The RCTC 175th Jubilee Calcutta Monsoon Derby run on Sunday witnessed a stunning finish worthy of such an exclusive occasion, as the Vijay Singh-trained filly Success and Patrick Quinn-trained colt Imperial Power crossed the wire locked together. It was a dead-heat for first place for the first time in the long history of the Monsoon Derby. The winter Derby had witnessed such a happening in the year 1989 when the filly Aphroze with Nicky Bird in the saddle and the colt Zara Shah (Warren Singh astride) crossed the line together. On this day both jockeys Suraj Narredu atop Success and Akshay Kumar on Imperial Power were confident they had won the race. While Akshay pumped his fist in the air immediately after the race, Suraj commented before dismounting that he was certain that he had won the race and would like to verify the photo-finish picture. Their doubts were laid to rest as the camera doesn’t lie. The nostrils of both animals were touching the imaginary finish line on the picture. A great race indeed!

Tycoonist set a cracking pace followed by Kiefer, Sonata, Imperial Power and Success spread out over 12 lengths. Kiefer took over the running near the 600m marker but was soon overtaken by Sonata (Trevor up) with Imperial Power in hot pursuit. Success was a couple of lengths behind.

Imperial Power (Multidimensional-Majestic Opinion)shot ahead at the distance post with Success (Havana Gold-Columella) closing the gap with each passing stride. At the winning post the duo were inseparable. The one for the notebook is third-placed Sonata (the lowest rated filly in the field) whose next two targets are likely to be the 1000 Guineas in November and The Oaks in December.

The supporting event, The Whomakestherules Cup, saw B Mahesh-trained Full Volume (Fast Company-Moynsha Girl) come good. The six-year-old gelding was penalised 6kg for his last win in Class III and was 3.5kg out of the Class I scale. He nevertheless won in the highest class like a champion in the hands of apprentice P Tejeshwar. It was excellent assessment of the gelding’s potential by his trainer. Kudos to his mentor who is also his owner!

Apprentice Saqlain turned full jockey with a well-deserved treble. His winners were Arrow Point, Jean Lafette and Wordsmith. Javed Khan-trained Arrow Point (Kingda Ka-Titian’s Pride) set the ball rolling for the youngster in the curtain-raiser. Following front-runner Reagan till into the straight, Arrow Point went ahead to win well. Patrick Quinn-trained Jean Lafette (Kingda Ka – Jeux de Danse) was next in line. She won the Great Tribute Handicap from a hard-ridden favourite Southern Lad. Pesi Shroff-trained Wordsmith (Fiero-Sea Bubble)completed the hat-trick for Saqlain with a thumping six-length victory in the Exchange Market Mile and Quarter Handicap. This, despite the fact that her odds expanded to 9/2 in the ring for whatever reason!

The Tiger Tops Handicap went Silverita’s way despite a 3kg penalty for her last win and a 1kg overweight declared by Trevor. The filly by Multidimensional out of Silverina from Bharath Singh’s yard won the seven-furlong race start-to-finish with Divya Shakthi a good second. Vijay Singh-trained Raisina Star (Top Class-Malakiya Ziba) made every post a winning one in the Skyexch One Click Bet Handicap, without raising a sweat. Hindu Singh was given an armchair ride by the filly.

Neil Darashah’s Aircraft (Air Support-Lady Groush) brought the curtain down in the hands of Sujit Kumar Paswan. He was neglected by many punters as he had bled in his last essay. As such, he was available at lucrative odds of 7/1.