Wednesday afternoon belonged to schooler Vikash Jaiswal at the Calcutta racecourse as he notched up a high-priced treble with Sham Sunder, Gonna Be A Rockstar and River Pride. Taking a leaf out of Jaiswal’s book, trainer Sarfaraz Khan pocketed a brace with Zoffany and Words while Imran Chisty booted home a double astride Jaiswal’s first two winners. Racing was once again conducted on the monsoon track.

Trainer Vijay Singh completed the formalities with Blue Lightning in the race for the Baqlava Cup. The daughter of China Visit out of Blue Ridge, a full sister to Kiara, won easier than verdict in the hands of Christopher Alford. Much was expected from Impressive Mode  but she was anything but impressive as she just held on to the runner-up berth from Shivalik Shakti. The winner took over the running smoothly at the top of the straight from front-running Isle Of Capri and there was no looking back thereafter.

Vikash commenced his successful afternoon with Sham Sunder (7/2) in the curtain-raiser. Without any pacemaker in the small field of four, PS Chouhan had no option but to take the favourite Eros to the helm of affairs – a move that the five-year-old quite obviously detests. With the benefit of a run on the opening day, Sham Sunder could quite easily negotiate the mile trip as the pace of the race was gentle. Under Chisty’s urgings, the Jaiswal ward sailed past the public choice near the distance post. The other two runners were never really in it.

Gonna be A Rockstar (4/1) was handled with great aplomb by Imran Chisty as he gradually improved the seasoned campaigner from the rear of the field to be in striking position at the top of the straight, and then sailed past the front-runners with a degree of comfort despite the crushing impost. The favourite in the Camballo Handicap, Ace Of Base, was hemmed in along the rails but nevertheless raised a good gallop in the straight. However, apprentice Munna Alam’s efforts were just not sufficient to overhaul the eventual winner who was travelling well in the final furlong.

Vikash had declared brother Vinay atop River Pride in the lower division of the Satellite Handicap and the rank outsider was available at 20/1 as the rage of the ring was the on-money Gorgeous Girl. Another three-year old Chhundu was next in demand at 6/1. While the latter showed some early speed, the public choice was all at sea. Known to prefer longer trips, River Pride was at the tail of Chhundu in a trice on this occasion. As the latter is known to have a short burst, he shortened his strides near the distance post and jockey Vinay merely did what was necessary – that is kept going on a straight course to hoist the winning flag. The only youngster to somewhat impress was Jacqualine Postill who came with telling strides in the final furlong.

The upper division of the Satellite Handicap saw well-prepared Zoffany come good in the hands of apprentice Azharuddin. The six-year-old was given a free rein from the word ‘Go’ and it worked wonders for the six-year-old. After a tussle for supremacy all the way down the straight, she pegged back the likes of speedy Hamdani and Haynestown at the wire while the course favourite Xavier came with telling strides in the straight to occupy the runner-up berth. The second favourite Fankaar was never in it after a tardy beginning.

Sarfaraz Khan completed a double with three-year-old filly Words (Ikhtyar-Wild Glory), thanks to a clever piece of horsemanship by Kadam. As the filly is wont to drift in the straight, Kadam did not waste his energy in trying to ‘correct’ the drift but instead coaxed a thunderous gallop out of her by using the stick in his left hand in the final furlong, to peg back the likes of Haddock, Alacrity and Calypso Girl.

Piping hot on-money favourite Adabella bit the dust in the race for the Lord Of Clyde Handicap. Aided by a mock race on the opening day, Patrick Quinn-trained Iverness shot out of the gates like a scalded cat and was at the flank of Ares (drawn 1) in a trice despite an outside draw. She took over the running in the straight but was soon challenged by Adabella. However, PS Chouhan on the eventual winner did well to keep the threat at bay. The disappointment in the race was Broken Arrow who failed to fire.