Vittal Deshmukh trained Strategic Command was powerfully driven out to contain the late rally of favourite Royal Embassy in the 1600 metres Delhi Race Club Trophy, a Category I race which highlighted the card of eight events that were gone through at Malakpet on Monday. Jockey P S Chouhan, who is practically riding a fancied runner in almost every race, inched one short of the magical figure of riding 50 winners during the season. With many more days of racing left in the winter season, Chouhan is sure to set a new benchmark.

Royal Embassy has been pretty unlucky as he has innumerable times finished second best. Even on the one occasion that he won against Strategic Command, he lost the race in the Stewards room. However, his consistency is what gives hope for his supporters that he may oblige after all. The presence of Imran Chisty in the saddle also helped to boost his prospects.

	Strategic Command (P S Chouhan up), winner of the Delhi Race Club Trophy, being led in by trainer L V R Deshmukh & Col.S.B.Nair

Caligatae led the field from the start with Scamper and Hussler in close attendance, with Strategic Command in a handy striking position while Royal Embassy was somewhere in the midfield. Scamper took over the running with a quarter mile to go in the race even as the five year old mare was strongly challenged by Strategic Command. Royal Embassy showed up on the wide outside. The power packed riding of Chouhan enabled Strategic Command to seize the lead inside the final 100 metres and the front runner survived by the skin of his teeth as Royal Embassy closed with a big rush. Scamper held on to the third spot ahead of Suchiman.

Spanish Conquest who had a good forward run to his credit was strongly backed to win the Northern Dancer Plate, a five and half furlong race for three year old maidens. Since those who already had a run benefit did not appear better than Spanish Conquest, only a good first timer had hopes of beating the favourite. The possible threat for Spanish Conquest emerged in the form of Pavan who was backed down with confidence by the people in the know close to race time which subsequently proved that the coup was well executed. Yours Truly led the field from the start with Spanish Conquest in second position ahead of Pavan. Rounding the final turn, Yours Truly was strongly challenged by the favourite even as Pavan was taking a few strides more to gallop on an even keel after taking the turn wide. Once Pavan picked up momentum, it was clear that Spanish Conquest`s foray in front was going to be short-lived. Pavan went on to record a comfortable win. Vijay Dhara ran on form behind to finish third and thus have a good educative forward run.

Blazing Asian and Young Sapper were both backed spiritedly to win the Mountain Lily Plate (Div I), a Category II race. Phar Lap and Alpine Girl disputed the lead from the start with Young Sapper settled in about the fifth position ahead of Blazing Asian. Alpine Girl had her moments when she took over the running and led till Blazing Asian showed up on the scene. In a trice, the favourite swept clear to win by a widening margin of seven lengths. Alpine Girl held on to the second spot ahead of early pace setter Phar Lap while Young Sapper struggled in the same spot after being in touch with the field till the final furlong. Bernardo received a check or possibly broke down as he pulled up lame and fell to the rear of the field.

Anupam Sharma`s Guiding Light was well backed to win the lower division of the race as Hard Kingdom steadily lost supporters. In the race itself, Guiding Light produced a scintillating turn of foot with a furlong out to go clear of the field and win form Mystical Knight and Drayton.

Vijaysena took over the running midway through the mile long Jockey V Rajashekar Memorial Cup, a Category III race named after a gentleman of a jockey and sped away for an effortless win over Kohinoor Fairytale and Garrison Chief.. Rajashekar was a promising jockey who also rode a Sprinters Cup winner, Kalamaris in the Invitation Cup weekend races held at Bangalore. Unfortunately, he succumbed to injuries in a fall during racing action on the local track before he could bloom as a big time jockey.

Imran Chisty drove out Iceland to a comprehensive victory in the Might Is Right Plate. After tracking Dancing Fairy into the straight, Chisty pushed Iceland to take over the running which the progeny of Royal Gladiator did with minimum of fuss to win from Paris Time who overcame a sluggish start to finish second best. Royal Scotsman was relegated to the third slot.

The Parliament had no problem in beating the challenge of his opponents in the Best of Fun Plate (Div I0 with a strong run inside the final furlong. First Spot made a belated charge to finish second ahead of stablemate Sharp Single. Lalaczar made a profitable start to finish dash in the lower division of the race with Hail The Star in futile chase.