Horses recently imported from western India continued to rule the roost in Calcutta for the second day in succession as the local lot (who performed reasonably well during the monsoon season), failed to live up to expectations. The toast of the day was however Rimpuche (Pennine Ridge-Smarlee), a property of the fancily named Cha Cha Cha Syndicate, who landed the prestigious The Mayfowl Cup in the last stride after raising an incredible gallop in the straight – this after taking the bend seven wide. Shailesh Shinde gave his mount all the space he needed and the game five-year-old mare did not disappoint.

Palazzio’s Sun came out of the gates first but was soon overtaken by speedy Romantic Impact. That proved to be the downfall for this natural front-runner shouldering top-weight. Jockey J Chinoy atop Ikaria was eager to give his mount a free rein and shot ahead at the bend, hotly chased by KPG Appu on Palazzio’s Sun. Meanwhile, Shinde on bottom-weighted Rimpuche was gradually improving his position. He coaxed a gallop out of the Darius Byramji ward pretty late and it proved to be a winning one. The afternoon commenced well for the champion local combination of Vijay Singh and Christopher Alford. They opened their day’s account with two-year-old Aerator (Oath-Liquid Gold) who won The Bold Gesture Plate as he liked. The favourite Sarabhi finished in the ruck.

Il Bronzino is a full brother to Grandaos (Ikhtyar-Glensanda) and the siblings did not disappoint their trainer Pesi Shroff. The first named won the upper division of Yhe Rontgen Handicap with a degree of authority despite this being the first run of his career. Perseverance hit the front as the gates opened and was travelling well with the fancied pair of Mythos and Saddle Chief up front. The eventual winner was in mid-division at that point. Jockey Kishore Kadam very cleverly guided his mount through a gap in the wall to be behind the front-runner after turning for home. Though running green, Kadam brought his mount on even keel by using the stick a couple of times. The youngster holds great promise for his connections.

The lower division of the seven-furlong race was bagged by Arti Doctor-trained Razmaden (Razeen-Almaden) who had the benefit of a top-weight run in Pune recently. Though he had bled in one of his earlier races, on this occasion he held his own. Hadrian pipped favourite Raphael for the runner-up spot. Sing Along, a half sister to Alekona, could not hold on to her lead in The Burning Desire Handicap. Vijay Singh-trained Rocket Ball (Gaswar-Alannah) collared his nearest rival at the bend and won the mile race without too much trouble from Secret Love. Christopher Alford, on the winner, urged his mount along in the final 100 metres without being unduly worried.

Granados picked up his fourth victory in succession (after notching up a hat-trick in Pune) when he won The Horendro Kristo Dutt Memorial Cup by showing a clean pair of heels to his four rivals. Jockey J Chinoy, in fact, enjoyed an armchair ride as the only tussle was for the runner-up berth. The curtain came down with Dr Vijay Mallya’s chestnut filly – Cayenne (Burden Of Proof-Clear Cut) aptly bagging The Bangalore Turf Club Cup. After lying a handy second behind the favourite Ming, Malcom Maseyk urged the Bharath Singh ward to take up the running at the distance post and made a bee line for the winning post. It was just as well he did that as Alacrity was gaining ground with each stride but the winning post came to Malcolm’s rescue.