Rock Star became the first two-year-old horse to claim a race made for the Juveniles, probably first juvenile race in India of this year, at the Delhi race Course on Tuesday. Trainer Aleem Khan and jockey Syed Afsar Shah were the successful professionals to share a brace each in a small field card of six races which was made up with the help of final entrants.
Meanwhile, Magan Singh-trained Ganga jal mincemeated the five rivals en route to bag the feature event of the day - The Indo Tibetan Border Police cup.

When most of the racing centres organise the races for the beginners, preferably in the last week of October or more often in the month of November, only the Delhi Race Club grabs the opportunity of making an initiative. It has been in practice for many years barring few occasions.

Usually, lack of preparation of the youngsters mars the charm of the event as most of the high prized races fall only in the month of December. However, this time, a horse of superior pedigree had got it task cut when Rock Star tightened the noose around the other five counterparts after breaking out quickly from the stall for the five-furlong competition. The dark bay daughter of Greensmith and Scarborough was simply handled by Syed Afsar Shah. She will definitely be in different shape in the next venture.

The chestnut gelding of Hammerstein and Sterling Sensation, who was in hopeless chase of Rock Star, was hanging-in badly. She has ample scope of improvement. Take A Chance, who ran third, will also come up. His mother Passionate Baby had the ability to crack the field over sprints and longer distances as well.

Ganga Jal once again found the field dancing to her tune when she took command after coming out of the block. She had the only challenger on the book with her in Time To Win, but her nasty behaviour while loading into the gate forced her to opt out and that paved the way for the eventual victor. The way the four-year-old filly has been performing, she should rank herself into the class three winners. Private Eye had to get the runner-up berth under sufferance.

Dazzling Flame, who belongs to the stable of the champion saddler Aleem Khan, proved too good in the day's opener. Reinman Syed Afsar Shah showed his patience while settling the gelding into the third place till the top of the curve. Improving by a place afterwards, he dominated the last furlong. He should complete an encore. Dubious handling enabled Doon Boy run close third. The gelding is knocking hard at the door.

Sam Aldo made the hot favourite Before You victim of his head in a gruelling battle from the top of the homestretch. King Challenge proved his damline (Dynamite Doll) while pocketing the class II - Indo Tibetan Border Police Himveer Plate over eight furlongs. He ran true to his sister's (Pacific Queen, who was a renowned miler in Delhi) potential. Exalted, eventually, tasted a long overdue victory after a gap of a season in the curtain down race.