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The afternoon commenced with Vikash Jaiswal-trained Bravo Italiano – superbly piloted by brother Vinay, delivering the goods in great style in the Silver Dawn Handicap. He ran a great fourth to Sparta and his class held good in this mediocre set. This six-year-old was earlier known as Artillery, and a change of stables seems to have done the trick.
In the season’s preview, it was mentioned that for punters looking out to make a handful from negligible investment, two of the list of names to follow are Vikash Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan. Both these lads opened their account with a bang. I detest using the word ‘longshot’ as an outsider can never be a longshot so to say, but a ‘good neglected horse with the potential to win’ – the key word ofcourse is ‘neglected’. Sarfraz’s Zafir carried a heavy impost of 62 kg to victory in the day’s final event, the Fair Mona Handicap. The on-money public choice Snowberry chased the winner all the way. The filly is a nice sort but needs to build up a little more courage to collar the front-runner. She will also relish a longer trip, perhaps seven furlongs. As it happened, Zafir used his inside draw to good effect and took the shortest route home. Leapyear jockey Haroon Khan used the whip freely in the final furlong. Roxy was well-backed by the place bettors and he duly obliged. The colt never fails to earn his cornbill.
Jockey Christopher Alford is one man who is unstoppable in Calcutta. He notched up a superb cup-double. The main event, The Goldliner Cup, saw Apostrophe installed as the favourite but the chestnut ran like a dud. One wonders why he was installed as the public choice as he had neither the class nor the handicap in his favour. The horse best on handicap, Elegant Road, lacked preparation. It was left to Vijay Singh-trained Alterity to defy both the handicap and a trip, a little too short for his liking. Alford had him racing up front, ahead of Lycia Falcon and he kicked on merrily in the straight. As for ‘the Falcon’, the heavy going definitely didn’t suit him.
The rage of the ring in the Citi Limits Cup was Absolutely Royal. She however failed to justify her odds. Alford had to work hard on her to get the better of Glory of North near the winning post. The filly will be better for this run. Portpatrick ran a creditable third. The withdrawal of both the fancied runners Best Bet and Arizzano left the road clear for Iora to come good in the Zelda Handicap for three-year-old maidens. Neeraj Rawal made no mistake on the winner while apprentice Israil failed to provide the requisite pressure astride Countess.
Alamgir’s failure in the Green Sari Handicap was not totally unexpected. As for Firecracker, he may prefer a shorter trip. Both these runners will clash again on Saturday over six furlongs. Apprentice Mahesh rode a brilliant finish atop Light My Fire to put paid to the pretensions of runaway Betelgeuse in the final 20 metres.
