The mid-week races at RCTC turned out to be highly competitive as several close finishes brought railbirds to the edge of their seats. The entire day’s card of six races was sponsored by 1x Bet. The main event – the 1x Bet Grand Annual Mile – had only four three-year-olds in the line-up but was never short of thrills as jockey Trevor brought the Bharath Singh-trained chestnut gelding Ramiel (Win Legend-Angelique) with a late run to get the better of half-money public choice Super Stride who had threatened to steal a march over his nearest rival at the top of the straight. This was Trevor’s second win of the day having earlier lifted the 1xBet Indian Gold Vase while astride Aashay Doctor-trained Cape Tanaros (Western Aristocrat- Laurita). Both of Trevor’s winning mounts were freely available at 5/1 in the ring. The Protector was installed as the favourite in the 1x Bet Indian Gold Vase and appeared to have the race sewed up with a furlong to go as he collared the front-running Monfortino quite easily and made a bee line for the winning post. However, Trevor astride Aashay Doctor-trained Cape Tanaros had other ideas as the big-boned bay responded well to hisurgings to get the better of the public fancy in the last stride.

The afternoon commenced with trainer B Mahesh’s Agostino Carracci (Western Aristocrat – Partha) winning the 1x Bet No Whip Handicap in the hands of apprentice P Tejeshwar. Fancied runners Dr Doom and Mezcal occupied the minor placings. Trainer Mahesh was questioned with respect to the improved performance of his charge and he stated that the apprentice rode a ‘perfect race’ on this occasion which was not the case in his earlier outing. The five-year-old gelding was allowed to settle in fifth slot while Yazh called the early shots. At the top of the straight, Agostino Carracci chose the  wide outside path and this appeared to suit him to the hilt as he responded well to his rider’s call.

One race later, long shots Hashtag (Green Coast -Romancing) and Mount Reno (Phoenix Tower-Zalfana) produced a dead-heat for the winner’s berth in what turned out to be a absolute nail-biter.  The filly Island Lass set a good pace and tried to make every post a winning one but had no answer to the challenges of the winning pair. Both runners were ridden by apprentices. While Ravinder Singh-trained seven-year-old Hashtag was ridden by apprentice Tejeshwar, Vikash Jaiswal-trained Mount Reno was piloted by apprentice Hasib Alam. Fancied runner Swift Lady ended up a creditable third.

After a couple of lacklustre outings, Vijay Singh-trained Atlantica (Phoenix Tower-Riyasat) jumped back to form to bag the 1x Bet Seven Furlong Handicap from the stablemate Free Spirted and the fast-finishing Dubai Star. Jockey Suraj Narredu had the filly racing behind the favourite and pace-setter Randolph till the top of the straight and thereafter sailed into the lead for a fairly comfortable win. The curtain came down with The Rutherford Alford stable landing a good gamble with recent import Multistarrer  (Multidimensional – Glorious Colours)  who closed at 9/4 in the mile race for the 1x Bet Virtual Sports Handicap.  The odds of on-money public choice Only You expanded to even-money and she could only end up a tame second to the winner who was ridden with confidence by Imran Chisty.