Calcutta: Trainer Daniel David’s hot favourite Star Team, who was expected to win Saturday’s 2000 Guineas untroubled, was hard up to beat Vijay Singh’s Regal Connection. It was an exciting finish after Regal Connection had build up a two length lead in the final stretch with Steal The Glory in hot pursuit and the 7-10 favourite gaining ground on the wide out. However, the victory for the favourite was delayed till a few yards from the winning post.

RESULTS

1. Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy 1,200m: (3-2-1) Piato (Ruzaan) 1; Arcology (Neeraj) 2; Bountiful Talent (’Donoqhue) 3. Won by: 4-3/4, 5-1/4, (1-13.28). Win Rs 51; Place: 19, 25; Quinella: 86; Shp: 40; Tanala: 273. Fav: Splendid Elegance (4). Winner trained by Vinayak.

2. M’dhiraja U. C. Mahtab Of Burdwan Memorial Cup 2,000m: (2-6-3) Classic Sky (’Donoghue) 1; Innovator (Neeraj) 2; Mystro (Surender) 3. Won by: 3, 9-1/2, (2-6.35). Win Rs 12; Place: 10, 24; Quinella: 29; Shp: 29; Tanala: 156. Fav: Classic Sky (2). Winner trained by Daniel.

3. Horendro Kristo Dutt Memorial Cup 1,400m: (5-3-7) Regent Appeal (’Donoghue) 1; Conquering Love (Malesh) 2; Foort Tapper (Reuben) 3. Won by: 3/4, 6, (1-26.32). Win Rs 24; Place: 11, 12; 27; Quinella: 14; Shp: 29; Tanala: 107. Fav: Conquering Love (3). Winner trained by Daniel. (Note: The winner survived an objection).

4. Cavalry Cup 1,600m: (3-2-5) Anderlecht (J.Gurung) 1; Matrix (Islam) 2; Vancouver (Afzal) 3. Won by: 1-1/4, 3, (1-42.59). Win Rs 34; Place: 18, 15; Quinella: 26; Shp: 40; Tanala: 146. Fav: Matrix (2). Winner trained by Vijay.

5. Bengal Area Cup 1,600m: (4-2-7) Conde Nast (Surender) 1; Havana (Mark) 2; Imperial Romance (Neeraj) 3. Won by: Lnk, 1-1/2; (1-40.69). Win Rs 191; Place: 32, 22, 10; Quinella: 597; Shp: 56; Tanala: 6,086. Fav: Imperial Romance (7). Winner trained by R. Byramji.

6. Calcutta 2000 Guineas 1,600m: (3-2-4-1) Star Team (’Donoghue) 1; Regal Connection(Malesh) 2; Steal The Glory (Chisty) 3; Azureus ( Neeraj) 4. Won by: Nk, 1-1/2, 6-1/2; (1-37.62) Win Rs 16, Place: 12, 17; Quinella: 21; Shp: 23; Tanala: 32. Fav: Star Team (3). Winner trained by Daniel.

7. Punters Delight Handicap 1,100m: (10-5-1) Sephora (Neeraj) 1; Chitralekha (Islam) 2; Way To The Stars (Aharwal) 3. Won by: 1/2, 1, (1-7.95) Win Rs 31; Place: 14, 41, 54; Quinella: 261; Shp: 105; Tanala: 7,839. Fav: Sephora (10). Winner trained by Bath.

8. Oakmead Handicap 1,400m: (5-9-4) Crown Jewel (Ruzaan) 1; Silent Hunter (Chisty) 2; Apassionata (Neeraj) 3. Won by: Nk, 5; (1-28.42). Win Rs 32; Place: 15, 15, 16; Quinella: 53; Shp: 64; Tanala: 235. Fav: Crown Jewel (5). Winner trained by Corner.

Jackpot: Rs 35,116; (C) Rs 3,512.

Treble: (i) Rs 2,035; (ii) Rs 244.