On a warn Sunday afternoon at RCTC, Deepesh Narredu-trained filly Heart (Gusto-Beldon Hill) was flawlessly piloted by P Trevor to lift the Calcutta Monsoon Derby run over a mile-and-quarter from Arabeska. Lying at the rear of the 12-horse field for most part, while Shine set a cracking pace, Trevor gradually improved his mount to striking position before the turning for home.  The grey Arabeska slipped through along the rails while Heart took the longer route on the outside. Nevertheless, she was travelling the better of the duo by far and eventually won by three lengths. The afternoon well and truly belonged to Trevor as he not only rode four winners but also pocketed the champion jockey’s prize for the season. Aashay Doctor was declared the champion trainer. The champion horse was Heart and the ‘horse of the season’ – Dubai Princess.

Trevor’s other three winners during the afternoon were Zuri, High Command and Polka Dot. LVR Deshmukh-trained High Command (Letir Mor – Heiress) lifted the Monsoon Cup in great style by over seven long lengths from Sativur. Aashay Doctor-trained Zuri (Win Legend-Mount Vrat) outclassed the field in the Mountain Lily Handicap to win going away from Mystical Dawn. Natural Grace is one for the note book as she was moving well in the straight despite her top-weight.Trevor completed his quadruple with Polka Dot (Western Aristocrat – Jersey Girl) who won the upper division of the Ascriptive Handicap without much ado from pace-setting Paulite Warrior who found one better in the winner but is sure to see the winning post in the coming winter season.

Neil Darashah-trained King Louis (Win legend – Georgina) was superbly piloted by G Vivek to land the spoils in the Free Energy Handicap. Snowpiercer continued to play the bridesmaid for the fifth time in succession. Stablemate Aabushan – the totalisator favourite – finished dead last.Darashah’s Clifford went down narrowly to BR Reddy-trained Black Eagle (Excellent Art-Classic Sky) in The Tenno Sho Cup. Vishal Bunde went start-to-finish on the top-weight winner who was available at 6/1. In fact, the first three races saw outsiders to the fore and all three won pillar to post. B Mahesh-trained Happy Morning (Arazan-Queen Of hearts) won the Bold Display Handicap in the hands of Antony Raj. The favourite Epic Play needed the run and will be better for it.Mahesh completed a double with seven-year-old Lord Vader (Be Safe-Copper Bracelet) who was ridden to victory by Hasib Alam. Ante-post favourite Fast Approach was withdrawn while the fancied runner Oishika surprisingly left all her chances at the gates. Also withdrawn was Three Little Words in the upper division of the Elistano Handicap. The race was bagged quite easily by Rajesh Narredu -trained Dance Along (Sanus Per Aquam – Dancer’s Fan) in the hands of Yash Narredu.

Able apprentice Aleemuddin completed a lucrative double for his followers with Patrick Quinn-trained Don’t Stop The Music (Sanus per Aquam – Songlark) and Shafiq Khan-trained Oh My Darling (Sedgefield – Spark Of Silver) who brought the curtain down by winning the lower division of the Ascriptive Handicap from a hard-ridden Keitaro. One favourite who failed miserably in the lower division of the Elistano Handicap but should be watched carefully during the winter is Only Dreams.

A word of praise for the RCTC mandarins who did well to host a eleven-race card on D-day. Reputed commentator Anit Casyab made a tripfrom Mumbai to his former home centre and livened up the proceedings considerably on the day.