Calcutta: The much-awaited opening day of the Calcutta monsoon meet turned into a damp squib as torrential rain lashed the Royal Calcutta Turf Club on Tuesday, forcing the cancellation of the last four races on the card. Just as the afternoon was warming up, the skies opened up ahead of the fourth race, putting a sudden end to the racing buzz that local turfites had waited over four months to enjoy.
After the third race, a senior stipendiary steward inspected the track alongside top riders Trevor Patel, Neeraj Rawal, and Vaibhav. With visibility deteriorating fast and track conditions unsafe, the decision was made to call off the remaining races.
Before the rain gods had their say, trainer B. Mahesh's Kindred Spirit (Shrikant Kamble-up) set the tone with a thumping victory in the 1200m, the Mercury Handicap. The six-year-old gelding grabbed the early initiative and turned the opener into a one-horse race. The six year bolting home by six lengths at mouth-watering odds of 8/1. Artemis Zelda finished with purpose to gain runner-up berth ahead of City of Joy.
The second race, 1,100m Great Tribute Plate—was all about Aashay Doctor trained Cortado. Showing blistering speed. The bay gelding gave Trevor Patel a breezy, armchair ride straight to the winner’s enclosure.
The afternoon, though abruptly cut short, ended on a high note as Sabeel Shariff’s Bundle Of Charm (Vishal Bunde) defied the deluge to dominate the 1,100m Pentagon Handicap. Bunde made a lightning-quick getaway and seized control in the blinding rain. He never let the lead slip for even a moment. The fancied pair of Kerry Gold and Impressive Annie were not sighted at the finish and they should be given another chance in better racing conditions.
While the heavens may have halted the show midway, the brief action on the track offered a tantalising glimpse of the excitement the monsoon season has always in store for all concerned.