Calcutta: Trainer B. Rajender Reddy’s Black Eagle (app Aleemuddin) clinched the day’s feature event, the Hilliard Cup, after a thrilling duel with bottom-weighted Misty (Hindu Singh) here on Thursday. Despite drifting out in the straight, Black Eagle kicked on resolutely in the final furlong to repel a fiery late surge from the favourite Misty, who was in receipt of 10 kilos — a truly commendable performance.
The Narredu clan had plenty to cheer about as Rajesh and Yash Narredu combined for a long priced double with Gold Empire and Eleanora. Gold Empire overcame a sluggish start in the 1,400m Aloritz Cup before storming home from back of the field, with giant strides to nail Polka Dot close home. In the day’s finale, Eleanora made every post a winning one without raising a sweat, while piping-hot favourite Pantazi missed the kick and could do no better than a distant second.
Aashay Doctor’s Zuri (Antony Raj) fought tooth and nail to bag the 1,400 m Crystal Man Handicap, fending off a brave challenge from Tycoonist all down the straight.
The most impressive winner of the afternoon, however, was Neil Darashah’s Togo (J. H. Arul), who produced a blistering turn of foot from mid-bunch to trounce the field in the 1,600 m Cherry Handicap. Course favourite Laamika (Imran Chisty), despite drifting wide, managed to edge out Cortado for second place.
Trainer Sabeel Shariff capped the day with a sensational double — Cash Your Luck (Vishal Bunde) made every post a winning one in the 1,200 m Stand Off Handicap, while long shot Jimmy Bee stunned hot favourite Hermod (Antony Raj) in the opening event, the Loch Clieveden Handicap, under Nikhil Naidu’s confident ride.