It was a fairly profitable afternoon for followers of money at Calcutta’s mid-week races. Heavily gambled Mumtaz and Star Of Cardiff landed the spoils while stable fancies like Raging Bull and Manege did not disappoint either. Bharth’s Star Of Cardiff (Ikhtyar-Baloustar) made the Keewatin Cup a start-to-finish affair in the hands of Christopher Alford. Secret Love was a fairly good second while Requite dropped the rider after the saddle came off. Incidentally, this is the third time it has happened to this very runner in recent months. Either he needs a new saddle or a new trainer or both. Anyone willing to buy the fact that it’s unintentional is doing so at his own risk.

The worst runner in the field was none other than High Roller who reached a new low. Christopher completed his double with Aletris (Inhabitant-Green Crystal) in the afternoon’s final event, The Fey Legend Handicap. The 10/1 shot Secret Gloss gave him a good fight but failed to pull it off. In the end, the Vijay Singh-trained winner spared over three lengths to the runner-up. The most facile winner of the afternoon was Mumtaz (Juniper-Gorgeous Princess) in the San Francisco Handicap. The Daniel David-trained mare, with a new-look Arman in the saddle, won the race in a canter by over 15 lengths from Andrology.

The second favourite Autocrat was never in it. In fact, one had a trying time just locating him in the field. Deepak Karki-trained Manege (Hymn-Radiance) ran true to form and won the upper division of the Consul’s Secret Handicap from a fast-finishing Stalker who may prefer a few extra metres. The favourite Viking Valor failed to impress. The winner was ridden by apprentice Mohit Singh. The lower division of the same race was won by Bath-trained Raging Bull (Brave Act-Enduring Image) with Shezad Khan in the saddle. As speedsters Mrs Jones and Successful fought for the lead, the eventual winner was keeping a close eye on the duo from the third berth. He collared the pair after the distance post and won quite well in the end. Top-weight Agnation (San Francisco-Fancy Design) won a blanket finish, also featuring Charulata and Swiss King. In the hands of apprentice Srinivas Rao, Rodrigues-schooled Agnation won the Aada Rossa Handicap in the last stride from Charulata.

The favourite River Warrior ran like a dud and finished in the ruck. Bharath Singh-trained Highland Prince (Placerville-Si Senorita) made mincemeat of his rivals in the Amalita Handicap. Shailesh Shinde took the shortest route home and beat flat-footed Secret Whispers who did raise a good gallop in the closing stages of the race but it was too late. Flirting Eye has lost form and disappointed once again.