Aman Altaf Hussain`s Snowfall is that infuriatingly gifted who can crush any opposition one day and vanish into mediocrity the next. Brilliant when the mood strikes—and utterly baffling when it doesn`t—she has been responsible for more than a few sleepless nights for jockeys and her former trainer. After a flop in her last handicap outing, she arrived for the Gr 3 Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy in a mood that left the opposition less interested in winning and more in figuring out what on earth just hit them.

With Yash Narredu in the saddle, Snowfall unleashed a finishing kick down the last furlong that made the rest look run of the mill. Market King, who had done little of note last season, led with surprising enthusiasm and actually refused to roll over. It`s My Time decided it wasn`t, Siege Courageous ran out of courage, and Jade—bless her—got stuck in traffic worse than Mumbai`s Western Express Highway. Snowfall rolled past all of them to win, Market King showed a pulse for second, and Siege Courageous barely held off the unlucky Jade for third.

It was a banner day for young Vivek G who booted home four winners in a card of seven events.

Dual Indian Classic winner Psychic Star returned after her Derby disappointment looking like she had read the form book and circled this race in red ink. Backed as if defeat was not an option, she sauntered through the 1800 metres Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy without breaking a sweat.

Alpine Star made the early running, Regina Memorabilis briefly looked like she might be relevant, and Thundering Phoenix was thunder in name only. Regal Command was sluggish as usual, Eaton Square decided gates were a good place to stay, and Vivek G brought Psychic Star wide and smooth to sweep past for an effortless win.

Shazaan Shah`s Credence is a professional—six wins from nine outings says so. Coming off a trip to Bangalore and still brimming with racing fitness, she faced a hot favourite in Divine Star, who was looking for her fourth straight win. Apprentice Aditya Waydande clearly hadn`t read the hype—he took Credence straight to the front in the 1200 metres Iron Age Trophy and invited the others to try their luck. They didn`t. Divine Star chased gamely but found her halo slipping, while Son of A Gun and Irish Gold seemed more interested in getting their names mentioned than in actually winning.

After 500 winless days, most horses lose confidence. Not Fontana. Pradeep Chouhan had her trained up like a secret weapon, and Vivek G deployed her perfectly in the Western India Race Horse Owners Association Trophy. Last-start winner Bee Magical had the betting ring under a spell, but Fontana led from the jump, resisted every challenge, and crossed two lengths clear. Lord Eric fought for second but was denied in a photo, and Bee Magical`s magic fizzled when it mattered.

Trainer Pesi Shroff usually waits until the tail-end of the season to collect his trophies, but Oliver clearly wasn`t in the mood to wait. Sent off a short-priced favourite in the Jockeys Association of India Trophy, he was made to work by front-running Wind Dancer, who opened up a big lead. Vivek G had to go to the whip with intent, Oliver responded like a pro, and the pair overhauled Wind Dancer before fending off Treasure Gold`s late charge. Wind Dancer clung on for third, possibly wondering where the finish line went.

After 14 unproductive attempts, Star Impact decided enough was enough. Backed heavily in the Strategic Move Plate, she justified the faith, though not without some drama—veering out in the straight as if she`d spotted a food truck. Vivek G, now on his fourth winner of the day, kept her honest long enough to win with ease. Between Friends got second, while Prince Igor, touted as a big danger, was nowhere near dangerous.