Sport

Gayego back in the US with Hollywood Park race

Gayego, Godolphin's leading sprinter, makes his United States return in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap over seven furlongs today at Hollywood Park in California.

Gayego, Godolphin's leading sprinter, makes his United States return in the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap over seven furlongs today at Hollywood Park in California. The five-year-old son of Gilded Time steps up in distance having raced over six furlongs on his five previous appearances, including a disappointing eighth-place in the Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse on March 27. Gayego ended last season with two strong performances at Santa Anita. He missed out in a four-way photo for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, and won the Grade 1 Ancient Title Stakes the previous month.

He also scored in a dirt allowance race at Saratoga on his first US start last season. Rafael Bejarano takes the ride on Gayego today. "He was a little disappointing in Dubai earlier this year," trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. "But he's ready to race and he has won on both his previous starts at Hollywood Park, so the course and surface won't be an issue." Yesterday, Starspangledbanner followed up last month's success at Royal Ascot with another Group 1 victory in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Now trained by Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, the horse was steered over towards the far rails by jockey Johnny Murtagh in the six-furlong dash. The pair then battled the uphill finish to edge out by a neck over Equiano, the mount of Michael Hills. * Agencies

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

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The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

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