Pesi Shroff-trained Mathaiyus defied the self-inflicted penalty to win the 2400 metres General Obaidullah Khan Trophy, a race for horses rated 53 to 79, the feature event of Thursday`s evening races held at Mumbai. The fact that there were many replacements were available to ride at the allotted weight made the decision of the trainer to put Srinath in the saddle when the latter was bound to carry more than five kgs overweight came as a big surprise.

The trainer can declare an overweight jockey to ride with permission from the Stewards but the decision of Pesi defied logic. This was not a classic but a straightforward handicap race. There were jockeys who could have managed the allotted weight but the presence of Srinath in the saddle did not certainly enthuse the punters who were confused as rarely have trainers attempted this sort of an exercise. The RWITC screens displayed that the trainer had requested for carrying over weight on the horse because of the preference of the owners for the jockey concerned. Mathaiyus managed to prevail from late-finishing Palatial but nothing much could be read into the result. If the connections were trying to find out if Mathaiyus could be targeted for the Derby as they ran him over the mile and half trip, this victory certainly is not of much help in furthering his prospects. The victory of Mathaiyus has posed a dilemma to the handicapper; whether he should assess the horse from the weight carried and not the weight allotted.

Vulcan did the front-running with Mathaiyus settled in about the third position before gradually moving up to challenge the front-runner. After a brief tussle, Mathaiyus stormed clear and had a useful lead going into the final furlong. Last start winner Palatial produced a strong effort but Mathaiyus had enough cushion and ability to last out the trip capably. Palatial was second a shade less than a length behind the winner with Vulcan a similar distance from the runner-up.

Imtiaz Sait trained Dhishoom came in for spirited support to win the 1200 metres Riyasat Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Dhishoom produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to edge past the front-running Silk Baby closer home to oblige big expectation. Silk Baby appeared to be on course but she slackened in the final furlong possibly because of laryngeal abnormality that she suffers from. Makino finished third ahead of Slam Dunk who led all the way before weakening close home. However, Slam Dunk should benefit from this forward run. Dallas Todywalla trained Grey Flannel obliged in the lower division of the race. After chasing Snowy Peaks well into the straight, Grey Flannel asserted her supremacy in the final furlong to win with a measure of comfort from Naumee and Pristina.

Bounty Queen had beaten Grey Flannel in her last run and the victory of the latter earlier in the day boosted her prospects. However, she was totally ignored in the betting ring as she ran at odds of 10 to 1. Pink Panther who was running for the first during the Mumbai season, was the firm favourite though the odds placed on his success were too low for comfort. After Arakawah set the pace and weakened in the straight, Bounty Queen picked up momentum and went sailing clear to win the race with a measure of comfort despite drifting out under pressure. Long shot Glorious Opinion took the second place ahead of Sparkling Eyes while Pink Panther was not sighted at the busy end.

The benefit of a race run helped Narendra Lagad trained Juggernaut immensely as the progeny of Diffident led all the way and held off the late challenge of Queens Best to win the 1000 metres Ahmed I Rahimtoola Trophy, a race for three-year-olds. Gentillesse was backed strongly to win but the progeny of Verenar did not have the needed speed to make an impact over the scurry and was a tame third. Queens Best was gaining ground on Juggernaut but the front-runner grimly stayed ahead until the finish.

Antia trained Flag Flying came in for noticeable betting in the 1400 metres Lady Madonna Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. It was clear that the four-year-old will be in serious business especially since he had a good forward run in his last effort. Apprentice jockey Nadeem kept Flag Flying a handy second behind Tchibouela before pushing the favourite to take charge in the straight. Flag Flying swept away for a big win, drawing clear to win by a widening margin of seven and a half lengths which itself indicated the vast gulf between him and the rest. First-timer Pilatus ran on from behind to take the second place ahead of Celestial Light.

The 1000 metres Isn`t She Special Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category, looked a minefield as none had advertised their imminent change in fortune. In the fitness of things, unfancied Sudarshan Chakra moved up with big strides on the wide outside to land the spoils. Rachel was second ahead of Forever Yours.