The short 19-day monsoon meet which drew to a close last Wednesday had several features of note, apart from the brilliant win of Captain Cook in The Monsoon Derby. The quadruple victories of much improved Evesham (Tariq – Everybody Counts) and Analyst ( Sharp Attack – Sweet Pea Jamie) were truly remarkable. While the filly Analyst from Harvinder Singh Bath’s yard, shot up from Class IV to Class I within a space of three months, Evesham picked up two sweepstakes races during his spell of success which commenced in the highest category at a rating of 90. Bouncing back after his injury sometime ago, jockey Shezad Khan rode the Bath-trained filly to all four victories, one  of these being a ‘no whips’ race.

Evesham was one of many Vijay Singh’s wards which were under the care of Robert Gowli during the former’s suspension, and helped the latter boost up his tally to ensure the ‘Champion trainer’ tag. However, it would only be pertinent to mention that Gowli maintained all ‘newcomers’ to his stable in tip-top condition and deserves a pat on the back.

Champion jockey Shailesh Shinde has come a long way after migrating from western India some years ago. He is a light-weight, forceful rider who finishes strongly and fearlessly in the straight – a technique which has fetched him many a race at this centre. Pace judgement comes with experience and that is one area in which he may be lacking. This shortcoming was blatantly exposed in the Monsoon Derby where he was all at sea with the favourite Setaflame and went down tamely to Captain Cook.

The win of Captain Cook in The Monsoon Derby broke the two-month drought at this centre for jockey Trevor Patel who was in great form elsewhere. Trevor had the Bharath Singh-trained runner by Admiralofthefleet out of Polenta racing in second slot for most part while Captain Haddock called the shots. Once the baton was passed onto Spyro, Trevor set his mount alight and the property of Dr. Vijay Mallya responded magnificently. The rider said later that the horse had got used to the ‘pacifier blinkers’ which were first used on him during his miserable Colts Trial essay. “ The pacifier blinkers have undoubtedly helped the horse,” said an elated Trevor during his post-race comments.

Kunigal Stud Farms have won the last four Classics run during the summer – Mysore 1000 Guineas (1st & 3^rd) Deccan Colts Championship, Deccan Derby (1st & 2^nd) and now the Calcutta Monsoon Derby. A product of KSF has also placed a short-head second in the Mysore 2000 Guineas.

The trainer who performed admirably well with a limited string was Arti Doctor. Several sprinters under her care saw the winning post. Among them, Fire Song and Primrose come to mind. The latter won twice and then place in the highest class.

Among the three-year-olds who started their career late, the trio of Real Presence, Adzukis and Romantic Magic from the famed red-and-gold stable of this centre performed admirably well and will be worth keeping an eye on during the cold weather season which is scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 31, 2015.