Trainer Darashah and Jockey Ladjadj Stephane got off to an ‘Authoritative’ start on the first day of the Mysore Summer Races on Wednesday. A treble by the duo included the plum of the day, The Midnight Cowboy Cup. Honey Buzzard (Rebuttal-Dance Royale) had run once during winter and was withdrawn in her next outing as she had a fetlock joint swelling. The forced rest had done her a world of good as was evidenced by her track trials and she was sent into the race as an ‘odds-on’ choice. Honey Buzzard chased the early leader Rock All till the final furlong, wherefrom she shot ahead to win convincingly. Rock All finished well ahead of the others to take the runner-up berth.

Authoritative (Ikhtiyar-Millywakay) opened the account for Z Darashah, winning the lower division of The Capt. Nabi Khan Memorial Plate from start to finish. The public choice Lake Emerald tried to put up a fight on the home stretch but Stephane was well in control of Authoritative and the 4-year-old raced away to register a win with more on hand. Saratoga came in late to finish a close third, behind Lake Emerald. Gambit was withdrawn after the horse posed problems near the starting gates.

Darashah’s Archer (Brave Act-Indian Endeavour) upset the apple cart of the favourite River Force, in the higher division of the Plate. River Force held fort till the final furlong in the five-furlong race while Archer preferred to chase in second. Ladjadj started to work on his mount and the son of Brave Act accelerated well to carry the colours of Dr. Vijay Mallya to overhaul River Force. Kapathos finished second, pushing back River Force to third. Gris Rapide travelled at the wrong end for most part of the race and occupied the fourth place.

South African jockey Steyn Keanen Gregory astride Gris Rapide was out on the Indian turf for the first time. Twenty-four-year-old Gregory has about 70 wins against his name within a short span of three years against fiercely competitive opposition. He has been riding in South African circuits and he is out of his domain for the first time. He is in India on an invitation from the Bangalore-based horse loving owner Ms. Patriza Norelli. The best for Gregory has been four wins and four placing out of eight races on a single day.

Prince Of Argyle (Bee’s Prospector-Beloved Pearl) moved stealthily along the inner rails to come out victorious in The Carnival Plate. Supreme Strength had an advantage on top of the straight but failed to accelerate when asked for an effort. Nano Blue beat Supreme Strength for the second spot in a close finish.

The 7-year-old Good Companion (Dark Nile-Modesty Blaise), who moved in from Bangalore recently, brought out the best from his Bangalore campaign to lift the lower division of The Oncidium Plate. Improving gradually from about fifth position, Good Companion took the inner ground to shoot through and had to ward off the late effort of Haggler in the concluding stages. Bee For You and Aaj Tak filled the frame.

Faustian (Bee’s Prospector-Dancing Steps) beat Maratha Conqueror in a close finish. The latter was out in front right from the start but drifted from the straight course in the last 300 metres and lost out to Faustian. This was the second success in the day for trainer Mallikarjuna and M. Rajesh Kumar combine. They had pulled away on the second in demand Samrat in the Jan-E-Jan Plate, the opening race of the day. Racing in third throughout, Samrat (Hymn-Meryl) stretched out, midway up the straight, to score a decisive win. Long-time leader Whisper Valley finished second beating Secret Girl. Aspiring Seven was permitted to be withdrawn.

C.D. Monnappa’s Rising Rainbow (International-Rainbow Vision) grabbed the lead from the top-weighted Bucethalis on entering the straight to score a runaway victory in The Ramanagar Plate. Behram turned out to be the best of the beaten brigade.

After two favourites from the stable biting the dust, Rakesh’s ward Mom In Law (Case Law-Miss Biarritz) justified the short price to claim The Kengeri Plate, the concluding race of the day. Unique Star, Prezzie and King Addler filled the frame.