Trainer Vijay Singh’s triple-entry for the Indian Gold Vase proved to be rewarding for the connections as the most unfancied of the trio – Evesham (B Mahesh up) lifted the prestigious trophy. The favourite Pentagram and Vijay’s much fancied Greek God both disappointed. The latter in fact bled from both nostrils after the race. He is a known bleeder and one can only wager on him at one’s own risk. The minor placings were occupied by Santos and Deserving Visit – both sound animals. The latter had in fact finished well ahead of Evesham in the Mayfowl Cup won by Pentagram earlier in the season. However, the winner of four races during the monsoon meeting bounced back in no uncertain matter after a tardy beginning. Mahesh brought the son of Tariq out of Everybody Counts (Equus Stud) with giant strides down the centre of the track to sail past Pentagram who had assumed command for a brief period after Multimagic had called the early shots and faded out. Once the experienced sprinter saw daylight, he simply pulled away from the field.

The afternoon commenced on a sedate note for punters as the Bharath Singh-trained favourite Spyglass Hill (Multidimensional – Ave Maria/ Usha Stud) was hard-ridden by Trevor to land the spoils from Duke Of Earl who was impressive in defeat. Aged Alicante continued to earn his corn bill with another good forward race which saw him end up third.

Bharath’s next winner was Fite Of Honour (European – Symbol Of Speed) who thus completed a hat-trick, having won his last outing at the end of the monsoon meet. The favourite Imara was trying to make the seven-furlong trip for the Icelandic Handicap a start to finish affair while the second favourite Godstouch left all his chances at the gates. Though conceding considerable weight to his adversary, the eventual winner negotiated the seven-furlong trip rather successfully and shot ahead near the distance post. Dashrath Singh however had to maintain the pressure to keep at bay Zacara who was posing quite a threat with barely 100 metres left.

Trainer Vijay Singh picked up his first winner of the day with half-money two-year-old favourite Half Volley (Tariq – Tryst With Destiny/ Equus Stud) with PS Chouhan in the saddle.. He was however given quite a fright by Say You Say Me who was trying to runaway with the six-furlong sprint. Chouhan’s hard riding finally landed the spoils on the last stride by the narrowest of verdicts.

Rutherford Alford’s Amazing Maria was the piping hot favourite for the Anelisa Handicap and the filly by Gaswar out of Xiamen  (Lingwood Stud) justified the favouritism by showing plenty of fire in the belly to collar the runaway Presence in the mile event. The stable’s retained rider Ashhad Asbar rode a confident race.

The two divisions of the Alterio Handicap saw contrasting races. The upper division was bagged by the heavily gambled Warpath from Sabeel Sharif’s yard. The three-year-old gelding by Paco Boy out of Barathiki was on this occasion taken to the helm of affairs by Mahesh and he managed to hold on to his advantage despite a strong challenge from bottom-weighted Forest Dunes in the closing stages of the race.

The lower division saw Arti Doctor-trained Kinloch – a rank outsider with no form to go by – come good in the hands of Nikhil. The filly by Gaswar out of Kilspindie (Lingwood Stud) took the rails after the turning for home and overhauled the runaway Words close home. The fancied runner Sparkling Silver was her usual self and ended up a faraway third. She may however yet pick up a race in the lowest class with a slice of luck, if placed judiciously.