On a murky and wet Saturday afternoon, `James Mckeown-trained Shivalik Showers (Dancing Forever-Sun Shower) put his best foot forward when it mattered most and lifted the prestigious Monsoon Cup at RCTC on the final day of the 19-day meeting. The race was keenly contested from the distance post as front-running Exodus refused to relent in the home stretch and Hartnell moved up menacingly on the outside. However Hindu Singh used the stick to his advantage and staved off the latter’s strong challenge. It will be interesting to see the revised rating of Hartnell ahead of the winter season. This sweepstakes race may well have cost him a handicap race or two. But then as they say in this game – ‘no risk, no game’. Muliglory’s third in the Alternator Cup had cost him dearly.

One race earlier, Advika had let down a host of followers as she was pegged back to the runner-up spot by Mckeown-trained Rustler ( Stardan-Pretty N Fast) apprentice Vikram up. Vijay Singh bagged the mantle of ‘champion trainer’ with 29 winners. His sole winner of the day was the sprinter Dakshesh (Varenar-Elegante) who was ridden to a fluent victory by leading jockey Nikhil Naidu. The favourite Ghost Creek was a tame third while the other fancied runner God Save The Rest was obviously uncomfortable over a sprint. He will be more at home over a mile or more.

The afternoon commenced with Richard Alford’s Looking Good trying to make every post of the mile race for the Silver Bear Handicap a winning one. She ran a good race but ran out of steam in the final furlong. Surprise package Poras (Rebuttal-Anacita) from Jasbir Singh’s yard grabbed the advantage in the hands of retained stable jockey Rajender Singh.

Trainer HS Bath, who had a lean season thus far, completed a brace on the final afternoon. He started his day with Shanayaa’s Pet (Varenar-Generous Grey) who won the Annihilator Handicap without much ado in the hands of apprentice RS Bhati. Mustang called the early shots but had no answer to the winner’s rousing gallop in the straight. The favourite Tangalooma was an unimpressive fourth.Bhati proved to be the most successful apprentice of the season as he guided the favourite Eternally (Western Aristocrat-Reforest) to a fluent victory in the seven-furlong ‘no whip’ race.

Trainer Vikash Jaiswal’s Stunner (Varenar-Monopoly) was an unfortunate loser in her last essay. On this occasion, she came good in thee Roll N Twist Handicap. Brother Vinay did the honours. Stablemate Scarlet Emperor decided to pay for his own oats and edged out Tiberon for the runner-up berth.