Lesser-Known Professionals Shine at RCTC

Calcutta: Thursday’s races at RCTC saw lesser-known professionals steal the spotlight. The biggest story, witnessed in the opener was apprentice Sonu Mishra, who secured his first career win aboard debutant Don’t Stop The Music, trainer Patrick Quinn’s bold move to trust an inexperienced rider paid off spectacularly, catching punters and analysts off guard.
  Later in the afternoon, jockey R Vaibhav impressed with a well-earned double. He guided favorite Whirlwind from Sanjay Kolse’s stable to a comfortable win in the Champions Cup, Vikash Jaiswal  trained Simran’s Star (Varun), who once again found one better remains the  one to watch.
   Earlier, Vaibhav delivered a thrilling victory in The Tubal Cain Handicap aboard Bharath Singh trained Dona Sienna, edging out Aashay Doctor’s  Light The World (Yash Narredu) in a ding dong battle  all down the straight. Light The world lives to fight another day.
  Vishal Bunde also notched up a double. He first steered Neil Darashah’s Natural Grace, a 8/1 chance  to victory in the 1,600m, Play Big Win Bigger Plate, holding off favourite Sativur comfortably. Neil Darashah credited blinkers for the filly’s return to form.
   Bunde then sealed his double in the Anzello Handicap, a No-Whips Race with a front-running ride on well backed  Raissa from Sabeel Shariff’s yard. Javed khan trained Memphis (J.H.Arul) ran an impressive second.
  Trainer Rutherford Alford’s Banduk Wali produced a late surge under Imran Chisty to win The El Obro Handicap, holding off favorite Sky Hawk. Having twice playing bridesmaid in her earlier runs, the use of blinkers proved crucial, keeping Banduk Wali focused.