For the second consecutive day, favourites ruled the roost at the Calcutta racecourse on Saturday. Five public choices and a second favourite were first past the winning post. Trainer Vijay Singh and his trusted knight in pigskin Christopher Alford kept the colours of the city’s premier owner (Mr Deepak Khaitan) flying high with a business-like hat-trick while jockey Rajendra and Darius combined to bring down the curtain with Born To Fly – yet another Khaitan runner. However, jockey Kadam on the runner-up Finfoot has been suspended for two race-days and fined Rs 5,000/- for riding an over-confident race.

Among the Vijay-Alford hat-trick were the Cups sponsored by Saturday Club and Dalhousie Institute – two of the city’s well-known network of elite clubs that have stood since the days of the Raj. But the one that stole the thunder was the three-year-old colt Dandified (Rebuttal-Dandoona). Jockey Alford rode a supremely confident race (bordering on over-confidence) as he did just enough for a comfortable victory from the unfancied Raznandan. Amor Amor was a tame third. The race was a hands-and-heels affair and it seems that this colt will remain unmeasured till beaten. His next start is likely to be the ‘Million’, a fortnight from now.

Vijay’s Access Point (Inhabitant-Premium Point) completed a hat-trick of wins with a comfortable triumph over Must be Magic in the Dalhousie Institute Cup. Must be Magic went on a start-to-finish mission while Alford bided his time till the distance post. When asked for an effort, the chestnut did not disappoint and stretched out well. The runner-up will be worth following. Alayir (Alnasr Alwasheek-Starcent) showed that she is one of the best fillies based at this centre when she lifted the Saturday Club Cup in smart timing from the fast finishing Poles Apart. Once again, the runner-up is one for the notebook. The afternoon commenced ominously for punters. Fancied runners Ocean Sunrise and Explorer’s Quest were withdrawn on veterinary grounds. The on-money favourite Ijlal looked to be headed for the winning post opposite the grandstand but failed to deliver. Rajendra got a chance ride on Short Radius (Serious Spender-Temple Quest) in the absence of declared rider Paul Mulrennan, and made full use of the opportunity. He challenged the front-runner strongly and passed him close home. The winner from Bharath Singh’s yard had no earlier form to go by. Pesi Shroff-trained Delphi (Emerald Cat- Bongusto) continued her amazing winning run with a fourth victory on the trot when she lifted the HH Maharaja Bhup Bahadur of Cooch Behar Memorial Cup.

Zervan took the shortest route home and rode a hard finish to defy the penalty of 5.5 kg and thus deprive Royal Saga any chance of turning the tables. The handicap horse Mandira was taken all over the place by apprentice Babu Singh and ended up a poor third. Pine Valley (Ontario-Mystery Mood) was always rated highly as a three-year-old but never lived up to expectations. However, under Vikash Jaiswal, his two wins this season have been commendable. Both are top-weight victories over seven furlongs. The Javed Khan-trained pair of Accomplished and Roxy photo-finished for the runner-up berth.

Imran Chisty always seemed to have the race under control and rode like a seasoned jockey that he is. Given the right mounts, men like Chisty and Rajendra rarely disappoint. The last named however has to keep his weight under control if he wants to wants to continue successfully at this centre. Despite a kg overweight, the six furlong sprint proved no problem for Born To Fly (China Visit – Born To Dance). He was brought with a great run on the outside by Rajendra to pip an over-confident Kadam on Finfoot. The rest of the field were really not in it.