The diminutive Tigerish took a giant leap as he clinched the Mukteshwar Stud Colts Trial Stakes, the stellar attraction of the Delhi races on Tuesday. Interestingly, it was the first major achievement for the saddler Rajinder, who had booted home many classic winners as a jockey before calling it a day at the end of the last season. Apprentice jockey Mohammed Iftiquar Qureshi, trainers Aleem Khan and Roopendra Singh Shekhawat were the professionals who shared the day’s honours with a brace each.

Ashwa Jugnoo led the field of eight youngsters, comprising of six colts and two geldings, till the early four furlongs of the 1,400m trip. Approaching the final curve, visiting jockey Dashrath Singh who had Tigerish running on the haunches of the leader Ashwa Jugnoo, decided to go for it. The son of Noverre and White Squall held a one length lead and did not lose track in the straight. Marhaba, who improved rapidly from the fifth position to run second from the corner of the final curve, started to close-in on Tigerish but lost the touch in the deciding moments as apprentice Danish Ali Khan was unable to match the brilliance of the more experienced Dashrath Singh.

Rajinder's Tigerish, who displayed the abundant stamina he possesses, may earn more laurels. Marhaba, the runner-up, should make amends early. Ashwa Kundan, who came from the sixth position, finished an impressive third. Master Champion, who was kept on slow work after having developed a fitness problem, filled the frame behind the trio.

Zulfiqar Khan's Bacha Quero proved to be too good in the upper division of the Poet's Dream Plate, which was the opening event of the day. Sitting fourth behind Air Forse One, Ashwa Safari and Happygolucky, the son of Senure and Dancerllon, Bacha Quero, swung into action from the top of the homestretch. The favourite Ashwa Safari could not come out of the shadow of the bridesmaid role. Ashwa Safari and Happygolucky, who finished second and third respectively, should soon taste victories.

Stung by the defeat of Ashwa Safari, trainer Roppendra Singh Shekhawat sent Anamika out in top condition to justify the top billing by making every post a winning one in the lower division of the plate. The opening favourite Rios girl, who was bit nervous before leaving the paddock, got the runner-up berth ahead of El Salvador.

The Hardinvast Plate witnessed a three-way finish in which Wild Power prevailed by a whisker. Mystic Miracle and Gangajal, who were vying for supremacy in the straight, had left a wide open gap along the rails. Waiting for such an opportunity, Jockey Nazim rode the mare of Flitch and Running Power elegantly to help her to completing an encore. It was the second consecutive defeat for Ganga Jal, she received from the Aleem Khan's trainee. Earlier, she had lost out to Steel Force.The run of Mystic Miracle, who ran against the nature, is best ignored.

Aleem Khan's trainee Made of Gold proved his merit in the senior division of the Queen of the Bees Plate. It was like a flash in the pan for this year’s North India Derby winner. Despite travelling a faraway third behind Hot and Classic and Spot Hit, Dashrath rode the mount with patience to finally dominate the last 100 yards. The chestnut gelding, son of Ontario and Forest Maid, should extend his winning streak.

However, Equal Luxury, who had played the role of second fiddle in the Derby, was not lucky enough and finished a poor fourth in the junior division of the plate. Bharat T Singh’s Lilly let the field dance to her tune after leading the way from 1,100m marker. Subroos and The Mafia finished notable second and third respectively.

Roopendra Singh Shekhawat's Elemento Trance brought the curtains down by getting a three-parts-of-a-length better of Fulminator in the War Cry Plate. The latter should be noted.