The Rock found his winning ways while registering a narrow victory in the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Cup at the Delhi races on Thursday. Trainers Ishwar Singh, Aleem Khan and jockey Ranjeet Singh shared a brace each respectively. Coincidently, five- year-old horses dominated the card of six with four wins. The other two went in favour of youngsters aged three.A Khan-saddled The Rock (Ontario – Misty Eyes), who struggled with ill-fated performances after attaining the age of four, was supported heavily against the favourite Quality Assurance today.

The chestnut began his task in the manner he loves to run over his pet mile, by travelling behind the pack till the corner of half-way-mark of the six furlongs. He improved quickly by catching up with the leader Red Cat and looked set to have an easy way to glory until Ashwa Panama made a re-gallop to let him off with only a head advantage. Quality Assurance pipped Red Cat, who was the only galloper to be in with a proper track form, for the third place. Jockey Ranjeet Singh, who helped The Rock to find his winning shoes, earlier showed his brilliance in the victory of Nonios (Flitch – Woodlander) in the lower division of The Red Rose Lover Plate.

After making a winning gallop over the mile in the previous, the H Ali Khan-trained gelding had to deal with the speedsters running 500m less than the previous target. A lack of initial speed saw him spending time in the hind group momentarily. But soon he gathered momentum and started shadowing the stablemate Benedictus. Wearing the latter down inch by inch, he succeeded in beating the stable partner near the middle of the distance post.

The loser certainly needed a strong handling and should earn a bracket soon. The upper division of The Red Rose Lover Plate also witnessed a close finish between Firecracker and Kemrock. In the success of the former, poor handling of apprentice Arun Kumar during the final stages also played a vital role. He looked tired at the time of need, while Devraj Singh Rathore rode with patience on the victor as he had to run alongside the drifting Kemrock and wait for an opportunity to cash in on. Zulfiquar Khan's The Dukes (Classic Tale – Red Rosette) showed a clean pair of heels in The Chacha Nehru Plate. The heavily backed gelding's best performances have always come over the longer distances.

Real Scotch, who played the role of second fiddle, is also a stayer. Charg Away, who displaced Divine Grace for the third berth, has come to hands. Divine Grace is capable of raising a winning gallop soon. A Khan's charge Elegancia (Greensmith - Amicable) displayed a powerful acceleration to stun Youtfulreaction in the last strides. GY Rajesh Babu, who was in the saddle of Youthfulreaction, failed to judge the pace as his mount had established a huge margin and got used up at the time it matter most.

The gelding should make amends. Elegancia has the potential to even get more races over the longer trips. The day's concluding race, The First Prime Minister Plate, turned out to a one-horse affair as Master Blaster (Hymn – Velocette) from the yard of Ishwar Singh Parmar left the field dancing to his tune.