The two favourites were almost in close attendance, and in the mid-division, till the halfway mark. But Mark Gallagher decided to bisect leaders Ballet Master and Sea Legend nearing the final turn while Alford, who normally tries to come the shortest way home, opted for the circuitous route, which brought about an end to his challenge.
Alford was also caught napping on another of Vijay’s hot-favourite Corvino in the 1,600-metre Too Hot To Touch Cup. In a commanding two-length lead, 300 metres from home, Alford let the victory slip when Prithviraj brought a friendless Finders Keepers in to the fray after leisurely galloping in the mid-division. The close tussle that followed in the last 100 metres of the race gave a definite edge to the seven-year-old mare in view of a big pull at the weight that the T.N. Jaiswal-trainee was receiving from the young horse.
Vijay ended up with a consolation prize – claimed earlier in the day when the 5-2 favourite Shadow Dancing carried his own colours to a fluent victory in the 1,200-metre Zeeba Handicap. Shanker partnering the Duja-Lighting Pace mare allowed Rebelwithacause with a runaway lead till the halfway mark and assumed the charge of the running 300-metre from home. Thereafter, Dancing Shadow never looked to be in danger of losing the sight of victory. Top weighted Barrier Ridge did come with a spirited challenge but the eight-year-old had his customary speed left years behind.
The revised weights worked to Royal Contenders advantage in the 1,200-metre Wind Song Handicap after the Jaiswal-trainee had lost a close contest to Beyond The Clouds on the opening day. More importantly, Prithviraj also decided to do away with the waiting race on this occasion, and, instead, was up with the frontrunners April Ace and Dream Sovereign. He sent the seven-year-old into the lead in the final stretch and the victory was ensured.
Javed Khan’s Thanks A Lot looked a winner at the top of the home stretch when the Metal Precieux-How Come four-year-old slipped into the lead in the 1,200-metre Sunray Handicap. He could have easily increased the verdict of two-length verdict had his jockey Mark Reuben decided to do so. He may strike again in the present class.
The increasing odds of Sparkling Clear in the 1,400-metre Royal Double Handicap did send a clear signal that all was not well with the Bharath Singh-trainee. The filly opened as a 7-10 favourite but found fewer backers at 7-4 when the field was dispatched. The Flitch-Million Stars filly was, however, in a striking position till 300 metres from home before allowing the 2-1 second favourite Steinlen, from Daniel’s yard, to shoot into the lead. Thereafter, it was left to the lesser-fancied duo of Deeqa and Followme to spearhead the Bharath-stable challenge which failed narrowly.
