After a couple of days of heavy rain, the weather Gods relented and racing at RCTC on Wednesday was conducted under pleasant conditions. The main event, The SkyExch.com Cup run over seven furlongs witnessed a nail-biting finish with Shyam Habbu-trained Tigrio (Phoenix Tower-Tigresse Noire) pulling it off with the help of apprentice Hasib Alam in the saddle. The favourite Sea Of Cortez lost all her chances at the gates  (where she jumped out very late) and finished a poor fifth. Taking the turn on the wide outside, Tigrio was sixth  of eight runners with a furlong to go. However, Hasib switched course in the nick of time to forge a passage between Redoubtable and Soaring High for a memorable blanket finish. The last named pair were both impressive in defeat. While Redoubtable undoubtedly needs more ground, Soaring High might prefer a furlong less to traverse.

The SkyExch.com Monsoon Plate saw the on-money public choice Harvestime (Western Aristocrat-Jack In The Cat) put his best foot forward to collar the free-running front-runner Dr Doom who is one for the notebook. The other three runners were never in it and may need some time.

Daniel David’s four-year-old filly Lightinthesky (Roderic Oconnor – Sail By Roos) notched up her second successive win of the season while bagging the Hokaido Handicap – the day’s opener. Apprentice Rupal Singh atop did not take any chances and made every post a winning one. The pair of fancied runners in the ring were three-year-olds Reagan and Randolph. The last named needs more time while Reagan may prefer a longer trip. The minor placings were occupied by Swift Lady and Tahoe who will be both worth keeping an eye on.

The Tangiers Handicap was pocketed by Patrick Quinn-trained Thiago (Perfect Stride-Suezy Oh) who too notched up back-to-back wins. Apprentice Saqlain rode a well-judged race to get the better of Devushka and Regency Gold both of whom are knocking at the door.

Well-backed favourite Livisilla (Win Legend-Auryn) from Aashay Doctor’s yard won the Pentagon Handicap quite easily in the hands of A Ashad Asbar. Tracking front-runner Properly Posh till the distance post, Livisilla sailed ahead to win as she liked from late finishing Mandolin. The second favourite Aircraft burst his blood vessels and bled though both nostrils. The poor animal finished a bad last under pain and duress.

Neil Darashah’s Vanguard (Tenth Star-Eliza Gilbert) brought the curtain down by picking up the mile race for the Gumaan Handicap. Jockey A Imran Khan rode a copybook race as he allowed Essos to call the shots till the turning for home before cruising into the lead and staying there all the way to the winning post. The favourite Circle Of Love was a fair second while top-weight Exotique was slowly out of the gates and finished a none too impressive third.