It was a day to remember at the Calcutta racecourse on Sunday as Pesi Shroff-trained Bruckner strolled into the Derby archives at this centre in great style. The joint property of Vijay Shirke, Dhunjibhoy and Jeejeebhoy made a complete mockery of the opposition as he went on to pocket a mammoth winner’s purse of Rs 60 lakh.

The withdrawal of Artic Force before the race meant that seven would face the starter’s gun for the Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes. Aboline was installed as the firm favourite while Bruckner was quoted at 4/1 and Fair Option at 7/1. As is his wont, Aboline set a scorching pace from the word go with Spectacular Style, Bruckner, Fair Option and the others in toe. Just when it seemed that C. Alford atop Aboline may give him a breather after the half-way mark, his steps shortened and the others were soon breathing down his neck.

Paul Mulrennan was in a box seat astride Bruckner and was happy to see the eager Fair Option take up the running. Both Sans Pareil and Bruckner were in close touch at Calcutta’s infamous ‘devil’s bend’. Bruckner was easily moving the best in the straight and the verdict of almost seven lengths speaks for itself. It is likely that this progeny of Ikhtyar out of Allies Serenade will next target the Indian Derby in Mumbai. Incidentally, this was Ikhtyar’s first Derby winner. He stands at the famous Nanoli stud farm owned by the Dhunjibhoys.

The running of the Alokananda Stakes proved to be an eventful affair. Art Excellence won fair and square but was surprisingly demoted to the runner-up spot by the guardians after an objection by the second placed Secret Fire. In fact, it was the latter who had taken the eventual winner out after the bend. The fact that Art Excellence came in after that under Rawal’s stick does not make her guilty of any misdemeanour since she was made to lose ground initially by the ‘plaintiff’ herself. The stewards displayed scant respect for the senior stipe and his aide – both of whom called for an ‘overruled’ verdict. It was almost as if the ruling was pre-determined. 

Brave Move’s withdrawal in the opening event saw Secret Hero installed as the favourite. Imran Chisty astride the favourite had to stave off a strong challenge from Jade to win the Arabian Rose Cup. Despite a penalty of 2.5 kg, Maznavi won the lower division of the Moon Forest Cup with a degree of comfort. Devilish was the best of the rest but no match for the winner.

The Telegraph Cup, run over 2,000 metres, saw Blue Mountain calling the shots till the bend before retiring from the fray. He reportedly burst his blood vessels. Absolutely Royal looked as if he may pull it off but the Amazing Aamar Kaku from Javed Khan’s yard did the impossible when he won his fifth consecutive race close home. Nirmal Jodha rode another power-packed finish on the winner. That win ought to make Aamar Kaku the ‘horse of the year’.

Thereafter came an amazing hat-trick by A Imran Khan as he piloted the Daniel David trio of Touch of Magic, Celtic Charm and Grand Madame past the post. All three were fairly hard fought victories where he had to get the better of the favourites Dybbuk, Terrazas and Bid For Gold respectively. The win on Celtic Charm was truly laudable. Kudos to the rider and his outfit for a formidable showing with a relatively lesser string.

Malesh Narredu atop Vijay Singh-trained Glamorous Spirit brought down the curtain on an afternoon when the turnstiles never stopped turning. The official attendance was 17,000 plus. It was a well managed show without any hitches.