An overconfident riding could have cost Rock It (Ontario-Dominique) the event, had the winning post not come to his rescue in nick of time in the Indian Army Day Plate, the feature event of the Delhi races held on Monday. HA Khan, who has taken up the charge of A Khan's stable (The latter has been suspended for his horses testing positive), celebrated his new professional status with a notable quadruple. Ranjeet Singh booted home a double. To conduct an off-course betting operation over Hyderabad races in the afternoon and yet to fulfil the local schedule, the club made it to morning.

The decision bore fruit as overcast sky and gusty wind welcomed all. After finishing an impressive close fourth to Real Smasher in the North India Derby, Rock It was never under threat and the way he was travelling today, his victory seemed certain until Red Reef swung into action in the eleventh hour. Sensing no danger whatsoever from the pack, jockey Ranjeet Singh had kept Rock It on a tight hold. That’s why Red Reef got an opportunity to bridge the gap and put in everything but fell short by a neck over the seven furlongs. Rock It should complete an encore while the latter will be hard nut to crack in the next outing. Earlier, putting a strap around the tongue helped Ranjeet Singh-ridden Perfect Affect win the upper division of The Southern Command Plate.

In the previous outing, the son of Ontario and Perfect Angel was seen huffing and puffing inside the distance. During the race, Little Cut and Ashwa Pakhee crashed to the ground inside the initial furlong. The lower division of the event saw Supreme Victory (China Visit-Romantic Alliance) coming out of maiden status under the guidance of apprentice jockey Mohammed Asif. Incidentally, it was also his career's first victory. Dancing Babe, who found the trip a little short, finished to be a noteworthy third behind Green Seals. The Army Headquarter Plate saw a close finish between Dazzling Wise (Gaswar-Dazzling Wish) and Benedictus.

The former prevailed by a whisker, and the latter should make amends. Youthfulreflection, who ran third, needed a strong handling. Rajinder-astride Theodoros (Juniper-Midsummer Romance) made the lower-class field of the senior division of The Prithvi Missile Plate mincemeat. Star Sparkle, who got the runner-up berth, should raise a winning gallop soon. Hero's Power (White Crown-Fetchmefame) returned to the winning block after a gap of couple of years in the junior division of the plate by taming Little Master.