Pesi Shroff-trained Mathaiyus extended his winning streak this season to three from as many outings by claiming the 2000 metres Manappuram Finance Ltd Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Sunday`s Mumbai races. There was just one opponent to beat for Mathaiyus in the form of Caesars Star. and the progeny of Multidimensional won the race start to finish without having to be extended as his opponent did not have any recent form to even stretch his opponent.

Racing in Mumbai has been slipping inexorably. On the one hand, we have races like the one witnessed with just two participants which meant that there was no competitive interest for the racegoer. Then we have races where winner-picking is hazardous with unwieldy in the lower classes proving a minefield. Since there is surfeit of these races, things haven`t helped matters. There are too many races to be won by mediocre races. Racing is bad in Mumbai because of these factors as skill is replaced by speculation. For the second day running, racegoers found it hard to nominate winners with any degree of conviction.

The 1200 metres Vivono Million, a terms race for three-year-olds had seven runners in the fray and it was left to first-timer Bottega Louie to get the better of horses which had the benefit of having won during the season but enjoying the benefit of running without penalty for their wins. Five of the seven runners in the fray had won either their first or second outings and thus had experience on their side. It was widely expected that Elysee and Miss Moneypenny who were the more impressive debut winners would battle it out for the spoils but what transpired was an anti-climax. Goldie`s Pet led from the start followed by Texas Gold, Solo Mission, Juggernaut, Miss Moneypenny, Elysee and Bottega Louie. Goldie`s Pet battled on in the straight and held the lead till the final moments of the race. Bottega Louie made rapid strides on the wide outside and managed to overhaul the front-runner in the shadow of the post. Texas Gold was well placed but did not find an extra gear. Miss Moneypenny did not show the promised acceleration and was a tame third ahead of Elysee who too was disappointing and has failed to build on the promise of debut win at Pune as a two-year-old.

After a series of disappointing runs at Pune and during the current season, Imtiaz Sait trained Glorious Eyes found her winning rhythm in the 1400 metres Suraj Estate Developers Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The only encouraging effort of Glorious Eye during the season was placing second in her first of the three outings she had in this season. However, she did not inspire the confidence of the punters because of lack of consistency and the fact that her last poor effort did not suggest that there could be an imminent change in her performance graph. In the event, Glorious Eyes emerged the winner quite easily, measuring the opponents in the final furlong. Lady In Red who was widely perceived to have a good chance to record an encore led the field from the start before giving up too easily when the race came on the boil. Hunting Pleasure gave an earnest chase but found the eventual winner proving too good on the day. Zoom Zoom who was up with the pace stayed on to save place money.

F A Abbas trained Almost Magical had a good forward run last time out and the five-year-old gelding built on that effort by winning the 1000 metres Amateur Riders` Club Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46 with a start to finish mission in the hands of apprentice Amit. Almost Magical encountered no challenge to his supremacy as he enjoyed an uncontested lead and in the homestretch, the others did not have the wherewithal to make a match of it. Ely Tycoon was second ahead of Pollyana. Rock In Rio failed to live up to market expectations as he was poorly positioned and did not make significant progress in the run in for home. The lower division of the race also went the way of another Abbas trainee House of Commons who came up with a powerful effort after being in about the eighth position at the final bend. House of Commons easily measured the front runners in the final furlong and stormed clear to record an impressive win. Name of the Game and Royal Sapphire occupied the next two slots on the frame. Philadelphia who was running after 302 days, had her share of supporters but the filly was little sluggish at the start and was not seen to be having any serious chance as the race progressed.

Dallas Todywalla trained Streetjammer won the 1600 metres Dr Govind R Gurbaxani Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, at nourishing odds. Streetjammer who got stronger in the final furlong fought on resolutely when Batman came up with a strong challenge and skipped away to record a comfortable win. Eiger`s Tiger and the fancied Vice Admiral finished third and fourth respectively with late efforts without giving hopes for their supporters. Volantis put in a dismal effort.

Pesi Shroff-trained Zenon obliged in the 1600 metres Y M Chaudhry Memorial Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds after a stiff battle for supremacy with Pure Zinc. Zenon who tracked Gdansk into the straight shook off his rival inside the final two furlongs and surged ahead. However, his task was not easily achieved as Pure Zinc put up a good fight which lasted all the way in the final furlong with the favourite enjoying a slight edge which was successfully carried to the post. Trevor who guided Zenon, had a good day, booting home three winners, his other two winners coming through Mathaiyus and House of Commons who won their races without having to be hard-ridden.

Dashrath Singh drove out Danse Debonaire to victory in the 2000 metres Lions Club of Bombay Host Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest category. Danse Debonaire was taken on a start to finish mission and though the front-runner came under intense pressure from Koal, the six-year-old gelding had enough legs to win by a shade less than a length. Windhoek necked out Ritz to save place money.