Freeze of Altimara, winner of Kingfisher Calcutta Derby

Altimara (Kader-up) being led-in by (from left) trainer Rashid Byramji, Mrs. S. Jalan, owner Deepak Khaitan and a stableboy after the filly won 
the the UB Industries sponsored Kingfisher Calcutta Derby Stakes

Dr. Vijay Mallya handing over memento to Rashid Byramji who trained the Kingfisher Calcutta Derby Stakes winner Altimara

Aslam Kader on Altimara winning the Kingfisher Calcutta Derby Stakes

Rashid Byramji trained Altimara walked away with the Kingfisher Calcutta Derby Stakes with effortless ease.

The easy winner of the Command Calcutta 1,000 Guineas could well get the 2000 Guineas as well. Aloritz, the winner, came positive for a banned substance and if the confirmatory sample too comes positive, the winner will be disqualified.

However, the Derby lost some of its glamour following the withdrawal of Alvarada who was inflicted with a cut injury by some miscreants on the eve of the premier classic. Alvarada, a Vijay Singh-trainee, was being quietly fancied for the big event. However, her injury, by a veterinary opinion, not being of very serious nature, the Razeen-Enfin Seule daughter is expected to be back in action in 10 days time. She, therefore, gets another chance to settle the argument in the longest classic, the Calcutta St. Leger, next month.

The field, which was reduced to eight hopefuls, was, nevertheless, a mismatch for Altimara. The Razeen-Treasure's nest daughter triumphed by nearly seven lengths. In fact, she looked a winner at the top of the home turn. With five- length lead and her nearest challenger Daggers Drawn making no impression it was celebration time for her followers. More importantly, Daggers Drawn was off the bridle from the 800-metre marker, and Pesi Shroff on Soviet Ace was still biding his time in-sixth when Altimara skated into the winning lead.

Soviet Ace did cover a good ground up in the stretch to catch up with Daggers Drawn and relegate the Padmanabhan- trainee to the third slot but the race by then was already in the safe keeping of the 6-10 favourite.

Shroff, however, had made his kill earlier on Soviet Port in the Golden Can Handicap. The Harbinder Singh Bath- trained colt recorded  the longest margin of victory on the day. But surprisingly, the four-year-old colt attracted no following and his increasing odds from 6-4 to 3's remain a mystery. Nevertheless, Shroff set the Bold Russian-Raging Lady colt to his task right from the word 'go,' the horse responded gamely -- despite his top-weight of 60.5 kg and the mile trip -- winning the race won by a shade under nine lengths.

Calorescence's victory in the 1,200m Alokananda Stakes was a brave effort, though the Metal Precieux-Pot Of Gold three-year-old daughter scored over Andrada by only half-a-length. Unruly inside the gates, the Vijay Singh-trainee had broken her tooth before the starter pressed the start-button. Despite the discomfiture, the courageous filly fought it out with Andrada--engaged in a pillar - to-post effort -- in the last 150 metres of the race and triumphed.

Highland Flame returned to the winners' enclosure after letting down his followers on two previous occasions. The Tecorno -Citiglow six-year-old while winning the 1,200m Wideman Cup from a rank- outsider Tsavo was not unduly pressed. The Daniel David-trainee could win again, albeit over a seven-furlong trip.

Lockers Park is in great heart. As his trainer Bath pointed it out that the Lingot d'Or-Laurisa four-year-old gives out as much is desired on the day and he he keeps on scoring without inviting attention of the handicapper. The winner of three races in-a-row, however, had to share the Rising Bell Handicap with the favourite, No Regrets.

The way Daneil's Endless Surprise won the 1,100-metre Aphroze Handicap, 
the Argyle Lake-Prime Passion filly showed promise of another win even if 
she is pushed up in class. However, the performance of her stable mate, Santillan -- a fluent last-start winner -- was very disappointing.

Five horses attracted betting in the concluding event, the Glasgow Courser but it was the least fancied Abashed who won from the start, leaving the followers of Alembic, Red Trident, The Stud and Calculus a disappointed lot. The above-mentioned five finished in the order mentioned with Alembic and Red Trident showing promise of making amends in the very near future.

- Aalibaba

Sunday January 7, 2001

At the prize distribution
ceremony, Dr. Vijay Mallya (right) giving an affectionate hug to Deepak Khaitan (left) who's filly Altimara won the United Breweries sponsored Kingfisher Calcutta Derby Stakes

Ex-Indian Tennis coach and Davis Cupper Naresh Kumar leading in Lockers Park (Rabani-up) after the horse won the Rising Bell Handicap. Mrs. Kumar is also seen in the picture

Endless Surprise (Kader-up) winning the Aphroze Handicap

Endless Surprise (Kader-up) being led-in by trainer Daniel David (left) and owner Deepak Khaitan after the filly won the Aphroze Handicap