Credence for RCTC Trophy

Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. Pic/Shadab Khan

Credence, the four-year-old filly trained by Shazaan Shah, who went down narrowly in her last start at Pune, is expected to make amends in the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) Trophy, the feature event of a small, thinly populated six-race card slated for the opening day of the Mahalaxmi racing season 2025-26. Her regular partner, apprentice jockey Ramswarup, who will be claiming a crucial 5 kg allowance, is expected to keep her rivals at bay all through the 550m long Mahalaxmi homestretch.

First race at 2.30 pm.
Selections:

Welcome Trophy (Class IV; 1200m)
Social Butterfly 1, Absolute Gorgeous 2, Majestic Warrior 3.

KJK Irani Plate (Class II; 1600m)
Fynbos 1, Giacomo 2, Ultimo 3.

Kiara Plate (Class III; 1400m)
Kings Gambit 1, Spanish Eyes 2, Treat 3.

PB Avasia Plate (Class IV; 1600m)
Phantasmique 1, Machiavellian 2, Namiri 3.

Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy (Class I; 1200m)
Credence 1, Divine Star 2, It's My Time 3.

MD Petit Plate (For 4y&o, Class V; 1000m)
Applause 1, Arbitrage 2, Samson 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: Social Butterfly (1-1)
Upsets: Esteban (3-6) & Little John (4-2)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Jackpot pool: 2,3,4,5,6
Treble pool: 3,4,5
Tanala pool: All races.