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The day commenced with West Coast Eagle from Daniel David’s yard closing as the favourite in the Vagabond Handicap. Jockey A Imran Khan had him well positioned from the outset but the chestnut failed to accelerate near home. C. Alford on Excel was on a start-to-mission which came to nought at the distance post as the aged ‘Eagle’ flew past him. Meanwhile, Afzal Khan atop Roxy was working vigorously on his mount. It paid rich dividends as the Javed Khan ward gradually edged past the ‘Eagle’.
Jacksonville proved to be the day’s biggest outsider. The Vikash Jaiswal-trained colt won the Gold Kale Handicap for three-year-old maidens, thanks to Rajinder’s hard riding. Jockey Imran Khan was again at the receiving end atop Embraceable. Royal Charter was a fairly good third and will surely benefit from this run. Ashwa Gamini was not permitted to take the front by an alert Imran Khan astride Embraceable. The property of MAM Ramaswamy was travelling well but had no answer to Jacksonville’s sudden challenge. Kudos to Rajinder!
That a six-race card can have all the ingredients of a high-profile race day was evident on Wednesday as the top-weight winner Mystro had to win the race a second time in the Stewards room. Able apprentice B. Mahesh atop the Bath-trained horse could not keep his mount from drifting out. But the winner did not take the ground of second placed Firing Power who was heavily under the whip. The objection was rightly overruled.
Apprentice Pintu Das’s handling of Forest Music to win the Sweet Ellar Handicap needs to be lauded. He smoothly collared Marco Polo at the bend to sail away from the field. Though Superman made a gallant effort to catch up with the front-runner, he may have found his weight a stopper and the trip too sharp. He will surely be better for this run.
Artistical was the afternoon’s most facile winner. She made every post of the race for the Great Scot Cup a winning one. None of the others could match strides with this crack sprinter from Arti Doctor’s yard.
The presence of veteran trainer Imtiaz A Sait at the Calcutta racecourse created quite a stir before the running of the Stay In Shape Handicap. His charge Fire Within opened as the favourite and soon the odds shortened. Rajinder rode a measured race on this big made gelding who collared the stout hearted Glory of North at the top of the straight, only to find the Sarfaraz Khan ward coming back at him near home. Rajinder managed to hold on for a narrow verdict which is actually a blessing as it will keep the penalty down. Thus another win seems to be in store for this migrant from western India. As for Aveline, she was never in the hunt.
