A vociferous crowd of over 20,000 were witness to some thrilling thoroughbred display at the RCTC on New Year’s Day. The cold and cloudy afternoon came alive with some popular live music and quality horseflesh, once the starting stalls opened its gates for the first time at noon.

The prestigious main event, The Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes, went according to script, the only surprise being the bookmaker’s odds for the eventual effortless winner Xotica, who was available at the scrumptious price of 4/1. The Javed Khan-trained speedster by Chevalier out of Girl From Ascot (Ruia Stud)  was ridden by Neeraj Rawal in virtually an identical manner to Nikhil when she won The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy. She was positioned on the flank of front-running Amazing Legend till the 600 marker, from where she made her own running with only a single reminder near the distance post which encouraged her to increase her margin of victory to a whopping 7 1/2 lengths. Money poured in on the on-money favourite Sans Prix but she ended up in the ruck.  The winner stopped the clock at a smashing time of 1min 11.79 sec which is par excellence for a three-year-old on New Year’s Day. She is obviously one hell of a sprinter who is a natural and needs no encouragement from the saddle !

The 2200 metres race for The Eveready RCTC Gold Vase turned to be a bookmaker’s dream as the two heavily fancied runners – Acrider and Triumphus – failed to place. While Triumphus was always on the radar, the piping hot public choice Acrider from Vijay Singh’s yard was virtually an also ran.  In fact, it was Vijay’s two other runners – Aptness and Falcon, who set the track alight. While the former set a scorching pace, nearly a distance ahead of the field, stablemate Falcon (Razeen-Tarnished Lady/ Usha Stud) and Shourisha, in second and third berths, waited patiently for him to shorten his strides in the straight which he eventually did near the distance post.  Falcon and Chouhan sailed ahead and quite easily kept at bay Shourisha who did look menacing at one point. Hypothetically speaking (one can never be sure of such arguments), Aptness may have performed better if ridden with a little more restraint and understanding as he does possess the ability to sprint the final 1000 metres. But then, the trainer knows best I suppose. As it happened, Aptness’s  scorching pace resulted in a new record time of 2min 16.16sec credited to Falcon.

Trainer Manvendra Singh declared apprentice Hindu Singh on two mounts (Captain Haddock and Midnight Magic), neither of which are apprentice rides. The schooler took a gamble but it didn’t pay off.  Captain Haddock, whose superior class can be gauged from the Monsoon Derby, was piloted in horrendous style, which saw him lose a certain race. On the other hand, the sharp scurry of 1100 metres for The Kaizen Cup did not help Midnight Magic’s cause as she lacked positioning in the early part of the race.

The Eltish Cup, run over 2000 metres, saw Arti Doctor-trained Adilicia and PS Chouhan make every post a winning one. The favourite Ximore was unimpressive while both Captain Haddock and Cool Conqueror finished on the extreme outside of the track to ensure a call for the camera.

Popular saddle artist Christopher Alford tasted success in The Friends FM Cup run over the metric mile as his mount Adzukis (Arazan – Aemilia) was ridden up front all the way and held on without any hiccups. The runner-up Presence will be worth following while hot favourite Amazing Maria amazed her many followers with a lacklustre show.

Just before the running of The T2 Cup, the boy band was belting out the song “Suzanna” – the smoking hot favourite for the scurry. But Kamlesh and Bold Legacy (New Famous-Hoofbeats/ Yeravada Stud) had other ideas as she made every post a winning one despite her crushing impost to remain unbeaten after six starts in her career – quite a feat indeed and a feather in the cap for her trainer Arti Doctor. Her placements of her ward have been superb.  Suzanna had all the chances but was under pressure from the bend to hold position.

Rutherford Alford-trained Le Havre (Noverre-Zahwah/ Sohna Stud) was backed down to on-money in the Stringfellows Cup and he did not disappoint in the hands of Asbar. The chestnut (earlier called Theokoles) made every post a winning one. His two debacles as even-money favourite during the monsoon remain a mystery – the only explanation being that he did not take to the track. On this occasion, he won like a champ, going away from the field while shouldering top-weight.

Vijay Singh’s Ophion (Abbeydale-Bold Reply) was backed to the exclusion of all others in the Bookmaker’s Association Cup. He ran his usual forward race and fell apart when challenged by a superior animal – Multivalue (Multidimensional – Sea Value/ Usha Stud).  On a lighter note - the ‘wise’ men of racing stayed away from Ophion – their logic being that ‘How can a half-money favourite triumph in a cup of this name?’

The fractious on-money favourite Claymore was withdrawn in the last race. The race was bagged by the second favourite Flanker (Burden Of Proof – Track Charm/ Kunigal Stud) from Shafiq Khan’s yard, which was a fitting tribute to the premier Stud Farm which sponsored the day’s feature – the Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes.