The champion horse from Kolkata, Aperitivo pulled off a resolute win in the Gr.3 Governor’s Cup, the highlight of Friday’s races. Refreshing put up a spirited challenge and looked like overhauling the front-running Aperitivo in the final furlong but ran out of reserves and found the mile and half trip against the horses endowed to stay better, rather long for comfort. All said and done, Refreshing has been a brilliant horse and has won a bagful of races including two classics last winter.Aperitivo who had finished a faraway second to Holding Court in the Maharaja’s Cup should have had more support than Forever Elegance and Southern Regent whom he had beaten at the same terms. However, the market favored Forever Elegance as jockey Prakash was riding the champion five-year old mare.

Aperitivo was available at long odds with the one-paced Flareon being the second favourite. Friendly Fire did the job of a pacemaker, with Adolfito, Aperitivo and Star Hopeful racing in the front bunch while Forever Elegance, Southern Regent and Refreshing were in the back group. Jockey Gallagher on Flareon made his moved around the 800 metres marker and had the son of Razeen in front at the final turn. In the meanwhile, Forever Elegance too moved up swiftly and was in a striking position. Flareon’s lead was short-lived as he surrendered his lead to Aperitivo without a fight.

Forever Elegance packed up as quickly as she showed up, with only Refreshing looking strong. Refreshing joined issue with Aperitivo and looked like overhauling him but she appeared to run out of her reserves and had to settle for the second spot as the latter dug into his reserves successfully. Flareon ran on to finish third while the most accomplished duo of Southern Regent and Forever Elegance who fared poorly, seem to have left the best behind them. The same goes for the once rousing performer Adolfito. The Leading Stud Cup, run in two divisions, had a competitive look about it. India Shining, who was disqualified after winning in his previous outing, had good credentials along with top-weighted Smart N Unique. There was strong support for Royal Assault who has never been a model of consistency.

Water Wood set a fast pace as the starter dispatched the field for the six-furlong trip. There was little bit of skirmish as first Royal Assault got interfered by Smart N Unique and in turn passing on the same to the latter! Splash of Class who had the first run on her opponents had the initiative but India Shining came up with a menacing run to go ahead only to be necked out by Smart N Unique who covered plenty of ground on the wide outside to snatch the verdict in the dying moments of the race. Smart N Unique’s potential hadn’t been exploited earlier on and now given the nod, won two races in succession. The lower division of the same race too went the way of Ganapathy trained Smarty who looked tall. However, Smarty did not win as anticipated but nevertheless proved too superior.

Faction Leader was second ahead of a late-finishing Sense of Style who has advertised his readiness to strike. Jockey Suraj Narredu has been an effective jockey but has not made the expected progress. He looks good when things go right but lacks the instincts of a top rider. After failing to get a good position on Fort Knox, he rode a poor race, coming the widest of all, and then unbalancing himself, which cost him a possible win. Winfoot who was given a smooth ride by Alford, profited by the clear run that her jockey maneuvered. Suraj could not add punch at the finish on Red Mustang who led all the way in the Leading Bookmaker Cup except at the post when first-timer Neylah brought off a big upset by catching him in the final inch. Heavily supported Fearless Spirit had all the chances but not enough ammunition. Given a free-running Fearless Princess, Suraj guided the Darius Byramji ward to a comfortable victory. Distributor snatched the runner up berth from Dingle.

Alford was in his elements as he guided Feel Free to a narrow win over Gallery Queen who was ridden by jockey Appu for whom nothing seems to be going right. Over the weekend, he lost four races in close finishes. Gallery Queen was gaining ground on the front-runner who was ridden hands and heels by Alford. Alford, who ran Prakash close for the jockeys’ championships, had a treble for the day, his other winners being Winfoot and the all-important Aperitivo’s victory in the Governor’s Cup. The odds on One To Conquer drifted out alarmingly in the ring but that did not affect the chances of Karan Singh trainee. One To Conquer maneuvered her way out of all troubles en route to record a comfortable win over Kandalla and Divine Force.

Afghan landed a big touch in the penultimate race of the day when Gallagher managed to get the son of Burden of Proof to nose out the front-running Time Is Life who slackened in the shadow of the post.