Calcutta: Excepting trainer Daniel David’s less-fancied winner, Elegant Road, the course-favourites were in total command in Saturday’s six-event card which was, however, reduced to five. It happened after the RCTC stewards declared the Jujube Handicap null and void. They ordered an enquiry into the running of the race and the possible reason for doing so could be a false-start. However, stewards decided against announcing any reason for an enquiry, leaving turfites to draw their own conclusions. In fact, all racing norms were overlooked. Even the official results were not announced after trainer Dipak Karki’s Grand Ceremony managed to beat Way To The Stars and Arrayal.
Agreed that the stewards’ enquiry was a foregone conclusion for those who watched the race minutely but what about the gullible punters and those who backed the winner. They had the right to information. Yes, the course-favourite Sea Legend was observed to be galloping riderless after the starter released the lever.
The afternoon was otherwise ruled by trainers Daniel David and Vijay Singh. Vijay’s tally included Afforce (Islam-up), who won the Access All Areas Cup.
RESULTS
1. Regal Star Plate 1,100m: (3-2-1-4) Golden Celebration (Chisty)1; Truly Rich (Brij) 2; Laphroaig (Surjeet) 3; Touching Moment (Amil) 4. Won by: 4-1/2, 8, 4; (1-9.22). Tote: Win Rs 11, Place: 10, 34; Quinella: 35; Shp: 36; Tanala: 106. Fav: Golden Celebration (3). Winner trained by Daniel.
2. Jujubbe Handicap: The race was declared null and void.
3. Bad Deal Handicap 1,400m: (7-3-8-5) Elegant Road (Arman K.) 1; Firing Power (Rabbani) 2; Malaga Music (Afzal) 3; Tatler (Islam) 4. Not run: Tenct Bling (6). Won by: 1/2, 3-1/4, 3-3/4; (1-28.51). Tote: Win Rs 79; Place: 19, 16, 15; Quinella: 251; Shp: 62; Tanala: 1,210. Fav: Tatler (5). Winner trained by Daniel.
4. Access All Areas Cup 1,200m: (6-7-4-5) Afforce (Islam) 1; Over The Limit (Chisty) 2; Magic Mantra (V.Jaiswal) 3; Mythical Star (Reuben) 4. Won by: 4-1/2, 2-3/4, 1/2; (1-13.16). Tote: Win Rs 19, Place: 12, 13, 18; Quinella: 23; Shp: 30; Tanala: 129. Fav: Afforce (6). Winner trained by Vijay.
5. Citibank Handicap 1,400m: (5-4-10-8) Stride To Strike (Mark) 1; Silen Hunter (Chisty) 2; Heer (Afzal) 3; Finders Keepers (Gajender) 4. Won by: 1/2, 2-1/4, 1-3/4; (1-30.37). Tote: Win Rs 26; Place: 13, 15, 26; Quinella: 34; Shp: 34; Tanala: 233. Fav: Stride To Strike (5). Winner trained by Karki.
6. Crepes Suzette Handicap 1,100m: (11-6-3-10) Avalona (J.Gurung) 1; Cobble Court (Mark) 2; Art Of War (Islam) 3; Cupid’s Glory (Chisty) 4. Won by: 3-1/2, 2-1/2, Sh; (1-7.20). Tote: Win Rs 28; Place: 15, 46, 19; Quinella: 274; Shp: 60; Tanala: 1,872. Fav: Avalona (11). Winner trained by Vijay.
Jackpot: Investments refunded.Treble: (i) Investment refunded; (ii) Rs 525.
