One just can’t keep trainer Vijay Singh and his trusted knight Christopher Alford out of the news on the local Calcutta track. Apart from combining and completing a lucrative double with Regal and Santero, the duo’s services were called upon in individual capacity to fill in for other professionals. While C. Alford chipped in for Suraj Narredu in the day’s opener, Vijay Singh led in the Dallas Todywalla-trained winner of the Calcutta Champions Sprint Trophy – Dancing Phoenix.

Sired at Manjri Stud by Phoenix Tower out of All Dancing, the ‘Phoenix’ left nothing to chance as his reliable rider Kamlesh utilised the inside draw to good effect and took him to the helm of affairs as the gates opened. The six-year-old gelding’s sheer speed left his rivals standing as he went about his business. Though he was shortening his strides in the final furlong, the gap he had opened was sufficient to see him through. Pentagram and Evesham fought for the minor placings. It was indeed to the latter’s credit that he was conceding 4.5kg to the winner and yet finished just over a length behind.

The win of Dancing Phoenix completed a double for Kamlesh as he had earlier ridden Silken Grace to victory in the four-horse race for The Pat Quinn Memorial Cup. The 10-to-4-on favourite Tweedle Dee was collared near home by the filly from Arti Doctor’s yard. The ‘Doctor’  is known to have a way with youngsters and Silken Grace delivered after lying in the rear of the field for most part. She is an Usha Stud product (China Visit – Five Satins).

The afternoon commenced with Bharath Singh-trained Mizuno (Noverre-Sama/Sohna Stud) being ridden to a chanceless victory by C.Alford. The favourite lay a handy second behind  pace-setter Divine Rhapsody till the bend, from where he made his own running to win as he liked. Dark Angel was the best of the rest.

Alford next lifted the Lt Gen Jameel Mahmood Memorial Cup with the filly Regal (Mull Of Kintyre – Terre Blanche/ Sohna Stud) who fought off a spirited challenge from Daniel David’s The Talisman. The latter looked to have got the measure of the leader near the distance post, only for Alford to change gear and romp home. The local riding ace completed his treble by bringing the curtain down with Santero (Chevalier-Santarelle/ Ruia Stud) who virtually made every post a winning one in the seven-furlong race for the Zara Shah Handicap. Sam Houston ended up a close second.

Trainer Bharath Singh notched up his second win of the day when Mystic Romance (Placerville-Mystic Dancer/ Poonawalla Stud) was ridden to a fairly straight-forward victory in the mile race for Eastern Command Cup. Lying a handy second behind front-running Sergeant Major, Mystic Romance (Placerville-Mystic Dancer/ Poonawalla Stud) was urged by Suraj Narredu to take up the running near the distance post and stay ahead of the field. The top-weight Fortune Favours made a brave bid along the rails but to no avail.

Jockey S John, who rode Fortune Favours, however found consolation by winning another well-measured ride when he saw the filly Evera (Glory Of Dancer – Blue Vision/ Kehelan Stud) home in the race for The Vijay Sicka Memorial Cup. The Manvendra Singh-trained runner took the 4kg penalty in her stride as John cleverly opted for the rails and pegged back  unfancied Celtic King close home.