The red-and-gold colours of Mr Deepak Khaitan were once again prominent on Calcutta Derby Day as they finished one-two. Trainer Vijay Singh’s Argiano (Warrshan-Santarelle) quite easily accounted for the Derby field in the hands of upcoming star Shailesh Shinde. The latter thus completed a well-deserved treble on the day. Shinde rode a calculated race on Argiano in that he took over the running at the mile marker and led all the way to the winning post, in much the same way as he had done in the Colts Trial. This full brother to the illustrious Unleashed kicked on merrily in the straight and held on well from stablemate Audrick, on whom jockey Christopher Alford did his best. The disappointment in the race was the ante-post favourite Captain Courageous who seemed poised for a rails run at the top of the straight but appeared to run out of gas. The stayer in the pack, Arabian Warrior, plodded n to occupy the third berth. The two final entries from western India (Knight Of Ke and Mufasa) were completely outclassed and finished way behind the rest.

Shinde’s first winner was Javed Khan-trained Carnival Point who won the curtain-raiser with a degree of comfort from La Dominique. The filly by Carnival Dancer out of Ice Point has more races in store for her.

Alcander looked an absolute sitter in the Aya Toofan Handicap but was nevertheless offered at 7/4 in the ring as some money came on Royal Honour. The speedy colt by Warrshan out of Pas De L’argent made no mistake in the hands of Shailesh Shinde as he made every post a winning one. Accurate (P.Trevor up) was the one who offered a semblance of a challenge.

The withdrawal at the starting stalls of 10-to-4-on favourite Blue Lightning for the second consecutive time, threw the Zeenee Handicap into utter disarray. Vikash Jaiswal’s Stiling Veil (Md Islam up) grabbed the opportunity as he gradually wore down Daddy Cool in the straight. The seven furlong trip seemed a little out of the latter’s compass despite the pace of the race being fairly slow.

Robert Gowli’s Valerosa (Brave Act-Chiquitita) showed that she is more suited to sprints as she got the better of the half-money favourite Aviette close home. Trevor Patel did well to be at the heels of the favourite before the turning for home and then pull away in the straight. The others were never really in it, the biggest disappointment being Ballet Belle. Now that Valerosa has  seen the winning post for the first time in her career, she may be a different proposition altogether in the future.

The withdrawal of Lady Ship reduced the Vagabond Handicap to four. Though Sheriff was badly out at weights to Highly Explosive, quite a lot of money came on him nevertheless. However, it was Highly Explosive who called the shots till the straight before succumbing to the half-money public choice Chalaque.

The No Regrets Cup saw Salt being installed as the firm favourite with top-weighted River Star a close second. Shailesh Shinde atop Salt rode a well-judged race and appeared to have it well covered at the distance post. However, a late run by the handicap-horse Amaretto put an end to Shailesh’s effort. Signor Sassi was the other impressive runner in the race.

Vikash Jaiswal’s Gorgeous brought the curtain down as top-weight jockey S. John rode a power-packed finish astride the filly to get the better of runaway Apyrous and much fancied Hell On Heels.