The fourth day of the ongoing Monsoon Meet proved to be an action-packed one as outstation professionals and their wards called the shots.

The Reliable Trophy lived up to its rating with a thunderous finish to the race. After running in mid-division for a major portion of the way, the final furlong saw the two big guns roar. Ultimately, it was Dr. Vijay Mallya–owned Caribbean Queen (Steinbeck-Dazzling Queen) who prevailed over her nearest rival Record Breaker. S. Zervan, who had survived an objection one race earlier while astride Sokudo, took no chances and took the longest route home on the wide outside. Despite that, the filly showed a wonderful turn of foot to sail past Record Breaker who was threatening to make the sprint his own. The Pesi Shroff-trained winner is likely to be penalized heavily for her win as the second and third placed horses have 100-plus rating. But then, with a turn of foot like that, she may have no problem whatsoever in picking up a couple of more terms and sweepstakes races.

Zervan opened his account with Darius Byramji-trained Admiral (Major Impact-Quality Exchange) who made mincemeat of his nine rivals. Heavily fancied Raffles stumbled badly at the start and ruined her chances. C. Alford tried to improve his position later on but was fined for trying to force a passage. Not much importance should be attached to this gross debacle of hers. Despite shouldering a top-weight of 61.5 kg, Admiral ran fluently right through. The best of the rest was Kinshasa. Admiral’s win showed without a doubt that horses which have summered at Bangalore may hold a slight edge over their rivals.

Zervan’s second win was atop Bharath Singh-trained Sokudo (Inhabitant-Amber Dancer) who was available at 3/1. Stablemate Spectacular Style set a scorching pace while the eventual winner was in third slot, just behind Secret Love till the distance post. Thereafter, Zervan put him into top gear under the stick. The winner had to survive an objection from Secret Love for interference. Though he veered in, in the final furlong, Zervan was able to control his mount by putting his stick away and riding hands and heels. What may have gone in his favour was the fact that with only 50 metres of the race left, he was about three-quarter length ahead when he tightened his adversary for space.

The on-money favourite Whistling Straight was being pushed by C. Alford from the half-way mark and made no worthy impression on the front-running pair.

Vikash Jaiswal kept the local flag flying high with a high-priced double in the first two races. Both his winners were piloted by apprentice Md Sameer. Rise Above All (Juniper-Angel Guardian) won the Sans Ame Handicap in copybook manner as he tracked Naturelle till the straight before shooting ahead for a comfortable triumph.

Eight-year-old Glenbervie (Elusive Pimpernel – Royal Crichton) pegged back four-year-olds Promised Glory and Ocean Sunrise in the very next race. The duo occupying the minor berths should be worth following in the future. Much was expected of Shesastar but she never displayed any penchant to gallop when the chips were down.

Apprentice Roushan produced quite a shocker when he piloted Two-In-One (Royal Gladiator-Arikara) to victory. The three-year-old forward filly won because of her eagerness to gallop at the helm of the field while fillies like Manhattan Rain and Secret Visit were always under pressure. The on-money public choice Arabica was never in it after a lethargic start.

Raana was quietly fancied by the connections in the last race of the day but poor gate manners resulted in him being withdrawn. Despite this, the on-money public choice Alienation (Sunday Doubt-Northern Frontier) was stretched to the hilt to get the better of Generosity who ran a great race. Top-weight rider Imran Khan had to pull out all stops on the Shafiq Khan colt to peg back the front-runner.