The Gr 3 Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders` Juvenile Colts Championship, the feature event of Mumbai`s races on Sunday, was billed as a three-way clash between the well-backed Diego Garcia, Red Bishop, and Gunsmoke—but none of them saw the storm brewing on the horizon. Enter Stormy Sea, the Dashmesh Stud Farm-bred colt, who until now had played second fiddle once but disappointing in subsequent outings. But on the big day, he flipped the script spectacularly. With Anthony Raj in the saddle, Stormy Sea unleashed a tempest, sweeping past the bewildered favourites and blowing the race wide open. Yet, someone clearly believed in his hidden potential, as the odds mysteriously crumbled from 10/1 to 6/1, raising quite a few eyebrows in the betting ring.

When the gates flung open, Stormy Sea, under Anthony Raj, put on a show that suggested his previous hesitation was just a clever ruse. He breezed past the favourite Diego Garcia and Miracle of Hanukah in the homestretch with the casual ease of a champion-in-the-making, sealing the deal long before the finish post arrived.

As for Gunsmoke, he took his ‘cowboy` name a little too seriously, ambling along at the back like he was waiting for a shootout that never came. Jockey Yash Narredu eventually decided it was time to wake him up, but by then, Stormy Sea had already left the scene of the crime. Gunsmoke did make up significant ground, taking second, but never looked like a serious challenger.

Diego Garcia, despite being the favourite, was reduced to playing third fiddle, barely holding off Miracle of Hanukah in a photo finish. A maiden runner with a storm-themed name had swept them all away, the opponents oblivious of the incoming storm.

Trainer M K Jadhav, who had been away from much of the Mumbai season, returned to the paddock looking fighting fit—just like his ward, Stormy Sea. When money flows on a Jadhav-trained horse, it usually arrives like a monsoon downpour. This time, however, the betting market remained hesitant, with more ‘accomplished` colts in the fray. But as always, horse racing thrives on the unexpected—and Stormy Sea was about to remind everyone of that fact.

Miracle of Hanukah took up the chore of pace-setting, leading Diego Garcia, Red Bishop, and Stormy Sea, while Olivier, Little John, and the ever-drowsy Gunsmoke decided that early urgency was overrated. Gunsmoke sleepwalked out of the gates and kept himself at a respectable distance from the action, presumably waiting for an engraved invitation to start running.

At the turn, Diego Garcia made his move, taking over from the exhausted Miracle of Hanukah. For a brief moment, he seemed like the colt to beat, but it was soon apparent that he was only leading on borrowed time. Behind him, Stormy Sea was coiled like a spring, waiting for Anthony Raj to drop the hammer. And when he did, it was all over.

With minimal fuss and maximum efficiency, Stormy Sea breezed past the favourite and cruised home like he had missed the memo that this was supposed to be a competitive race. Meanwhile, Gunsmoke—having finally realized he was in an actual race—took off from the rear like a horse possessed, making up heaps of ground to take second. Diego Garcia, now running on fumes, nearly lost third to Miracle of Hanukah, who reappeared from the abyss in a desperate lunge, but fell short by a whisker.

Stormy Sea`s smashing victory raises the all-important question: How far will this storm travel in the summer season? If history is anything to go by, this race has produced its fair share of classic winners. Whether Stormy Sea is destined for greatness or was simply a tempest in a teacup—only time will tell.

The Gr 3 Forbes Breeders` Juvenile Fillies` Championship was supposed to be a competitive affair. Instead, it turned into a one-horse exhibition as Fynbos, the overwhelming favourite, made the rest of the field look like extras in a race they had no business being in.

Last time out, Fynbos had pulled off an out-of-nowhere late rally to snatch victory from Diego Garcia, but this time, she was in no mood for theatrics. Jockey Trevor Patel had her in front within a furlong, and from there, it was just a matter of how far. The opposition? Well, calling them ‘unthreatening` would be an understatement—this was a group that looked more likely to find their form in next season`s handicaps than in a graded race.

By the home stretch, the only thing that mattered was the winning margin, which stood at a commanding eight lengths. Pristine Glory finished a distant second, while Heart was third—but only because someone had to be.

As for Yash Narredu, he must have felt like he was riding statues all day, because Heart, much like Gunsmoke earlier, needed an alarm clock at the start. Despite the hope that her bloodline (being a full sister to multi-classic winner Santissimo) might count for something, her performance suggested she`s still in search of a spark.

Jockey Sandesh barely had to break a sweat as Dallas Todywalla`s debutant Social Butterfly swatted away the competition in the 1000 metres J Rustomji Soparivala Trophy for maiden three-year-olds. As a full sister to the well-performed Isn`t She Beautiful, she carried the burden of expectation but handled it like a seasoned pro. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, she made sure punters never had to suffer a moment of doubt, taking charge from the start and cruising to victory ahead of the hard-ridden Dreamer and Vegatha, who were left chasing shadows.

The 1600 metres J P Vazifdar Trophy saw Pride`s Prince live up to his name, delivering a powerful late burst to claim victory for trainer Imtiaz Sait. The betting ring was abuzz with support for the prolific performer, but hat-trick performer Ardakan and Celestial also had their share of admirers. However, Fortunate Son had other plans, setting a blistering pace that forced Ardakan to burn too much fuel too early. By the final furlong, Pride`s Prince, who had been biding his time, pounced with authority, leaving Splendido`s late charge as the only real threat—but it wasn`t enough. Ardakan, feeling the effects of his early exertions, could only cling on to third, barely holding off the early aggressor Fortunate Son.

Trainer Pradeep Chouhan wrapped up his day with a double, although one of his winners—Absolute Gorgeous—was a bit of a surprise. Perhaps a change in name and stable was all she needed, as she produced a resolute front-running effort under Nirmal Jodha in the 1200 metres Star Shine Trophy (Div I). Vincero and Zendaya closed in late, but couldn`t peg back the leader. Favourite Dulari ran a respectable fourth, but apprentice jockey Bharath Singh`s ride left much to be desired, as a slow start and some questionable tactics meant the filly never had a fair crack at it.

The lower division of the race was all about trainer Sangramsinh Joshi`s well-orchestrated coup on Shirsa, who snapped a 500-day losing streak in emphatic fashion. The market whispers proved accurate, as a flood of late money saw Manor House`s odds drift alarmingly, while Shirsa`s price crashed. Trevor had Manor House well clear in the straight, but the moment Prasad unleashed Shirsa, it was game over. Manor House folded like a cheap lawn chair, surrendering meekly, while Galloping Glory took a distant third, just ahead of Cinderella`s Dream.

Joshi nearly snatched a second win in the Mogadishu Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 with Star Romance bravely attempting to steal the race from the front. But Sandesh, in no mood for generosity, drove the favourite Toscana home with sheer force of will, denying Joshi the double. Eloquent, also well-backed, finished an honourable third in a tight finish.