Trainer Bharath Singh`s well-bred filly, Rosina (Y.S. Srinath-up) scored a decisive victory in the 2,400m Calcutta Oaks, the Ladies` Derby, on Saturday. Rosina was, somewhat lucky, too, because of the last-minute withdrawal of an unruly southern challenger, Roll Call, and due to favourite Izzy`s lack of stamina to last the Derby trip. The afternoon also witnessed trainer Rajesh Narredu`s Indian Derby winner, Star Superior (Suraj Narredu), recording another smart victory, thanks to jockey A. Sandesh`s lackadaisical jockeyship of the Turf Invitation Cup winner, Adjudicate.

Rosina`s chances of winning the Oaks were written off, in view of for her listless performance during the monsoon season. Her stylish debut victory, in Bangalore (summer), had indicated a promising future but in the following season, the monsoons brought gloom in the filly`s camp. However, the Speaking of Which daughter surprised all, by almost making a pillar-to-post effort to an easy victory, after recovering from a lethargic start.

Trainer Rajesh Narredu`s Star Superior, on the other hand, was literally presented the 1,600m D. Khaitan Memorial Calcutta Gold Cup on a platter. The Excellent Art-Ramjet son was seen struggling in the home straight while James MeKeown`s prized filly, Adjudicate, was going double-handful in front. Surprisingly, Sandesh showed no urgency to skate clear; until the even-money favourite came abreast of the filly. As a result of this, it hardly came as a surprise when she lost narrowly.

Trainer Shafiq Khan`s Topnotch (Imran Chisty), finally earned the winning bracket after his countless failures as a favourite during the monsoons, including on the opening day of the season. A piece of additional equipment – cross nose bad – marginally changed the fortunes of the big-made colt when he had a narrow measure of Joss (B. Mahesh), Aquaracer (app Rupal Singh) and Philadelphia (R.N. Darshan) in the 1,400m Kolkata Mounted Police Cup.

Equally exciting was the finish of the 1,400m Police Commissioner`s Cup which was claimed by trainer Javed Khan`s rank-outsider, Vice Admiral (app Tejeshwar) from Harvinder Bath`s Surf Romance (C. Umesh). In fact, it was the rail-side wide opening that proved decisive for the winner to gain the verdict over the late finishing Surf Romance.

Trainer Vijay Singh also scored a priced double in the seven-event card. Starting off with a runaway victory of his fine-tuned filly`s, Nandini (Suraj Narredu), in an open betting field for the 1,600m Police Martyrs Cup, the champion trainer also bagged the 1,100m Calcutta Juvenile Stakes when jockey A. Sandesh guided the trainer`s quietly fancied runner, Court Jester, to an easy victory over his stable-mate, Copacabana (Nikhil Naidu). Court Jester was held back behind Bath`s long-time leader, Tahoe (Hindu Singh) and Vikash Jaiswal`s 5/2 favourite, Fencia Mist (Dhanu Deora); until 300m from home before going into winning lead.

There was nothing to write home about the last race. The curtain came down when trainer Daniel David`s long shot, Prince Of Heart (Darshan) scored a shocking victory over a fancied Jaiswal`s runner, Caledonia (Deora) in the 2,000m Eagle Pines Handicap.

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Nandish (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Police Martyrs Cup

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Topnotch (Imran Chisty up) winner of the Kolkata Mounted Police Cup

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Vice Admiral (P Tejeshwar up) winner of the Police Commissioner`s Cup

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Court Jester (A Sandesh up) winner of the Calcutta Juvenile Stakes

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Star Superior (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the D Khaitan Memorial Calcutta Gold Cup (Gr.2)

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Rosina (Y S Srinath up) winner of the Calcutta Oaks (2019) (Gr.3)

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Prince Of Heart (Darshan R N up) winner of the Eagle Pines Handicap

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