Kolkata Races 20 Sept: Scruples Cup & Vanitas Handicap Shine

Horses racing at Royal Calcutta Turf Club during the Kolkata Races 20 September card
By | 20 Sep 2025 | Mumbai

Kolkata Races 20 September unfold with a vibrant seven-race card, promising an afternoon where heritage meets high-stakes competition. From the first bell at 1:45 pm to the final furlong at 4:45 pm, the historic turf will host seasoned jockeys, ambitious trainers, and horses that could turn into the next stars of the eastern racing circuit.

Opening Notes: A Gentle Build-Up

The day begins with the Star of Italy Handicap (1:45 pm, 1600m, ₹3,00,000), a Class V contest for 1–26 rated runners. Amalfitana, guided by Vishal N. Bunde for trainer B. Rajender Reddy, faces stiff challenges from Global Fashion under Antony Raj S and the reliable Mahlagha partnered by Aleemuddin. Aretha, trained by Rutherford Alford with Imran Chisty up, adds further intrigue to the opener.

Momentum carries into the Best of the Blues Handicap (2:15 pm, 1200m, ₹3,00,000), also for the 1–26 bracket. Jean Lafette (Antony Raj S for B. Mahesh) heads a field including Swift Lady (Imran Chisty/Rutherford Alford) and Horus the Great (Vishal N. Bunde/Sabeel Shariff). Outsiders like Yuvi, Lineupandcollect, and Diamond Gold round out a competitive field.

Mid-Card Heat: Sprinters and Handicaps

The afternoon picks up pace with a pair of Nightjar Handicap divisions over 1100m, each carrying ₹4,00,000. The first div I (2:45 pm, 21–46 rated) brings Lavish Girl (Hasib Alam/Shyam S. Habbu) against Cashmere Silk (Shrikant Kamble/Patrick Quinn) and Superimpose (R.S. Bhati/Shafiq Khan). Cashalaika, Oromelo, and others like Jet and City of Joy give the sprint an unpredictable edge.

The second division (3:15 pm) keeps the tempo alive as Cash N Dash (Ankush/Patrick Quinn) and Oishika (R.S. Bhati/Shyam S. Habbu) aim to dominate. Chililady and Bundle of Charm add depth, while contenders like Xtravagant Star and Memphis ensure no easy passage.

By 3:45 pm, attention shifts to the Quincy Handicap (1400m, ₹4,00,000), where Sky Hawk (Vishal N. Bunde/Sabeel Shariff) crosses paths with Tres Bien (R.S. Bhati/Javed Khan) and Voice of Dream (Arman Khan/Rutherford Alford). Zambezi, with Shrikant Kamble for Dr. Anil Kumar, and seasoned names like Jamaica and Victorious Omen turn this into a tactical middle-distance battle.

Main Feature: The Scruples Cup

The card’s centerpiece is the Scruples Cup (4:15 pm, 1200m, ₹5,50,000), a contest for 61–86 rated runners. Bharat, under Vivek G. for Aashay Doctor, headlines, but strong opposition comes from La Dominate (R. Vaibhav/B. Mahesh) and Outlander (Imran Chisty/Javed Khan). Misty, also representing the Doctor yard with Antony Raj S aboard, makes it a double-pronged attack. With Mathangi, Nautica, and Prime Abbess in the mix, the dash promises fireworks.

Grand Finale: The Vanitas Handicap

The curtain falls with the Vanitas Handicap (4:45 pm, 2000m, ₹5,00,000), a stamina-testing contest for 41–66 rated horses. Good Deeds (Aleemuddin/Rajesh Narredu) steps into the spotlight alongside Champagnesupernova (Hasib Alam/Aashay Doctor). Jahzara, under R. Vaibhav for Bharath Singh, and No Worry (Md. Azharuddin/Rutherford Alford) provide strong staying claims. Sea Eagle, guided by Neeraj Rawal for Neil Darashah, adds a touch of southern flair to the Kolkata finale.

With Aashay Doctor saddling runners across the feature events, and rival camps fielding both seasoned campaigners and unexposed talent, the Kolkata Races 20 September reflect the turf’s growing competitive intensity. The Scruples Cup may deliver the day’s sharpest sprint, but the Vanitas Handicap is where reputations and stamina will be tested under fading daylight.

For more race previews and results, readers can explore RaceBuzz Kolkata coverage or review Indian racing features.

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