Shiraz Sunderji trained Ocean and Beyond gave a “value-for-money” performance for owner Rakesh Wadhawan when claiming the richly endowed Kunigal Stud sponsored Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Gr.3) here on Saturday. That the winner’s owner-mate Star Empire went into the race as a firm favourite is an entirely different issue altogether.

Ciel Indienne, who ran off the board when ridden in check in the race won by Star Future last month, resumed his front running tactics and refused to budge till close home. It took a long-stretched run from Imran Chisty ridden Ocean and Beyond, the progeny of Kingsalsa out of Sayuri, who stands at the Equus Stud Farms, to divest Ciel Indienne of his command nearer home. Macchupicchu was unlucky in the sense that he came across a wall of horses when Paul Mulrennan put him in top gear and had to wait for a clear passage to re-launch his assault. Macchupicchu rallied well but found the winning post coming too soon. Macchupicchu however relieved stable-mate Tender Romance, who looked menacing at one stage, of the third place. Favourite Star Empire didn’t show any inclination of delivering the goods at any stage and finished in the rut. Ordained One threw tantrums at the gates and ran pathetically in the race.

Arts (Ontario – Shanley) made a triumphant return to Western India after being ably guided by Y. S. Srinath in the Black Dog Trophy. The C. D. Katrak trainee showed no initial speed but made gradual progress to be in the reckoning as the field turned for home. Earlier Schnell decided to show the way to the field and led them home. Ares tried to gain the upper hand but found Arts unstoppable. Schnell held on to place third ahead of Forbes List, who guided a lot of money down the drain after failing to live up to the expectations of the punters. Blue Danube failed to raise a fluent gallop after a lethargic beginning and ended up dismally.

A similar performance was given by Our Fortune in the United Spirits Challenge over a sprint where Hereafter called the early shots with Our Fortune and Highland Flame (Glory of Dancer – Killarney) in hot pursuit. Hereafter failed to sustain the lead as Imran Chisty driven Highland Flame measured her comfortably even as Our Fortune refused to put his best foot forward.

Imtiaz Sait saddled a back-to-back double with Satsuma Star (Placerville – Imperial Satsuma) and Sea Shower (Ikhtiyar – Maman Zimbie). The bay filly Satsuma Star lived up to the promise shown in her last endeavour and found the pre-race favourite River Minstrel slogging in the front as if on a pace-making mission. Chris Hayes brought Satsuma Star into contention in the straight and by that time River Minstrel was also busy packing his bags. Satsuma Star went sailing into the lead and earned her maiden career success. Numismatist laboured hard to be runner-up ahead of Monk’s Ferrari and Tommy Carmichael.

Sea Shower also notched up his maiden win after producing a flourishing run from the bend. Forward Charge was inconvenienced by the winner but for which he could have finished closer. Debutant Ancient Wonder was nowhere in the picture till the last turn made ample ground towards the end to finish in the money ahead of Splendid Secret. Ancient Wonder should not linger in the maiden ranks for long.

Chris Hayes ridden Cambiasso (Razeen – Gourgandine) relished the extended trip over which he was sent by his master Pesi Shroff and found his owner and stable mate Angelo setting the perfect pace for him. Sea of Kisses, running for the first time this season and also tackling a journey which he had never tried, took charge from Angelo but was frustrated by Cambiasso’s brilliant finishing effort. Doi Moi finished a close third but really was unlucky to have been denied a clear run by the winner just when the field was going off the bridle in the home stretch. Just a while earlier, Track Thunder was also squeezed out by the same culprit.

Changing Black Rainbow’s to a more positive Vibgyor (Johannesburg – Demons Cloud) proved lucky for Mansoor Shah as the gelding stretched out well in the hands of Suraj Narredu to foil the plans of Grand Warrior, racing in the same colours as his, to end the day with an upset as Kings Troop had done at the start. But Suraj drove Vibgyor purposefully to wrest the issue.

B. Prakash found his lone success through Karthik Ganapathy saddled Angels Pursuit (Alnasr Alwasheek – Cut Time). The winner was hard-ridden by Prakash to steal the verdict from the runaway leader Illustrious and Ocean Odyssey, who entered the fray a bit late. Favourite Royal Highness was done in by her inexperience but was seen covering good ground towards the end before Firemiss finished on to deny her the fourth place.

Kings Troop (Storm Trooper – Royal Dornoch) from Himmat Singh’s yard earned his corn bill at the expense of favourite Gypsy Queen, who faltered near the wire. Suzy Wong and the rest were going nowhere though they finished close in the end. Rookie Trevor Patel earned his first career victory through the winner.

S. Zervan ridden and Narendra Lagad trained filly Orada (Major Impact – Senorita Rose), whose chances were marred by a couple of mishaps in her previous runs, earned a bracket outwitting Culcrieff. C. Rajendra who rode the latter raised an objection against the winner which was overruled. Favourite Their Lil Sister was too keen in the early part of the race and ended third ahead of Step By Step.