Calcutta: Aashay Doctor -trained Tactical Command (Nikhil Naidu-up) clinched the Multitude Cup, the feature event in the races held here on Thursday. The race was truly thrilling finish as only a length separated the first five runners. The day was, however, dominated by champion trainer Vijay Singh, who scored a fine treble, while leading pro, Suraj Narredu, bounced back into contention for jockey's championship with a smart double.
In Tactical Command race, it was Monfortino, who had led by lengths from the start, begun to weaken in the final furlong. There was a dash for the finish by runners who were ridden well way off the pace in which Tactical Command (Nikhil) just about necked out his more fancied stable-mate Delphini (Akshay Kumar) with Full Volume (P.Surya) a further half a length behind as Anastasia (Suraj) also filled-up the frame.
Vijay's Mandela (Hindu Singh) - a piping hot favourite claimed the Obligado Handicap with a start-to-finish effort. Magnite (Hasib Alam) finished an impressive second, in the race while Dream Station (Akshay) warmed up late to place third.
In the very next race, Suraj, astride Only You - a 2/1 favourite - claimed the Twilight Lady Handicap, with a well-judged ride. In the same race Romero (P.Ajeeth), who came in some for support, could only finish second ahead of consistent Dubai Star (Sujit Paswan).
The Kaizen Handicap over 1600m saw the last-start winner Banksy (Neeraj Rawal), who was in lead from the start, easily collared and passed by Atlantica inside the final furlong to record an encore while Prosperous Prince (Hindu) finished a close third. Roka, the favourite, was never in the hunt.
The Own Ability Handicap witnessed Vikash Jaiswal-trained Indian Tiger (Hasib Alam) notching up a back-to-back win within a week with a similar fashion of efforts. Yazh (Hindu Singh) and Bundle Of Charm (Nikhil Naidu) finished bottled up second and third respectively. The last named who needed the run required to be followed.
The opening event. the 1,200m Ocean Way Handicap, witnessed Rutherford Alford’s Sheer Force (Imran Chisty) receiving good support to start as a close favourite but the public choice, buckled under the smart finishing efforts of a lesser fancied stable-mate Jinsoku (Sujit Paswan) who was in the chase from the start. The last outing impressive runner The Mentalist (P. Surya) ran on to be third.
The concluding event, the Setaflame Handicap over 2000m, the last start winner Multistarrer (Imran Chisty) received maximum support but the top-weighted runner could finish last of four runners as the Suraj Shaw’s Cold Pursuit (Akshay Kumar) came with a thundering gallop from rear to overhaul the battling trio of Dubai Gold (Nikhil) Sonata (Hindu) and Multistarrer to win with a measure of comfort. The winner recorded his fourth win of the season and seems to be a money spinner for his connections.