It was a red letter day for Suraj Narredu at RCTC on Friday as he reached a commendable half-century of winners when he guided home his 50th winner of the season while astride Vijay Singh-trained Shine in the race for The Bangalore Turf Club Cup. Speaking after this sparkling achievement, Suraj said “ I thought I could make it to the magical fifty mark in January after I crossed 30 winners. I discussed with my father and told him my aspiration. I am grateful to all the owners and trainers who have asked me to ride for them. I am really happy to have reached this landmark.” The filly Shine (Dreamfield-Let There Be Light) won with a degree of comfort as she collared Victoria Cross who tried to steal a march at the top of the straight.

Trainer Ajith Kumar and his trusted knight Vaibhav sent shockwaves through the Calcutta racecourse with an amazing double. The performance may have irked the handicapper and senior stipe no end as he has penalized Queen Anuula 9.5kg and Strong Talons 7.5kg – the figures tell the story about the two seven-year-olds who were demoted before making their mark – a successful ploy that caught form-workers napping. End-of-season surprises are part and parcel of this game of uncertainties and this was no different. However, what was rather disconcerting was the fact that both horses were backed down considerably just before their respective races. In fact, a leading bookmaker confirmed that Queen Anula was backed down from 15/1 to 4/1 before the startingstalls opened. Something that the stipes should take note of for runners which have shown no earlier formwhatsoever. Strong Talons (Sedgefield – Star of Peace) won the mile race for the Noble View Handicap by over six lengths from favourite No Worry while Queen Anula (Sedgefield-Grey Mist) accounted for public choice Upper Street by over seven lengths in the seven-furlong race for The Surfside Handicap.

The rest of the afternoon went more or less according to script. SS Attaollahi-trained filly Xanthe(Deauville-Sheryl) brushed aside the likes of Booster Shot, Togo and favourite Star Studded to bag the Nikita Handicap without raising a sweat in the mile race. This was the first of Trevor’s two winners. He completed his brace astride Aashay Doctor-trained Cigar Galaxy (Western Aristocrat – Celestial Way) in the upper division of the Oakmead Handicap.

The other rider to complete a brace was Antony Raj who had to go flat out on Neil Darashah- trained six-year old mare Sea Eagle to keep at bay Oh My Darling in the lower division of The Oakmead Handicap. Antony brought the curtain down in style with Rutherford Alford-trained Mi Arion (Excellent Art-Zain Arion) who pocketed the Antequera Handicap effortlessly.