Champion trainer Vijay Singh was simply unstoppable at the Calcutta racecourse on Tuesday. The veteran saddler picked up five of the seven races, with three of those winners being piloted by ace outstation jockey Suraj Narredu. Vijay’s winners were Ghost (14/10), Supreme Legacy (30/100), Hukumat (7/1), Jaivant (Even) and Lesrel (7/4). The last named – a six-year-old by Mayson out of Tarkamara – won the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy with a degree of comfort. Suraj Narredu made the win look easier than verdict as he sailed past front-running Amorous White and staved off a feeble challenge from Perpetual Winning.

Suraj’s first winner of the day was 2000 Guineas prospect Supreme Legacy who won the Kariba Handicap against mediocre opposition in a common canter. Sired by Speaking of Which out of Star Supremacy, this chestnut appears to be earmarked for greater glories. Suraj’s other winner of the day was Jaivant (Win Legend-Validate) in the seven furlong race for the Silver Beauty Handicap. It was a clever piece of horsemanship which saw him cut off Rosina’s path at the top of the straight when the filly was making her run. Furthermore, jockey Trevor declared a 2.5 kg overweight on her, which is quite substantial in a seven furlong sprint, and the stable paid the price. The promising filly is likely to be entered over a longer trip next time out. The filly Izzy appeared to be out at weights and may have needed the run. She will be worth keeping an eye on in the near future.

Vijay opened his account in the day’s curtain-raiser as Ghost (Win legend-Lyrical Lass0 simply outclassed the other three-year-old in the race – Seasky. Jockey Hindu Singh who was astride Ghost, had the misfortune of suffering a fall in the fourth race of the day (The Deep Water Blues Handicap) as there was a false start and his mount Astoria bolted riderless. It is understood that one of the runners backed into the starting lever. Both Astoria and Dil Mange More were subsequently withdrawn. The race was bagged by Hukumat (Win Legend-Epic) with Nikhil Naidu in the saddle. The jockey displayed great presence of mind to squeeze a passage along the rails and win as he liked. He thus completed a double, having won the Arabian Rose Handicap while astride Christopher Alford-trained Guitar Girl (Strong Suit-Conquer). 

The curtain came down with James Mckeown’s filly Sirona winning the Fly Like The Wind Handicap for maidens  in the stunning fashion, with top-weight jockey B Mahesh in the saddle. More will be heard of this promising half-sister to class I sprinter Siobhan and full sister to middle distance runner Roll Call (Whatsthescript-Knockenduff).