The SkyExch.com Calcutta Colts Trial Stakes run over seven-furlongs was pocketed by Patrick Quinn-trained Imperial Power (Multidimensional – Majestic Opinion) who successfully staved off his nearest threat (Ashoka) by three-parts of a length. Jockey Akshay Kumar rode a regulation race on the handsome bay colt – tracking front-runner Monteverdi till the straight where he took over the running to ultimately win quite comfortably from Ashoka. The other runner in the betting, Wordsmith, missed the jump-out to end up last of five. Imperial Power’s odds expanded to 9/4 as quite a bit of money came on Ashoka who closed at 18/10. After bagging his first monsoon classic, trainer Quinn played down his success and said he was more interested in the winter classics. However, he did mention that he was apprehensive about his colt’s staying ability and may skip the Monsoon Derby.

Those words may well have to be taken with a pinch of salt as the connections are more than likely to take a tilt at the season’s plum at the end of October. After all, the colt did win a Million run over the metric mile at Mumbai in the early part of this year, where he traversed the final 400 metres in 23 seconds. He edged out the Poonawalla Million winner Dexa in the process. Since that victory, Imperial Power has matured considerably and that important factor might enable him to negotiate the extra 400 metres. The Colts Trial Stakes during the winter season is usually run in December, so the colt will have sufficient time to get back his breath after the Monsoon Derby run over 2000 metres. Anyway, it’s the stable which will have the final say in such a matter – hence, we will just have to wait and see.

The SkyExch.com Calcutta Monsoon Sprint proved beyond doubt that Bharath Singh-trained Agnostic (Top Class-Kabini) is the best of his kind at this centre. Despite shouldering  top-weight, the gelding won the six-furlong sprint from Awesome One with effortless ease in the hands of jockey Trevor. The victory in this ‘terms’ race saw him incur a penalty of 8kg and take his rating to 124.

After a romp on the south India circuit, trainer Vijay Singh made a smashing return to his home centre with a lucrative double featuring Oasis and Secret Pearl – both ridden by Hindu Singh in the colours of the late MAM. The winner of last year’s Monsoon Derby, Oasis, was running after nine months while Secret Pearl was running after six months. Thus, the champion trainer’s wards are quite obviously maintained in the pink of condition – layoff or otherwise. Oasis (David Livingston-Paula’s Girl) won the Anticipator Handicap from D Knight Mysore while Secret Pearl (Planetaire-Noble Lady) staved off a strong challenge from course favourite Properly Posh in The Bountiful Talent Handicap.

The opener of the day, The Arezzo Handicap, saw Akshay Kumar give Aashay Doctor-trained Star Justice (Tenth Star – Laughter) a copybook ride to win as she liked from Whispering Grass and Essos. The Alternator Handicap run over 2000 metres was an interesting affair. The ultimate facile victory of Neil Darashah – trained Roudy (Sanus par Aquam-Super Class) while shouldering near top-weight makes the three-year-old colt a live contender for the up-coming Monsoon Derby.