Race 3 on the opening day of the Calcutta Races Spring Meeting, Saturday, 7 February 2026, produced a brisk and competitive renewal of The Ich Dien Handicap, a Class III contest for horses rated 41–66 (21–46 eligible) over 1100 metres, run at 3:00 PM. In a performance that stood out on the Kolkata race result 7 February card, Merlet stamped his authority under a confident ride from Imran Chisty, stopping the clock at 1:08.104 for trainer S. Waheed.
Racing in the colours of a large and enthusiastic ownership group — Mr Ketan S Wakkar, Mr Amit V Menda, Mr Chirag V Shah, Mr Anil V Poduval, Mr Amarjeet Singh Narula, Mr Shivam Amarnath Mishra, Mr Kapil Bahl and Mr Rajiv Tinaikar, Mrs Minal Pitale, Mr Suresh Pitale, Mr Nihar Pitale rep Green Turf Racing LLP — Merlet showed both pace and purpose when it mattered most.
From the gates, the field quickly sorted itself into order, with Merlet travelling smoothly just off the early speed. Chisty kept his mount balanced and in rhythm through the first half of the sprint, before asking him to lengthen approaching the final furlong. The response was immediate, Merlet quickening decisively to assert clear control and seal the issue without ever looking in danger.
Lavish Girl (J: Sah Farid Ansari, T: Vijay Singh) stayed on resolutely to claim second place, keeping the winner honest in the closing stages, while Cortado (J: P. Trevor, T: Aashay Doctor) finished on steadily to secure third, ensuring a competitive finish behind the clear-cut victor.
With this sharp sprint concluded, attention at Kolkata now turns to the next contest on the card, The Green Sari Handicap, scheduled for 3:30 PM, as the Spring Meeting continues to build momentum.