Darius Byramji-trained Echoes of Light was ridden to an effortless victory in the Monsoon Cup by champion jockey Christopher Alford on Saturday, the concluding day of the Calcutta Monsoon meeting. On a warm, sunny afternoon, local turfites were treated to some thrilling finishes but took a drubbing in several of the races. Apprentice B. Mahesh faced the wrath of the Stewards in the Monsoon Cup when he was fined Rs 5,000 for losing position on Arturo, the stablemate of the winner, for no apparent reason.

That small fields can at times be more competitive than large ones was evident in the Steinlen Cup won by the on-money favourite Synergetic. The three-year-old filly from Pesi Shroff's yard had to fight tooth and nail with Aarti Doctor's Oojah to land the spoils. Ashish on the latter, did not disappoint his followers in the season's final event, the Hokkaido Handicap, when he brought the six-year-old Asiatique with a flourish to peg back Glenbervie and the hot favourite Antonique.

Jockey Christopher Alford rode a treble astride, Aveline, Synergetic and Echoes of Light while crack rider from western India,C. Rajendra, completed a double with the two favourites Little Mombo and Corfu. Though trainer Daniel David drew a blank on the final afternoon, his lead was sufficient to fetch him the trainers' championship. Jockey Srinath rode in place of B. Prakash who was indisposed, but he too drew a blank.

In the second race of the afternoon, Swiss King showed plenty of speed to be a winner at every post. Patrick Quinn-trained Flymetothestars was piloted expertly by J. Chinoy to bag the lower division of the Reliable Handicap from Finders Keepers.
Aveline's victory in the Jeweller handicap was truly thrilling. Joint-favourite Obelinna brought the field into the straight but it was Aveline who wore her down at the all-important end.

If that was not enough to set the adrenalin flowing, then Prospective Queen's late run on the outer rails to get the better of Firing Power and Fragrant Meadow couldn't have failed to do just that.

Punters will have to wait a seemingly interminable three weeks before the start of the winter season on November 9 for live action to start again.