In keeping with the script, Vijay Singh-trained Multitude unleashed a scintillating gallop in the straight to sail past front-running Captain Cook in the race for The Champagne Stakes at RCTC on Saturday and complete a hat-trick of victories. This, despite the fact the son on Multdimensional out of Haedi (Usha Stud) was conceding weight all round. Captain Cook took over the running early in the race and set a cracking pace with the filly Stevalena in tow. The half-money public choice was lying a handy fourth. Just after the turning for home, Suraj Narredu took no chances and took the bend four wide to give his mount a clear run. A couple of left-handed reminders were enough to set the colt alight as he raised a stupendous gallop and Suraj rode him out hands-and-heels in the final 100 metres. The lone filly (Stevalena) in the field of eight showed considerable improvement to finish a decent third and will be worth keeping an eye on.

Despite an outside draw and conceding weight all round, Arti Doctor-trained Confidence produced a big-hearted display to get the better of the Kabini, who was receiving nearly 10kg from him, and lift The Republic Cup. Sired by Glory Of Dancer out of Confluence (Kehelan Stud), the big made bay gelding thus showed that weight is never a problem for him. After Scartella had showed the way till the straight, Kabini made her move but was soon challenged by the ultimate winner who was handled judiciously by Kamlesh.

Trainer Vijay Singh completed a treble during the afternoon, the first of  his winners being Amorino (Chevalier-Arnatta/ Ruia Stud)  in the Captain HD Fownes Memorial Cup. Both Zegna and Amorino received identical penalties for their earlier wins but Zegna’s performance was dismal. He graced the wrong end of the field while Christopher Alford used Amorino’s inside draw to good effect to make every post a winning one.

Vijay’s second winner was Alondra (Noverre-Maratha Princess/ Sohna Stud) who bagged the Albert Piperno Memorial Cup quite easily while making every post a winning one. The mare loves to run freely in front and Shailesh ensured that she does so. In her previous run, apprentice Alam rode her in a different or rather ‘indifferent’ manner and paid the penalty. The runner-up Sokudo continued to earn his corn bill despite being pretty long in the tooth.

Manvendra Singh’s Astral Dancer (Glory Of Dancer-Astrodance / Kunigal Stud) showed a fine turn of foot at the top of the straight to lift the BK Poddar Cup from unfancied Sanjit. Much gambled Kanya Kalyan was a tame third. Jockey D Ashish piloted the winner confidently without any hitches.

The afternoon commenced with a bang as totally unfancied Dance In China (China Visit-Born To Dance / Usha Stud) made every post a winning one in the 2000 metres race for the Regal Star Handicap. The favourite Sunshine Dancer was a poor fourth while the other fancied runner Asian Rocket was a shade better. The seven-year-old winner from Vikash Jaiswal’s yard was cleverly piloted by Sandeep Rajput who opened a long break and never gave his rivals any chance to catch up.

Another seven-year-old – Goliath (Don Micheletto- Funny Girl/ Nakul Stud ) – from Robert Gowli’s yard, recorded a spectacular win in the hands of Md Islam to bring the curtain down. Another aged runner Xavier had shot through the middle close home but was beaten in the last stride. Youngsters Casper The Ghost and Chinese Takeaway were below par.