The 35-day Calcutta Cold Weather season came to a close on Tuesday with Deserving Visit winning the afternoon’s main event, The Mysore Race Club Cup, in a close contest from runaway leader Pick Pocket. The duo went neck-to-neck down the straight and at the wire, it was a close call in favour of Shailesh Shinde’s mount. The filly by China Visit out of Deserving Lady (Usha Stud) thus completed a hat-trick  in as many starts.

Apprentice Munna Alam was in his element as he guided home a difficult double. In the Sabre Dance Handicap,  Vijay Singh-trained on-money favourite Masquenada Lyrics  (Win Legend-Masquenada/ Dashmesh Stud) had to battle it out with Impression (who was shifting off a straight course) before he could pull away, while Shyam Habbu’s Secret Talent (Mr Mellon – Local Secret/ Ruiz Stud) held on to his winner’s berth in The Adreno Handicap by the skin of his teeth when challenged by Luck Luck Lucky. Both winners had a hidden advantage. In their earlier runs, Munna Alam was unable to claim his full 3kg allowance as he has a fairly high body-weight of about 53kg. On this occasion, the entire allowance could be claimed and that undoubtedly helped him.

Another man to complete a double was trainer Javed Khan. He led in Asian Rocket in the curtain raiser and brought the season’s curtain down with Bucharest. In a ‘No Whips’ race, apprentice Jorawar Singh on Asian Rocket (Tejano-Asian Lady/ Fungal Stud) rode a copybook race as he allowed Colourful Dreams to show the way while he gradually improved his mount on the outside. After the turning for home, he shot him ahead and held on to his lead quite easily.

Jockey Afzal Khan rode a clever race on Bucharest (Placerville-Brats/ Poonawalla Stud) as he took the shortest route home after following front-runners Flash and Astatki and then staved off a strong challenge from Significant on the wide outside.

Jockey Sandesh rode a great finish astride Yokumoku (China Visit – Amorina/ Usha Stud) to get the better of Santero close home in the seven-furlong race for The Mothers Boy Plate. Santero took his time to take up the running from an outside draw and opened up a good lead in the straight, but Sandesh was not to be hurried. He gradually improved his mount, timing his run to perfection and getting the better of Santero at the wire.

Manvendra Singh enjoyed a solitary success on the last day as his ward Bizarro (Noverre – The Phenomenon/ Sohna Stud)  won the Arabian Rose Handicap in the hands of Shailesh Shinde who was using the whip freely. Eight-year-old Vijay Monarch ended up a good second with apprentice Hindu Singh atop.

AWARDS FOR THE SEASON 2014-15

Champion Trainer:                 Vijay Singh

Champion Jockey:                  Kamlesh

Best Apprentice:                     Munna Alam

Champion Horse:                   Quasar

Horse Of The Season:            Agatta

CHAMPION TIPSTER:
 

RCTC TIPSTERS CUP

WINNER:  www. indiarace.com