The Suraj Narredu juggernaut continued to roll at Calcutta racecourse as the prolific rider notched up a hat-trick at RCTC on Thursday. He is now only a single winner short of the commendable half-century mark. The first of his winners was Vijay Singh-trained Saiko (Multitude-Amore Mio) in the Euphrates Cup when he quite easily accounted for course favourite Argento. Following stablemate Silver Dream till the straight, Saiko sailed ahead to win as he liked.

Suraj next piloted Bharath Singh-trained Dona Siena (Speaking Of Which-La Dona) to a comfortable start-to-finish triumph in the five-and-half furlong sprint for the Romantic Memories Handicap, Fast-finishing Watch My Stride will be worth keeping an eye on, possibly over a longer trip. The leading jockey completed his hat-trick with Lochs And Glens (Saamidd – Kimono) from the Neil Darashah yard after a hard-fought battle all the way down the straight with Garth. True Faith arrived on the scene late and pipped Garth for the runner-up berth.

The afternoon commenced with trainer Shafiq Khan pocketing a double with Moneycatcher and Italian Gold, Apprentice jockey N Darshan rode a perfect race astride Moneycatcher (Top Class-Annie Oakley) to grab the honours in a No Whips event. Despite an outside draw, he moved fluently up behind front-running Diamond Gold and followed him till well into the straight where he urged his mount to eventually overhaul the front-runner. The favourite Lahina was not a very impressive third but will be worth keeping an eye on. Another one for the notebook is Star pride.

Despite a heavy-weight of 61kg on his back, Italian Gold (Excelebration-Age Of Elegance) tackled the lowest class with aplomb in the seven-furlong race for The Brave Patriach Handicap. The seven-year-old bay gelding went from last to first in a trice to peg back front-running Pyrgos close home. The other fancied runner Fortune Warrior was a disappointing fourth. Trainer Shafiq Khan commented after this popular double that it was the “happiest day of my life”.

The curtain came down with jockey P Trevor riding a regulation race atop the favourite Fable (Dreamfield-Legendofthephoenix) in the seven-furlong race for The Bright Law Handicap. The five-year-old bay mare from the Aashay Doctor stable quite easily pegged back second favourite Romping Home to the runner-up berth. The latter may be more comfortable over six furlongs.