Trainer Pesi Shroff`s stranglehold on the Gr 1 Indian 1000 Guineas is so absolute, one might as well start calling it the Pesi Shroff Invitational. It`s become a recurring theme—like an annual holiday no one else gets to celebrate. Sure, the man`s yard boasts some of the finest-bred horses in the country, cherry-picked from India`s top nurseries, but let`s give credit where it`s due: turning blue-blooded racehorses into untouchable champions is no walk in the paddock. Shroff clearly has the formula—part science, part sorcery.

This year`s edition saw Usha Stud Farm`s Psychic Star, a daughter of the prolific Multitude and Psychic Light, deliver a masterclass in domination, leaving her rivals gasping. Psychic Star`s triumph was her second classic win of the season, having already toyed with her opponents in the Golconda 1000 Guineas a few weeks ago. Clearly, this filly doesn`t just beat the opposition; she renders them irrelevant.

With Vivek G in the saddle, Psychic Star cruised through the race like she was on a jog rather than a competitive run. The packed field and the hyped reputations of her competitors were as intimidating as a gentle breeze. This was a race in name only—Psychic Star was in a league of her own, while the rest of the field was left running for existential answers.

This year`s Guineas promised a battle royale but delivered a coronation instead, as Psychic Star turned it into her personal parade. Rajesh Narredu-trained Excellent Lass, once a darling of the turf, looked like she`d left her mojo back in the winner`s enclosure of yesteryear. The filly, who once dazzled with victories in the Gr 1 Poonawalla Multi-Million, Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes, and Gr 3 Mysore 1000 Guineas, has been a shadow of herself since her Deccan Derby disaster in October. A mock race two weeks ago hinted at redemption, but the addition of blinkers—a last-resort move to fix a wandering mind—was the real giveaway that her A-game was missing.

The race itself felt like a Psychic Star showcase. The filly, confidently backed as the favourite, delivered a performance that made the rest of the field look like they were auditioning for a supporting role. Excellent Lass briefly flirted with relevance at the top of the straight before bowing out like a reluctant actor who forgot her lines. Field of Dreams, another runner with a reputation, showed up late to claim second but failed to live up to her billing.

Golden Glory set the pace, with Mumtaz rushing up from the wide outside to quicken things up. Vivek G, aboard Psychic Star, enjoyed the luxury of an ideal position from favourable draw, stalking the leaders in fifth or sixth without breaking a sweat. As the field spread out, the favourite cruised into contention with smooth acceleration. By the final furlong, it was all over but the cheering. Psychic Star pulled away effortlessly, leaving her rivals scrambling for minor honours. Field of Dreams ran on to secure second place, while Hyderabad`s Star of Nature produced a strong late rally to snatch third.

The 1200 metres Mahalakshmi Sprint Million promised a nail-biting finish, and it delivered just that. With tightly matched contenders, predicting a winner was akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Snowfall, the lightweight darling of the betting public, came in as the favourite, her late-closing style earning her the moniker of a flying finisher. But this time, even her signature charge fell heartbreakingly short.

Trevor Patel, aboard Magileto, had other plans. Breaking smartly, he took the bull by the horns and sent Magileto straight to the front, accompanied by Dream Seller, who tried to keep him honest. Miss American Pie, meanwhile, was busy auditioning for the role of a spectator, showing neither speed nor intent.

As the field turned for home, Magileto quickened beautifully, leaving Dream Seller gasping for breath. It seemed like a done deal until Snowfall, under Akshay Kumar—aka Mr. Late Comer—unleashed a spectacular surge from the rear, covering what felt like half the track on the wide outside. But her dash came a stride too late, as Magileto clung on to claim victory.

Trainer Aman Altaf Hussain couldn`t have asked for a better outcome, securing a one-two finish with Magileto and Snowfall. Dream Seller held on for third, while Market King, still searching for his old spark, trudged home fourth. Baby Bazooka, last early on, made some minor gains to finish fifth but was never in the hunt.

The 1200 metres Satinello Trophy, a race for maiden two-year-olds, had punters scratching their heads with a packed field dominated by two trainers who accounted for seven runners. Predicting the winner was akin to playing roulette, but Adhirajsingh Jodha`s Sovereign King rose to the occasion, pulling off a commendable victory. Stablemate Zafeerano, despite trailing the field for much of the race, made a stunning late surge to finish a noteworthy second and looks primed to shed his maiden tag soon. Kings Gambit grabbed third, while the favourite Olivier decided to sit this one out in spirit, finishing nowhere in contention.

In the Forest Flame Trophy (1000m), S S Shah`s Turn And Burn lived up to his fiery name, scorching the track with an electrifying performance. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, the gelding, ridden confidently by Parmar, let Fast Approach burn out early before taking over and sprinting away to an effortless win. Ultimo denied Gypsy Soul second place by a neck in a close finish, but the result was never in doubt for the victor.

Shah struck again in the M N Nazir Trophy (1600m) with Waikiki, who pulled off a shock start-to-finish upset under Parmar. Despite a late scare from Angelo and the favourite Booster Shot, Waikiki held on with desperate determination, delivering a memorable double for Shah`s stable.

Pradeep Chouhan had a busy day as well, starting with a decisive win in the Korea Racing Authority Trophy (Div I) (1400m) with Ardakan. After showing promise in his previous outing, Ardakan, piloted by Trevor Patel, stormed ahead in the final furlong to win by over four lengths. Ghirardelli held off a flying Scorcese for second, while Moonlight Kiss stayed in the mix to finish fourth. However, Chouhan`s Milenium Force, in the lower division, couldn`t replicate the success, falling to favourite Amadeo, who launched a powerful late challenge to snatch victory. Mansa Musa completed the top three.

Karthik Ganapathy`s Caliph delivered the day`s most dominant performance in the Gift of Grave Trophy (2000m). Backed with supreme confidence, the favourite sat patiently in fourth before jockey Sandesh unleashed him in the straight, where Caliph devoured ground to win by over seven lengths. Cascade clung to second, ahead of Marlboro Man, who settled for third.