Vijay Singh trained Romantic Fire, who showed out in tremendous condition in the paddock parade, proved too classy for the opposition in the 1200 metres S M Ramakrishna Rao Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, the main event of Saturday’s races. The long absence from the track following a knee chip surgery made no difference to the four-year old who won despite running over such a trip for the first time in his career. Romantic Fire easily collared the opposition and comfortably held on to win from a late-finishing Polar Force who could not make any impression on the winner. Romantic Fire had advertised his credentials when he he beat a good lot of three-year olds last year at Mumbai. Subsequently, he won twice at Mysore but lost form thereafter and was a listless performer at Mumbai. Romantic Fire was running for the first time since an operation to correct his problem and he showed no rustiness as he powered his way to victory. Though he did not beat quality opposition, the manner in which Romantic Fire won augurs well for this son of Steinbeck. There was inspired support for Amatol but this once rousing performer seems to have lost his galloping shoes. Amatol and Romantic Fire disputed favoritism in the betting ring, with some quiet support for Polar Force who has been a let down after a rousing start. Gem set a scorching pace before packing up on turning for home. Romantic Fire came through on the wide outside to easily sail past Water Wood and Amatol who were disputing the issue to win as he pleased. Polar Force held on to snatch the runner up spot ahead of Netstar who covered plenty of ground in the homestretch to finish third. Perfect Attraction was backed to the exclusion of all her rivals but the favourite faltered after raising hopes in the final furlong. Hyderabad’s Libertador, running for the first time this season, finished with a rattle to edge the favourite and land the spoils at nourishing odds. The highly rated challenger from Hyderabad showed out in good condition at the paddock parade and he translated those looks as well as the promise shown by his blazing workouts into an empathic win. Talk of The Devil finished with a big run to be a close third. The unpredictable Diomedes who had let down badly in his last essay, continued to disappoint, packing up like a pricked balloon after leading the field into the straight. Surely he has a problem that needs to be sorted out. Srinath who was astride Perfect Attraction, had a poor day as he failed to deliver on two other favourites. Fort Knox was strongly fancied to win the day’s opener but the daughter of Glory of Dancer perhaps did not relish the soft underfoot conditions and plodded on to finish second best. Purusharth who had been the medium of a failed gamble last time out, won readily, benefiting by that good forward run. Snow Tiger did not deserve to run as a favourite in the 1600 metres Royal Challenge Plate as this Mumbai challenger had a poor record back home. Sharp N Smart, a full brother to the celebrated Wild Eagle and Stagecraft, reveled in the conditions, winning by a distance at lucrative odds. Snow Tiger was not sighted. Great Seal was second ahead of Dangerous Diva. Rashid Byramji trained Priceless Memories proved too good in the Endorsement Plate, winning as she pleased. Witch Doctor once again finished second best, finding the favourite too hot to handle as the daughter of Placerville shot through along the rails and went away for an effortless win. Cosmic Swirl was a late-finishing third. There was some inspired support for Star Memories but three-year old filly was hopelessly outpaced. Tina’s Triumph has time and again found the winning post elusive. Jockey Appu took Tina’s Triumph on a start to finish mission but the well-supported Golden Run managed to head the front-runner on the post. Oro Neiro was given an easy run in the manner which is the trade mark of the only lady jockey on the circuit at this centre. Punters were put in a dilemma when the odds drifted out on Eskimo Boy but the Ganapathy trainee once again came in for spirited support to put cheer to those who had kept faith in the abilities of the progeny of Always A Rainbow. Eskimo Boy was not hard-pressed to get the measure of front-running Wizzy Noise to win capably. The late-finishing Pine Forest snatched the runner-up spot in the shadow of the post.