Faisal Abbas-trained Thalassa proved that her impressive Indian Derby run was no fluke, clinching the 2000 metres Western India Race Horse Owners` Association Trophy—a race for horses rated 60 to 86—with an air of authority at Sunday`s Mumbai races. Jockey Sandesh, currently embroiled in a neck-and-neck battle for the jockeys` championship with Trevor Patel, rode with supreme confidence. Choosing to bide his time at the rear, Sandesh only roused the filly from her slumber in the homestretch, and she responded with a blistering turn of foot to storm past the front-running Eaton Square with minimal fuss. With just two racing days left in the season, Trevor holds a slender one-point lead, ensuring that the battle remains as tense as a last-turn thriller.

The betting ring, however, had other ideas. Just when it seemed Thalassa would be the cynosure of all eyes, her odds shot up dramatically as Eaton Square, a last-start winner, and the rather unremarkable Exuma attracted some bizarre support. Eaton Square, who previously had the habit of treating the starting gates like an inconvenient suggestion, has turned over a new leaf under fresh ownership, once again jumping alertly and dictating the pace. Splendido stayed in close attendance while Exuma, Flaming Lamborghini, and Thalassa followed in a leisurely procession. As they straightened for home, Sandesh finally decided enough was enough, set Thalassa ablaze, and she gobbled up the leeway in no time. Eaton Square momentarily hinted at a comeback, but it was as effective as a candle in a storm. Splendido held on for third, while Exuma ran with all the enthusiasm of a reluctant jogger.

The day also saw some thrilling contests—though not all were edge-of-the-seat affairs. The upper division of the 1000 metres Dady Adenwalla Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, turned into a procession rather than a contest, while the lower division was so close it required a forensic examination to separate the winner. Luna, the hot favourite in the upper division, was expected to dazzle, but Dallas Todywalla-trained Diligence had other plans. Benefiting from prior racing experience, Diligence bolted out of the gates as if propelled by jet fuel, establishing a massive five-length lead by the finish. Marcelle followed at a respectful distance, while Enchanting claimed third. Luna, expected to shine, instead moved like she was stuck in quicksand, failing to live up to her lofty reputation.

The lower division of the race saw Rehanullah Khan-trained Don Julio, who had placed third on a couple of occasions, attracting support to the exclusion of the rest. Clearly, the punters believed today was the day he would shake off his bronze medal syndrome. Jockey Haridas Gore took Don Julio on a start-to-finish mission, with Zephyr the only horse showing any real interest in keeping him company.

Don Julio looked well on course to deliver, but in the final furlong, Zephyr, ridden by Yash Narredu, decided it was time for a proper contest. The two locked horns, trading blows stride for stride, making it impossible to separate them in the dying moments of the race. The finish was so close that even the photo-finish camera probably had to take a second look. In the end, it was Zephyr who managed to put his nose in front in a spine-tingling finish, leaving Don Julio`s backers clutching their tickets in despair. Seneca came third, though at a respectable social distance from the first two.

The 1400 metres Trainers Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, produced a classic betting coup as Shazaan Shah-trained Rambler pulled off a big upset. Though clearly a class above the rest, Rambler flew under the radar—perhaps a well-executed strategy from a yard that knows how to strike when it counts.

Earth took up the running early, with Chardikala, Fontana, and Spanish Eyes in pursuit, while Rambler was in no particular hurry at the tail end of the field. It all looked set for an upset-free result until Rambler switched gears in the straight. Turning on the afterburners, he devoured ground and blew past a tiring Earth with a finishing burst that could make a sprinter jealous. By the time the post arrived, he was well clear, leaving Earth a brave but beaten second. Fontana took third, while the more fancied Spanish Eyes and Chardikala performed like they had read the script but missed the part where they were supposed to play leading roles.

Aman Altaf Hussain-trained Manor House had given a strong hint of his ability with a noteworthy second-place finish last time out, and the punters were convinced that this was his moment in the 1200 metres Racing Officials Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Trevor Patel, who probably had little intention of turning this into a suspense thriller, took Manor House to the front after sweeping past the fancied Dulari. By the final furlong, the race was all but over, as Manor House established a comfortable lead and cantered home with authority. Scaramouche finished with a late flourish to take second ahead of Star Romance, but by then, the winner was already dusting off his saddle.

The lower division of the race served up a far more gripping contest, with Faisal Abbas-trained Cinderella`s Dream scripting a fairy tale ending at the expense of Ocean—though only just. Apprentice Aditya Waydande had Ocean in the lead coming into the final furlong, but Sandesh, riding Cinderella`s Dream, wasn`t about to let him waltz away with the win. The two engaged in a relentless battle, stride for stride, until Cinderella`s Dream stretched that extra inch in the final moment to get her nose in front. Moonlight Kiss, despite what can only be described as a ‘soft` ride from Mustakim Alam, still managed to grab an eye-catching third—an effort that did not go unnoticed.

Pesi Shroff-trained Eagle Day made life harder than necessary for himself in the 1600 metres Jockeys Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The hot favourite took an eternity to find his rhythm, leaving his backers anxiously wondering if he had mistakenly joined the tortoise race instead. However, once he finally woke up in the last 100 metres, he made amends in style, sweeping past front-running Sands of Dubai and winning with ease. Empower finished third, though the result never seemed in doubt once Eagle Day shifted gears. Jockey A Prakash had the easiest task of the day—just making sure his mount remembered he was in a race.

Adonis presented trainer Vijay Kasbekar with his second win of the season when bravely fending off the late challenge of fancied Arbitrage to land the 1000 metres Racing Journalists Trophy, a race for horses rated 1 to 26. Jockey Nazil had Adonis cruising in front by the final furlong, but Arbitrage launched a determined bid that made the closing stages interesting. However, Adonis held firm, ensuring that Arbitrage`s efforts remained just that—efforts. Moment of Madness finished third, while Untitled, who had been running every other day like a workaholic, finally showed the exhaustion of such a schedule, barely making his presence felt despite the backing of a top jockey for the first time.

Subhag Singh-trained Marlboro Man, a horse notorious for treating races like casual morning jogs, finally decided to take his job seriously in the 1400 metres Sion F Nessim Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, Marlboro Man hit the front early—an unusual sight for those familiar with his past antics—and made no mistake this time, winning comfortably from Oh Kay and The Sengol Queen. We Still Believe briefly threatened to ruin the party but suddenly ran out of steam in the final furlong, retreating faster than a gambler after a bad beat. Whatever went wrong, it was enough to hand the race to the favourite on a platter.