There were no major surprises on the concluding day of the monsoon season which ended on Wednesday. Trainer Vijay Singh retained his championship title, as did Christopher Alford among the jockeys. After the superb showing by Alice Springs in the Fillies Trial and Derby, it was not surprising to see Dr Vijay Mallya nominated as the leading owner of the season. The prize was received by Bharath Singh – the retained trainer of Dr Mallya at this centre.

Bharath had another moment of glory on the afternoon when he led in the front-running Ashridge (Placerville – Academic) after he had won the Shinjuku Handicap. Once again, it was the hapless Strike A Deal who finished a flying second. The cynosure of all eyes was the running of the prestigious Monsoon Cup. Earlier days, before the inception of the Monsoon Derby, The Monsoon Cup was considered to be the plum of the season. The field for the 2000 metres race was a pretty top-class affair on this occasion.

Though rated at 117, Vijay Singh-trained Silver Fox (Elusive Pimpernel - Silver Reflet) was extremely well placed by the terms of the race. Western India import and second favourite Saint Vincent set a cracking pace with Aemilia and Succeeding Star in tow. Travelling a handy fourth, Christopher Alford on the 6/4 favourite gradually improved his position to be a good second at the bend. Alford took over the running in the straight but had to stave off a fairly strong challenge from fast-finishing Mother’s Pride who made up considerable ground after travelling in the last berth for a major portion of the trip.

The afternoon commenced somewhat quietly with the heavily gambled Perseverance (Inner City - Troienne) just managing to hold on for a popular triumph from a fast finishing Kamakazi and Lightning Blues in the race for the Vanitas Handicap. Second favourite All That Jazz finished in the ruck. Apprentice jockey Arman Khan did not take any chances and rode the winner up front. Rocket Ball (Gaswar - Alannah) made ample amends for his earlier defeat with a thunderous victory in the Sweet Surprise Handicap.

The favourite Credit Ease appeared to be toiling under a crushing impost while Christopher Alford was running merrily in front atop the 4/1 shot. Incantation was badly left while another three-year-old Regal Bearing ran a very poor race. Md Shabbani was an utter flop as an apprentice. He was, however, provided succour on the last day of the season by the connections of My Fair Lady (El Johar - Kentucky Mission).

After a couple of races where she was not permitted to hit the front, they decided to ‘go’ with the filly as her price had shot up in the bookies mart. Who better to pull of the gamble than the inconspicuous Shabbani. The stipes must pull up their socks before the winter meet scheduled to commence on October 31, otherwise unsuspecting punters will continue to be taken for a ride.

Vinayak-trained Zoffany (Ikhtyar - Lucky Cherokee) showed admirable acceleration to sail past the field in the sprint for the lower division of the Sir Aali Handicap. She graced the rear of the 11-horse field till the bend which she took six wide, but when asked for an effort by Kishore Kadam, she was a delight to watch. More races are in store for her.

Jockey Shailesh Shinde, who rode a calculated race on Ashridge, completed a double with Royal Saga (Tirol - Joy Of Light) in the last race of the day – The Sreepriya Cup. The 1000 metres scurry suits this Arti Doctor ward to the hilt. He thus notched up his third win of the season.