Serrafina returns to winning ways   
By Aalibaba (indiathoroughbreds@hotmail.com)

Kolkata
December 3, 2005

More than the hat-trick of wins scored by Vijay Singh and his stable-jockey C.Alford, last  Saturday, was the winning performance of their filly, Serrafina, which brought the biggest satisfaction to the two professionals.

In her previous outing, the four-year-old filly had produced an impressive performance despite losing about a distance at the start. On this day, the victory of the half-money  favourite was almost assured the moment she took a level jump. Alford nursed the Razeen-Passed So Fast daughter in-fourth, and close behind the leaders Senor Pele, Blue Devil and Autocop, till the top of the stretch before skating clear of the field.

Now that Serrafina is back to her winning ways, more will be heard of her in the coming weeks.

The Vijay-Alford duo clicked in the 2,000m Birthday Girl Handicap, which the last outing winner, Romantic Romance, claimed with a degree of comfort. The Royal Kingdom-Celestial Heights son won like a true stayer as the three-year-old led from the start by a length and went on increasing the lead. Alford was seen easing up the 35-100 favouite a long way from home.

In comparison, Averroes gave Vijay and Alford some anxious moments before claiming the Bountiful Treasure Cup. The Duja filly managed to stave off the challenge of Aag and Pay Check. Cameo Role was an untested fourth throughout the journey.

Apprentice Melvyn Maseyk, whose four-month suspension was cut down to four weeks by the Appellate Board, made a determined effort to do something worthwhile on his return. He scored a double through Poetic Moment and Arabie. Although both his winners were virtual armchair rides, the confidence building exercise was more important for him. He is getting riding-tutelage from the former champion jockey Nicky Bird who seems to be doing a good job. However, the apprentice needs to learn exercising proper control over his rides. 

Karan’s Choice relished a light impost of 54kg after struggling under topweight almost through out the monsoon season. The Harvinder Singh Bath-trainee made her bid from the start though Daniel David's Wayward King kept the pressure on the four-year-old right from the word ‘go.’