Royal Calcutta Monsoon Meeting 2025: Day Five Promises Thrills on the Turf
The Royal Calcutta Turf Club welcomes racing enthusiasts on August 27, 2025, for the fifth day of the Monsoon Meeting, and anticipation is palpable. Trainers and jockeys are already sharing last-minute strategies, and the crowd buzzes with excitement at the prospect of high-stakes competition on the iconic turf. Every horse, from emerging talent to established contenders, is poised to make an impression in what promises to be an exhilarating afternoon.
The day’s action opens with The Pickwick Handicap, a 2000-meter race for horses rated 21 to 46 carrying stakes of ₹4,00,000. Lucky Nine, trained by B. Rajender Reddy and ridden by Vishal N. Bunde, will face stiff competition from The Presence, under Md. Sameer for trainer Shafiq Khan, alongside Fortune Warrior, Zambezi, and Goodwill. Racing aficionados can expect a fast and competitive start to the afternoon.
At 3:00 PM, The Maid of Athens Plate takes center stage, a 1200-meter contest for horses rated 21-46, with a total prize pool of ₹10,00,000. Live It Love It, guided by Antony Raj S. for trainer Aashay Doctor, and Polki, under Shrikant Kamble for trainer B. Mahesh, are seen as key contenders, while Rosalia, Soul Aquariam, and Zalia add depth and unpredictability to this feature event.
The 3:30 PM slot features The Sprightly Handicap, a 1200-meter dash for horses rated 61 to 86. Stormy Ocean, trained by Rutherford Alford and ridden by Imran Chisty, and Watch My Stride, under Nikhil Naidu for trainer Sabeel Shariff, are expected to set the pace, while King of Mafia, Sky Force, and All Time Legend will test the sprinters’ mettle in a fast-paced contest.
The afternoon’s richest race, The Calcutta Monsoon Sprint, goes off at 4:00 PM. This 1200-meter sprint for four-year-olds and over Indian horses carries stakes of ₹13,44,000 and features Dubai Princess (J: P Trevor, T: Patrick Quinn) and Liban (J: A Ashhad Asbar, T: Dr Anil Kumar) among the top prospects. Clifford, Vincent Van Gogh, and King’s Retreat add further intrigue in what promises to be a tactical and exhilarating sprint.
At 4:30 PM, The Roubaix Handicap will challenge horses rated 41-66 over 1400 meters. Superlative, under Md. Sameer for trainer Shafiq Khan, and Salome, piloted by R. Vaibhav for trainer Bharath Singh, are expected to contend for the lead, while Dragon’s Gold, Go for the Moon, and Clever Hans could surprise the favorites with their finishing strength.
Finally, The Treasure Land Handicap concludes the day at 5:00 PM, a 1400-meter test where young contenders Rudra (Imran Chisty for trainer Rutherford Alford) and Aretha (Md. Azharuddin for trainer Rutherford Alford) could make their mark against seasoned runners like Macchiato, I Smell the Danger, and Yuvi. The final race promises a dramatic and tightly packed finish, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
With tactical rides, determined performances, and a blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, the fifth day of the 2025 Royal Calcutta Monsoon Meeting is set to provide a thrilling display of Indian horse racing.
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