Neglected by most but quietly fancied by his connections, Vikash Jaiswal-trained Exodus (Arazan-Strawberry Fields) lifted the Hilliard Cup at RCTC on Saturday. Despite carrying a top-weight of 61kg and traversing a distance (1400m) considered too sharp for him, the six-year-old gelding ran a forward race in jockey PS Chouhan’s hands, sitting in a box seat behind front-running Shivalik Story. Near the distance post, he drew away from the field but had to stave off a strong challenge from the favourite Gloaming who moved with raking strides close home. 

Jockey Sandesh, who piloted Gloaming, lost another narrow verdict in the very next race when Raqs Sharqi went down by the proverbial whisker to fashionably bred filly Mahali from the Vijay Singh stable in the Touch Of Silver Handicap run over a mile. Sired by Midnight Interlude out of Allies Serenade, Mahali was given a regulation ride by Neeraj Rawal to land the spoils by the skin of his teeth. It would be difficult to fault Sandesh on either of his two defeats as his losing mounts are known to prefer a late charge. That’s racing, you win some and lose some! 

Sandesh had another runner-up finish when the favourite Ascension went down to Nobu (Burden Of Proof-Soviet Lake) in the Romantic Notes Handicap. All three defeated mounts of this talented rider were running in the colours of popular owner Vikram Bachawat. It was just not his day! The pair however enjoyed some consolation when their The Kiss (Multidimensional-Abronia) won The Arabian Rose Handicap in style. Though given a hefty penalty of 8kg, the filly may win again in the upper class as she seems to have found her galloping shoes.  She can now accelerate from any point in a sprint and does not need to be up with the front-runners which seems to wear her out.

Jockey Dashrath Singh and trainer Bharath Singh combined fruitfully to record a double during the day with his mounts Viserion and Simon Templar. In the opening event, the three-year-old gelding Viserion (Diffident-Winged Light) was given a flawless ride by the reliable rider as he moved up well down the centre of the track after lying in fifth position for most part. Opening day winner I Me N Myself came with telling strides but fell short by half-length. Over-raced Major Colours finished  fourth and has earned a well-deserved rest. After the opening day fiasco when Dashrath was bulldozed off his mount Bojangles from the 13th draw, the experienced ace must have been more than a little wary atop Simon Templar in the 14th draw. However, on this occasion, there was no untoward incident and Dashrath was able to settle his mount in third position from the outset. Nearing the distance post, Simon Templar (Burden Of Proof-Chilli Girl) shot ahead to win well.

The curtain came down with Arti Doctor-trained Sabrejet (Air Support-Siachen) winning the So Amazing Handicap rather comfortably. The three-year-old colt may defy his 6kg penalty and win again. On this occasion, jockey Christopher Alford atop the favourite followed the front-runner till the bend before taking over the running and kicking clear. Blaze To Glory was a creditable runner-up.