Desert Rule felt completely at home in his new home at trainer Rehanullah Khan’s stables. He had arrived from Bangalore from the stables of master trainer RR Byramji a few months ago. He had not raced for five months and was not in the best of shape either. However, his last fast work did suggest that he was getting into the groove. He had responded well to his new masters methods and was ready to take on half a dozen fiery sprinters in The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, a six-furlong sprint.

He showed appreciable early speed in settling one behind the leader Mighty Crusader all the way into the straight. The rest followed in close order and not much covered the entire field. Mighty Crusader shot ahead and galloped to a handy lead. Desert Rule was ridden on a tight leash for a prolonged period and jockey Zervan opened up with Desert Rule (Desert Style – Zauberwelt) approaching the distance post. El Tropico too started to make his presence felt but could not sustain. He however did well to beat the rest despite carrying 63.5 after Trevor’s allowance of 1.5 kgs. Mighty Crusader and Desert Rule then fought out stride for stride and with fifty to go, the race still hung in suspense. Zervan then went all out with a great effort and just managed to head the Prakash-ridden Mighty Crusader a yard or so before the winning post to wrest the initiative and carve out a narrow victory.

Desert Rule defied a lay-off, a set back and also a new track to compile a victory on his western India debut. Veteran former trainer SM Shah was felicitated on the presentation podium by the Chairman of the RWITC, Mr. Vivek Jain. Rehan was the student of Mr. SM Shah during his learning days. Mr. Shah was presented a memento for his achievements as a trainer. Jockey Richard Hughes had a hugely successful day booting home a terrific treble. He started his run in The Maia Fine Jewellery, the day’s fourth race. Getting off the blocks in a flash, he sent Ocean Yarrman (Alnasr Alwasheek – La Unique) to the front working up a brisk pace.

Favourite Lionwoods went in chase but the other two in the race – Ananda and Daughter of Destiny were simply not up to it. Ocean Yarrman came into the straight with Lionwoods not too far behind, but when Hughes goaded the Sunderji gelding, Lionwoods was not able to keep up. Ocean Yarrman shot further away and showed good finishing effort and piled up a decisive lead in the final furlong to crown himself with Maia Fine Jewellery in style.

Lionwoods disappointed and left a lot to be desired. Portrush (Razeen – Husun), who turned eight at the turn of the year, belied his age and took on some younger sprinters and handed out a terrific beating to the lot. Settling into the third place behind Palazzo Grazioli and Beyond Belief in this seven-furlong race, Hughes had Portrush in a striking position without using his whip more than necessary. On straightening up, Native Knight shot ahead as the front-runners faded out. Portrush was poised prominently behind Native Knight never letting him go far away.

Eloise improved to third behind these two. Native Knight was bounding forward zestfully when Richard Hughes asked Portrush to quicken. Portrush, as if waiting for the signal from his rider, quickly produced a scintillating burst to dart ahead and score a decisive victory. Portrush looked as if he was in the best form of his life and his young trainer, Ms Nazak Chinoy, ought to be complimented for keeping him in such impeccable condition. Native Knight yet again was humbled and denied his maiden victory. Eloise ran a tame third just ahead of Violetta. Richard Hughes then partnered Lake Superior (Ontario – Extreme Contact) for the colt’s debut win. Favourite, Miss Starlight set her own quick pace and led the pack along with Afsoon.

Lake Beauty went wide at the turn and there was no coming back. Lake Superior was quick to make progress and was kept just behind the leaders. Pronto Pronto made considerable headway to be well positioned coming into the straight, considering he was not exactly in the best of positions during the initial part of the race. The stretch run proved dramatic as Miss Starlight was working hard to maintain her grip on the led. Afsoon was proving a tough challenger to shake off. Soon Lake Superior loomed large and tackled the duo easily to zip past them. Pronto Pronto, with YS Srinath astride, then worked up a good pace and started to challenge lake Superior. The pair battled the final furlong and Hughes, in the end, managed to ward off the challenger by a narrow margin. Pronto Pronto is surely one for the notebooks.

Trainer Ivor Fernandes made this one a lucrative New Year gift as Lake Superior was backed down from the sevens to 5/2 just before the starter flagged off the race. Frost Fairy (Placerville – Frost Queen) had it easy tackling the small field. Her stablemate Admirals Quest shot to the front and opened up in the backstretch to establish a huge lead of nearly ten lengths. Frost Fairy, Thunder Strike and Tara followed in that order. Frost Fairy caught up with the leader soon on turning for home and stretched away nicely to win unchallenged. She outlasted her rivals in no uncertain terms and showed her liking for the longer trips. Thunder Strike fought with Admirals Quest to earn the runner-up berth. Tara ended a poor last.

Sterling Silver (Inhabitant – Fathing) survived a self-inflicted folly as she drifted out at a crucial juncture in a hard-fought race. River Gem made a start-to-finish attempt setting up the race well for himself in the straight, but could not sustain after enjoying a useful lead. Sterling Sliver had to be coaxed to get to the leaders soon on start and jockey Mulrennan had to use force to get the filly going. Gamba was right there with them as they entered the straight. Cape Ferrat (Hurricane State – Royal Divine) reigned supreme from gate to post and won untroubled. After taking a nice quick jump, jockey Prakash controlled the front with Cape Ferrat who had Flames Of Fire and Crème De La Crème in chase. Silver Screen was on the rails and Aston Martin was making headway on the outside. Cape Ferrat came in home first and was still on a tight rein. Flames Of Fire who was alongside was quickly doused. Crème De La Crème flattered to deceive. Aston Martin started to warm up as did Ocean Power.

The duo looked to run Cape Ferrat close. That was not to be, as Cape Ferrat quickened further to shut out any challenge in the last furlong. He was well out of any danger and romped home to post a convincing victory. Aston Martin had to be content with the runner-up berth. Prince Of Troy did well to pick up in the final furlong to get past Ocean Power to end third. Rajasthan Royals (Hymn – Jukebox) put in a much improved performance to score a delightful victory for his supporters. Red Dragon went to the front and led the field homewards. Red Dragon, who was heavily backed, generated no hope as he fell back quickly. Forward Charge had barely begun to take charge when Rajasthan Royals began devouring ground at a brisk race. Once he pounced on the leaders, it was all over. Rajasthan Royals bounded forward and looked the winner long way from home. Belligerent came too late on the scene but ended in the money beating Catalyst for the third place.

Born Destiny (Steinbeck – Oiseau de Guerre) won the day’s opener with a late stretch run. River Tern looked good entering the straight as he had a slender advantage but seemed to be travelling well. However, when the push came to shove, she surrendered meekly. Obviously the weight she was carrying seemed a huge burden. Top Action and Born Destiny pushed for home almost at the same juncture and although the former fought hard, Born Destiny skipped away from his challenger in the final fifty to register a comfortable victory. Again Gallop, who was in the front until the turn, kicked on to end in the frame.