If two horses have similar calibre, the task of picking a winner becomes difficult. Then one looks at which horse had faced a stronger company. But this equation also went for a toss in the case of Shocking Star. Moongate Man, who had faced a much lighter field, turned out to be smarter at the end in the class two Mysore Race Club Cup, the main event of the Delhi races on Friday. The champion jockey Rajinder, who rode the victor, stole the limelight by completing a quadruple in the card of six events. Trainer Aleem khan was the other professional to earn a double. Deepak Kalra-trained Moongate Man, who started off his career at the age of four and that too only after overcoming the fitness problem, had always puttered against a much poor field than the favourite Shocking Star. The son of Steinbeck and Stream Of Love took a quick jump but allowed the speedy Shocking Star to dictate the proceedings till he came to terms to get half-a-length better of her by stopping the watch amazingly at 1 min 5.97 seconds.

The gelding should set his sight for the class one achievement over the shorter trip. Shocking Star, who ran third in the 2000 Guineas, was in with the advantage of having had run with the horses who have already reached the top class. She bears another chance over her pet distances. Roaming Fame finished impressive fourth behind Splendid Man. The supporting event, The Chief Secretary’s Cup, saw Rock Solid (Royal Gladiator – Mount Rose) utilising the benefit of a new equipment, Gag bit, which is said to be used in Polo. Keeping in account of his previous performances, his drifting odds made racegoers wonder whether he was going to live up to expectations. However, despite running over much shorter trip, Rock Solid had no problem in dealing with the field making a straight course.

He should be followed again. The day's opening event saw a rank-outsider Master Arts registering a stunning victory in the Tipu sultan Plate, which was earmarked for the maiden horses. However, the son of Juniper and Amorosa had to wait for the stewards' nod of overruling the objection raised by jockey Sameer Khan of the runner-up Trusted Man for obstructing his way in the straight. Trusted Man should make amends. Master Dartagnan, stablemate of the winner, ran on to be notable third by pegging back the market fancied Flight Of Fancy, who was observed to be running erratic in the straight. Master Shub shubh, half-sister to the highly ranked Shub Shubh, bears watching. Haider Ali Khan's Real Scotch (Classic Tale – Bottle Of Whiskey) completed an encore under the guidance of Rajinder in the Brindavan Garden Plate over the mile. Kerry Blue, who met with interference in his last outing, made a late surge for occupying the second slot by pushing back Nonios, who was unnecessarily sent out in the front after the jump, for the third place.

Rajinder showed his brilliance by guiding the path of El Salvador (Eljohar – Poem) in the lower division of The Mysore Palace Plate. The Aleem-trainee, who completed the course on the outer portion of the track, was later found bleeding from his nostrils. Flying Rock, who once looked dangerous, had to fill-in the second position after overcoming the rough passage created by El Salvador. The upper division of the Plate turned out to be a one-horse affair as Katania (Duja – Shanavi) found no opposition in a wire-to-wire attempt.