301 days after defeating Accolade in her last outing. She was no doubt ring rusty but when you run a horse with classic hopes in a lead-up race for the classic, the professional concerned is expected to take sufficient care to prepare the horse well so that public doesn`t feel let down. The distance factor and the preparedness are something which racegoers believe are taken care of in the interest of the reputation of the filly and the integrity of the sport. Much to the chagrin of race goers, Devoted Eyes whom many expected to canter looked a beaten cause well before the final furlong. Surely her reputation was compromised.

Final Encounter led the field after traversing the first furlong while Devoted Eyes was eased in the back group. In a slow run race, Final Encounter continued to kick on merrily even as Sydney Harbour tried hard to catch up but failed. One expected Devoted Eyes to show her patented burst of speed but she plodded under pressure displaying a lack of adequate preparation for a race of this nature. She was a well-beaten second ahead of Sydney Harbour. The loss of Devoted Eyes was a blow to the sport already struggling to find acceptance from people who are increasingly believing that the game has long ceased to be fair.

On the other hand, In My Dream who enjoyed one-sided support in the 1400 metres rotary Club of Mumbai Cuffe Parade Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 did not disappoint. After being up with the pace, the favourite was driven out by jockey Suraj Narredu to record an easy win over Batman and Streetjammer.

Rehanullah Khan trained Queen Credible had lost as a strong favourite at Pune which had resulted in an enquiry being opened about the running and riding of the horse. Now totally ignored in the betting ring in the 1000 metres Rotarian Munjal Sharad Shah Million, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, Queen Credible covered acres of ground on the wide outside in the hands of jockey C S Jodha from way off the pace and had no problem in sailing past the front-runners to record a win at lucrative odds. Allora was beginning to measure Abbey and Minstrel Heights to justify the favouritism when the long shot floored them all with a powerful finish.

Jockey Trevor Patel was in his elements winning the last three races of the day. Trevor drove out Motherland to contain the challenge of late rallying Orla to win the 1200 metres Rotary Club of Bombay Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Motherland led from the start and had a healthy lead going into the final 100 metres. However, closer home, Orla came up with a strong effort only to find the front-runner escape to victory. Celestial Light was in the hunt but eventually weakened to finish third.

Pesi Shroff-trained Mrs Patmore was an impressive winner of the 1600 metres Janak Ram Jethmalani Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Nursed in the early part in about the fourth position, Mrs Patmore cruised in the straight to storm clear of those in the front with jockey Trevor hardly having to move a muscle. Mrs Patmore stormed clear to win from Smart N Noble in a stylish manner. Rousseau ran on to finish third. The kind of form displayed by Mrs Patmore indicated that she could be trusted to win again if confined to a handicap race in her next outing.

There was spirited support for Dallas Todywalla trained Irish Bailey to win the 1200 Rotary Club of Bombay Pier Charities Trust Trophy (Div I). The favourite ran true to market expectations. Trevor had Irish Bailey lead from the start and the favourite skipped clear in the final furlong to win with ease. Country Music just about held off Abu Al Bukhoosh for the runner-up berth.

Malesh Narredu trained Domination has had two good forward runs at Pune and looked ready to strike in the 1200 metres Rotary Club of Bombay Queencity Cup, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Domination shared market optimism along with Dhishoom. Suraj Narredu had no hesitation in taking Domination to the front and the well-backed runner always had control of the race, finishing comfortably ahead of Dhishoom. Kookaburra necked out Tomahawk to get the third place.

Narendra Lagad trained Warlock brought off an upset in the 1200 metres Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen`s Necklace Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest class, with a start to finish mission, keeping his rivals at a safe distance. Tennessee managed to stave off Adams Beginning for the runner-up berth.