Dr Vijay Mallya owned Classical Act  bounced back to his brilliant best when making light of the opposition in the Gr 2 Maharaja's Cup on Sunday. Classical Act has thus proved to be invincible on the Bangalore track where he has maintained a 100 per cent record. The stylish manner in which he won was suggestive of the fact that the son of Placerville has completely overcome the problems, which afflicted him during his sojourn in Mumbai that prevented him from winning his share of races. It was a pity that Classical Act was down with a severe lung infection just before the Indian classics and thereafter he was never the same. His dismal runs in the Indian Derby and in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup made many write him off but the long break since February had done a world of good for him and Classical Act beat the opposition, which included Zurbaran pointless. Now that he is back at his brilliant best, much can be expected of him in the plum events that feature during the next couple of months before his connections decide to send him abroad to emulate Saddle Up. In the absence of Pesi Shroff who is spearheading jockeys' agitation for a hike in mount fee, up and coming jockey Suraj Narredu did a neat job on the winner. Trainer Jaggy Dhariwal ended the winless drought by saddling a winner in one of the most prestigious events of Bangalore racing calendar that has a hoary past and enjoyed the pride of place before the Derby displaced the event from the top position. The Maharaja's Cup field has always been the best race for older horses in the country as it attracts the cream of the country's racing talent year after year and the quality of field is never duplicated elsewhere.

Zurbaran, who took a rather longish break after the Indian St Leger at the Nanoli Stud Farm, had the benefit of a mock race and went into the race as the overwhelming favourite to win. Classical Act had his share of supporters who put faith in him on the basis of his blazing workouts that has been his trademark. The rest of the runners were quoted at generous odds.

Jockey Malesh Narredu, who sat out for well over 10 days in support of the jockeys strike, took Zurbaran on a start to finish mission, with Classical Act racing in close attendance. Zurbaran loves to go at a solid gallop but the lack of a run benefit might have worked on Narredu who did not go at a fast clip. Zurbaran's strength lies in running everyone off his feet. In trying to conserve the energy, Malesh set a pace that was comfortable enough for the rest and Classical Act came into the straight on the bridle and it was evident at the top of the straight that the son of Placerville would kill everyone by his blinding turn of foot. Classical Act surged past Zurbaran with minimum of fuss and spurted away for an effortless win. Zurbaran appeared to be clearly rusty as he blew his top well before the final furlong. Rose Garden moved up from behind to claim the runner up in the shadow of the winning post. Astrologica was fourth ahead of Rapier and Baffert. Rapier had to weave his way to make his challenge and he could have done well with better support. Baffert too did not have things his way as the horse stumbled very badly rounding the final bend and French jockey M Poirier barely managed to stay in the saddle. Despite this, Baffert flashed home with a flourishing run to finish in a line with Astrologica and Rapier. 

Dr. Vijay Mallya & Mrs. Rekha Mallya after receiving the Maharaja's Cup from Smt. Indrakshi Devi

Classical Act (Suraj Narredu up) tracking Zurbaran (M Narredu up) leading at 500M bend

Jubilant Jockey Suraj Narredu on Classical Act after winning the race.

Freeze of Presentation Ceremony

Classical Act has surely bounced back to top form. He seems to love the Bangalore track and all his three wins have been achieved here in spectacular fashion. The Bangalore St Leger is his next target and the race should turn out to be an interesting battle between him and Zurbaran. Zurbaran should be fitter for that occasion. It remains to be seen whether Zurbaran is able to outstay the rest with a solid gallop after this good preparatory race. Till such time Zurbaran proves otherwise, the fact remains that Classical Act is a horse for the Bangalore track while Zurbaran's best has been reserved for other centres. Zurbaran is a horse who improves with each run and needs solid preparation.

The Broadacres Stud Plate was run in two divisions. Slanka who was bidding for a hat trick was the firm favourite in the upper division and the son of Procida justified the support albeit by the skin of his teeth. Milan, who hitherto had performed indifferently, suddenly struck form, as is the wont with Darashah trained horses and held the initiative till conceding defeat virtually in the last stride. The unlucky loser was River God. Jockey Kamlesh who has let down more often than not, failed to position River God at an advantageous position and then compounded his problems by electing to circle the field and come on the wide outside. The son of Razeen flew home but much to his chagrin, found the winning post, flashing too early for comfort. A short head and a long neck was all that he fell short of.

Saratoga ``sizzled'' in the lower division, winning, as he liked in the hands of apprentice Chandrashekar. Everything pointed to the success of the Ponnappa ward and the son of Tejano easily sailed past the opposition inside the final 250 metres to win as he pleased. Red Zeppelin who traveled the widest for no apparent reason and Bourbon Girl who came from the rear, made less than full-fledged efforts and took the next two spots. 

French jockey David Badel had a double through Self Decision and Son of the Light, both winning in identical fashion. Love Me Do shaped like a winner but Self Decision who had to cover plenty of ground on the front-runners in the homestretch, did so with effortless ease to win as she pleased. First timer Son of the Light lacked initial speed and was hopelessly placed inside the final 200 metres but the son of Bee's Prospector shot through a gap along the rails to win going away to give a boost to his stallion's prospects.

Trainer Michael Eshwer saddled a brace of winners through Zidane and Dark Knight. Zidane who was ignored in the betting ring, floored the opposition with a powerful stretch run, in the hands of apprentice Rajesh Babu to win as he pleased. Pristine Beauty ran on to be second but nothing much can be made out of the effort of the five-year old mare unless she keeps up the improvement. Dover, who was finishing on, could be better off tackling longer trips now that he has overcome the ``choking'' problems that afflicted him in the past. Dark Knight got the better of North Berwick after a thrilling battle in the final furlong. Apprentice jockey Christopher was forceful on Dark Knight who after an intense battle with North Berwick got stronger at the finish.

Slanka (J H Christopher up) winning the Broadacres Stud Plate Div I from Milan (K P G Appu up)

Saratoga Sizzle (Chandrashekhar up) winning the the Broadacres Stud Plate Div II

Mr. Y S Surender , Former Chairman & Senior Steward of the BTC presenting the Cup to trainer M Eshwer.

Trainer Ganapathy, who has been going through a lean patch, too had a double for the day. Dance of Dreams won untroubled from Fayetteville in the day's opener and Star Possession had the race well sewn up well before strongly supported Thrill of Success got into top gear.