Calcutta: As expected, trainers Vijay Singh and Richard Alford called the shots in Friday’s six-event race card. The two professionals picked up five events between themselves with Vijay taking the lion’s share, including the two trophy events ? the 1,400m Hilliard Cup and the Legal Steps Cup over 1,200 metres. Jockey C.Alford was associated with all of Vijay’s winners.
The piping-hot favourite Romantic Liaison opened Vijay’s account in the Hilliard Cup which the Classic aspirant won the way she liked.
Another of Vijay’s strongly fancied runner, Serrafina, was, however, fully stretched by stablemate Exclusive Affair in the other trophy event.
Stable’s highly rated debutante, Magical Romance, too, was severely tested by Wild Flowers in the Lomabrd Handicap. The well-bred Razeen-Cedar Point filly led comfortably from the start but she survived the threatening challenge from Daniel David’s ward.
Daniel’s Renegade, however, won the Quincy Handicap, and also spoiled Richard’s chances of landing a treble when the three-year-old managed to stop Over The Rainbow from winning.
Ridden by Shane Domingo, Richard’s Arrayal and Serengetti, nevertheless, returned comfortable winners in their respective events. Serengetti opened up a long lead and maintained it till the winning post. In her last run, when ridden by Rutherford Alford, he had come to a grinding halt which led to the jockey’s suspension.
RESULTS
1. Hilliard Cup 1,400m: (3-2-1) Romantic Liaison (C.Alford) 1; Magic Mantra (Reuben) 2; Anzello (Mark) 3. Won by: 7-1/2; 2-3/4; (1-31.1). Tote: Win Rs 11; Quinella: 15; Shp: 16. Fav: Romantic Liaison (3). Winner trained by Vijay S.
2. Legal Steps Cup 1,200m: (3-2-5-1) Serrafina (C.Alford) 1; Exclusive Affair (J.Gurang) 2; Common Spirit (Jaiswal) 3; El Cid (Amandeep) 4. Won by: 1-1/4; 8-1/2; 5; (1-19.4). Tote: Win Rs 12; Place: 11; 21; Quinella: 26; Shp: 27; Tanala: 106. Fav: Serrafina (3). Winner trained by Vijay S.
3. Sunray Handicap 1,200m: (3-1-2-5) Arrayal (Domingo) 1; Actuary (Mark) 2; Wayward King (Melvyn) 3; Majestic Hills (Jaiswal) 4. Won by: 1-1/2; 1-3/4; 9; (1-21.1). Tote: Win Rs 25; Place: 15; 16; Quinella: 26; Shp: 35; Tanala: 99. Fav: Arrayal (3). Winner trained by R. Alford.
4. Lombard Handicap 1,100m: (4-1-3-2) Magical Romance (C.Alford) 1; Wild Flowers (Amandeep) 2; Schumacher (Jaiswal) 3; Moira (Domingo) 4. Won by: SH; 4-3/4; 4-3/4; (1-15.2). Tote: Win Rs 14; Place: 13; 14; Quinella: 20; Shp: 32; Tanala: 58. Fav: Magical Roma-nce (4). Winner trained by Vijay S. (Note: The winner survived an objection lodged by the rider of the second placed horse).
5. Quincy Handicap 1,400m: (1-2-3-4) Renegade (Melvyn) 1; Over The Rainbow (Domingo) 2; Finders Keepers (R.Ahmed) 3; Back Packer (Mark) 4. Won by: 1-1/2; 7-1/2; 2-1/2; (1-35.1). Tote: Win Rs 17; Place: 12; 11; Quinella: 15; Shp: 23; Tanala: 157. Fav: Renegade (1). Winner trained by Errol B.
6. Tubal Cain Handicap 1,200m: (2-4-3-1) Serengetti (Domingo) 1; Assagi (Kujur) 2; Amative (Som) 3; Heer (Afzal) 4. Won by: 6-1/2; 1-3/4; 5-1/2; (1-23.3). Tote: Win Rs 22; Place: 12; 39; Quinella: 70; Shp: 57; Tanala: 727. Fav: Heer (1). Winner trained by R.Alford.
Jackpot: Rs 192; (C) Rs 30.
Treble: (i) Rs 39; (ii) Rs 53.
