A marvellous piece of horsemanship by veteran PS Chouhan atop Aashay Doctor-trained Awesome One saw the six-year-old by Dean’s Kitten out of Aim to Achieve get the better of his chief rival Prince Satsuma (Suraj Narredu up) at the wire in the seven-furlong race for the Adjudicate Cup. After the turning for home, Suraj on the ‘Prince’ seemed to have given Awesome One the slip as he closed the gap along the rails after collaring front-runner Amorous White. However, Chouhan was alert to Suraj’s ploy and quickly switched his mount to the outside. Thereafter, it was a tooth and nail fight all the way down the straight. Awesome One finally overhauled his foe in the very last stride. Kudos to the horse and his rider for this splendid effort.

It was back-to-back success for Chouhan over leading jockey Suraj as one race earlier, he had outwitted him while astride Arti Doctor-trained Shimmering Star (Strong Suit-Shining Glory) in the race for The Secret Fire Handicap. Normally, a front-runner, Shimmering Star was held back in fourth position by Chouhan while speedster Namak Halaal cut the wind with Gaurish right behind him. The on-money favourite Vallerysthal was in touch in third slot but on the wide outside. Chouhan opted for the shortest route after turning for home and got the desired opening to pull off a narrow victory.

Trainer Christopher Alford and jockey Nikhil Naidu combined fruitfully to notch up a lucrative double with the four-year-old fillies Treasure Hunt and Portofspain – both donning the colours of the Manjri Stud farm. Naidu is a talented rider and rode the pair in almost identical manner. Light-framed Treasure Hunt (Phoenix Tower-Little Treasure) was lying fourth behind front-runners Viareggio and Despacito, and slipped through along the rails at the top of the straight. Thereafter, it was smooth sailing for the filly. The disappointment in the race was the favourite Aroundtheworld who looked hopelessly out of her depth though she was looking rather well in the paddock.

Portofspain (Arabian Gulf-Fairtheewell) brought the curtain down with a decisive victory over runaway leader Right Move in the seven-furlong race for the Cascades Handicap. Top-weight Fancourt, who ended up third, is one for the notebook while the favourite Adornica was a poor fourth.

The Archer Handicap, run over 2000 metres, saw a keen contest between Vijay Singh-trained stablemates donning the colours of Subir Dasgupta battle it out for top honours. Top-weight Ghost refused to relent as the on-money favourite Cliffhanger  (Top Class – Lady Escort) with Suraj Narredu in the saddle challenged  him strongly in the straight to register a narrow win. Half-a-length separated the duo at the wire.

The afternoon commenced with a couple of unfancied runners occupying the winner’s enclosure – Buddy Holly and Spring Valley. Apprentice Tejeshwar had to ride Vikash Jaiswal-trained Buddy Holly (Stern Opinion-Spring Beauty) flat out to get the better of Beowulf close home in the 1100 metres race for the Obligado Handicap. Bharath Singh-trained Spring Valley (Win Legend-Angels Glory) caught most form-workers napping as she had not done anything of note in her last four run. However, the extended trip of seven furlongs seemed to suit her and apprentice Sujit Kumar Paswan grabbed the opportunity. The favourite Demonstrate looks over the hill at the ripe old age of seven while the other fancied runner Dothraki is a trifle difficult to calibrate after his lacklustre runs.