The inaugural running of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup (post the sad demise of the Queen last year) proved a cakewalk for the short-priced Botero (Western Aristocrat – Verbier) from the Pesi Shroff yard as he quite easily spared four lengths to the runner-up Cliffhanger who incidentally was runner-up last year too in this event (which was not a ‘memorial’ at that stage). Shroff’s Parisian had bagged the race last year. The filly which may have troubled Botero – Arabian Queen – suffered the misfortune of a saddle-slip once again (having experienced a similar setback in the Oaks). Imran Chisty permitted the filly to hit the front from the mile marker with Botero a handy third. Trevor on Botero took over the running at the 600m marker and the race was as good as over there and then.

Trainer Aashay Doctor and jockey Akshay Kumar combined fruitfully to notch up a splendid quadruple. Their first winner was the grey mare Roka (Top Class – Zacara) who pocketed the Philippines Cup as a fancied runner despite finishing miles behind the winner in her last run. The complete reversal of form from her earlier three runs this season has to be credited to her meticulous mentor and robust rider. The duo next won the Olympia Technology Park Cup with the favourite Harvestime (Western Aristocrat-Jack In The Cat). The colt staved off a strong challenge from Senturion. Much fancied by the connections – Emrys proved to be a damp squib. However, in all fairness to him, he may have needed the run. Furthermore, jockey RS Bhati has been struggling to get to terms with himself after his long lay-off due to an unfortunate mishap in Mysore.

The Aashay – Akshay pair next picked up the Ranjit Sinha Roy Memorial Cup with the favourite Delphini(Bated Breath – Performer) who had been knocking for some time now. Though fancied by many, Faith could only finish fourth. Possibly the trip was too sharp for her and she was forced to take the bend miles wide. She will be worth keeping an eye on. The ‘Double A’ star combination signed off with the on-money Pepper (Surfrider-To The Manor Born) who lifted the upper division of the Caring Minds Cup as if it was a one-horse race. He seems destined for the highest class at this centre.

Leading jockey Imran Chisty had a poor afternoon as his first mount Tres Bien went down narrowly to B Mahesh -trained Romero (tenth Star-Radical Attraction) who was hard-ridden by top-weight jockey S John to gain the day. Trainer Vijay Singh and Imran Chisty  combined to bring home the bacon with Contribute (Roderic O’ Connor – Coccinella) in the race for the Serendine Cup. Both Gael and Macchiato ran prominently and will be worth following. Contribute was a facile winner and may win again.

The curtain came down with Shyam Habbu-trained Taimur’s Choice (Arabian Gulf-Fairtheewell) quite easily getting the better of fancied runners Agostini Carracci and Mezcal. The six-year-old mare gave apprentice Hasib Alam an armchair ride.