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Shiraz Sunderji trained Intense Stylist bounced back with a stylish win in the 1400 metres Maharaja of Morvi Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of the opening day`s races of the long-winding Mumbai racing season on Sunday. Trainer Pesi Shroff started off the season with a treble while visiting Irish jockey Leigh Roche made a winning appearance, booting home a treble.
Intense Stylist had recorded two runaway wins and then had floundered over a mile-long trip. His free running style in front perhaps undid his chances in the mile race. This time out, jockey Trevor Patel kept him under a tight leash, settled in about the third or fourth position. Intense Stylish quickened well when Trevor asked for an effort in the stretch. The progeny of Western Aristocrat drew clear in the final furlong to record a splendid win by a widening margin of three lengths over Merlot. Jetfire who raced prominently in front saved place money.
Pesi Shroff trained Riquewihr had it easy in the 1000 metres Welcome Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. There was a lot of betting on last start winner Pokerface to repeat resulting in Riquewihr running at lucrative odds. Trevor had Riquewihr tracking Arabian Storm into the straight before skipping clear. By the time Pradeep Chouhan angled out Poker Face to get a clear run, Riquewihr had established a winning lead. The finishing effort of Poker Face brought him close to the winner who was not hard-pressed to win. Locarno headed Gold Field to get the third position.
The well-bred Arabia who had a trial run at Pune asserted her supremacy in the 1200 metres Secret Star Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The Pesi Shroff trainee looked ready to strike as evidenced by the paddock looks and this full sister to the classic winning Myrtlewood gave an arm-chair ride to victory for Roche. Arabia raced in a handy position before showing the alertness to squeeze through a narrow opening in the straight between Eagle In The Sky and Mount Olympus and storm clear to record an impressive win by a margin of four lengths over Between The Waters who made a futile late rally. Bounty Queen edged out Sandalphon to get the third place. Vishal Gaikwad trained La Rondine who was making her debut in the lower division of the race, fought off a spirited battle with Flaming Martini in the final furlong before getting stronger at the finish to provide Roche with his third win for the day. Marianela had a useful outing when finishing third.
Roche made a winning debut in India guiding Spirtfire to an easy win in the 1400 metres Kiara Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Roche had Spitfire settled in the penultimate position as Mount Mckinley expended his energy in front. Roche brought Spitfire on the wide outside to get a clear passage and the progeny of Phoenix Fire accelerated smoothly to take control of the race by the final furlong. Timeless Deeds ran on strongly towards the closing stages of the race to neck out Collegium to get the runner-up berth.
Adhiraj Jodha trained Lucky Luciano brought off a big upset in the 1600 metres Janak Ram Jethmalani Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Roche had Golden Hind take over the running by the final bend and opened a good cushion, but the lesser fancied runner faltered in the final furlong and weakened to finish fourth. Lucky Luciano who was buried in the back, showed good resolution and came home with a big effort to get into a winning position inside the final 150 metres and won with something to spare. Strong Storm held off Pondarosa by a whisker to grab the second position.
Adhiraj trained Blitzkrieg measured favourite Bonafide in the closing moments of the race to win the day`s opener, the 1000 metres Star Admiral Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class. Last start winner Fire Flame showed up prominently at the top of the straight but did not show the spark of last effort and faded out of contention. Bona Fide who was racing handy then took over with Blitzkrieg essaying a strong challenge. Raw apprentice Malam Singh was able to induce a vigorous effort from Blitzkrieg to neck out the favourite. Outstanding who set the early pace, stayed on to take the third position.
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Blitzkrieg (Malam Singh up) winner of the Star Admiral Plate
Spitfire (Leigh Roche up) winner of the Kiara Plate
Arabia (Leigh Roche up) winner of the Secret Star Plate (Div-I)
Riquewihr (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Welcome Plate
Intense Stylist (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Maharaja Of Morvi Trophy
Lucky Luciano (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Janak Ram Jethmalani Memorial Trophy
La Rondine (Leigh Roche up) winner of the Secret Star Plate (Div-II)
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