It turned out to be a fairly fruitful afternoon for followers of money with only a couple of long shots in a span of eight races. Jockey Trevor Patel made hay during the day as he notched up a good double with Passport and Impression. Chouhan followed suit with Chala Ja Bachha and Ancient Wonder.

The main event of the day, The Indian Gold Vase, saw the public choice Ancient Wonder live up to his rating of 125. The Patrick Quinn-trained seven-year-old was ridden in the manner he fancies most by experienced jockey PS Chouhan. He held him back in fourth position while River Star and Wind Of Soul cut a fast pace. When asked for an effort by Chouhan, the aged bay gelding responded well to his master’s call and spared over two lengths to runner-up Star Symphony. Second favourite Crown Rule continued to maintain an erratic form graph as he finished off the frame in a small field of six runners.

The running of the seven-furlong race for the Aunty Pip Handicap saw apprentice Azharuddin at his best as he brought his mount Black Caviour, from Bhungard’s yard, through a troubled passage along the rails to land the spoils after the favourite Impressive Glory had led at every post. Much improved Piaffe was a close third.

The afternoon commenced with another 10/1 shot as Farley Rodrigues-schooled Happy Kingdom put his best foot forward in the hands of Surjeet Singh. The chestnut got the better of fast-finishing Phy’Eau Liang and hot favourite Stamp Act in a hard-fought race.

Trevor Patel opened his account with the ever-reliable Pasport as the filly made every post a winning one despite the crushing impost. She had changed houses recently and is now under the care of Shyam Habbu.  Fancied Xavier tried his best to collar her at the top of the straight but hung out under pressure. Jacqualine Postill failed to overcome her winning penalty.

Trevor completed his brace with Bharath Singh-trained Impression as the colt came from the rear with giant strides to sail past the likes of Arion and front-running Elusive Moment. The youngster by Lucifer Sam out of Magical Night was fancied quietly by the stable and closed as the close second favourite.

Christopher Alford had one winner during the entire afternoon and cried off after the fifth race. He was replaced by Shezad and Trevor on his last two mounts but it did not help any as both Bullet and Adelino failed to make any kind of impression in their respective races.

Alford however rode a well-judged race in the lower division of the Pa Bear Handicap to bring home the bacon with Manvendra Singh – trained Luck Luck Lucky.  After being fancied on the last two occasions, the filly finally came good. There was no worthy opposition to her and Alford had no difficulty in choosing a rails-run to win as he liked.

Vikash Jaiswal-trained Chala Ja Bachha made amends for his narrow failure last time as he won the Fairy Ray Handicap pretty impressively from Jamaican while Ace Elegance set a good pace before fading out of it. Jockey PS Chouhan rode a power-packed finish to land the spoils.

The curtain came down with Shezad Khan riding a great opportunistic race atop Arti Doctor’s Gallop To Glory. Torch Of Life ran all over the place and crossed the eventual winner’s path but Shezad timed his run down the middle well and did not let the ‘Torch’ ruin his effort. Surprise favourite Gararo finished in the ruck.