The Boxing Day races at RCTC amid the pomp and gaiety provided by the Army band turned out to be great success – even more so for the Narredu clan who were the cynosure of all eyes. While Rajesh Narredu led in a treble, brother Suraj Narredu notched up a double including his 100th classic winner – Long Lease, who pocketed the Calcutta Oaks without giving any jitters to her backers. The daughter of Roderic O’Connor out of Nostalgic Memories was given a flawless ride by Suraj. The filly was up with the pace till the 600m marker while stablemate Dance Along called the shots. Thereafter Suraj slipped her along the rails and opened a five-length gap. She eventually won by over two lengths from unfancied Zuma while second favourite Meropi ended up a poor fifth. The fact that Long Lease was a final entry speaks well of Rajesh Narredu’s ability to judge his ward’s potential. An elated Suraj Narredu said later “It felt good to complete a 100 classics at Calcutta”.

The supporting event – The Army Cup – turned out to be a humdinger of a race as Savvy Chic and Snowfall battled all the way down the straight with the camera giving the nod to the latter. Suraj Narredu atop the Rajesh Narredu-trained filly by Territories out of Markabah, never relaxed the pressure on his mount and it ultimately paid off. It’s quite possible that Savvy Chic may have been shown daylight a wee bit too early – but that’s neither here nor there – that’s racing for you!

Rajesh Narredu completed his treble when his four-year-old bay gelding Amber Knight (Multidimensional-Ambrosia) won the 2000 metres race for The Euphrates Handicap in the hands of Saqlain. The on-money favourite Rhapsody In Green ended up third behind aged Makhtoob leaving jockey Trevor a blank sheet for the afternoon.

The afternoon commenced with Vikash Jaiswal – trained Almas (Charm Spirit-No Song) pulling off a fairly dicey triumph asshe pipped Ticker close home. Jockey Ajinkya had to ride a hard race for his mount to raise a late gallop. She graced the wrong end of the field for most part and managed to weave her way along the rails once heads turned for home to win close home. However, the backers of the on-money public choice must have had their hearts in their mouths.

Aashay Doctor-trained Harvestime(Western Aristocrat – Jack The Cai) made amends for his earlier debacle at the hands of Dubai Gold. Yash Narredu took his mount to the helm of affairs from the word go and stayed there all the way. Clifford followed him home.

Popular jockey Imran Chisty made a cracking return to the Calcutta track wit a hard-ridden victory atop Rutherford Alford – trained Swift Lady. The four-year-old chestnut filly by Be Safe out of  Lady College  was handled expertly by Chisty as he slipped her along the rails to sail past front-running Cosmic Cowboy and bring in the X’mas cheer for the Alford family!