Mystic Bay wins a thriller

Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. Pic/Shadab Khan

The Malesh Narredu-trained Mystic Bay, superbly ridden by Chotu Singh Jodha, won the Byram N Jeejeebhoy Trophy, the feature event of Thursday's eight-race card. The Leitir Mor - Memory Bay five-year-old gelding is owned by Jamshed Byramjee, in partnership with Mr & Mrs Zavaray & Behroze Poonawalla and Mrs B E Saldanha.

Smart start

Mystic Bay was quick to jump from the gates, and showed the way to Silver Flames, Excellent Gold, Gazino, Perfect Star and St Andrews in that order. On turning for home, it soon became clear that jockey C S Jodha astride Mystic Bay had plenty in hand when he frustrated the all out efforts of P Trevor on Silver Flames who attempted to challenge him after crossing the two-furlong marker.

However, when P S Chouhan on Gazino forced his way between the two warring horses and started breathing down Mystic Bay's neck, Jodha had to resort to the whip to keep going.

Late dash

Just when Mystic Bay and Gazino were going hammer and tongs as they entered the final furlong, St Andrews (Aniket Karande up), who was racing a detached last in the early part of the race, covered ground with gigantic strides and thundered onto the scene. In the triangular battle that ensued, Jodha kept his cool and gave an exemplary ride to Mystic Bay, managing to stay ahead, sparing half a length to Gazino and St Andrews who were locked in a photo finish for the runner up berth.

Jodha, who had earlier won the opening race for trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha with Speculator, finished the day with a double, sharing the honours with jockey P Trevor (Sultan Suleiman and Viktorina) and trainer Malesh Narredu (Historian and Mystic Bay).