Middle Man rose to the occasion while foiling the start-to-finish bid of Black Chetak in the senior division of the Chief Minister's Cup on the last day of the Delhi racing season here on Thursday. Jockey Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who guided Middle Man and Tactic, was the lone professional to earn two wins. The day, in which the tote collection nearly touched Rs. 4.5 lakh, saw huge entries and to accommodate all, a card of seven races was framed. However, the day will also be remembered as the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt Shiela Dixit, turned up to give away the trophy, which was earlier put off. Trainer Aleem Khan, who completed his 1000 wins during the winter, was also felicitated with a glittering trophy. A battle for speed was expected from the Mumbai runner Sudarshan Chakram and juvenile Black Chetak in the Chief Minister's Cup. But none of them was able to live up to the expectations. However, it was the latter who shouldered some hope before faltering at the post. Improving from the mid-bunch, Gajendra alerted his top weighted (61 kg) mount Middle Man to show his class after entering the straight. The chestnut colt started wearing Black Chetak inch by inch from the last furlong and took him eventually by a neck at the post. "His potential was never under doubt after his fastest second to Cornelia supra and I'm happy he did not let me down," Mrs Anita Chauhan, owner of Middle Man, told me. "My trainer and jockey kept my moral high and the credit, in fact, goes to them," Anita said. Black chetak, who is termed as the speediest horse at this centre, looked to be tiring out in the last lap. Divine Heights showed a brilliant turn of foot finishing close to him. The favourite Sudarshan Chakram, who spent his precious time running widest, never looked to be serious about the business before finishing fourth. Later, Anita's husband Ravinder Pal Singh Chauhan, who runs the Global stud Farm in Rewardi, stole the heart of the gathering by presenting a beautiful memento of a "rearing horse" to the chairman of the Delhi Race Club, PS Bedi. And he went ahead further with an announcement of sponsoring a race in the next season. Interestingly, his attachment with the racing was welcomed at all corners as he already contributed in the Good Bye Cup. Bay gelding Trusted Friend maintained his consistency while pipping Shy Beauty in the lower division of the Chief Minister's Cup. The gelding was ridden out vigorously in the straight otherwise. Out of form Shy Beauty showed a sparkling performance. However, the run to be remembered is of Sun Magic, who appeared first time this season and ran bravely to be fifth. He will definitely ride to glory in the next venture. Faurties, a failed favourite in the last outing, made no mistake to shed his maiden status in an emphatic manner in the family Welfare Plate. He was not so quick at jump and that saw him running in the hind group till the early furlong of 1000-metre trip. Soon, he picked up the momentum and raced away to the front the in last 200 m. The gelding, who faced a mediocre set, has the stamina to stay. My Wild Love, who did the running in front of Faurties, was handled poorly in the last part but just managed to hold off the late surge of Silver Peg. The filly, My Wild Love, should not stay in the maiden status longer. Silver Peg, who had pleased in the trials, will take a time to come to hands. Finally, Al Jawat tasted his overdue victory in the upper division of the Closing Ceremony Plate. The nine-year-old horse, who appeared for the last time on the track, could not have found a better way than this to say call-it-a-day, as all the horses belonging to his age group bid adieu. His counterpart Veer's racing career also came to an end after finishing second to him. Tactic landed a surprise victory in a runaway manner in the lower division of the Closing Ceremony plate. Tactic, who showed early dash, was soon overtaken by water Wave but the destiny was calling Tactic, who turned the table on him with a little over furlong left in the race. Invinsible Force cashed in on the advantage of handicap and scored narrowly in the Good Bye Cup. The saddle used on the colt slipped at the post, but apprentice Irfan Ali managed to hang on. Meanwhile, Little Cut brought the curtain down on the season.