Punters by and large went home a happy lot on Friday as fancied runners ruled the roost. Five first favourites and a second favourite occupied the winner’s enclosure in the short six-event card. The famous red-and-gold colours of Deepak Khaitan were very much in the limelight as fifty per cent of the card saw winners from that stable. They were Raffles, Ballibay and Credit Swap. The first and last named (from Vijay Singh’s yard) were piloted by jockey Rajendra who thus opened his account at this centre, this season. Darius Byramji-trained Ballibay (Alnasr Alwasheek- Bay Of Angels) lifted The Republic Cup in facile manner.

Shailesh Shinde’s task was made that much easier as Triunfo shot to the head of the four-horse field. Shinde had Ballibay running in second slot till heads turned for home. Thereafter, he bid the field au revoir. Much touted Riding Fantasy seems to have reached the end of her tether and finished a none too impressive third. The afternoon commenced with the current showpiece stable of the country (with possibly three frontline candidates for the Indian Derby) of the Wadhawans pulling off a fine coup with the above-class River Divine (Royal Kingdom-La Tour D’argent). Jockey Mahesh faced little to no difficulty as he sat in a box seat on the top-weight behind front-running Flaming Love. In the straight, the five-year-old mare left the field cold as she romped home a clear winner. Ocean Dancer occupied the runner-up berth once again.

Trainer Vijay Singh has been enjoying his share of success with youngsters this season. Three-year-old chestnut filly Raffles (Inhabitant-Arcade) won The Wind Song Plate in her maiden start to follow in the footsteps of Alayir. Rajendra had her racing on the outside behind front-runners Kingston and Zakiyah. When asked for an effort, she did not disappoint. It was another impressive first outing winner from Vijay’s yard. The win of King’s Desire (Major Impact- Walk On Turf) was long overdue. He finally came good in his own age group in The Vibrant Handicap. From the 13th draw, apprentice Mohit Singh took his time to join the front-runners Southern Angel and Alize. However, when he was ultimately at par with them, he always looked as if he would get the better of them. The guardians were not too happy with Mohit’s tender handling of his mount.

Nevertheless, he is likely to be off the hook as he did retire a winner after all. Both Accardo and High Roller found the initial pace too hot for their liking. Another runner who had been knocking at the door for some time is the fashionably bred Credit Swap (China Visit-Santorini Star). His large margin of victory in The Pure Gold Handicap may see the handicapper giving him a stiff penalty. Top-weight Local Warrior and Desert Image occupied the runner-up berths. The one to note is Desert Image who seems to be nearing winning form. His earlier runs were extremely poor. The winner seemed very comfortable over the mile-and-quarter trip and should hoist the winning flag again in the near future. Razmaden (Razeen-Almaden) was equally comfortable over the same trip as he won The Baqlava Handicap to complete a hat-trick of wins for his mentor Arti Doctor and her retained rider Kamlesh. The favourite Avon Creek had all the chances but failed to make headway in the straight when asked for an effort. The winner, on the other hand, stretched out very well.