The fourth day of the Calcutta Monsoon Meet saw punters in charge for a change. Four first favourites and three second choices occupied the winner’s berth during the day’s proceedings.  Though local ace Christopher Alford drew a blank, popular jockeys S John and Shailesh Shinde scored doubles atop fancied runners. Punters thus enjoyed a successful afternoon of racing with jingling pockets.

The main event, The Harry The Horse Cup, saw John at his best as he had to stave off strong challenges from stablemates Evesham and Mr Gorgeous while astride 13/10 favourite Multitude (Multidimensional-Haedi/ Usha Stud) from Vijay Singh’s stable. Setting a good pace, Make Way For Me drifted in after turning for home and blocked out any chance that aged Bullet may have had as he chose to make his run along the rails. However, the Vijay Singh trio lived up to their superior ratings and were seen going neck and neck inside the distance post. At one point Evesham had shot ahead and looked like pulling it off, but John was not one to give up so easily and rode out his mount hands and heels in the final 100 metres to score close home.

John’s earlier winner was Vijay Singh-trained Cadman (Dancing Forever – Lambency) in the day’s opener, The Great Scot Handicap. At one point in the mile race, it seemed that it may be difficult for the on-money public choice to forge ahead but John chose his moment of glory well as he bisected the duo of front-running Glamorous Glory and rapidly improving Citi Heights near the distance post and did not release the pressure on his mount till the wire.

Trainer Daniel David returned successful with a gutsy gamble on Native Speaker (Tariq-Native Quest/ Equus Stud) with the inconspicuous Mudassar Nazar in the saddle. The top-weight collared Uptown Girl without any trouble and drew away from the field quite comfortably. The favourite Kanha is a somewhat lazy sort and remained in third slot throughout the race despite C. Alford’s best efforts. Apprentice Tejeshwar deserves a pat on the back for making a bold bid for honours with Significant. The lad will be worth keeping an eye on if he continues to give it his all.

David completed his brace with Treasure Island (Burden Of Proof-Crown Treasure/ Kunigal Stud) in the last race of the day. The public choice Empowered had all the chances but continues to be a bookie’s delight as her repeated failures have left her followers with burnt fingers. Shailesh Shinde timed his run on the eventual winner rather well and collared the runaway friendless Rani Thea. Super Striker was a fairly close third.

Shailesh had earlier ridden the quietly fancied Rachmaninoff (Sussex-Beaucaire/ Pratap Stud) to victory in the Citi Limits Handicap. The race was run after a sharp shower. The much fancied on-money public choice Ophion had to be withdrawn as the thick-set colt was extremely fractious at the gates and the handlers just about tried everything before calling it a day. His withdrawal must have left Shailesh with a sense of relief and he is not one to let go of such a glorious opportunity. The knocks were loud and clear and though Sunset Sail was the tote favourite by default, it was Rachmaninoff who ran a forward race and was placed handily behind front-running Sergeant Major. Once Shailesh asked for an effort, there was simply no looking back.

Trainer Manvendra Singh notched up his second winner of the day when Theo (Top Class- Real Queen/ Mukteshwar Stud) pulled away from Fabienne to bag the Gloriosa Plate. The 5/2 favourite Blazing Bullet had all the chances but failed to make an impression on the eventual winner. Theo (Asbar up) had the benefit of a race-run under the same rider and that played to his advantage.

Daniel David may have recorded a treble had not the speedy filly Annie Oakley been reduced to playing a bridesmaid’s role once again. Javed Khan-trained Xotica (Chevalier-Girl from Ascot/ Ruia Stud) was piloted powerfully by Nirmal Jodha in the straight to land the spoils as ‘Annie’ buckled in the final few metres.