Calcutta: The concluding day of the Calcutta Monsoon meeting witnessed a long card of Xl events at the RCTC grounds on Sunday. Deepesh Narredu’s filly Heart (Gusto–Beldon Hill) produced a stunning performance under Trevor Patel to clinch the 2,000m Calcutta Monsoon Derby.
Content to sit at the rear during early stages, while Shine cut a scorching pace, Trevor brought Heart wide into the straight to sail past the favourite Racing Ruler (A.Sandesh), who had taken over the running at the top of the bend. Deshmukh trained Arabeska (Akshay Kumar) slipped through along the rails to challenge, but Heart was travelling far better and powered away to score by three lengths.
The afternoon was once again dominated by Trevor with a four timer.
His winning spree was highlighted by three more impressive victories. High Command (trained by L.V.R. Deshmukh) was in a class of his own in the Monsoon Cup, powering away from the field to score by seven commanding lengths. Zuri (from the Aashay Doctor yard) turned the Mountain Lily Handicap into a procession, outclassing her rivals with ease. To wrap up his four-timer, Trevor barely needed to move a muscle on Polka Dot, who coasted to a smooth success in the upper division of the Ascriptive Handicap.
Neil Darashah’s King Louis was given a peach of a ride by G. Vivek to land the 1,400m Free Energy Handicap, while Snowpiercer who finished runner-up for the fifth time, continues to break hearts.
The afternoon opened with first three races going to outsiders, scoring with similar start to finish tactic.
B.Mahesh trained Happy Morning (Anthony Raj) won the Bold Display Handicap. Favourite Epic Play, with the benefit of this run will strip fitter next time.
Mahesh completed a double with 20/1 shot Lord Vader (Hasib Alam) claiming the Shivalik Showers Cup. Ante-post favourite Fast Approach was withdrawn at the gates while Oishika blew her chances at the start. Sabar (K.Nazil) finished an impressive second.
The Tennis Sho Cup witnessed B.R.Reddy trained, 8/1 shot, Black Eagle (Vishal Bunde) gaining the day with a fluent start to finish effort. Favourite Clifford could only finish second.
The division I of the Elistano Handicap went to Rajesh Narredu’s trained favourite Dance Along (Yash Narredu) after ante post favourite Three Little Words was withdrawn.
Bangalore based apprentice Aleemuddin also enjoyed a profitable day, scoring a double astride Patrick Quinn trained Don’t Stop The Music, who romped home by a whooping nine lengths and Shafiq Khan trained Oh My Darling who wrapped up the card by taking the division II of the Ascriptive Handicap from a gritty Keitaro and Queen of Mafia.
Heart was declared the champion horse, while Dubai Princess earned the title of ‘Horse of the Season.’ Trevor Patel champion jockey, Aashay Doctor took the champion trainer’s crown, and The Telegraph was named the leading tipster.