Regal Command, available at 19-10, clinched victory in the prestigious Homi Mody Trophy on the 14th day of the Mumbai racing season at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse here on Sunday.
The race featured a small but competitive field of three runners, all of whom got off to an even start as the gates flew open. Golden Kingdom, the tote favourite, surged ahead and took the early lead as they raced past the backstretch marker at 1800 meters. Maintaining a slender advantage of three lengths, Golden Kingdom dictated the pace, with Regal Command settling into third position while Rasputin closely tracked the leader.
As the race progressed and the runners approached the final turn, Regal Command began to make his move from the outside, gradually closing in on the leader.
Golden Kingdom, still holding onto his advantage, attempted to fend off the challenge, but Regal Command displayed a powerful turn of foot in the final furlong. In a thrilling finish, Regal Command surged past Golden Kingdom to claim victory by three-quarters of a length, rewarding those who backed him at 19-10 odds.
The day’s racing card featured a total of eight races, but it was a tough outing for favourite backers, as only two of the fancied contenders managed to justify their billing, while the rest suffered unexpected defeats.
