Trainer Neil Darashah stole the show at RCTC on Friday with a superb treble that would have undoubtedly elated his fans and followers no end – there’s no doubt that he is a ‘chip off the old block”- commented RCTC oldtimers. Neil’s performance was all the more highlighted by a sparkling display in the saddle by young low-weight jockey Vishal Bunde who rode two of Neil’s three winners for the day.

The main event of the day – The Delhi Race Club Cup run over a mile – saw Darashah-trained King Louis (Win Legend-Georgina) race in the rear of the five horse field for most part before Vishal switched him out at the top of the straight and the six-year-old dark bay gelding responded magnificently – getting the better of the four-year-old ante-post favourite Sativur close home. Not wishing to rest back after that spectacular triumph, Vishal rode another blinder atop Natural Grace (Phoenix Tower – Jazzy Jordan) in the very next race – The Not Much Handicap run over a mile and quarter. Vishal reduced it to a 1000m sprint by controlling the early pace. The first 1000m was run in approximately 1m13sec while the final 1000m was run in 1m2sec (fraction) – a brilliant display of pace control by the youngster. Neil commented later that guts can fetch glory in any sport and my filly has the guts.She accelerated the moment the favourite Main Street came next to her at the top of the straight.

The first of Darashah’s treble was the sprinter Enola Holmes (Fiero – Tower Bridge)who overcame an outside draw in the hands of apprentice Abhishek Mhatre.  The filly made The Captain Morgan Handicap a start-to-finish affair over five-and-half furlongs – leaving the opposition floundering in the straight.

Trainer Aashay Doctor also enjoyed a fruitful afternoon with a brace featuring Morano and rank outsider Aeropoli. The former won the Tangaroa Handicap – a ‘No Whips’ race run over 1100m.  Allowing Fast Approach to dictate terms till the straight, Morano (Dali-Harmonica)moved with a fluent run thereafter in the hands of Antony Raj to win comfortably. This was probably her lung-opener for the 1000 Guineas later in the month.

Aashay’s next winner was an absolute stunner – top-weight Aeropoli (Win Legend-Hauhawunai), running after a long lay-off pulled off an unlikely win over two youngsters – Star Studded and Galway Girl – who were both receiving weight from him. Imran Chisty atop Aeropoli allowed Galway Girl to call the shots till the turning for home where he took over the running and never looked back.

Trainer Patrick Quinn somewhat quietly opened his account for the season with three-year-old filly Princess Peach(Arazan-Festival Night) in the day’s opener. The filly was installed as the favourite and made the 1100m race for the Chios Handicap a start-to-finish affair with jockey Mukesh Kumar in the saddle.