Calcutta: Aashay Doctor trained - Meropi (Neeraj Rawal -up) claimed the Wolf 777 Indian Produce Stakes, the feature event at the New Years races here on Sunday, the New Year's Day.
Seven unraced three-years-old were facing the starter for the prestigious event but Bharath Singh-trained Ramiel (P .Trevor) garnered the maximum support ahead of Vijay’s pair of Kind Of Magic (Suraj Narredu) and Contribute (A.Sandesh ). Neeraj had the bay daughter of Western Aristrocrat settled in the fifth spot till the top of the straight, as Kind Of Magic and Ramiel were disputing the lead, meanwhile Contribute tried to slip through the rails and Meropi got a lovely opening in the center as Ramiel started to drift out under pressure. After a brief duel Meropi had the measure of trainer Vijay Singh’s pair. Ramiel who placed fourth, perhaps, needed this run.
The supporting event of the day Wolf 777 RCTC Gold Vase horses in the highest class over 2200 meters. The Arti Doctor-trained Third Avenue seems to be going from strength-to-strength, notching up his fourth straight win. Upcoming apprentice P. Tejeshwar has struck a fine partnership with the horse. In the same race, Stockbridge gave an improved performance, while the market fancy Oasis ran below par.
The Wolf 777 seven furlongs handicap saw trainer Imtiaz A. Sait’s western India challenger Full Of Grace (P. Trevor) getting maximum support but Javed khan's Hellblazer (Imran Chisty) also came in for some inspired betting close to race time. Full Of Grace lost all her chances at gate after losing valuable ground. Into the straight Hellblazer had a good lead which the favourite could only reduce to a length under a hard ride from Trevor. Trainer Patrick Quinn’s Dubai Dunes finished a late third.
Trainers C. Alford and Shyam Habbu also lead in a winner each in the New Year Day’s card after going through a lean patch. Mandolin (P. Tejeshwar) got up in nick of time to nose out Divine Hunt while market fancy, Senturion, was never in the hunt.
Shyam Habbu’s Sun God (Hasib Alam) provided the biggest upset of the day in the Wolf777 Handicap for horses for the lowest category. In the race, Shivalik Silk finished second ahead of an erratic running Thalames. Make a note of Vijay’s Prosperous Prince who met with interference at crucial juncture .The race also saw the withdrawal of the course favourite Asterix at the gates along with Misty Grey .
The opener saw the Bharath Singh trained western India import Summer Night (P. Trevor -up) making every post a winning one over the mile trip. Among the rest, Circle of Love finished second ahead of Basharat.
The concluding event saw Regency Smile score an encore in the hands of Imran Chisty, Pisa and Dreams finished second and third respectively while the course - favourite Agostino Carracci may have needed this run.
The New Year’s Day’s racing at Calcutta which has become a must to attend social event, saw families and friends throng the race course in large numbers. The entire fare on the day was sponsored by Wolf 777.
CALCUTTA DERBY:
The Frontline contender of the Calcutta Derby, Imperial Power, has learnt to burst blood vessels during the morning work outs on Monday.