The withdrawal of ante-post favourite Cavallo Veloce due to veterinary reasons took some of the shine off the six-horse field for The Stewards Cup run at RCTC on Saturday. Nevertheless, the seven-furlong race was pretty competitive with both the tote favourite Consigliori and second favourite Awesome One going flat out in the final furlong. However, Neeraj Rawal on Aashay Doctor-trained Awesome One had the last word with a couple of timely backhanders. At the wire, the seasoned property of the Sumant Dalmiya syndicate was a comfortable winner. The six-year-old dark bay horse by Dean’s Kitten out of Aim To Achieve spared two lengths to the runner-up Consigliori who is undoubtedly one for the notebook.  

The afternoon commenced with Vijay Singh-trained three-year-old Legendary Striker (Be Safe-Striking View) winning the maidens’ sprint for The Allaying Plate in a common canter. Whether the connections will take a tilt at the Monsoon Derby on Sunday with this fine looking bay gelding who is bred to stay, is left to be seen.

Agrami was the rage of the ring in the second race, but failed to make the grade as she finished off the frame. Daniel David’s Eastside (Arabian Gulf-Khursaniyah) notched up her second race of the season after Sheer Force and Cliffs Of Capri had battled it out till the distance post.  Jockey Azharuddin seems to have the right technique to get the best out of the mare. Harbour Sunrise was a late finisher and needs to be followed.

Trainer Neil Darashah’s four-year-old dark bay gelding Shivalic Gold (David Livingston-Dhanab) was well prepared for the Zipper Handicap and did not disappoint his followers in the hands of Chetan Gowda. Speedy Indian Tiger led till the distance post but had nothing left in the tank when challenged by the favourite. Rutherford Alford’s recent import Redoubtable (Letir Mor-Miss Mystique) was installed as the firm favourite for the mile race for The Antonique Handicap. The four-year-old colt was given a perfect ride by Hyderabad jockey P Ajeeth Kumar. Tracking front-runner After Shock till the top of the straight, Redoubtable simply drew away from the field. For this thumping victory, he has incurred a penalty of 8.5kg. Nevertheless, his fashion of winning suggests that he can win again in the higher class when placed judiciously.

Jockey Neeraj Rawal completed a brace in the last race of the day astride Arti Doctor-trained Criteria (Kingda Ka-Smooth As Silk). The four-year-old was lying in mid-bunch till heads turned for home in the middle-distance race run over 1800 metres. The favourite Southern Light took over the running from Marazzo in the straight but her lead was short-lived as Rawal urged his mount to overhaul the public choice and he responded well.