Trainer Arti Doctor’s Shaktiroop (Noverre-Ridiyza/Sohna Stud) made a start-to-finish affair of the seven-furlong race for the AQ Qidwai Cup with Astaire chasing the speedy filly all the way. The ante-post favourite closed at 10-to-6-on and the light-weight jockey Shrikant Kamble took no chances at this mark as he headed the field of six as the gates opened. A couple of cracks near the distance post, to remind the filly that the race was still on, was all that was needed for her to pull away from Astaire, her nearest rival.

While Kamble may have enjoyed a fairly easy ride atop Shaktiroop, he rode a gem of a race astride Patrick Quinn-trained Barocci (Carnival Dancer-Empress Ann/ Dashmesh Stud) to make the victory seem easier than what it was, in the opening race for The Retort Handicap. Languishing in the rear of the field while Fervent Quest and Conquerable called the early shots, Kamble improved his mount near the 600 marker and reminded him of the task at hand with a tap. He then utilised the gap provided by the termination point of the false rails (at the top of the straight) to scoot ahead of the front-runners. Massachusettes, who was always in a handy third position, ran on to occupy the runner-up spot.

Apprentice Azharuddin tried an identical modus operandi astride Treasure Island in the Aazish Plate but his ploy came unstuck as the front-runner Glamorous Glory closed the gap quickly. Aithops, who was travelling on the outside of the front-runner, took up the running and looked to be heading for the winning post under visiting Delhi jockey Pawan Sharma’s whalebone. But alas, it was not to be, as Sandesh brought the colt Torino (Rebuttal-Persian Delight/ Hazara Stud) with telling strides in his very first run, to force a photo and win by the proverbial whisker.

The Contralto Handicap was divided into two divisions. The upper division saw Ardelia being backed to the exclusion of all others despite the presence of apprentice Munna Alam astride. Patrick Quinn’s Lovely Magic (New Famous-Peoria/ Yeravada Stud) won start-to-finish in the hands of Surjeet. Without any control whatsoever, Ardelia drifted to the outer rails. Skyway finished on a late third.

The lower division also saw an unfancied runner in the form of Gorgeous Girl (Mr Mellon-Drop Dead Gorgeous/Ruia Stud) who was piloted with great determination by Shailesh Shinde to peg back the well-backed Romancer. The Shyam Habbu trained winner was given a thorough preparation to come up trumps in her first monsoon start. Jockey Shailesh had ridden the filly before in winter and knew her style of running well to coax a late gallop out of her in the straight.

There were quite a few close finishes during the afternoon and the handicapper must be a happy man. Javed Khan’s People Prime (Sharp Attack-Belle Of Holland/ Gee Stud) won the Kaizen Handicap by the skin of her teeth in the last race of the day. Top-weight jockey Mahesh rode a forceful finish to pull off a major gamble. Rank outsider Alicante moved well in the final stages of the race but fell short narrowly. Secret Blast was handled poorly and received several checks along the rails before dropping out and taking the longest route around the whole field to end up third. Had the gelding been handled more competently, the result may well have been different.

Jockey Christopher Alford tasted success on Vijay Singh’s prized possession Romantic Flow (Steinbeck-Romantic Liaison/ Usha Stud). The colt closed at half-money and exhibited classic potential with this win. It’s unlikely that he will run again before the Monsoon Derby as he has now completed a hat-trick of wins with this top-weight mile essay. Alford may well be in a dilemma now as to the mount he will have to opt for in the Derby.