Trainer Manvendra Singh`s three-year-old filly, Interstellar (S. John-up), worked her way to another victory, her fifth in a row, while claiming the 1,400m Independence Cup, Wednesday`s feature event. The afternoon also witnessed jockey S. Zervaan dictating the terms in the eight-event card as the crafty jockey notched up a treble for trainer Arti Doctor.

Interstellar was brilliant in her winning effort, even though it was only a head that separated her at the wire, from the seasoned campaigners like Adrestia, and the 13/10 favourite, Stevalena, also fillies, albeit older by a year.

What made the victory of Interstellar look more impressive was the filly`s ability to carry the crushing impost of 62kg to victory and the 5/1 chance made no bones about the weight discomfiture.

Now think about Interstellar`s winning chances at the level playing ground, the fillies` Classics. She is almost sure to start as a clear favourite in the Fillies Stakes, unless a potential upcountry challenger makes the field.

It was otherwise Zervaan-Arti day. Zervaan started his innings with the victory of Arti`s Mr Fogg`s, who was making his debut in the 1,200m Palazzio`s Sun Plate, for maiden three-year-olds. The jockey, rode the 5/2 chance to victory, with his trademark late run to a head victory over a quietly fancied Sweet Stone who dictated the terms almost from the start and also looked as a winner; until Mr Fogg`s walked on the scene from the mid-field.

The story was no different, half an hour later, as Zervaan guided the 7/1 chance, Fire Song, to a neck win over No Politics Please, also adopting the pillar-to-post tactics. Fire Song was also brought into the fray late into the stretch run.

The start-to-finish effort of Zervaan`s hot-favourite, Silken Grace, in the lower division of the 1,100m Thrifty Allan Handicap, was a tension-free effort. The last outing`s failed favourite, was, however, considered to be lucky by some, in view of her main challenger, Jorell, having been withdrawn at the start. The victory of the public-choice, however, leaves no room for doubt that she would have exercised her authority over Jorell, as well, had the top-weighted runner made the line-up.

Zervaan may have rued his holding back tactics on Arti`s another youngster, Tayetus, also making his debut in the 1,200m Silver Dawn Handicap. The Arabian Gulf son placed a creditable third behind the Land Of Glory and Footloose who made most of the running before being stumped by the 11/4 chance at the post.

Trainer Harvinder Bath`s Mister Majestic (C. Alford), a 9/4 joint-favourite, Knight Hood, also took the shortest route – the start-to-finish, home to victory, in the 1,100m Alamito Handicap. However, the riding of Arshad Alam (Knight Hood) leaves a nagging doubt in minds of many if the Bangalore-migrant was a keen performer from the start of the race. Arshad walked on the scene late to force a photo-finish.

However, the verdict went in favour of another late finisher, in the upper division of the Thrifting Allan Handicap., It was another close finish as jockey Ashhad Asbar coaxed trainer Raunak Banerji`s 5/1 chance, Raw Silk, to beat Lucky Streak and another late-finisher, Apical Finala.

The afternoon started with a heavy downpour and a heavy upset. Trainer Vijay Singh`s topweighted and the neglected runner in the betting , Bindass (apprentice Ranidan Singh) led from the start and thrashed his five rivals to win the 1,800m Safari Handicap.