El Dorado began its season campaign on a winning note while emerging victorious in the Holiday Inn Plate, which was earmarked for class one horses. The four year-old colt, incidentally, was one of the five favourites who obliged in a card of six on Tuesday. Syed Afsar Shah, who piloted the colt was the successful professional along with trainer Aleem Khan, who shared a double each through "More Than A Woman".

The meeting was conducted under hot and humid conditions. Though little showers did try to bring some cheer on the faces of Delhites few hours before the commencement of the official fourth day, yet all struggled to cope up with the prevailing situation. However, the horses gave a bold show despite perspiring profusely.

The son of El Johar and Sharp Thinking, who was sharpened well during the practices, did exactly the copy work. He broke out quickly and led the brigade of five competitors till the end of the competition. However, he failed to impress upon the morning try-outs. He received some unexpected challenge from the stablemate Soul Satisfaction, Ruby Rosa and Taurian towards the end as the margin of victory was just a little over a length. He is likely to compete in the forthcoming Champion sprinters' race but he has to come a lot before making into it.

Soul Satisfaction, winner of the 1000 Guineas last year, was in with a lack of preparation. In spite of this, she made the stablemate to run. She has now proved that she is capable of every distance. Ruby Rosa was alerted to the task too late, which enabled her only to breath down on the neck of Soul satisfaction. Taurian, who had previously stunned the top-notched field in which El Dorado and Soul Satisfaction excelled on the Unitech sponsored day, was handled poorly to run a further short-head behind the trio.

When the relative humidity continued to be hovering between 75% to 80%, More Than A Woman took command of the favourites to land safely in the day opener - Rendezvous Plate. A maiden three-year-old filly from the stable of the crowned champion trainer Aleem had her connection, Mrs anasuya Gupta, who rarely visits the course, to lead-in. The way she crushed the mediocre field, yet another victory should come her way. Doon Boy, who held the runner-up berth, should not hold the maiden status for longer period.

When the Mumbai runners come to terms, the local horses always find themselves at wrong foot. The world Trade Tower Plate was at the mercy of Cataluniya. As it was mentioned earlier in the previous review regarding Anita Chauhan's horses who were well nurtured in Haryana during the summer, the five-year-old mare Cataluniya was the other horse to stand in the winning block with less track movements. Sitting third till final turn of the 1,000-metre trip, she was guided well by apprentice jockey Arun Kumar. She should be followed till beaten. Spade of Ace got into action very late to finish behind the winner. He is certainly knocking at the door.

Feraligator rose to occasion to lift the Delhi Midday Cup. His victory enabled his trainer Irfan Ali to lead-in after a gap of many seasons. The seven-year-old gelding, who failed shortly to Ashwa Paddma in his previous run, was once known as a miler but with the time going by, he has now turned into a good sprinter. After spending some time in hind group, he came into the mid-bunch at the halfway mark of 1,100 m and once he gained momentum despite disturbing Gamati, no horse dared to come between him and the wire. Captain Planet once again failed to live up to expectations. He began slowly and by the time he got into rhythm, the race was soon out of his reach. He has the potential to shed maiden status but one has to follow him with great patience.

A three-way finish between Paramount, Sam Aldo and True Beauty enthralled everyone in the lower division of the Jungle Steps Plate. True Beauty, who took up charge from Chandrakanta after entering the straight, looked all set to cause an upset over the seven furlongs trip, but it was Sam Aldo and Paramount, who launched their assault in a quick session to make their presence felt at the post. Paramount, who once was up with the early pace, had fallen back considerably before showing his instinct to earn laurel. Apprentice jockey Irfan Ali superbly handled the favourite. Sam Aldo, who ran a neck short to the winner, should make amends with True Beauty, who was further headed out to third. Following the heels of the public fancied, Sudarshan Chakram brought the curtain down in a start-to-finish affair in the upper division of the Jungle Steps Plate. Though she drifted out alarmingly in the last furlong, but the turn of foot may help her to complete an encore.