The mid-week Calcutta Races commenced with a minute's silence observed for the departed soul of Ranajit ‘Babi' Nobis who  passed away earlier this week. ‘Babi' as he was popularly known was the quintessential flamboyant owner who was in the game  during the eighties and nineties purely for the enjoyment he derived from it. His horse Brave Dancer was at one time considered the best in the country although he didn't win the Invitation Cup. Nobis later became a Steward of RCTC.

Trainer B Mahesh pulled off a lucrative pre-planned coup on Wednesday with Flamingo Road and Siege Perilous - both piloted by VR Jagdeesh. Sired by One Lucky Dane out of Le Louvre, six-year old Siege Perilous was taken  to the helm of affairs as the gates opened by low-weight jockey Jagdeesh and stayed there all the way. Mahesh had pumped in a lot of work into his ward to ensure that his rider can use the handicap to his advantage without much saddle artistry. A brilliant ploy – well executed ! Earlier Jagdeesh had ridden seven-year-old Flamingo Road (Top Class- Elusive Legend) to a clever victory over favourite Eagle's Flight in the six-furlong race for the Flower Dust Handicap. Trevor atop the favourite was on a start-to -finish mission while Jagdeesh coaxed a late gallop out of his mount to get the better of the public choice at the post.

Leading trainer Neil Darashah also led in a brace – Tiger Shark in the curtain-raiser and Artemis Ignacia in the Sky Classic Handicap. Like Siege Perilous, Artemis Ignacia (Excellent Art-Windsor manor) was another horse well placed on handicap who came good in the hands of JH Arul by taking the shortest route home after heads turned for home. There's no doubt after his double-failure over seven furlongs that favourite Galaticus is more comfortable over six  furlongs.
 
It's not that handicap will work out for form-workers at all times. Sixty-Seven was better placed than Tiger Shark from their earlier clash, yet the latter prevailed over her in a close finish in the Tug Of War Handicap. Darashah commented after the race that he was very happy with jockey Zervan's handling of Tiger Shark (Phoenix Tower – Tigresse Noire).

The Real Danger Cup – a sprint for maiden youngsters saw the filly Trakila (Western Aristocrat – Nickel Chrome) from Aashay Doctor's yard win effortlessly in the hands of Yash Narredu. Sea Salt Caramel edged out the piping hot on-money favourite Mother's Choice to occupy the runner-up berth. Speculating blindly on youngsters which have not even placed at another centre can lead to disappointment at times.
 
Life Is Good (Saamidd-Illaunslea) brought the curtain down in style by completing a hattrick at this centre when he bagged the mile-and-half Alvarada Handicap effortlessly. He defied the 6kg penalty for his earlier win. The handicapper has given him a 6.5 kg penalty after this victory. Nevertheless, the Jasbir-Mohit combo might do it again with their favourite horse if placed judiciously – kudos to them!