The way Lagunillas succeeded in stepping out of the maiden status by bagging the Lt Col Govind Singhji Memorial Cup at Delhi races on Tuesday, proves that the filly has learnt a lot from her previous outings. None of the professionals were able to score a double on the day. Zulfiqar Khan-trainee Lagunillas, who had been runner-up in the last three outings, adopted a different tactic this time. Instead of making a bid from the mid-group or rear, jockey Shadab Khan forced her to swing into action right after the break.

He found no daredevils to pose any threat whatsoever for his supremacy while leading the way. Sparkling Gold and Ram Baarn shared the next slots respectively. The latter particularly bears watching. However, the most impressive runner turned out to be Steel Force, who figured late on the scene after coming from the tail-end. A brilliant piece of riding by Deepak Kamble Ashish ensured Bay of Thunder to land spoilsports in the Case Law Plate (1,600m), which was the curtain raiser event of the day.

In the small field of six, the chestnut gelding was always kept in a close attendance of the leaders Real Strong and Divine Grace. However, the last few yards changed the whole scenario. Divine Grace, who needed a strong handling, should make amends. Had Real Strong come from behind instead of making the way after the jump, the result might have been different. Mohsin Khan-saddled Energetic Girl completed an encore in the Reasonable Plate. She ran true to her form while foiling the start-to-finish bid of Dolton Power by half-a-length. Firecracker warmed up late for the third position against Classic N Mystic, whose run is best ignored. Roopendra Singh Shekhawat's Ashwa Panama got his overdue victory in the upper division of the Jai Govind Stud Plate. Though Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has posted many wins this season, yet his riding on Ashwa Panama on Tuesday was extraordinary. Despite travelling behind the front-runners, his forcing the mount to poke through Spot Hit and Mysterio was marvellous. Spot Hit, who was riddled with fitness problems last season, ran bravely before bowing down. He has not been able to taste a victory after the 2007-08 season.

Mysterio, who looked the fittest in the paddock, ran a dismal third. Rawsom just held Game of Talent off by a whisker in the pillar-to-post affair in the lower division of the plate. The Thaumaturk Plate proved to be a flash in the pan for Brustic Brave. Riazuddin had nothing to do but let him run freely while making every post a winning one. Jewel Hunt should earn his corn bill soon.