"Insha-Allah, I will bounce back," promised Aslam Kader in one of his recent interviews. Sounded optimistic then but, those words were testimony to the unflinching self-confidence of a man who was run down by his critics. 

Bounce back he did. The pint-sized dynamite gave a glimpse of his ability first by winning the Herbertsons Bagpiper Bangalore Derby with an awe-inspiring victory astride no-hoper Altenburg on Saturday. The victory of Altenburg was a fluke for sure, but it was the fighting spirit of Aslam that played a major role in this classic success. 

Precisely twenty hours later, this time at Mahalaxmi, Allaire took command in the home stretch and this season's third Indian classic was well sewn up long way from home. Both, the filly from trainer Darius Byramji's yard and her rider had proved their class. And were Darius, Aslam and the Mehras' ever in doubt about Allaire's chances of winning the Oaks? No way. Such was his confidence in Allaire that Aslam did not think twice before predicting a five-length verdict. 

Allaire was not to let him down. And boy, was Aslam delighted? He arrogantly switched the whip to his left hand before reaching the post. The exuberant rider's whip-waving exercise in the air was more about delivering a hidden message to his detractors than a mere expression of his joy. The critics were soon running for cover, taking refuge behind articulately scripted eulogies in Aslam's favour. What a way to go, Aslam.

Two near misses for Allaire over a mile trip soon had racing pundits put a question mark before her stamina. Even her Bangalore Summer Derby win did nothing to review their opinion. But wasn't the daughter of Razeen out of Fly For Baby bred to stay? Indeed she was. But sceptics chose to deliver this verdict only after Allaire's smashing performance in the Oaks. It should not come as a surprise for anybody if these so-called racing pundits swear that Allaire is their choice to win the McDowell's Indian Derby.

Though Star Shine made no impression on Allaire, the Portroe out of Worthwhile filly certainly did well to finish second. Third was Six Speed, well-ridden in check by Pesi Shroff till the turn. But the classy filly ran into a wall of horses when the defining moment of the race arrived and by the time Pesi could extricate her from the mess, Allaire was home and dry. Endorsement and Seychelles ran close behind Six Speed and should do well in their own class.

More was to be heard of Aslam Kader. Immediately after the Oaks, he powered Altazano to a short head victory over Tap on Power. The runner-up despite Mark Gallagher's vigorous finish failed to collar the winner.

Horses sporting Dr Vijay Mallya's colours were prominent and they struck thrice during the course of the proceedings. Scandalous and Soviet Ride, both from veteran Jaggy Dhariwal's barn, ran wire to wire and posted comfortable victories in their respective races. Maiden Ciel Fleuri too found her way into the winner's enclosure but not before surviving a scare from Mark Gallagher-ridden Battle Star. Pesi Shroff's vigour enabled the daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek taste her first career success. Battle Star needed this run and will be a different proposition next time out.

Executing the instructions of Dhariwal perfectly, Aadesh Kumar took the one-eyed-daughter of Steinbeck to the front and never came under threat from any of her rivals. Even as apprentice V. Kadam took things lightly during the race, Meadow Royale was seen weaving his way to finish second. 

Quickest out from the gates, both Soviet Ride and Safarando disputed the lead till the field straightened for home. C. Ruzaan then alerted Soviet Ride to his task and in response, the bay gelding surged ahead for a comfortable win. Favourite Feel The Force was neither in a striking position nor did he show any inclination to run in justification of his credentials. Probably the weight of money on Bajrang Singh-piloted Feel The Force took its toll.

The got-abroad filly Gironde produced the most scintillating run of the day. Undeterred by the lack of exposure, this Cooji Katrak-saddled filly drew away from the pack when given her head by Mallesh Narredu. Labouring hard to finish second was Persian Lord. Sariano ran a gutsy race to finish third ahead of Adam's Touch who continues to perform below expectations.

Facing hindrance as soon as the gates flew open spelt doom for Terrestrial in the Pratap Stud Million. Brushed up to take the initiative by Aslam Kader was Overtures, but the filly flattered to deceive. Abbeydoran, who was in close attendance of the leader, encountered resistance briefly from Calpurnia before storming into the lead for her maiden victory.

Airkraft flew from the barriers and held on gamely from Blazing Flame who felt her legs and returned lame. P. Belose astride Full Reason handled the Reasonable filly well to nail both Demedici and Aerodynamic close home. Demedici faced rough passage and Pesi Shroff tried unsuccessfully to reverse the placings in the stewards' room. Aerodynamic was probably shown early daylight by M. Narredu and lives to fight another day. Seven furlongs may be an ideal trip for this Tiajuana filly. 

To end the day, Lion of Judah put on his galloping shoes to score an upset victory. Heaven's Feel and Asprilla, the two fancied runners never raised any hopes of winning and ended up in the dumps. Millennium King was the lone contender who showed some intent of winning but found the winner too good. 

Earlier on Thursday, Razalin opted out of the race due to an injury to her hoofs paving the way for Strengthtostrength to inscribe his name on the Astonish Trophy. Jockey F. Lynch thus got the first reward of his recent visit. Tuned to the moment by Rehanullah Khan, Strengthtostrength lay back till the turn and took the shortest way home to stretch away from Table Dancing. The rest of the field ran like they were out for an airing. Yewall was prominent among them. C. Rajendra rode a rank bad race on Yewall and never really gave the giant-striding son of Sir Bordeaux an opportunity to run true to his potential. 

Anjolie, the moderately bred daughter of Wise Times, notched her maiden victory giving trainer Anil Kumar his first win on comeback. Universal Star's tragic saga was not to end. Despite C. Rajendra's powerful riding, the filly ended a poor second. On his way to make a smashing debut, The Pelican (Placerville-Natural Craze) showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the hands of Nial McCullagh. Swishing her tail all through the journey, Destiny Calling, who was fancied ahead of the winner, never raised a fluent gallop and ended a tame second. 

Making her first appearance after her dismal run in the Poonwalla Million at Pune, Victory March carried the public purse to an authoritative win over Champagne Gold, Consortium and Anthology. An encore from Victory March is surely on the cards. Neglected in the betting ring, Cristina proved her class when snubbing well-fancied Cryptonite and Winning Girl. Zeta Jones' run was pathetic and it possibly hints that she would be better suited over a six-furlong trip. 

After a string of weight-reducing runs, Flirtatious brought home the bacon for Neville Umrigar. Later Razana notched her maiden win after thwarting the spirited bid of As A Rule who crumbled under the sheer weight on her back.

Astute riding from Mark Gallagher saw Laktara devour ground towards the end and stun runaway leader Adam's Legend at the wire. Had apprentice Satish Nayak been a little more enterprising, the verdict would have surely been in favour of Adam's Legend. Different Crown ran a decent race to end third ahead of Fiercely Loyal who found this company far too superior. Sea Farer was the best of the beaten lot and a win should be round the corner.