Jockey Zervan was at his persevering best on Booker Jones who held off Rodeo to win the 2800 metres Byculla Cup, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Friday`s Mumbai races by the proverbial whisker. Booker Jones looked vulnerable but fought all the way in the final furlong with Rodeo and managed to win by a short head, with both the jockey and the horse showing exemplary character in their dogged resistance.

It was difficult to understand how Severus could be quoted at very cramped odds when the Suleiman Attaollahi trained Booker Jones was an accomplished horse in good company. Severus had no doubt beaten Rodeo in the Suresh Mahindra Trophy over two miles but then the latter was not in the best of shape on the Pune track. Moreover, there was Booker Jones to contend with as the Bangalore challenger had run in the company of horses like Desert God and done consistently well. The only thing that was a negative factor in Booker Jones success could be the fact that he has had maximum starts for a horse running in the highest company and that the long campaign, as well as the extended trip, were expected to hurt his chances. Booker Jones was too keen from the start and did not like the slow pace and was inclined to bolt. Jockey Zervan, however, managed to get control of the horse and settle him to go at the pace he wanted. Booker Jones enjoyed a big break over Rodeo, Severus and Al Shamsheer. Because of the lead that he enjoyed, Zervan could give Booker Jones a good breather midway through the race before gradually picking up the momentum once again. Rodeo was hot on his heels at the top of the straight and essayed a strong challenge. Booker Jones looked beat but Zervan never gave up and the horse responded equally with a game performance while enabled the progeny of Kingda Ka to pull off a thrilling win. Severus was not equal to the task and was beaten to the third position ahead of Al Shamsheer who made no show.

After many unsuccessful bid to win classics, Cataleya was brought back to run over five furlongs in the 1000 metres Ferrari Plate, a race for horses rated 53 to 79. Though the trip was sharp, the fact that the filly had run against top quality horses was bound to work in her favour. Golden Belle and Rider On The Storm expended their energy in front with Cataleya who was in about the third position, brought into contention in the final two furlongs. Cataleya steadily gained ascendancy and though she drifted out under pressure, she was still good enough to win with ease from Queen Credible and Governor General in the hands of apprentice jockey Santosh.

Imtiaz Sait trained Winter Resistance who had let down her supporters on the last two occasions, found her bearing over the trip of 2400 metres in the Greater Mumbai Police Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The race turned out to be a keenly contested affair. Rousseau was strongly backed to win ahead of Sovereignsky, Normandy and Winter Resistance. In the final furlong, Rousseau appeared to have an edge over Sovereignsky with Winter Renaissance not only struggling to get speed but also baulked for a clear run. But jockey C S Jodha could squeeze his horse in the gap that materialized between Sovereignsky and Rousseau and Winter Resistance seized the initiative to record a win by a length. Rousseau retained the runner-up berth by a whisker while Normandy failed to find an extra gear when the race was on the boil.

Glyndebourne was driven out by jockey Sandesh to win by a nose from Perfect Star in the 1400 metres Magic Touch Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Favourite Raiden went on a start to finish mission but at the final bend, began to run out inconveniencing Perfect Star in the process. Raiden continuously drifted out to the outer portion of the track and jockey Neeraj Rawal stopped riding the horse who eventually finished way down the field in the fourth position. Glyndebourne who had a clear run opened a useful lead. Perfect Star gathered steam and essayed a strong challenge to the front-runner but Glyndebourne held on by the proverbial whisker. Lord of the Sea was third.
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Sandesh had no problem in steering fancied Raees to victory in the 2000 metres Fiddle Faddle Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class. Though Raees was the ante-post favourite, the flood of money on Thor of Asgard resulted in the latter enjoying that status by race time. Raees always had things under control as he shot into a decisive lead in the final furlong and had no problem in keeping Thor of Asgard at a safe distance. Danse Debonaire was faraway third.

The biggest flop show of the day was the timid performance by favourite Phoenix Knight in the 1000 metres Indian Air Force Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Phoenix Knight disappeared after being prominent till entering the straight like so many of the trainer`s horses which have always beaten the expectations of the punting public. Last start winner Mizilla Gold shaped to win yet again but was done in by the finishing burst of Incentio who decided to put his best foot forward after a gap of 533 days. Bullion Express edged out Wind Craft for the third position.

Trainer Antia is a champion when it comes to a race for horses in the lowest class. When he strikes, most punters are stumped because these horses don`t always advertise their chances by at least a forward run and the intentions of the connections through publicized betting is also not revealed. The last five efforts of Deccan King had not given any clue as to his imminent winning chances but the quietly backed five-year-old gelding managed to fight his way to victory over Super Bolt who flattered to deceive. The Giver was third while favourite Isinit was not spotted at the busy end.