Trainer Aashay Doctor’s Psychic Force was flawlessly piloted by Suraj Narredu to lift the Indian Champion Cup (Grade I) in style at RCTC on Friday. Permitting owner-mate Sagittarius to lead for the fist 800 metres, Suraj took his mount to the helm of affairs thereafter, controlling the pace to a nicety. Trafalgar and Srinath came to within one-and-half lengths of him at the top of the straight, but that is the best they could muster. Trainer Aashay had turned out the six-year-od in the pink of condition and richly deserved the success. He was however absent on the day as he is reportedly out of station - tying the knot. It was indeed a memorable wedding present for a man who has achieved a fair bit of success this season. Shyam Habbu was deputising on his behalf.

Other than the main event, trainer Vijay Singh continued to dominate the proceedings with a treble. His wards who were first past the were top-weight mare Vallerysthal, runaway winner Rainbow Trout and gutsy youngster Jake. The last two named thus completed back-to-back victories. Vallerysthal’s triumph in the Albert Piperno Memorial Cup was truly amazing. Sandesh had the five-year-old by Multidimensional out of Romantique racing dead last after a tardy jump-out, in a large field of twelve, till heads turned for home. Thereafter, the rider weaved a spell of magic as he threaded his way through a wall of horses to leave the field standing in the final furlong. The victory of Rainbow Trout (Letir Mor-Rainbow Queen) in the seven-furlong race for The CM Verma Memorial Cup was as impressive (if not more) as his effort in the lower class a week earlier. Jockey Hindu Singh had to do precious little except let her run her own race. Despite competing in the highest class, Rainbow Trout made it a one-horse race in the straight. Jockey Suraj Narredu had to pull out all stops to deliver the goods with Vijay’s final winner, Jake, in the Indian

Champagne Stakes. The Win Legend colt out of Aerona edged out owner-cum-stablemate Galen in the final stride of the seven-furlong event. Eastwood finished on well to be a close third.

The other race to witness a nail-biting finish was the BOL Publication Cup. The public choice Nova (Suraj up) and recent winner Estrella Star (Neeraj Rawal up) fought tooth and nail all the way down the straight before the latter returned victorious by the narrowest of margins. The Manvendra Singh-trained chestnut colt thus completed an encore despite the 6kg penalty. Nova had the misfortune of bursting her blood vessels.

The opening and concluding races both saw winners at lucrative odds. Vikash Jaiswal-trained Namak Halaal won the curtain-raiser at odds of 8/1 as money kept pouring in on Kilkarry Bridge who failed to place. The winner – a five-year-old speedster by Surfrider out of Aveline, was aided by the 2kg allowance that his apprentice jockey Rupal Singh was claiming. Fool Proof has come into form after  a couple of lacklustre runs and is one for the notebook.

Trainer Manvendra Singh completed a brace when his Wind Chaser (Top Class-Provocateur) outclassed the others in the race for the Toroloco Handicap. Apprentice Vikram managed to coax a late gallop out of the 6/1 shot to win the race comfortably from Om Shanti.