After a not too happy monsoon season, Vijay Singh-trained Hall of Glory responded brilliantly to his rider’s call and bagged the Hilliard Trophy for the second year in succession. Ridden off the pace by a confident Christopher Alford, the 2/1 favourite by Placerville out of Hall Of Honour moved with giant strides in the final furlong to get the better of the fancied filly Amouresque (5/2) who had threatened to pull it off after heads turned for home. Shershah’s early pace faded out as he was conceding weight all round while the ever consistent Silver Fox finished a good third.

Barring the 6/1 shot Reams Of Gold (Western Verse-Golden Future) who won the afternoon’s opening event, it was favourites all the way in a brief card of six races. The six-year-old mare from the yard of Farley Rodrigues took full advantage of a horrendous start by the 10-to-7-on public choice Melody Belle who came out of the gates very late. All credit to jockey Surjeet Singh for remaining calm and allowing the speedy Kingston to call the shots till the distance post before pulling away.

The miler Beethoven (Epicentre-Corn Fleur) was available at 13/10 in the Supreme Princess Handicap while the second favourite Alexander Helios closed at 9/4. Like Melody Belle, his story ended at the gates as he was nearly 15 lengths behind the others. Maintained in the fifth slot by Parmar, Shafiq Khan-trained Beethoven caught up with the front-runners Apyrous, Pine Valley and Gordian Knot at the turn and drew away under the stick.

The sight of Pesi Shroff in the paddock raised hopes for a section of punters who follow his runners ardently. They backed Thrice Blessed to joint favouritism with Misty Isles from Vijay Singh’s stable. The latter was looking much improved in the paddock.

Thrice Blessed did take up the running briefly as the field hit the straight but speedster Secret Gloss shot ahead at the distance post and looked to be headed for glory. However, first timer Apache Gold issued a strong challenge to Secret Gloss before C.Alford brought Misty Isles (Black Cash-Vivienne) with a late run after extricating her from the rails. The win should help the filly recover her earlier form.

Shroff hit pay dirt with the half-money public choice Crown Rule. The property of Dr Vijay Mallya was taken to the front early by Trevor Patel and faced no trouble whatsoever in holding on to his advantage. Sired by the prolific Burden of Proof out of Crown Treasure, Crown Rule has more wins in store for him. Whistling Glory was the best of the rest and may go one better very soon.

The curtain came down with the favourite Two In One (Royal Gladiator-Arikara) quite easily winning the Adderly Handicap under Srinath. The speedy Aerator tried to make ends meet but fell short of breath after the distance post. Srinath had his mount racing a handy third before galloping away to a comfortable victory from Ashridge and Mad About You. The last named will be worth keeping an eye on.