British jockey David Allan seems to have an almost clairvoyant understanding of Indian racing. Not surprising, really, since he arrives on our shores like a winter migratory bird, only instead of chirping, he swoops in and collects silverware. Allan’s perfect race aboard Golden Thunder, trained by Karthik Ganapathy, ensured a resounding victory in the Gr 3 Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup, a so-called "lead-up" race to the Indian Derby. Though, let’s be honest, calling it a “lead-up” is a stretch these days—especially when Derby favourite Santissimo skipped it altogether for what could generously be called a glorified practice jog.

But back to Allan, who ditched the “put-them-to-sleep-and-sprint-home” method (a.k.a. old-school Indian racing handbook) in favour of exploiting Golden Thunder’s staying power. It was a calculated move that paid dividends.

The race itself was a straightforward affair. Odysseus, trained by the ever-reliable Pesi Shroff, was sent off as the favourite, presumably based on his two back-to-back wins. But here’s the rub: Odysseus has all the speed of a slug on a treadmill. One-paced and predictable, he set the pace early, as expected, followed by Golden Thunder, Scaramouche, and Shambala, the latter making a dramatic entrance by missing the break and then throwing a tantrum in the hands of jockey Y.S. Srinath.

As Odysseus led the field into the final furlong, it became clear he’d need rocket boosters to maintain his lead. Golden Thunder surged ahead under Allan’s masterful guidance, while Shambala found a second wind but, unfortunately, no third. The gelding’s late aggression wasn’t enough to topple Golden Thunder, who kicked on resolutely to secure victory. Odysseus clung on for a tame third, and poor Scaramouche merely completed the numbers, possibly wondering if he’d been invited to the wrong party.

After the race, Allan remarked that stamina wouldn’t be a concern for Golden Thunder in future assignments, even in the demanding Indian Derby. However, as anyone in racing knows, pure stamina in a Derby field is like bringing a knife to a gunfight—great for looking brave, but rarely enough to win. With contenders boasting speed, class, and racing credentials lined up for next month, one has to wonder whether Golden Thunder’s grit will hold its own against the flashier stars of the show.

Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha’s Elusive Art might have recorded an impressive win last time out, but the filly’s encore in the 1200 metres Gool S Poonawalla Million turned out to be more “hold your breath” than “sit back and relax.” The favourite, hailed as unbeatable, had to dig deep to survive a jaw-dropping finish. Punters who backed her probably aged five years watching Stormy Sea unleash a blistering late run, only to fall short by a whisker. If horses had fingernails, Elusive Art’s would’ve been clinging to the wire.

The race was as tight as sardines in a can, with the first six runners separated by barely an arm’s length. Rosabelle, touted as a half-sister to last year’s Indian Derby winner Enabler, managed to sneak into third, just ahead of Giacomo, Matisse, and Charlie Brown—a lineup that sounds more like an art exhibit than a race finish. For all the hype surrounding Elusive Art, she barely justified her favouritism, giving punters a heart attack in the process.

If there’s ever an award for “Most Dramatic Comeback,” Bluebird would win it by a mile—ironically, after initially looking like he couldn’t win anything. Pesi Shroff’s ward took the concept of a slow start to new heights (or depths), dawdling out of the gates like he had just remembered he’d left the stove on. Refusing to raise a gallop, the gelding looked so uninterested that punters who backed him were likely checking their ticket stubs to see if they’d accidentally bet on the wrong race.

But then, as if hit by a divine epiphany, Bluebird decided to show up. Finding his rhythm mid-race, the once-lost cause morphed into a heat-seeking missile, weaving through the field with the precision of a Formula 1 driver in rush-hour traffic. By the time the final furlong arrived, Bluebird had not only joined the party but was leading the conga line, leaving Ocean, who had set a brisk pace up front, gasping in his wake. Ocean’s efforts fizzled as the tide turned, with Bluebird soaring away to victory.

Spirit Bay, showing respectable late speed, managed to edge Fiorentini for third place, but all eyes were on Bluebird, whose win was the racing equivalent of a phoenix rising from the ashes—or perhaps, a bird waking up from an unusually long nap.

Not to be outdone in the drama department, Lord Vader, trained by Karthik Ganapathy, turned the Division I of the Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy into his own Star Wars saga. Trailing the field and seemingly uninterested in the proceedings for most of the race, Lord Vader suddenly summoned the dark side—or, more accurately, his finishing kick—around the final bend.

Launching a blistering run on the wide outside, he swept past the field to edge out Dulari, a long shot who had the audacity to nearly pull off an upset. While Dulari’s bold attempt at glory fell just short, it certainly added spice to the race. Meanwhile, Eloquent took the third spot, leaving favourite Divine Star to ponder his underwhelming fourth-place finish—a performance as disappointing as a summer blockbuster with no special effects.

Pesi Shroff’s Gordon, after a couple of efforts that can politely be called "uninspired," finally delivered the goods in the 2000 metres Uttam Singh Trophy. Floyd, true to his aggressive style, led the charge but fizzled out when the pressure mounted. Jockey Ajinkya, calm as ever drove out the fancied runner to win comfortably. Meanwhile, Uzi came in third, proving once again that while he’s named after a rapid-fire gun, his finishes are anything but explosive. Alexandros, who came into this race with serious backing, trotted home a meek fourth. If there were a race for most expensive flops, Alexandros would win hands down—ironic, isn’t it?

Trainer Dallas Todywalla finally broke his dry spell, thanks to Portofino Bay, who turned the 1000 metres P D Avasia Trophy into a one-horse show. Apprentice jockey Bhosale rode the five-year-old mare like his life depended on it, going on a start-to-finish mission and winning by an emphatic seven lengths. The margin was so dominant that even the favourite, Cellini, looked like he was running in slow motion. Emperor Roderic, making a comeback after a long layoff, put in a lacklustre effort to finish third. For Todywalla, though, this win must feel like a breath of fresh air in what has been a suffocatingly long losing streak.

In the 1600 metres Marchetta Trophy, a race for horses in the basement category, Alaricus thought he was auditioning for the 1000-metre sprint. Setting a blistering pace from the get-go and leading by a yawning margin, the gelding looked more like he was trying to win the race before anyone else noticed. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell him that mile races also include a final furlong, where dreams—and stamina—tend to evaporate.

As Alaricus hit the metaphorical wall, Operation Finale, the heavily-backed favourite, surged ahead like a hero in the final act of an action film. But alas, the finale wasn’t his to script. Enter Hoshidar Daji’s Goodfellow, who came from the clouds with a finish so late and dramatic it could have been accompanied by a slow clap. Goodfellow stormed past the struggling favourite at nourishing odds, giving punters with an eye for value something to cheer about while others muttered, "Where did that come from?" Meanwhile, Dianne snuck past a weary Alaricus to grab third, saving place money for her backers.