With three firm favourites obliging in a card of seven events on Wednesday, punters by and large returned home a happy lot. Of this winning trio comprising Aromatique, Summer Rose and Smarty Pant, the first two were ridden flawlessly by champion jockey Christopher Alford, who has a host of followers at his home centre. They gleefully backed him to the hilt. Both runners were on-money but at playable odds. The last named, Smarty Pant, was piloted superbly by top-weight rider Rajinder, who had earlier in the day ridden a gem of a race astride Vikash Jaiswal-trained Aptitude.

However, first things first, and the curtain-raiser saw John Stephens-trained Allied News (also a favourite but available at 5/2) land the spoils in the hands of apprentice Aharwal. The lad maintained his cool to peg back the challenge of second favourite Scorsese. Apprentice Shabbani was fined Rs 5,000 for not making any effort on Island Warrior.

Then came the runaway triumph of Aromatique in the lower division of the Vanitas Handicap. This Bath-trained five-year-old treated the field with utter disdain. Rajinder picked up the first of his two wins with Aptitude in the Super Sunrise Handicap. After finishing a good third last Friday, the six-year-old ran true to form when he quite easily accounted for the unpredictable mare Candle Light. The latter was simply outpaced. Charulata was the fastest finishing runner and may have turned the tables on the winner with superior assistance from the saddle.

Trainer Robin Corner opened his account for the season with Summer Rose in the upper division of the Vanitas Handicap. Tracking Marco Polo till the bend, she shot ahead to win fluently. Matrix edged out master Marvel for the runner-up berth.

Then came the day’s feature, The Aloritz Cup. The scurry turned out to be a race to remember, not only for those present but also for rookie apprentice Pintu Das who was elated to notch up the first win of his career. Pintu piloted Vrikodara without a fear in the world as he kicked on merrily in the straight, keeping his eyes firmly focussed ahead of him — not in the least bothered by the chopping and changing of runners behind him. Kudos to trainer Patrick Quinn too for declaring the youngster. There was shades of western India in this victory and it was indeed encouraging for the local scenario.

Rajinder completed his well-deserved double with a judicious ride atop Smarty Pant in the Alibi Handicap. He allowed Gallant Commander to call the shots till the turn. After that it was all over bar the shouting. Jockey Rabbani, the rider of Foot Tapper, was fined Rs 2,500 for not riding out his mount.

Daniel David – trained Triple Edge made every post of the day’s final race a winning one. The favourite man About Town failed to match strides with the winner. However, an enquiry has been opened into the running and riding of Elegant Road, the stablemate of the winner who finished second.