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SUPERB HAT-TRICK FOR COURT JESTER

By Epsom Ace | 26 Mar 2021 | KOLKATA


Trainer Vijay Singh leading Court Jester (Hindu Singh Up), winner of The Mr Mauritius Handicap

A familiar story unfolded at the Calcutta racecourse on Friday as trainer Vijay Singh continued to rule the roost with a fine treble. Sitting in the saddle of all three winners  was his trusted retained stable jockey Hindu Singh. The day’s feature event, The Mr Mauritius Handicap, saw the champion trainer’s Court Jester complete a hat-trick … and how! The colt by Net Whizz out of Matilda simply left the Class II field standing from the distance post for which he has received a thumping penalty of 8kg that has catapulted him into the category. In his current enviable form, he seems quite capable of meeting that class. 

The Vijay-Hindu combination started the afternoon on a winning note as their Little Finger (Planetaire-Lightning Speed) made every post a winning one in the five-and-half furlong race for the Setaflame Handicap. Daniel David’s Eastside proved to be a worthy second and needs to be followed.

Vijay and Hindu completed their deserving treble when Cliffhanger (Top Class – Lady Escort) won the Nationalistic Handicap in taking style. The colt was looking an absolute picture in the paddock and lived up to his impeccable appearance. Lying a handy fifth while stablemate Resolute called the shots, Cliffhanger produced a thunderous gallop in the straight and could be spotted a winner long way from home. The second favourite Devine Chakra was never in it and seems to have lost condition. His mentor will just have to work on him a little harder for he is undoubtedly a good type of colt.

Trainer Bharath Singh has been having a bit of a lean season but produced an ace when least expected. In the Gold Kale Plate for youngsters, Bharath’s Agnostic (Top Class-Kabini) came up trumps as he outpaced the two fancied runners – Dandi Satyagraha and Yuvi – in the final furlong. Apprentice Sujit Kumar Paswan has matured into a capable rider and proved himself with a worthy double – his other winner being Xile in the day’s final event. Though he veered out a trifle at the jump-out, Paswan steadied his mount well to be a handy third behind Dandi Satyagraha and Yuvi till the turning for home where he slipped through along the rails to win fairly easily.

Paswan’s ride on Xile was a little more challenging and he did not let down his connections by pulling it off with a degree of comfort. The field was reduced to eight runners after  the withdrawal of the very fractious Rewrite The Stars. Xile (Varenar-Halawa) was lying second last while Elusive Wave called the early shots. The favourite Wandering Angelwas always in touch and made a bold bid to take the lead at the distance but both Dothraki along the rails and Xile on the wide out challenged him almost simultaneously. The Javed Khan ward was moving the best of the trio and returned a deserving winner.

Trainer Shyam Habbu has done a good job with the filly Yahalla (Arazan-Mine Forever). She had finished a good second to Eastern Crown in her last run and went one better on this occasion. There was nothing to choose from the rest of the field which was mediocre. Promoted Ember Glow failed to meet the class while the winner may defy her 6kg penalty to notch up a win in the higher class.