Trainer Suleiman Attaollahi`s long-priced runner, Pentagram (Pradeep Chauhan-up), easily won the Mayfowl Cup, the feature event in Saturday`s race card. The afternoon also witnessed trainer Vijay Singh`s Setaflame winning the 1,600m Pearson Surita Memorial Cup, and in the process, avenging his Monsoon Derby defeat, suffered at the hands of Captain Cook. Pentagram`s victory was a well-earned thing for Chauhan but in another race, the jockey had to the verdict in the stewards` room after his horse, Speedy Gonzalves, lost narrowly to Noverro (Dashrath Singh). (14 Nov. 2015, Kolkata, by Goldie Boy).

Trainer Suleiman Attaollahi`s Pentagram (Pradeep Chauhan-up) scored an upset victory in the 1,400m Mayfowl Cup, the feature event in Saturday`s race card. The victory of the South India challenger also exposed limitations of the local challengers – Evesham and Agatta – who consumed most of the money in the betting ring as joint favourites at 2/1. The afternoon also witnessed an absorbing contest between the two Derby aspirants – Setaflame and Captain Cook – in the 1,600m Pearson Surita Memorial Cup. The verdict this time went in favour of Setaflame, thanks to the changed rising tactics; which helped the horse avenge his Monsoon Derby defeat. If Pentagram`s victory was a well-earned thing for Chauhan, the reversed verdict, in the case of jockey`s another ride, Speedy Gonzalves – against Noverro -- in the stewards` room, was definitely appreciated by the race crowd.

Petagram, a 11/1 chance on the totalisator, was ridden in a business-like manner by Chauhan, Held close behind the longtime leader, Silver Streak, until 300m from home, the Jeremy son took over the running to score easily from Agatta, who, in fact, failed to demonstrate her known acceleration. However, the revised handicap advantage did help the Ikhtyar mare get an easy measure of Evesham who was always with the front running lot but faded out of the scene inside the last furlong of the race.



The renewed Setaflame-Captain Cook contest was always on the card but with the different riding tactics this time. Trainer Vijay Singh`s Setaflame (P. Kamlesh) was seen galloping in the close attendance of the Cook (Trevor Patel), instead of giving a long rope to Bharath Singh`s Derby winner, by galloping well off the pace. The trick worked, on this occasion, as Sergeant Major and Torero made things hot upfront, until well into the home straight. Setaflame, who was right behind the two leaders, took over the running 300m from home lasted out to beat the Cook, by half-a-length.



It was only a short-neck that separated Bharath`s Noverro (Dasrath Singh) from Arti Doctor`s Speedy Gonsalves (Pradeep Chauhan) in the 1,400m Cavalry Cup. It was also widely expected that the matter will knock at the stewards` door for justice as the Noverro had served a mild knock to Speedy Gonzalves nearing the distance post before a harder bump followed, 150m from home. There was no doubt that Noverro was seen shifting out on each occasion and also that the winner was in danger of losing the race. And he did and thus the reversal of the verdict.



Two horses, Trainer Javed Khan`s Xperience (apprentice Jorawar Singh) and Bharath`s Fite For Honour (Dashrath), however, went on to confirm that their last wins were no fluke. Xperience, in the 1,100m Sound Of Cheers Handicap, though faced a strong challenge from Robert Gowli`s filly Ivy and Manvendra Singh`s Soviet Dancer inside the last furlong. In fact, Xperience would have won far more easily had Soviet Dancer (apprentice Hindu Singh) not disturbed the winner`s progress inside the final 125m of the race.

Dashrath, too, had to work hard to make Fite For Honour win from the western India migrant Warpath (B. Mahesh), in the 1,200m Star Selection Handicap. The two horses made their move simultaneously from the mid-division as the longtime leader Ace Amandus ran short of gas. The superior riding power of Dashrath, however, had it`s say inside the final 100m as Mahesh found himself at the receiving end.

In the same race, the top-weighted runner, Legende Indianne (Chauhan) was hardly seemed to be interested in the proceeding as he was seen galloping six-wide in the mid-division all through the trip. Arti`s Lucky Strike, on the other hand, cried out from the fray after being up with Ace Amandus till 250m from home. The Tariq colt may have needed the run.

The afternoon started with trainer Shyam Habbu`s heavily fancied filly Imara (C. Alford) easily delivering the goods in the 1,400m Archer Handicap. The 17/10 favourite made a pillar-to-post effort to win drawing away from the opposition. In the same race, Manvendra`s Cayman Island (Trevor Patel) also performed poorly. The 9/4 second favourite, clearly needed the run. Watch out for his progress in the morning workouts.

Another Trevor`s favourites, who badly failed was Vikash jaiswal`s Jorrel in the concluding event, the 1,400m Athymia Handicap. The horse was always up with the second favourite, Bindass and Princess Thea but found the going tough inside the last 200m. He may do better over a shorter sprint. The race was won by Top Line (Ashhad Asbar), a quiet fancy at 5/1. Trainer Shafiq Khan`s runner raced in the mid-division till the home turn before pouncing on the tiring leaders to score easily.