Trainer Patrick Quinn and his compatible jockey Suraj Narredu were simply unstoppable at the Calcutta racecourse on Thursday as the duo combined to pull off a lucrative treble with Fire Falcon, Noble And Nice and Ocean And Beyond. It was the first time since the suspension of his previous visiting rider PS Chouhan, that Quinn could entrust potentially winning mounts to a reliable outstation horseman and pull off a serial gamble. All three events witnessed tight finishes and Suraj’s handling of his mounts went a long way in delivering the goods. Ocean And Beyond won in a record time of 2min 2.99sec, slicing off nearly one second from the earlier record held by Echoes Of Light.

The afternoon’s main event, The Indian Champion Cup saw Snowdrift installed as the firm favourite while An Acquired Taste and Ocean And Beyond were both available at 5/2. It was Mountain Range who set a cracking pace for his more illustrious stablemate with An Acquired Taste lying a handy third and Malpensa in close attendance on his flank. Snowdrift was a few lengths behind in fifth spot, followed by the eventual winner Ocean And Beyond. As the final hairpin neared, the field closed in and An Acquired Taste took over the running, hotly chased by Snowdrift who took shot ahead near the distance post. The experienced Suraj Narredu was struggling with his mount to coax a gallop out of him. But he knew that his seven-year-old had the potential to do it and he kept urging him on. It was only with less than a 100 metres to go that Ocean And Beyond could peg back the spirited Calcutta Derby winner for a well-deserved victory.

Earlier Quinn and Suraj had lifted the Captain HD Fownes Cup with the 6/4 favourite Fire Falcon in a close finish from Jamaican who was the fastest moving animal at the wire. The second favourite Altanza was somewhat of a disappointment.

The hat-trick duo’s second winner of the afternoon was Noble And Nice who was the subject of a Stipendiary Stewards interrogation after his previous mile outing. Here is an extract from that report.

“App Vikash Tamang and Mr. Patrick Quinn when afforded an opportunity to explain the performance of NOBLE AND NICE,  the Jockey stated that he was instructed to place his mount in 3^rd/4^th position in early and middle stages of the race and to do his best thereafter and that he rode to the best of his ability.  The Trainer corroborated the instructions as stated by the apprentice and was of the opinion that the apprentice had marginally erred by placing the colt further back in the field during the early stages of the race.  However, he observed that at approximately the 500 metres marker his charge was well placed being approximately four lengths behind the eventual winner in spite of this his charge was unable to make further improvement.  He further stated that he had declared the apprentice to ride his charge as he was unable to arrange for a top flight rider as they were engaged at other centres.  He also opined that his charge would perform very much better with a senior rider as the colt required to be ridden vigorously throughout the race which the apprentice was unable to do.  The Stipendiary Stewards noted their explanations.”

It would appear that trainer Quinn was spot on with his explanation as Noble And Nice won a tight finish with runaway Alcander while the favourite Astaire was a none too impressive third. He shifted out under pressure.

Jockey Imran Chisty was also in his element as he notched up a double with Schwarzenegger and Running Thunder. The former was installed as the favourite in the day’s opener and Chisty had the top-weight covered up for a late run on the outside. He however did not expect such a tough challenge from Rise Above who refused to give up the fight all the way down the straight.

Chisty completed his double with Running Thunder, the 5/2 second favourite who pocketed the Indian Champagne Stakes after a start-to-finish effort. The piping hot favourite Deserving Visit did try to get on level terms in the straight but was outpaced by the winner. The winner Running Thunder is bred at Manjri Stud Farm owned by Mr Shapoor Mistry.

Daniel David’s Sylvana was installed as the firm favourite in the Goodfellas Plate and she did not disappoint in the hands of Franco Da Silva. Tracking Meekathara till the distance post, she pulled away in the final furlong for a comfortable victory.

Errol Bhungard’s Black Caviour brought the curtain down with MF Ali Khan in the saddle. The sprinter thus notched up his third official win of the season, having won a race by default after the disqualification of Sartaj.