It was an action-packed Saturday at the Calcutta racecourse as the three cup events of the afternoon saw favourites take a tumble. The motley week-end crowd was agog with expectation as The Pearson Surita Memorial Cup, to be run over the metric mile, was to see a return clash between the pair of premier classic contenders after their meeting in The Monsoon Derby where Captain Cook had got the better of Setaflame. That was a race that the connections of Setaflame were not too happy with and decided on a change of rider on this occasion (Kamlesh for Shailesh). The move paid rich dividends as Kamlesh’s modus operandi on the Vijay Singh-trained runner was far less spectacular but far more productive.

As expected, Saturday’s event turned out to be a match race that brought out the best in both colts. Lying a handy third behind front-runners Sergeant Major and Torero, the bay colt by China Visit out of Set Aside (Usha Stud) shot ahead after the turning for home with a couple of reminders from Kamlesh’s stick. Captain Cook and Trevor were not too far behind at that point of time and looked threatening at the distance post where the duo were going flat out. However, thereafter, Setaflame was travelling the better of the two and won quite comfortably in the end. It would be relevant to note that Setaflame was in receipt of 1.5kg from his closest adversary. The pair are likely to meet again in the 2000 Guineas on the first Saturday of December where they may possibly be joined by Setaflame’s stablemate  Multitude. Thus, it should turn out be quite a battle for classic honours with so much of talent in the fray. The one for the notebook is Torero who was conceding weight to both youngsters and yet ended up a fair third.

Steeped in tradition, The Mayfowl Cup, run  over seven furlongs, had seven facing the starter. Virtually all the money in the ring was shared between the two frontline contenders Evesham and Agatta. The two recent imports from the west and south of the country (Silver Streak and Pentagram respectively) looked fighting fit and this was reflected in the race as they were the pair first to come out of the starting gates. PS Chouhan had Pentagram (Jeremy-Aplysia) racing behind the front-running Silver Streak and took over the running in the straight. The favourite Evesham was struggling to hold position as he took the bend four wide. Ashish had Agatta racing in the rear as she loves to finish strongly from off the pace. In the straight, the mare moved with giant strides down the centre of the track but Calcutta’s short home-run helped the speedy and forward Pentagram who refused to relent under Chouhan’s whip. Shyam Habbu was deputising for trainer Attaollahi and led in the winner. The disappointment in the race was Evesham who failed to make the frame.

One race earlier, Chouhan had pocketed the Cavalry Cup in the Stewards room after Dashrath Singh rode an appalling finish atop Noverro who finished a short-neck ahead of Speedy Gonsalves (Chouhan up). The sprinter by Win Legend out of Ray Of Sunshine (Dashmesh Stud) was thrown out of his stride as he was about to pass Noverro – not once but twice and it was a foregone conclusion that the objection would be upheld. As one of the guardians rightly pointed out to Dashrath during the Objection “what stopped you from changing your whip-hand”. The disappointment in the race was Adzukis who looked out of his depth against these two sprinters and ended up an unimpressive fifth.

Dashrath however rode a very understanding race atop the winner Fite Of Honour (European-Symbol Of Speed) to get the better of the heavily gambled Warpath. Known to be a front-runner, Fite Of Honour failed to be among the forward starters in the packed field. Dashrath gradually improved his position from seventh slot till he was in striking distance in the straight. Thereafter, he went hell for leather and pulled it off close home.

Habbu opened his account for the season with Imara (Glory Of Dancer-Dawalisha/ Kehelan Stud) who gave jockey Christopher Alford an armchair ride in the afternoon’s opening event. The filly made every post a winning one. None of the others could match strides with her.

The withdrawal of the much fancied Breach Candy opened up the race for the Sound Of Cheers Handicap. In a close finish, Javed Khan-trained Xperience (Diffident-Avignon/Yeravada Stud) produced an encore and edged out Ivy and Soviet Dancer. Superior handling may have seen Ivy reverse the verdict.

The curtain came down on an eventful afternoon of racing with Ashad Aasbar riding a forceful finish astride Shafiq Khan trained  Top Line (Top Class – She’s The One/Mukteshwar Stud) to get the better of Adanna close home. C. Alford on the latter rode a clever race and very nearly stole a march on his rivals. After a lean monsoon, the veteran seems to be getting back into his groove, slowly but surely.