Though only six races were conducted at the Calcutta racecourse on Saturday, the short card provided all the ingredients necessary to spice up the proceedings. Champion jockey Christopher Alford notched up a popular double to inch closer to the magic mark of 1000 career wins. As per the last official update, his total now stands at 995. With the first classic weekend of the monsoon season coming up at this centre on Saturday, Alford would no doubt like to reduce the countdown to three before that by winning a couple of outstation mounts. Other than that, he may have to wait a little longer to join the elite club comprising the three Narredus (Satish, Mallesh and Suraj), Jagdish, Khade, Robin Corner and a few others.

Alford, however, blotched his copybook on Saturday when he lodged a frivolous objection against the winner Andrology while astride piping hot on-money favourite Validate (who finished third). He was fined Rs 5,000 for this act. Stablemate Andeana was doing all the running in the 2,000 metres race for the Friendly Dancer Handicap. Alford was content to sit and watch in third position as Andeana increased her lead. However, bottom-weighted Andrology was better placed at weights than her from their last meeting and he gradually wore her down to edge past the front-runner near the post. Validate made up a lot of ground in the home stretch to finish third. There was absolutely no reason to object. Vinay Jaiswal rode a clean race and may have tightened the on-money favourite for room about 1,000 metres from home – but that’s part of game. I am sure Alford is quite aware of that. He probably thought at that point that his stablemate was travelling so well, she was in no danger of being overtaken. Well, if he had known his handicaps, he wouldn’t have been so sure.

Christopher however did well to win the Calcutta Monsoon Sprint while astride Vijay Singh-trained Arktouros. From the 10th draw, he took a little time to grab the rails, but once he did that, there was no looking back. Alacrity had all the chances but finished a tame second. Thundering Hooves looked threatening midway up the straight but seems to have reached his limit. He has come a long way from where he was while running on the west coast.

Vijay and Christopher started their afternoon well when they won the opening event, The Whispering Grass Handicap, with Silver Guest. The chestnut gelding has improved a lot and kicked on merrily when challenged by second favourite Mafia Chief.

Javed Khan’s first winner of the day was Royal Ballerina, who won The Topspin Cup, thanks to the marvellous presence of mind of jockey Mahesh. The ‘Ballerina’ appeared to be blocked at the top of the straight but Mahesh went for the rails and returned successful. This was a brilliant piece of opportunism as four horses were fighting for the lead in the straight. They were Scorsese, Royal Scandal, All In The Stars and Sun Dancer. As was expected, the race provided a very tight finish.

Javed and his patron Sudhir Ahuja completed a double at nourishing odds when they picked up the Ballet Master Handicap with Roxy. Shailesh Shinde was never short of confidence atop this 6/1 shot. Portpatrick finished a good second and will be worth keeping an eye on.

The Rising Bell Handicap saw trainer Deepak Karki putting his best foot forward. The five-year-old Focus won comfortably with apprentice Babu Singh astride. Arizzano may have fared better with an apprentice too. Much touted Kuhaylan was never in it and may not be an apprentice ride while Kayadhu still needs a little more time.