The Calcutta Races Christmas Meeting rolled into action on Saturday, 20th December, 2025, with Race 1, The INS Hooghly Cup, setting the tone at 01:30 PM. Run over 1200 metres for Class IV horses rated 21–46 (Rated 1–26 eligible), the opening contest produced a tight and absorbing finish as Oishika (J: A. Prakash) delivered a composed and decisive performance to score for trainer Shyam S. Habbu, stopping the clock at 1:13.819. Racing in the colours of Mr Vikram Bachhawat rep. M/s Bachhawat Farms Pvt Ltd, the winner struck early confidence among punters looking for the Calcutta race result 20 December narrative to unfold.
Breaking smartly from the gates, Oishika was well positioned throughout, travelling comfortably as the field sorted itself out down the backstretch. A. Prakash judged the fractions to near perfection, allowing his mount to lengthen stride inside the final furlong, where Oishika responded gamely to hold her rivals at bay in a battle that went right to the line.
Contessina (J: Suraj Narredu, T: Satish Narredu) pressed the winner all the way home and was only a whisker away at the finish, clocking 1:13.841 in second. Close behind, Lavish Girl (J: Akshay Kumar, T: Vijay Singh) stayed on resolutely to claim third place in 1:13.983, ensuring the top three were separated by less than two-tenths of a second.
With the opener decided and excitement already building, attention now turns to the next contest on the card, The Navy Cup, scheduled to go off at 02:00 PM, as the Calcutta Christmas Meeting continues to gather momentum.
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