Favourites return to winning ways 
By Aalibaba

The Devil went in to the hiding on Wednesday and smiles were back on the RCTC punters’ faces. It need not be mentioned that favourites had a field day in the six-event card framed for the afternoon. In fact, the form played true and the fight for the paying slots in most of the races was confined to those who were expected to perform. Significantly, the presence of trainer Vijay Singh and his stable jockey C. Alford made a major difference on the day after weeks of battering punters had received at the hands of outsiders. The duo, deservingly packed up with a treble, leaving his fellow top professionals --Daniel David and Amyn Merchant – to console with brace of winners, including a dead-heat in the Maltese Prince Handicap. 

C. Alford on Inside Story, the winner of the Pa Bear Handicap

The afternoon begun with an expected victory of the Javed Khan-favourite Actualite, though Daniel’s Bright And Clear also cornered much of the betting and went to the start as a close second favourite at 6-4. However, Mark Reuben, riding the Tejano-Indian Style filly, made a short work of the opposition from the start of the race. 

The Treasure Land Cup over 1,800-metres was picked up by Vijay’s Archery who shared betting with Daniel’s Star Selection. However, the latter never raised a meaningful gallop when the heat was on while the stable-mate Raring To Go tried to contain the winner as the topweight was seen making a businesslike effort upfront. 

Ridden of the pace and settled in the rear behind Star Selection, C. Alford brought the Elusive Pimpernel-Hieroglyphic five-year-old the shortest way home while Merchant opted for the circular course rounding the home turn and ruined his chances. 

Modesto lived up to his higher rating as the Vijay-trainee made every post of the 1,400-metre Vasto Handicap a winning one. It was despite the fact that the Metal Precieux-Mea Culpa colt was shouldering a heavy impost of 61-kg. Richie Rich, another heavy-weight (62-kg) in the race, placed third and thus also served a notice that he would be in the winners’ enclosure soon. 

M. Reuben on Actualite, the winner of the Audubon Cup

C. Alford on Modesto, the winner of the Vasto Handicap

Vijay finished his day following the victory of Inside Story in the feature event, the 1,400-metre Pa Bear Cup. The Dark Nile-Success Story four-year-old was, however, given a fright by Rodrigues’ Hello Brother who, for a change raised a meaningful gallop as the Young Senor-One Up six-year-old tried to win from the start. Hello Brother was, however, caught up and passed by the winner, who was kept in close attendance of the leader, 50 metres from home after a brief struggle inside the last furlong. In fact, it was his heavy pull at the weight, which Inside Story enjoyed from Hello Brother that turned the tables in favour of the former. 

If Modesto re-produced his winter form, Davaro failed to do so with an equal ease. Also assigned a top-weight of 60-kg, the White Crown-Our Volcan colt just about managed to share the prize with Daniel’s Great Ambition after leading the entire length of the 1,100 metre Maltese Handicap. Merchant had Great Ambition settled close behind the leader and the two youngsters were seen going stride for stride for almost 300 metres from home. Onewonone was a good third and may do better over a slightly extended course. 

April Ace picked up her second win in as many starts this season. The 9-4 Bhungard-favourite, ridden by Merchant, was ridden off the pace, her customary style, and returned an easy winner. However, it was the T. Jaiswal’s joint-favourite She’s A Star who finished an impressive second after loosing much ground at the start, and also taking the home turn wide.

Merchant on April Ace, the winner of the Sprightly Handicap

C. Alford on Archery, the winner of the Treasure Land Handicap

Merchant on Great Ambition, who dead-heated with DAvaro in the Maltese
Handicap

C. Alford on Inside Story, the winner of the Pa Bear Handicap