Pitted against a moderate opposition, Aloritz was rightly offered at prohibited odds of 1-5, which, finally, complimented his winning effort. Travelling on the bridle at the wrong-end of the four-horse field, Cristopher just needed to shake off the Razeen-Allesca colt rounding the home-turn and the race for supremacy ended there itself. The shade under two lengths verdict recorded over Freedom Fighter and Anolini, who contest for the minor placings, must be flattering for the beaten duo.

The victory of the hot-favourite did not, however, set the pattern of rest of the afternoon that was to follow. In fact, Aloritz apart, the only other favourite to deliver the goods during the afternoon was Queen's Logic in the 1,200-metre Port Desire Handicap. It was Cristopher, again, who partnered the Harvinder Singh Bath-trained four-year-old filly to victory.

Expectations seem to run very high from Cristopher's mounts. From his seven rides in as many events on the cards, Cristopher landed with four of them in the winners' enclosure. But what surprised most was the winning ratio between his favourites and the lesser fancies. If his strike rate on the favourite was 50:50, it was significantly higher on his outsiders -- 2:1. His total failure on two of the day's certainties -- Annella and Melodeon -- are, however, being debated. The two horses, surprisingly finished off the board. So much so, one favourite was a disgraceful seventh, while the other went back still further in his race. Agreed, Stafforshire, the winner, might have upset the rhythm of the small made filly in the 1,100-metre Ardiles Cup. 

But Melodeon may have to be a gross unreliable performer to take a huge following for a shock ride in the 1,400-metre Turf Hawk Cup. Incidentally, the event was claimed by another unrelibale horse Cool Quest with 60-1/2 kg on his back. One is beginning to believe that the 'unreliable' tag suits the connections to strike at convenience. 

Among Cristopher's long-priced winners, Adeline in the Stand Off Handicap found the early fast-pace to his advantage as the Sir Borduex-Adelisa daughter came cruising from the rear to post a shade under four-length victory. 

Going great guns in his morning work outs, Crucible's victory did not come as surprise, though Cristopher had to stave off a dual challenge comprising of Gambino and the favourite Silver Toy in the last 100-metres of the Mysore Race Club Cup over a mile. High Life, now in possession of trainer Taran Nath Jaiswal was a good fourth and a coming winner. 

The Bangalore-migrant Blue Gardenia was a rage of backers in the 1,200-metre Fair Haven Handicap despite 60-kg on her back. The Darashah-trainee, however, finished where he ought to have placed, third, though the performance of the Razeen- Try Kola filly left her trainer fuming. In a baby-race, a filly with seven-kg weight disadvantage has to be out of ordinary whatever his trainer's idea about her. Nick Connorton had the top-weight settled nicely in-fourth till the final turn where she was crowded for room. She is eyeing for the Kingfisher Million later this month. Stealing a march from the 600-metre marker after being in-sixth, Regency Times won the race from Aicyclic on whom Cristopher made a desperate attempt but it ended in vain.