Despite the small fields, there were quite a few thrilling races to keep punters on their toes on Thursday. Jockey Sandesh rode a spectacular finish astride Vijay Singh trained three-year-old colt Saiko (Multitude-Amore Mio) to lift the Juvenile Sprint at RCTC. The experienced rider was hands and heels all the way down the straight to improve his position on the wide outside after lying a distant fourth for most part of the 1100m sprint. Veteran champion trainer Vijay Singh commented post-race that the distance was a little sharp for Saiko but the colt showed his class by raising that stupendous gallop in the nick of time. He added that earlier winner Admiringly had beaten his ward once and he had beaten him once. So it should be a ding dong battle in the Colts Trial next month.

Despite the three -horse field, there was much drama in the next race – The Super Sunrise Cup. Maiden apprentice Vinit Chavan atop favourite Pantazi was given a torrid time from the word go. He was taken wide by Blackstone after the jump-out and his mount never quite recovered his galloping shoes as Neil Darashah-trained Victoria Cross (Multitude-Victoria Falls) took the shortest route home in the hands of Vishal Bunde. To top it all, Chavan had to survive an unnecessary objection from the rider of Blackstone as Pantazi came in after being taken out. In this context, it may be mentioned that whip-less maiden apprentice Chavan may not have been a very wise choice for this ride which does not imply Pantazi would have won otherwise. However, hypothetical debates are a part and parcel of this glorious game of uncertainties.

With the winof Victoria Cross, Neil Darashah completed a brace – having earlier led in Goodwill (Deauville-Gloriosa) who was having his first run after being gelded. Under Akshay Kumar’s stick, the gelding raised a winning gallop to sail past the fieldwhile favourite Ksepiman was a close second over this mile-and-quarter trip. Neil commented later that being gelded has helped his ward’s cause and it seems now that he will thrive over the longer trips. The one for the note book is the filly Sanaya – perhaps over a mile in the lowest class.

Trainer Arti Doctor’s colt Admiringly (Letir Mor-Goldilocks)with Trevor in the saddle pocketed the mile race for The Dominate Handicap without raising a sweat and is a serious candidate for the  monsoon classis later in the season. 

Other than Saiko, last year’s Monsoon Derby winning filly Heart was probably the most impressive winner of the day in the mile race for The Avaglow Handicap. The Deepesh Narredu-schooled filly by Gusto out of Beldon Hill conceded as much as 8.5 kg to second favourite Togo and beat him out of sight. The top-weight filly was given a smooth ride by Yash Narredu who accelerated past the grandstand after lying a handy third for most part.

The curtain came down with Rutherford Alford-trained Laamika (Excellent Art-Chase The Sun) picking up the Jeweller Handicap in the hands of Ashhad Asbar without much ado. Cashaban was a notable second.