The first classic of the Calcutta cold weather meet turned out to be as per the script, with Suleiman Attaollahi-trained Cameron (Admiralofthefleet-Camarioca) making the 1000 Guineas her own after brushing aside the local opposition without much ado. The product of Kunigal Stud by the late sire Admiralofthefleet found the initial pace a little slow for her liking and jockey Trevor Patel instinctively took her to the helm of affairs within a furlong of the start. Despite the fact that she had not had sufficient time to prepare for the occasion, Cameron’s superior class held sway and she was able to tackle the threat in the straight emanating from Vijay Singh-schooled Glamorously when Christopher Alford went hell for leather. A couple of cracks from Trevor’s whip put an end to Alford’s ambition to mar the popular script. The property of Dr Vijay Mallya was led in by Mr Zeyn Mirza

In his post-race comments, trainer Suleiman Attaollahi mentioned that he was a mite disappointed that she had not won in a more facile manner but was quick to add that it was a sudden decision to send her to Calcutta for the Guineas and she was obviously a little short of preparation. He confirmed that next target would be the Calcutta Oaks (December 19), by which time she should be at her peak. The mile-and-half trip would also be more up her alley.

Jockey Trevor Patel commented that she was travelling pretty smoothly throughout the mile trip and “ I was happy to see her pull away when I used the whip. As Glamorously had never gone over a mile, I knew I had the upper hand.”

The utter disappointment in the race was the promising filly Suzanna who seemed a little lost at the tail end of the field. It was almost as if the poor girl failed to fathom what was expected of her and Dashrath’s excessive use of the whip seemed to make matters worse. Perhaps the winner of the Alokananda Stakes would be far more comfortable when she is allowed to run freely up front. That’s undoubtedly what she enjoys and gives her best effort willingly without any harsh treatment from her rider. After all, one can’t pit Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt against Sebastian Coe (in his heyday) over a 1500 metres trip and expect to win.

Trainer Javed Khan’s six-year-old gelding Macedonian (Desert Style – Alexandra) defied all logic and his earlier-winning penalty to lift the D.R. Gupta Memorial Cup in style, in the hands of apprentice Jorawar Singh. It’s quite possible that his initial speed is so high that he throws the entire field out of gear. Younger speedsters like Primrose and King Kong failed to match strides with the seasoned sprinter who made every post a winning one. It was left to Gentle Knowledge to fill the runner-up berth while favourite Free Energy was a hard-ridden third.

The afternoon commenced with Shafiq Khan-trained Hondo Monterey (Varenar-Sine Qua Non) pulling off the upset of the day. The well-prepared two-year-old colt was cleverly piloted by Afzal Khan to land the spoils. After lying a handy third, he took the shortest route home to edge out Oath of Allegiance at the wire. The fancied pair of Cielo Del Este and Say You Say Me were unimpressive.

 Jockey Christopher Alford has been getting some useful rides this season and he has made the most of it so far. He secured an easy double with Anastasio and Arminius. Bath-trained Anastasio (Varenaar-You Say I Say), a recent import from western India, totally outclassed his nearest rival Zacara in The Kabuki Handicap while Vijay Singh schooled Arminius (Hard Spun – Guy Grand’s Girl) completed a hat-trick of wins by picking up the Citibank Handicap without any discernible help from the saddle barring a couple of reminders in the straight.

Clever placement of her ward Bold Legacy (New Famous-Hoofbeats/ Yeravada Stud) has seen the Arti Doctor – trained speedster make it five out of five. The filly has been given a thumping penalty of 8kg after her last effort to  catapult her into the top class. Second favourite Hudson Hawk returned bleeding from both his nostrils as did Pinball Wizard. Meekathara ran a good second and was probably visiting jockey Sandesh’s best effort.

Piping hot favourite Capt Haddock was no match for the Multidimensional filly Stevalena out of Veena’s Pet (Usha Stud). The gelding was running in snatches while Dashrath Singh brought the eventual winner from off the pace with a smooth run to land the prestigious CROS Cup. The Bharath Singh-trained winner seemed to lap up the mile and it was a clever move by the connections to give the 1000 Guineas a bye. It is left to be seen whether she will take a tilt at The Oaks.