On a hot and balmy afternoon, the six-year-old Diabolical from the stable of Daniel David, lifted the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in record time at RCTC on Saturday. The big made handsome gelding, a property of MAM Ramaswamy, cut off well over a second from the time set by Red Chief nearly five years ago. In fact, the first four horses bettered the latter’s timing. Diabolical stopped the clock at an impressive 2min55.909sec for the 2800 metres trip and pocketed nearly Rs 12 lakh for his effort.

Jockey Prakash rode a judicious race in that he had his mount tucked in nicely behind the even-money favourite Arabian Knight till the turning for home. Arturo set a cracking pace till the 800 where the favourite took over but when Prakash turned on the heat, Malesh Narredu had to bid sayonara to the Cup. Echoes of Love came up well but the finish was a virtual repitition of the Indian Champion Cup.

Christopher Alford on ‘Echoes’ made ample amends for that defeat with a brilliant victory astride Credit Squeeze in the Calcutta Million. He brought the Bharath Singh-trained colt with an astonishing run in the final furlong to get the better of the 4-to-1 on public choice Sound of Cheers who was on a start-to-finish mission in the hands of Prakash.

Several outsiders during the afternoon made life a little difficult for punters. Apprentice Mahesh astride Mirror Image, sent the favourite Ardent Prince for a toss in the opening event, The Chile Cup.

Trainer Vijay Singh, who notched up a quadruple during the afternoon, surprised all when his ward Silver Fox won the Governor’s Cup first-time out this season. Neeraj Rawal rode a forward race astride the Fox and left nothing to chance when the two fancied runners Safari and Grand Madame tried to get on even terms.

Vijay opened his account with the even-money favourite Askarel in the Thailand Cup. Second favourite Agios Nikolaos had all the chances but failed to match strides with the winner in the run home. Vijay completed his hattrick when bottom-weighted Andeana, (who was in fact a kg out of the scale and then declared a kg overweight), was ridden powerfully by Neeraj Rawal to score over Aveline and Lil Miss Sunshine.

Not satisfied to sit on his laurels, Gilded Romance completed Vijay’s quartet in the safe hands of Christopher Alford. Dance Romance finished an impressive second while the rest were outpaced. In the day’s final event, Island Warrior’s endeavour to complete a hattrick came to nought as Great Heart carried the top-weight to victory with aplomb. Tote favourite Mystro finished in the ruck.