The Nanoli Stud Calcutta Gold Cup, run over the metric mile, witnessed a thrilling finish as 6/1 shot Snowdrift got the better of seasoned Ocean And Beyond close home. It was virtually a déjà vu for Vijay Singh and Neeraj Rawal who had combined fruitfully to bring home the bacon in this very event with a three-year-old colt called Regal Connection six years ago. It is not an easy task for three-year-olds to lift this coveted trophy steeped in tradition and one would have to doff one’s hat to the colt’s mentor for persisting with him in such tough company.  Whether Snowdrift (Multidimensional-Snow Tiger) can emulate his predecessor and go on to win the Calcutta Derby is left to be seen.

For his part, Rawal rode a calculated race as he took the shortest route home after pace-setter and stablemate Argiano shot his bolt at the top of the straight. Almost simultaneously, Ocean And Beyond made his run on the outside but the age-difference coupled with a disadvantage of 13kg proved too much for this brave-hearted ward of Patrick Quinn. The duo rolled onto each other in the final furlong but at the wire, the winner spared nearly two lengths to the runner-up. Dandified and Hyderabad challenger Machiavellianism followed the front pair home. It’s quite possible that Ocean And Beyond, Dandified and Machiavellianism will clash again in the Indian Champion Cup a month from now.

One race earlier, jockey Sandesh rode a great finish astride Zegna (Mr Mellon-Crown Princess) to get the better of runaway leader Pedro in the Juvenile Stakes. The latter’s pace was too much for Amorino who finished a poor fourth. The favourite Evesham dropped his bit and shifted to the outer rails, finally having to pull up in the straight, with jockey C.Alford dismounting.

The afternoon commenced with HS Bath’s Combined Operation using his handicap to good effect to get the better of Ace Of Base. Jockey Shezad Khan’s mount closed as the 3/1 favourite and he did not disappoint his backers as he followed runaway leader Riverdown Empress till the top of the straight before shooting ahead and staving off his nearest rival without too much trouble.

Patrick Quinn-trained Noble And Nice made amends for his dismal first outing by lifting the JJ Stephens Memorial Cup with a degree of comfort. At the Stewards Enquiry after his last effort, jockey Chouhan had suggested the use of a tongue strap and that may have been instrumental in ensuring that the colt raises a winning gallop in the straight after Blue Lightning had done all the spadework. The Jaiswal stable seems very happy that their Abarth has been earning his corn bill but not winning, as he has been very poorly placed throughout the season, though his mock race suggested otherwise. Wrong distances and stiff bunches have done him in. In the meanwhile, he has been attracting the handicapper’s penalty after each race.

The Regal Connection Handicap, run over five-and-half furlongs, saw the biggest outsider of the day as Shafiq Khan-trained Skway moved with giant straides in the straight to get the better of Rithambhra close home. Fancied runners Flash and Scooby Do had all the chances but failed to deliver. The latter burst her blood vessels.

Things stabilised in  the very next event when piping hot favourite Iverness, who was somewhat favourably penalised after her last two wins, completed a hat-trick to lift the Madras Race Club Cup. After dropping out of the front bunch, jockey Chouhan brought her confidently down the centre for an impressive triumph.

Adabella and Neeraj Rawal brought the curtain down on an exciting afternoon of racing when they combined to win the Obligado Handicap, collaring Royal Honour inside the distance. The latter was however conceding a chunk of weight and will be better for this run.