It is often said that New Year’s Day in the City Of Joy begins at the racecourse. It is the day when the who’s who of the city get together to exchange pleasantries and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere after late night parties. With about 20,000 people in attendance, it promised to be a grand show as the curtain went up for the opening event at noon.

What followed next was however totally outside the New Year’s Day script. As the field of nine turned the final hairpin bend into the home straight, about thirty odd people sprung up from nowhere and charged towards the galloping runners. As race goers gasped in disbelief, the jockeys reacted with great alacrity to avoid what could have been a disaster. Fortunately, there were no apprentice riders in the field and senior pros like Chisty, Alford, Da Silva and Rawal had to bring all their experience into play to rein in their mounts and the field slowed down to a crawl.

It was an unprecedented incident in the city’s long and rich horse-racing history and one shuddered to think what could have happened had any of the horses collided with the protesters who were mainly rebel syces instigated by an ‘outsider’ who is keen to form a ‘fourth’ union – RCTC already has three recognised unions.

Local police reinforcements were called in, as well as military police, and several of the miscreants were arrested. It was business as usual thereafter. In fact, late newcomers were not even aware of the incident which delayed the start of the second race by a good 45 minutes.

The rest of the card turned out to be a boon for trainer Patrick Quinn and his brother-in-law Vijay Singh who notched up a brace each. Trainer Bharath Singh would have returned empty handed had Astaire not picked up the last race of the day.

The Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes saw Parick Quinn-trained Meet The Legend (Win Legend-Annakita) make every post a winning one in the hands of Suraj Narredu. Sage Valley was the rage of the ring but she failed to impress. In fact, it was Running Thunder who ran on to occupy the runner-up berth and impressed.

The Eveready RCTC Gold Vase saw Vijay Singh-trained Argiano ( Warrshan-Santarelle) stay the 2200 metres trip without any hiccups whatsoever. However, he was at the bottom of the scale and that no doubt helped his cause. Second favourite Silverina found the 9.5 kg a little too much to concede and will be worth keeping an eye on in the Indian Champion Cup and Queen’s Cup.

Earler, Patrick Quinn’s Noble and Nice had defied the 7kg penalty and gone on to win the t2 Cup. The colt got the better of bottom-weighted Exclusive Colours who was 2kg out of the scale. Trainer Vijay Singh’s first winner was Amorino in the Prince Blossom Cup. The speedy colt by Chevalier out of Arnatta made every post a winning  one . Much toted Sylvana, who was supposedly ‘the gamble of the day’, did show a bit of early speed and will be worth keeping an eye on. Lassy moved well to occupy the runner-up berth.

The second race of the afternoon, which was in effect the first race, turned out to be an absolute edge-of-the-seat thriller with top-weighted Alacrity (Rajput up) winning on the last stride from the favourite Sreevahini. The aged Vikash Jaiswal ward had been knocking for some time and though five-and-half furlongs may have been a trifle sharp for him, he returned victorious with some able assistance from the saddle.

Apprentice Zarar Alam created quite a stir when he brought Farley Rodrigues-trained Royal Honour with a stupendous gallop on the wide outside to get the better of Double Do at the post and lift the Religare Private Wealth Cup. The course favourite Adabella finished in the ruck. It was Double Do who seemed headed for a hat-trick before Alam and Royal Honour decided otherwise.

After his dismal show during the Monsoon Colts Trial, jockey Franco da Silva seemed a transformed rider on this day, with a far better understanding of the centre’s short straight. He did well to position Songwriter for the final run-in but nevertheless failed in his quest for the winner’s berth as Shailesh Shinde’s determination on the top-weight Daddy Cool was unmatched. It was sheer hard riding at the finish which won the day for Shailesh and Arti Doctor, other than which Songwriter would have prevailed.

It was great to see Frenchman Louis Beuzelin get his first winner at this centre. He did it in style with 4/1 shot Astaire in the Obolensky Cup. The favourite Altanza was no match for him.