18 December,2015 07:18 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
Jockeys Trevor Patel and Neeraj Rawal emerged as star performers of the proceedings at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Thursday when both of them won three races each on the nine-race card. While Trevor has been used to doubles and trebles thanks to his consistent form, it was one of the rare days in the sun for Neeraj Rawal
Jockeys Trevor Patel and Neeraj Rawal emerged as star performers of the proceedings at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Thursday when both of them won three races each on the nine-race card. While Trevor has been used to doubles and trebles thanks to his consistent form, it was one of the rare days in the sun for Neeraj Rawal.
Interestingly, all Rawal's winners were at fancy odds: Sapphire Song who won the opening race was freely available at 11-1; Rapid Girl, winner of the lower division of the Murioi Plate, was opened at 11-2 before she received spirited backing to close as a 3-1 first favourite in the bookmakers' ring; and Judicious who won the upper division of the same race that Rapid Girl won, was quoted at 6-1.
Interestingly, the only favourite that Rawal rode--Dem Sao in the Autumn Blue Plate--had to play second fiddle to shock winner Romantic Beauty who paid a whopping Rs 697 for Rs 10 on the race club tote.
Trevor Patel's treble also included a 12-1 shock winner in Rule Downunder who won the Edgar DeSylva Trophy in a blanket finish that involved four horses. However, his other two winners were popular choices: Spanish Saga (Alma Mater Plate) and Captain Courage (Burbon King Plate - Div I).
Among trainers, Pesi Shroff, who will go off the racing scene for a three-month suspension from Monday (Dec 21), continued his dominance by saddling yet another brace.
