Before Sunday afternoon’s racing commenced, a minute’s silence was observed by all present in memory of Calcutta’s legendary trainer Haskell David of the seventies and eighties, who breathed his last on Saturday evening. It was good to see all the professionals sporting a black armband to mourn his sad demise. Old-timers will of course remember him as one of the best trainers that this country has seen. His son Daniel David is a chip of the old block and has been doing a great job for the MAM stable at this centre for the past several years.

The six-event card produced its share of favourites and outsiders. Vijay Singh-trained Art Excellence made a wonderful return to form by lifting The Tokaido Express Cup in brilliant style to show that she is indeed a cut above the rest. The filly by Kheleyf out of Starlight Venture was taken to the front as the gates opened by Christopher Alford and she showed a clean pair of heels to all and sundry. My Fair Lady finished a flying third after gracing the wrong end of the field for a major part of the race.

With superior handling who knows what might have happened. However, at the end of the day, one has to say that the horse with class has found her galloping shoes after a subdued monsoon season. Talking about soft handling, the Stewards didn’t take too kindly to Md Islam sitting tight, pocketed along the rails, atop the hot favourite River Pride in the race for The So Amazing Handicap. He made his move when the race was well and truly over.

On Calcutta’s short straight, that’s as good as saying sayonara to the winning post. Md Islam has been suspended for six racing days while trainer Patrick Quinn has been fined Rs 10,000. As they say, when you play with fire, you have to expect to get burnt now and then. The above seven-furlong race was bagged by 6/1 shot Chief Justice (Shailesh Shinde up) who pegged back vastly improved Perseverance in the straight. Stablemate of the winner Blazing Beauty was the pacesetter till the turning for home and finished a good third.

Trainer Shafiq Khan had earlier tasted success with Murano in afternoon’s opening event and thus completed a well-deserved double. Murano won the seven-furlong The SnowForest Handicap by handing out a thrashing to the favourite Kamakazi that the latter is unlikely to forget in the near future. Jockey M Krishna on the latter used his whalebone freely but to no avail. After Bankable had shot his bolt, Kamakazi hit the front briefly but his story ended at the distance post.

Apprentice Shezad Khan was more than happy to let an eager Murano see daylight. Thereafter, it was just a question of how many lengths he would win by. Vijay Singh and C. Alford had earlier combined to bring home the bacon with Oceanaire. The filly had skipped the monsoon but the trainer had obviously kept her shipshape. After a brief struggle with Silken Dancer in the straight, there was no stopping Oceanaire.

The disappointment in the race was the other fancied runner Antares who finished third. Much was expected from Bourbon Queen in The Brave Patriach Handicap. Though she succumbed to Arkhos close home, it would be fair to say that she gave punters a run for their money. Tracking pace-setter Fire Within till the distance post, she shot ahead but flattered to deceive. Jasbir Singh-trained Arkhos had the luxury of an outing on the opening day and that paid dividends for the connections and apprentice Md Sameer who could put the six-year-old into top gear close home.

The curtain came down on an afternoon of mixed fortunes with Daniel David-trained Flamingo Fantasy bagging the Happy Scot Handicap. Thus, the handicapper’s penalty of 3 kg for her good second to Ajayajeet was vindicated by this result. Arti Doctor-trained Special Star tried her utmost to make a bold bid along the rails but she probably needed the run.