Despite shouldering a crushing impost of 62 kg, Rajesh Narredu-trained A Star Is Born (Roderic O’Connor- Angel Dust) decimated the opposition in the Calcutta Gold Cup run at RCTC on Saturday. King Louis showed the way in the mile race while the brilliant five-year-old middle distance runner was last of six till heads turned for home. His acceleration thereafter was stunning and jockey Yash Narredu seemed well aware of his mount’s potential as he barely urged the bay who cantered home by over seven lengths. The best of the rest was another heavyweight – Third Avenue. This performance places the amazing bay from the Poonawalla stable in a league of his own. Jockey Yash Narredu thus completed a brace, having piloted Aashay Doctor-trained Pyrgos (Territories-Blaugrana) to a comprehensive victory in the seven-furlong race for the Amelia Handicap. There were two withdrawals in this field of six. The favourite Rocket Man occupied the runner-up berth.

Trainer Neil Darashah and his trusted knight from the south – JH Arul – combined fruitfully to bring home a well-backed double.. The first of their winners was Snow Leopard ( Phoenix Tower-Kissed By The Mist)  who won the day’s opener – The Revelation Cup – in a close verdictfrom stablemate Natural Grace. This was the first race framed for two-year-olds this season and it must have been a rather heartwarming for the Darashah stable as all four contenders were from his yard. However, it does not speak well of the several other leading stables at this centre who are expected to have a youngster or two ready to race. The absence of trainer Vijay Singh was sorely felt in this event as he would invariably have a couple of his youngsters fit for the fray early in the season. Darashah and Arul completed their brace with Clifford (Phoenix Tower – Jolie Rue) who won the Mounted Police Cup with a degree of authority. Following pace-setter DRD till into the straight, the top-weight favourite sailed ahead and quite easily kept at the bay the likes of Jean Lafette and Black Coffee.

The Police Commissioner’s Cup run over seven furlongs was an exciting affair. Last time runner-up Artemis Ignacia was backed to the exclusion of others in this event but he never seemed in a position to score. The second favourite Swift ran a fairly notable race to finish third. The race was contested by front-running Dubai Gold (ExcellentArt-Blue Ribbon) and Harvestime. Jockey VR Jagdeesh did well to keep the former going in the straight when Harvestime threatened to overhaul him near the distance post. The winner from Patrick Quinn’s yard was neglected in the ringand available at 10/1.

The Police Martyrs Cup saw the favourite Yuvi (Excellent Art-Scholastic Giant) win by over six long lengths from Swift Lady. The Vikash Jaiswal ward was piloted by Hindu Singh as jockey PS Chouhan was indisposed on this afternoon. In this race, the second favourite Flamingo Road lost all her chances at the gates as she jumped out in askew manner and headed straight for the outer rails.

The curtain came down with AS Jodha-trained favourite Time And Tide (Dali- Starlet) winning the Desert Warrior Cup without any worthy opposition. The three-year-old colt was the shortest priced favourite of the day and gave jockey Neeraj Rawal a joy ride in the six-furlong sprint.