It was mixed fortunes for leading trainer Neil Darashah on the opening day of the Calcutta Monsoon meet on Tuesday. Though he led in a brace, his celebrations were tragically cut short by the sad death of one of his promising fillies – Snow Leopard– in the afternoon’s last race – The Steal The Glory Handicap. When the grey was barely 50 metres from the winning post, well clear of the field, she stumbled and fell. It is learnt that she suffered a broken shoulder and had to be euthanised. Jockey Sandesh atop her fortunately escaped unhurt. The filly Dance Along who was travelling behind her, shied away from the fallen front-runner and also dislodged her rider Yash Narredu who too escaped unhurt. The ill-fated race was eventually won by Anil Kumar -trained five-year-old bay gelding Embankment (Kingda Ka – Enaksi) with Hindu Singh in the saddle.

The main event – The Cavallo Velloce Cup – saw Neil Darashah-trained Clifford (Phoenix Tower – Jolie Rue) put his best foot forward to get the better of fancied stablemate Etosha. Jockey Neeraj Rawal opened up a sizeable lead atop the four-year-old sprinter and that stood him in good stead at the wire as he spared over a length to the top-weight Etosha. The latter will however be a formidable threat in any ‘terms’ or sweepstakes event as endorsed by his mentor in his post-race comments.Clifford completed a brace for Darashah as he had earlier led in Chililady (Whatsthescript- Chilli Girl) in the afternoon’s opening race – the upper division of The Commander Handicap. Jockey Sandesh rode a copybook race atop the public choice but had to keep at bay second favourite Cyrenaica who looked dangerous in the final furlong. In the very next race, Sandesh completed his double while astride B Mahesh – trained Kindred Spirit (Mondialiste-Singing Bird) in the lower division of The Commander Handicap. The five-year-old outclassed the field to win as he liked.

Trainer Bharath Singh’s Dona Sienna (Speaking Of Which – La Dona) bagged the Izzy Plate quite easily in the hands of Antony Raj. It was a bright start to the career of this promising filly who like her siblings Leonardo and Big Red may be cut out for longer trips. Another well-bred three-year-old filly who made her connections proud was Aashay Doctor-trained Trakila (Western Aristocrat – Nickel Chrome) who gave Yash Narredu an armchair ride in The Tiger Tops Handicap.

There were four withdrawals in the Dysnomia Handicap – All Time Legend, Raffaello, Zucardi and Kay Star. The race was pocketed by Anil Kumar-trained Dragon’s Gold (Roderic O’Connor – Lisa’s Kitten) with apprentice Ankush astride. The lad did extremely well to notch up his maiden triumph atop the six-year-old who got the better of course favourite LeatherBack. The latter did appear to pass his front-running adversary at one point but Ankush persisted with his mount and eventually landed the spoils – kudos to the upcoming youngster!