Calcutta: Vijay Singh-trained Prosperous Prince (Hindu Singh-up) claimed the Romantic Eve Cup, the feature event in the races held here on Wednesday. The afternoon also witnessed a highly competitive fare in the eight-event card with close finishes in most of the races becoming the order of the day. Vijay Singh and his fellow trainer, Shyam Habbu, alongwith Jockeys Akshay kumar and R. S. Bhati recorded a brace each.
The Romantic Eve Cup, over 2000m, three of the six contestants staked claim for the top honours with Banksy (Neeraj Rawal) garnering maximum support, ahead of last start winner Edmund (Akshay kumar). In the same race, Prosperous Prince (Hindu Singh), who had been ridden off the pace in most of his starts was sent upfront on this occasion and after a ding-ding battle with Banksy all down the straight, he went on to score by half a length. The winner's stablemate Beautiful (Hasib Alam) finished a creditable third, while Edmund filled up the frame.
The last start impressive runner Thousand Words (Imran Chisty) was the piping hot favourite in the Dare To Dream Handicap over 1100m, the Patrick Quinn-charge led from the start to gain a long overdue win. Blue Origin (Arman Khan), a long shot, necked out Dr Doom for the runner-up berth.
The Kabuki Plate, for three year olds over 1200m witnessed one of the closest finishes. The Aashay Doctor-trained La Dominate (Imran Chisty), a winner of two races, was set to concede chunks of weights to Jamica (Neeraj Rawal) and Twenty Six Black (Akshay kumar). The odds on favourite La Dominate who had got the measure of the pace-setter Jamica at the distance post, was being hailed as a winner; until; Daniel David's Twenty Six Black was brought with a scintillating run to pip the favourite in the shadows of the post the David’s charge had to survive an objection from the runner up on the grounds of interference in the final few strides.
Vijay Singh’s Island Lass (Hasib Alam) gained her maiden win in the lowest class with a start-to-finish effort. In the same race, a heavily backed Magic Moment (Arman Khan) fell short at the wire by a long neck. It was a forceful finish of apprentice Hasib Alam, gained the day. Sea Dragon finished a longway third in this race.
Suraj Shaw-trained Mark One (Akshay kumar) claimed the Sunrise Song Handicap by a measure of comfort, and thus justifying the support he received to close as a favourite. Angel Light (Arman Khan) was an impressive second in the race while Eastside (Imran Chisty) placed third. Make a note of Ahren who finished a close fourth.
Trainer N. Ravinder Singh’s last start impressive runner Makhtoob (app Rupal Singh) easily accounted for his seven rivals, with a smart barrier to finish effort, in the Wind Song Handicap, over 1200m. Shafiq Khan's newly acquired Whistle Blower (Hasib Alam) finished from way off the pace to finish a good second ahead of favourite Regency Gold (Imran Chisty).
The Adiella Handicap over 1400m witnessed Shyam Habbu-trained Sun God (R.S.Bhati) get the judges nod in a three-way finish to topple the favourite Free Sprited (Hindu Singh), Swift Lady (Imran Chisty) finished third, after traversing all over the course as long necks separated the three runners.
The opening event saw the easiest winner of the day Shyam Habbu-trained Algoze (R.S.Bhati) trounced her rivals by five long lengths in a battle for places, Indian Star (Hasib Alam) necked out long time leader Our Choice ( Hindu Singh).