Tuesday’s card was turned topsy-turvy as several leading riders were absent from duty. Kamlesh, Shailesh and Nikhil were substituted as they attended the funeral of their friend and colleague DK Ashish in Pune. The mount of Shailesh in the opening race (Bournville) was ridden to victory by Sk Israil but several punters did not dare to wager on him as there is a considerable gulf of talent between the duo, which is reflected in their performance. Those who had the courage to go ahead with the bet were rewarded handsomely as the totalisator dividend expanded to Rs 59. In the fifth race, both Crixus and Cool Hunter carried 2kg overweight due to the substitutions which does make a difference, however small, over a trip of seven furlongs. As many as four jockeys picked up their very first win of the season. Thirteen must be their lucky number as it was the thirteenth day of the meet.

Arti Doctor-trained speedster Fire Angel (New Famous-Firefoot/ Yeravada Stud) used her inside draw to good effect as Shezad Khan made every post a winning one and held on grimly to the advantage when challenged strongly by Resolution. The latter’s connections must be dismayed by the fact that she virtually left all her chances at the gates, and yet moved with raking strides despite all sorts of traffic problems to lose narrowly. But that’s racing, you win some and lose some – whether you declare an apprentice or not. Six-year-old Rising Power closed as the favourite but never posed a threat to the eventual winner who is a year younger and was in receipt of 4kg from him.

Trainer Shyam Habbu’s Lineage (Noverre-Dynasty/ Sohna Stud) lifted the Starry Flag Cup with Sk Zafar Riaz on her back, exulting as he crossed the winning post to notch up his first win of the season and bring home a gamble for the connections. The filly hit the front early and stayed there all the way, despite drifting out to the centre of the track. The public choice Artegal needed the run and may have found her weight a stopper. The winner was available at 7/2. Aged Vaani was an impressive runner-up.

Trainer Bharath Singh completed a lucrative double when his filly Bournville (5/1) and colt Wahaca (8/1) landed the spoils. The former, by European out of Cindy Lou Two, produced a late gallop to overhaul Sweet Suspense in the final furlong. The favourite Zuma was an unimpressive fourth.

Wahaca (Chevalier-Ivorella/ Ruia Stud) may have been neglected by quite a few as he burst his blood vessel last time out and ended up a bad last. Aided by the city’s current cold wave, the colt faced no such problems on this occasion and romped home a clear winner to open the season’s account for jockey Md Islam. The best of the rest was Luck Luck Lucky as the fancied trio of Lucky Streak, Romantic Society and Xperience failed to close the gap with Wahaca.

It is surely going to be a Merry Christmas at the Alford household. Veteran trainer Richard Alford brought home the Christmas bacon with friendless City Heights (Arman Khan up), while son Rutherford led in heavily fancied Ashrafie (apprentice Jorawar Singh up). City Heights (Ikhtyar-City Tamer/ Nanoli Stud) sailed past front-running Crixus in the straight with Arman going hands and heels after a single reminder. Ashrafie (Mull Of Kintyre – Terrazas/ Sohna Stud) made the sprint for the Altimara Handicap a start to finish affair despite drifting out. Monsieur Strauss ended up the unlikely runner-up.

The day’s best bet, Manvendra Singh’s Interstellar (Top Class-Eternal Spirit/ Mukteshwar Stud) left her rivals cold as she won the dancing Colours Plate by a street in the hands of apprentice Hindu Singh. Her odds of 13/10 was a boon as money came on Stalino.