Mallesh Narredu-trained Silver Beauty (Aussie Rules Maharanee) displayed an incredible turn of foot to sail past the field effortlessly and lift the Calcutta Oaks spectacularly at RCTC on Saturday. The sprightly grey filly was allowed to settle along the rails in fifth slot by Suraj Narredu, while Rainbow Dash and Dysnomia called the early shots in this mile-and-half ‘Ladies Derby’. Sans Prix joined the front – running duo near the 800 marker and the trio were virtually level till they hit the top of the straight. So as to avoid any traffic problems, a confident Suraj on Silver Beauty, switched his filly to the outside at that juncture and almost imperceptibly changed gears to streak away well clear of the pack. It was fascinating to watch her quickfire acceleration which sets her a class apart.

Speaking to www.indiarace.com, jockey Suraj Narredu said that “the entire Narredu family dedicates this victory to the late DK Ashish whose ill fated ride in last year’s Oaks tragically ended his life prematurely.” It is indeed a wonderful gesture from one of the most celebrated and successful racing families in the country.

Meanwhile trainer Mallesh Narredu is still debating whether to make a final entry in the Calcutta Derby with the filly as he has several factors to weigh before taking the plunge.  He has to keep in mind that he already has a potential Derby winner in 2000 Guineas victor Whomakestherules and further, the massive ‘final entry’ fee  of about Rs14 lakh may not be suitable for a – if one may use the term – small time owner of Silver Beauty.

The D Khaitan Memorial Calcutta Gold Cup saw a nailbiting finish involving the trio of Shivalik Showers, Your Royal Majesty and Commander. The three were travelling neck and neck a furlong from home and it seemed like anybody’s race at that point. However, David Allan atop James Mc Keown’s Shivalik Showers (Dancing Forever – Sun Shower) extracted that extra bit of energy from his mount to gain the day.

Jockey Trevor Patel was his usual confident self as he notched up a difficult brace with the Bharath Singh-trained pair of Gryffindor and Aquitania. The former, a two-year-old colt, was available at 8/1 in a field of five. Trevor made a rails run from the rear of the field in his inimitable fashion to peg back the likes of piping hot favourite Akshaya and Tiberon who were fighting for top honours. Trevor and Bharath Singh completed their double with Aquitnia (Admiralofthefleet-Rhapsody In Blue / Kunigal Stud) after another hard-fought race to keep at bay the fast-finishing Kanya Kalyan.

Trainer Vijay Singh picked up a winner when his Drops Of Jupiter (Rebuttal-Anacita/Hazara Stud) responded well to Dashrath Singh’s call and sailed past front-running Jacknife in the seven-furlong race for The Navy Cup. She was just one of five winners in the day to produce an encore after their earlier victories – the others being Millennium Falcon, Silver Beauty, Shivalik Showers and Aquitania. Whoever coined the adage “winner wins the race” sure knew what he was talking about. The three handicap race winners all defied their winning penalties.

Two recent imports – Millenium Falcon and King’s Crown – had their say in the first two races of the day. The former, a five-year-old by Ace out of Race (Exhilaration Stud) from the stable of Vinay Lagad, gave apprentice NB Kuldeep his second victory of the season. Indus Prince dropped his rider at the start and ran riderless. This, to a certain extent, affected the fortunes of second favourite Sweet Stone who was a bit of a tardy beginner.

The next race, The INS Hooghly Cup, was won by  Raunak Banerji-trained King’s Crown (Top Class – Bella/ Mukteshwar Stud). Jockey Ashad Asbar rode a copybook race to easily account for the form horse Royal Brute. Pace-setter and surprising ante-post favourite Aatish fizzled out at the bend as Kinbg’s Crown sailed ahead for a comfortable victory.