The curtain came down successfully on a five-month long Calcutta cold-weather season on Tuesday which saw RCTC hosting the glitzy and glamour-studded Invitation Cup in early March. Trainer Patrick Quinn and jockey Imran Chisty recorded trebles on the final afternoon. Also on the score sheet with a brace each were trainer Rutherford Alford and jockeys Trevor and Bhati. Trainer Neil Darashah was crowned champion trainer for the season while Neeraj Rawal was crowned champion jockey. Manjri Stud farm, who are Darashah’s patrons in chief, lifted the champion stud trophy.

Quinn started the ball rolling with Eleos – a 7/1 shot by Ampere out of Quan Yin - who came with a late dash under Imran Chisty’s stick to win the Hall Of Glory Handicap from Historic and Intense Belief. Historic would have probably won had the same apprentice who rode him last time out, had been declared on this day too. Strange are the ways of certain stables! The favourite – Elite –from the same yard ended up a miserable fourth.

Quinn next led in the favourite Black Eagle (Excellent Art – Classic Sky) who lifted the Whomakestherules Cup with jockey Trevor  up. Trevor had to work a trifle on his mount (who was carrying 62kg) to get the better of the runaway Zukor. Another heavy-weight Iron Clad edged out Zukor and Vijaya Falcon for the runner-up berth. Trevor completed his brace and Quinn his treble when their Blackstone (Planetaire – Polydences) bagged  the Grid Iron Handicap from a fast-finishing Dali Swirl.

Trainer Rutherford Alford shared the limelight with Quinn as he led in  brace – Regency Gold (Strong Suit – Keturah) and Xtravagant Star (Air Support – African Sky). The duo won the two divisions of the First Flier Handicap with good money riding on them. Imran Chisty guided home both winners without much ado.

Jockey RS Bhati, who is known to be a fairly reliable rider, but had not been having too successful a season, struck it rich on the final afternoon with two runners who were both quietly fancied by their respective stables and available at 5/1. Following bottom-weighted By The Book till the straight, Bhati urged Anil Kumar-trained Dragon’s Gold (Roderic O’Connor – Lisa’s Kitten) to take over the running and the latter responded well to land the spoils in The Moorhouse Handicap.

Ivanhoe ended up a good third and may enjoy a longer trip. Bhati ended the afternoon by steering home Joseph Awale-trained Dynamic Force (Western Aristocrat – Summer Wine) to a comprehensive victory over course-favourite Speculator who was always struggling to keep pace with the front-runners. Almas once again dislodged his rider. On this day it was Sandesh, who fortunately jumped off without any injury.