Trainer James McKeown’s filly, Apsara Star (Y.S. Srinath), finally, returned to the winning ways on Saturday. The Win Legend daughter had been knocking at the doors but the Derby debacle, when she had unseated her jockey – midway through the journey – was a heart breaking experience for her followers. However, in the 2,000m Poker Guru Cup, Srinath, had the 8/10 favourite kept clear of all trouble to return triumphant over the Vijay Singh-trained Inca (Suraj Narredu) who made most of the running; until was overtaken by the winner – 300m from the winning post. Vijay-Suraj, combinations, however, had their day cut out; finishing the six-event card with a good treble.

Vijay’s winning streak started, right from the curtain raiser when the trainer’s 4/1 shot Clear Vision was guided to an easy victory by Suraj in the 2,000m Artesia Handicap. Held back behind Rutherford Alford’s Houtzen (app. P. Tajeshwar) and the 5/2 favourite James’ charge, Marazzo (app. P. Vikram) till 250m from home, Suraj brought Clear Vision the shortest way home to score. The victory effort of Clear Vision was made further easier by apprentice Vikram who, failed to stop Marazzo from shifting out badly.

Suraj went on to guide Vijay’s hot-favourite, Court Jester, to victory, in the 1,100m Rotary Club of Calcutta Millennium, albeit narrowly over a late finishing Aashay Doctor’s 6/1 chance, Atom (R.S. Bhati). Suraj, in fact was seen toying with Atom, and thus the close verdict.

Court Jester was also squeezed in-between, Krishaa’s Choice (Akash Rajput) and Chephirah (app. Sujit Paswan) at the start. Suraj was, however, quick to gather the horse, and fast enough to bring the favourite back in contention. In third or fourth the till 300m from home, the jockey sent the Net Whizz colt into the lead and was comfortable enough up their; until 50m from home.

Excelsior provided the Vijay-Suraj combo with their third win in the 1,400m Rotary Club of Calcutta Victoria Cup. It was an open betting race with Excelsior’s stable-mate, Daring Heart (Hindu Singh) attracting a bulk of support at 9/4 while the former was a 9/2 chance in the betting as Louboutin (B. Mahesh), Simply Soaring (Tajeshwar), Cormorant (Nikhil Naidu) and Whispering Grass (Paswan) also had their followers.

Speedy Bonafied (app. Aditya Jaiswal) showed the way Whispering Grass and Louboutin but Excelsior was also, thereabouts along the rails. Suraj switched the course turning for home and joined the front running brigade on the wide out. About 200m from home Whispering Grass was in full control of the field but failed to stop the late-finishing Excelsior a 100m from home.

Javed Khan’s speedy Stelvio Pass provided the rookie apprentice, Prathiv Singh, his maiden victory in the '1,100m Our Owen Handicap. Establishing a two length lead over Sirona (Srinath), Mystic Wonder (Suraj) and Nandini’s Pet (Rajput), the raw apprentice managed to defend the advantage even in the closing stages when Vijay’s Capriconia (Hindu) came with a late run.

Rajput, however, landed a big gamble, on Vikash Jaiswal’s Scarlet Witch to claim the 1,600m Rotary District 3291 Cup. Allowing Elusive Wave (Bhati) to call the shorts over Starofhollywood (Arshad Alam) Om Shanti (Hindu) to dictate the terms, Rajput joined fray and soon took to front for an easy victory over the last finishing Tia Queen.

*******************

---

Clear Vision (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Artesia Handicap

---

Stelvio Pass (Prathvi Singh up) winner of the Our Owen Handicap

---

Court Jester (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Rotary Club Of Calcutta Millennium Cup

---

Excelsior (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the Rotary Club Of Calcutta Victoria Cup

---

Apsara Star (Y S Srinath up) winner of the Poker Guru Cup

---

Scarlet Witch (Akash Rajput up) winner of the Rotary District 3291 Cup

---