A progressive sequence of races will be conducted at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) on Wednesday, 11 March, where a brisk six-race programme will form the centrepiece of the midweek racing activity. The afternoon fixture will be highlighted by The Indian Gold Vase, the principal feature of the day, which will assemble a select group of runners over 1400 metres later in the programme.
The opening contest, Race 1 – The Leonardo Handicap, a Class V race for horses rated 1–26, will commence the afternoon proceedings at 2:30 PM over a distance of 1200 metres with a total purse of Rs.3,00,000. Lahina, to be partnered by Vishal N Bunde, will feature among the declared runners alongside N R I Fantasy under Arman Khan and Mountain Gold with Hindu Singh engaged for the ride. Horus The Great, Royal King, A Wink Annda Smile and Schwarzenegger will also line up in the sprint opener.
The following contest, Race 2 – The Allodium Handicap, a Class IV race for horses rated 21–46, will be conducted at 3:00 PM over a distance of 1400 metres with prize money of Rs.4,00,000. True Faith, to be ridden by Abhishek Mhatre, will appear among the principal runners, while Amaze And Inspire under Suraj Narredu and Star Power partnered by R S Bhati will strengthen the field. Fortune Warrior, Rosalia and Adeya will also participate in the event.
The next engagement, Race 3 – The Andropov Handicap, a Class V contest for horses rated 41–66, will follow at 3:30 PM over 1400 metres with a purse of Rs.5,00,000. Polka Dot, to be guided by P. Trevor, will feature prominently among the entries alongside Blue God under Gaurav Singh and Dona Sienna partnered by R Vaibhav. Watch My Stride, Anigraha, Most And More and Dance Along will complete the line-up.
Attention will then shift to the principal attraction of the afternoon, Race 4 – The Indian Gold Vase, which will be staged at 4:00 PM over 1400 metres for horses aged four years and above with prize money of Rs.17,40,000. Casteel, to be ridden by Suraj Narredu, will appear among the prominent runners alongside Black Eagle under Gaurav Singh and Glorious King partnered by Nikhil Naidu. Trakila and Golden Glow will also contest the feature event.
The programme will then proceed to Race 5 – The Grand Annual Mile, reserved exclusively for three-year-old horses and scheduled at 4:30 PM over the classic distance of 1600 metres with prize money of Rs.15,96,000. Admiringly, to be ridden by P. Trevor, will meet Cape Tigani under Vinod Shinde and Stormchaser partnered by Suraj Narredu in the day’s only mile contest.
The afternoon meeting will conclude with Race 6 – The Fame Star Handicap, a Class III race for horses rated 41–66, which will be conducted at 5:00 PM over a distance of 1200 metres with a purse of Rs.5,00,000. Jimmy Bee, to be partnered by Vishal N Bunde, will line up alongside Impressive Annie under R S Bhati and Madras Cheque ridden by Hasib Alam. Tycoonist, Enchanting and Immortal Beauty will also feature among the runners in the concluding sprint.
The afternoon meeting at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club will present six races across sprint and middle-distance divisions, highlighted by the Indian Gold Vase and the Grand Annual Mile. The Kolkata Race Cards 11 March will therefore offer a balanced midweek programme featuring runners from several competitive classes.
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