Kolkata: The opening day of the monsoon season was good for the betting public with five favourites scoring at will. It could have been six had Snow Leopard not come a cropper a few metres from home at the RCTC here on Tuesday.
In the Cavallo Velloce Cup, Clifford from the stable of Neil Darashah used his light weight to victory in the hands of Neeraj Rawal.The son of Jolie Rue hit the front from the flag, followed by Redoubtable, top weighted Etosha and the rest. Neeraj kept Clifford going and won the race with owner-mate Etosha coming with a spirited run, but could only finish second and was gallant in defeat as he was giving the winner as much as nine and a half kilos. The runner is likely to enter the winner’s enclosure very soon.
Bharath Singh-nursed Dona Sienna had come well prepared from Bengaluru and shed its maiden status in taking style while winning the Izzy Plate for maiden three-years-old only. The daughter of La Dona took charge below the distance to win. It was Sativur who came with a good run on the wide outside to grab the second spot from the long time leader No Worry and is the one for notebook.
Aashay Doctor-saddled Trakila won the Tiger Tops Handicap in great style. Trakila, a winner in the last start in winter, won again without working up a sweat and with rider Yash Narredu not moving a muscle. The winner left the field gasping for breath. Suparakiga ran a game second despite losing good ground at the start.
With four fancied runners being withdrawn, it looked like that Leather Back would strike in the hands of K Sai Kiran, but it was not to be. Dragon’s Gold was a surprise winner in the hands of apprentice Ankush, giving the young lad his first career win.