After a week of drab weather, it was warm sunshine at the Calcutta racecourse on Saturday. The track was running true but false rails were placed up to the winning post to protect the railing side as it was the eve of the Derby.

The main event of the afternoon, The Madras Race Club Trophy, was an absolute edge-of-the-seat thriller. The speedy Ares with Trevor in the saddle tried to make ends meet while Pesi Shroff-trained Tender Romance (Ahaarth-Tender Moment) and Christopher Alford followed the pace-setter. The others were never really in it. In the straight, Alford urged his mount to collar the front-runner but he was struggling to get past him. It was only close home that the public choice edged past Ares and prevailed by a neck. Alford did well not to use the stick and yet get the best out of his mount.

One race earlier, Pesi Shroff had also claimed the Police Commissioner’s Trophy with Amor Amor (Razeen-Grand Passion). The property of Dr Vijay Mallya has improved considerably and established herself as a fine sprinter. Kudos to her mentor for transforming the filly and her style of running. She is far more forward now and eager to see the winning post. Trevor had her racing second behind Royal Dance from the word go. Amor Amor sailed past the latter in the straight and quite easily staved off the challenge of Debonaire Girl who was in fact a little better at weights. However, Amor Amor is an improving youngster and could defy her penalty. She is now in the highest category and if placed judiciously should win again.

Cider With Rosie (Choisir-A Real Nor’easter) made mincemeat of her seven rivals in the Romantic Fire Plate and justified her favouritism. The filly was shown daylight by Pasquier in the straight and she streaked ahead to win by over seven lengths.

Pasquier however had to be content with third place in the Smart Ruler Handicap while atop Inspiration. As jockey B. Sreekanth failed to fulfil his engagements, jockey Christopher Alford got a chance ride astride Ashwa Prajot (Tirol-Hearts In Motion) and he did not disappoint. He took the Daniel David ward to the helm of affairs from the outset and kicked clear when challenged by Daddy Cool. The stable of Daniel David completed a brace when his Ashwa Paarth (Ontario-Chain Reaction) won the day’s final event in similar fashion. Shailesh Shinde replaced Sreekanth on this occasion.

The afternoon commenced a little unhappily for the David stable as their heavily gambled Cherish The Moment (C. Alford astride) failed to see the winning post. Second favourite Speed Angel (Alnasr Alwasheek-Star Angel) was given a measured ride by top-weight rider Mahesh. The Padmanabhan-trained filly eventually won by four lengths from Harness Free who pipped Cherish The Moment at the post.

The four-horse field for the Pearson Surita Memorial Trophy saw Ashridge (Placerville-Academic) outclass the rest in the hands of Shinde. The Bharath Singh-trained six-year-old is a confirmed middle-distance runner and quite easily wore down the front-running Secret Visit to gallop clear of the field.

The outsider of the day was Patrick Quinn-trained Stalker (Placerville-First One Home). An elated apprentice Tamang had his moment of glory as he crossed the winning post ahead of Incanto Bliss. The much fancied Andromeda was a close fourth. She in fact returned bleeding from her right nostril.