Mr Deepak Khaitan’s prized possession Dandified (Rebuttal-Dandoona) returned to winning ways by ‘strolling’ to victory in the six furlong race for the Harry The Horse Cup. Possibly, due to the apprehension of the trip being a trifle sharp for him, his price shot up to a very-playable 100-to-85-on. However, as the gates opened, the well-tuned five-year-old from Vijay Singh’s yard showed he knew exactly what was expected of him and was on the flank of front-running River Star in a trice. Alford ofcourse knows his mount inside out and just sat on him and indulged in some ‘sightseeing’ to ensure the other runners where  nowhere near him. Even when they where sailing past the front-runner, Alford looked back to see Shinde using the stick on River Star. All other runners were heavily under the whip but Dandified was three lengths clear without being ever off the bridle and stopped the clock at a creditable 1min 12.39 sec.

As many as nine horses were withdrawn after declaring to start and this caused much headache for punters and form-workers. In the curtain-raiser, The Pompano handicap, both the on-money public choice Adoringly and the second favourite Eros were withdrawn. Front-running Dance In China drifted out in the straight and lost all his chances. At the distance post, it was four horses in a line – Sartaj, fire Dragon, Storm Boy and Dance In China.  Islam was going hell for leather on Storm Boy (Gaswar-Star N Style) and he ultimately prevailed by a short-neck over Fire Dragon. Kudos to veteran trainer Richard Alford for placing his ward over a longer trip and pulling it off. As they say – ‘fortune favours the brave’.

The withdrawal of Lawlord and Sparkful left eight in the fray for the Mercury Handicap. Well prepared Good Wood Princess shot into the lead in the hope of making it a start-to-finish affair but the favourite Akilina, who was looking an absolute picture in the paddock, was soon at the side of the front-runner. The daughter of Oath out of Ocean Breeze, who was the 13/10 favourite, needed a couple of reminders from Shailesh Shinde to send her clear. She is incidentally a half-sister to Sound Of Cheers who performed brilliantly as a three-year-old at this centre few years ago.

Without Zoffany to worry her and Angels Quest choosing to race in the rear, on-money public choice Smooth As Silk (New Famous-Silken Magic) made every post a winning one in the race for The Thrifty Allan Handicap. Jockey Shezad Khan left nothing to chance atop the Arti Doctor-trained filly.  Secret Gloss was a notable runner-up.

The Desiree Handicap was possibly the most competitive race of the afternoon and witnessed a blanket finish featuring Follow The Dream. Signor Sassi and Ocean Fairy. The favourite Double Do struggled to keep pace with the forward trio. Possibly, like most of the three-year-olds running in open class, he may have needed the outing. He is likely to be a candidate for the Juvenile Sprint a fortnight from now.

Manvendra Singh’s Signor Sassi (Al Nasr Alwasheek-Si Senorita) was powerfully piloted by C.Alford along the rails to land the spoils from fast finishing Follow The Dream and the tiring Ocean Fairy.

The curtain came down with Jasbir Singh-trained Tasveer  (Home Affairs-Cedarzeen) producing a scintillating run in the straight to leave the fancied pair of Words and Stling Veil standing. Much touted Star Of Roses who was the ante-post favourite, was withdrawn along with two other runners.