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Their Lil Sister (Glory of Dancer – Flying Home) from trainer SS Shah’s stables wore down Jalsa in a brief two-way fight to win at generous odds of 8/1 offered by the bookmakers. Jalsa hit the front soon on start and was quickly joined by Their Lil Sis, the later coming well from the outermost draw. The duo entered the straight together, was engaged in a grim battle for one-upmanship and both were matching strides closely until the distance post with no third threat in sight. Their Lil Sister finished on stronger to stretch ahead and register her maiden victory sparing more than two lengths at the wire. River Glory, who was not in the picture for the most part of the race, came alive with a good run to peg back Jalsa for the runner-up berth, while National Ikon ran on to end in the frame.
Jockey C Rajendra, after guiding Hugo to victory, scored again partnering Step By Step (Conquering Hero – Sunflowers) in the last race. Settling in the mid-bunch well behind the leader Always, Step By Step improved along the rails to be one behind the leader at the turn. Always, who had a handy lead, failed to sustain and bowed out just as Step By Step crept alongside. Once into the lead, Rajendra took off away from the rest leaving little chance for either Culcrieff or the heavily backed Final Attack to have any say in the matter. Step By Step finally earned a winning bracket after frequently promising-but-not-delivering on so many previous occasions.
Polarizer (Black Cash – Slide By) stumped the more favoured opposition by pulling off an upset victory in the day’s first race. Soophie went past Cloud Cover in the straight to lead briefly, but let down a large following as she failed to quicken. Soon Polarizer started gaining on Soophie and collared her past the distance post to surge ahead and work up a handy lead. Sea Value shifted out to come clear of the traffic and began a late charge even as Oyster Blue providing a stiff challenge. Sea value was easily the best moving horse in the final 100 meters but the winning post came a couple of strides early for Sea Value. The Imtiaz ward is most likely to make amends in his next venture.
Steely Dan was the biggest flop of the day and was nothing close to what he did in his impressive last start victory. Il Tabarro was left at the start but recovered enough not to miss place money. Glorious Miss stole a march soon after the start and worked up a yawning lead entering into the straight with about a five-length advantage. Blessings warmed up nicely and set about in chase. Mumtaz was also active and started to cover ground with purpose. Glorious Miss weakened midway up the straight and Blessings shot ahead with Mumtaz always lurking around. Blessings had timed his final run well and held on from the fast finishing Mumtaz who finished just a length behind.
Ariane (Brave Hunter – Badedra) who had found one better in both her starts this season broke the shackles with a brilliant final-furlong gallop. There was a double casualty in this race though, with Psychic Power clipping the heels of Tyumen just before the 800 m marker, thereby dislodging his jockey C Ruzaan and later in the homestretch, Neeraj Rawal fell off Celestial Concept. However, both the lads had a miraculous escape returning unhurt although they would remain under observation as is always advised.
Wilna set about the task of making her own leisurely pace and looked good until the final furlong. Ariane who was travelling beautifully then pounced on Wilna and accosted her with a strong gallop. Wilna wilted and Ariane posted a fine victory. Brief Encounter too did well to finish on strongly and managed to peg back Wilna for the second slot.
Jockey C Rajendra was the lone professional to score a brace.
