He came to Calcutta in the Monsoon of 2010 after a none too happy time professionally at Mumbai, and won his very first mount here – Grand Pere (a 10/1 shot). Primarily donning silks for the Arti Doctor stable, today Shailesh Shinde is a name to contend with on the local track and he proved it in no uncertain terms on Saturday with a masterly quadruple that included a hat-trick. His winners were Oriental Diana, Mesmerizer, Oakdale and Andromache. While the first three named were fancied runners at pretty decent odds, the last named was available at 10/1.

The day’s main event, The Horendro Kristo Dutt Memorial Trophy, was bagged by the filly Secrecy (China Visit – Glorious Colours) without too much of an effort though Christopher Alford had to push her hands-and-heels to collar the speedy front-runner Sexy Eyes. It was evident that Secrecy was not fully wound up and is bound to improve further before the 1000 Guineas. Thus, the fashionably bred youngster is likely to hold ‘pole position’ in the season’s first classic to be run a fortnight from now.

Shinde started his success story of the afternoon with Imtiaz Sait-trained Oriental Diana (Black Cash-Revived Up). Available at 12/10, she was probably his easiest ride of the day. The chestnut was always a handy second behind the pacesetter Golden Square while second favourite Istanbul was being pushed by Parmar to improve his position. The filly Lady Ship beat him to the runner-up berth while the runaway winner had four lengths to spare despite her top-weight. It was an impressive victory and may raise hopes for her connections in the first classic since her full potential has yet to be realized.

After showing his reluctance to enter the stall, the on-money public choice Petaloid closed at evens. He was subsequently withdrawn on veterinary grounds. It was quite a setback for punters who had zeroed in on the sprinter but frankly, in retrospect it must be said that it was probably for the better. After seeing the manner in which the ultimate favourite Mesmerizer (Senure-So Amazing) won the five-and-half-furlong sprint, it is unlikely that Petaloid would have got the better of him on this day.

Shailesh had the favourite-by-default racing dead last in the 10-horse field till heads turned for home. He took the turn ten-wide and came on the wide outside with the afternoon’s most incredible run to win by over four lengths - completely outclassing the field. It will be interesting to see the penalty that this four-year-old from Arti Doctor’s stable attracts.

The win of Oakdale (China Visit-Adesina) over seven furlongs was truly commendable. The favourite Genevieve was running a fairly forward race and took up the running in the straight but had no answer to Oakdale’s challenge though she was receiving 3.5kg from her. In fact, the winner was travelling extremely well in the final furlong and that may entice trainer Bharath Singh and popular owner Dilip Thomas from the south, into accepting with their ward in the Guineas.

Shinde brought the curtain down with a thundering win astride Arti Doctor-trained Andromache (Al Nasr Alwasheek-Aroma). The middle-distance runner was running after almost a year but nevertheless trounced the opposition which included the three-year-old colt and favourite Combined Operation. Much touted God’s Creation was perhaps hoping for divine intervention to save his day but it wasn’t to be. He ended up an unimpressive fifth and seemed out of sorts in the straight, which seemed to suggest that he may prefer a shorter trip.

Trainer Jasbir Singh stunned visitors with a high-priced double in the first two races of the afternoon. Both his winners, Star Success and Fankaar, were piloted by apprentice Mohit Singh. After several outings over sprints, the 6/1 shot Star Success (Don Micheletto-Life Is Life) lapped up the mile trip. He came from the rear of the field with a fluent run to brush aside Harness Free and Ocean Dancer.

Fankaar’s weight-reducing stint during the monsoon proved fruitful as the sprinter by Inner City out of Arches of Gold pegged back the runaway Emerald Queen close home after the latter drifted out to the outer rails. The favourite Adiynara faded out after trying her best to collar Emerald Queen. This full sister to Record Breaker may need a little more time to show her mettle. At the wire Krptonite edged out the front-runner to secure the runner-up berth.

Jockey Sandesh is one of western India’s most promising riders and he put his talent on display with a thunderous finish atop John Stephens-schooled Silencio (Sunday Doubt-Self Decision) to get the better of the hot favourite Blue Grass in the upper division of the Anatolia Handicap. Saddler’s Pride was seen to finish on and will be worth keeping an eye on.