Ace jockey Christopher Alford completed a spectacular treble at the Calcutta racecourse on Saturday when he rode top-weight Elusive Study to a dramatic win over Forces of Destiny in the six-furlong race for The Hilliard Cup.  Gracing the wrong end of the field for a major part of the race, both Vijay Singh-trained Elusive Study and Forces of Destiny fought out the final furlong bitterly. Councilofthegods called the early shots in this race.

Alford's best ride was atop the filly Safari in the own Ability Plate. He rode the China Visit-Safari Girl filly with supreme confidence as he guided her past the front-running favourite Noble View. Apollotina was right there for most part and probably needs more ground. Safari is a top class sprinter and with this easier-than-verdict victory has ensured her participation (if not her favouritism) in the 1000 Guineas.

Alford's first winner was astride the on-money favourite Admaris who quite easily accounted for a weak field. The runner-up Casabella should improve after this race.

The day started with the Jaiswal brothers pulling off a gamble with heavy-weight Flying Jaguar. Runner-up Blood Rayne would have enjoyed a little more ground.

Chardin, under the care of Pesi Shroff, was the upset of the day, although those in the know had a quiet flutter on the five-year-old. Stablemate Agios Nikolaos finished in the ruck while Askarel appeared to have left it too late.

Trainer John Stephens and his jockey Rabbani  attracted the wrath of the stipendiary stewards for the unsatisfactory running of Big Thrillz in the Royal Double Handicap. Rabbani has been suspended from January 27 to April 30 while Stephens was fined Rs 10,000/.

The race was won by Zafir after staving off a strong challenge from Super Flash. The favourite Arisaka was nowhere on the scene. It was a very poor race for the sprinter.

The afternoon's final event, The Noble Fairy Handicap, saw the on-money favourite The Ladyisshady bring down the curtain without much ado. She made every post a winning one.