The two "Champions" of the Winter Season, Irfan Ghatala and Suraj Narredu were seen in sublime form on Friday afternoon at Bangalore. They were associated with a popular treble in an eight-event card framed for the last day of the season. Advantage Logan, Criminal Lawyer and Dolce Vino were their three winners. Incidentally, Suraj made it four out of four by steering the Mahesh-trained True Impression to its maiden success. These victories concluded what must be the best period for the two of them professionally.

Irfan saddled 26 winners during this five-month period and received the Trainer's Championship Trophy for the first time in his career, while Suraj's tally ended at an impressive 48. What was even more remarkable was the fact that most of the horses that scored for the two professionals were fancied by the followers of form. The racing public acknowledged their performances with a standing ovation during the presentation ceremonies held on the main track, after the last race of the day.

The Racing Patron's Trophy, a seven-furlong handicap for horses in the highest Class was selected as the day's feature. A couple of four year-olds, namely Advantage Logan and Lowndes Square, had missed narrowly in their only attempt to win a Class I race in the middle of March. The two of them were opposed by some well-performed middle-distance runners today, and an exciting finish looked like a strong possibility. Suraj decided to continue his partnership with Irfan's filly. By virtue of having finished ahead of Advantage Logan in their previous clash, Lowndes Square was installed as a firm favourite to win this race.

Many old-timers felt that the race was coming too soon for Advantage Logan. She had won her maiden race in December, and the handicapper had been ruthless while pushing her to Class I after another two victories. However, the final result silenced most of them, as Advantage Logan ran away from her opponents. Blink took off like a scalded cat and set a good pace ahead of Lowndes Square, Star Wave and Mighty Heart. Suraj decided to bide his time and kept Advantage Logan on the outside of a tightly packed bunch, while Atlantus and Stone Of Destiny graced the rear. As the runners began to take the bend, Imran Chisty decided to seize the advantage with Lowndes Square and succeeded in doing so.

The duo went past a tiring Blink, and charged for home. The only one making a move from the back was Advantage Logan. She began to gain ground with each stride and was soon besides the leader. Suraj was a picture of supreme confidence, as he brought her with a flourish to sail past a buch of tired horses. Lowndes Square and Blink succeeded in retaining their spots behind the winning filly. A fortnight ago, Suraj had fallen off a horse called Criminal Lawyer.

This Irfan-trainee was fancied by the stable to beat Camelot and Lush Lashes today. All three were racing over their optimum trip of a metric mile. Camelot's chances were slightly hampered by the stiff penalties that he had received for scoring back-to-back victories in recent weeks. The speedy horse tried his runaway tactics once again, but was outpaced near the home turn. Savvy Concept came from third position and was soon at the helm of affairs. Despite Christopher's strong urgings, Savvy Concept was unable to withhold Criminal Lawyer's onslaught.

This big made horse came with a smooth acceleration, put his neck in front and was strongly ridden by the champion jockey to sustain his efforts. Lush Lashes ran on strongly from the rear to finish a fair third. Suraj reserved his best for Dolce Vino in The Champion Jockey Trophy. At the end of it all, the young man had the pleasure of presenting to trophy to his own connections. In a scurry over 1,100 metres, Dolce Vino was allotted the outermost draw. The horse was slightly sluggish at the start and was soon gracing the rear end of the pack. Heavily gambled Sky Drive was at the helm of affairs and was seen showing the way to Ice Mint and the others. Suraj waited patiently and Dolce Vino was seen improving steadily on the wide outside. He brought the horse into contention as they galloped into the final furlong , and went in chase of the leader. It was a pleasure to see Imran Chisty and Suraj in full motion.

Dolce Vino gained ground with each stride, and to the delight of his supporters, managed to eke out a narrow victory. The final margin was only a "nose". For Suraj, it was a wonderful end to a brilliant season. His victory astride Mahesh's True Impression was quite authoritative. Dhariwal's Joriki had won her maiden start exactly one week ago, and was being campaigned again. She showed little improvement over her first run by finishing a poor fourth today. True Impression was held back in second spot before being given his head. The acceleration shown by this four year-old was quite impressive, and now that he has begun his winning ways, True Impression can definitely improve from his present mark. Firm Amber and Snow Peaks ran on from the rear to save place money for their connections.

For the second day in succession, a three year-old from Prithviraj's yard made an impressive debut. It was the turn of Eagle Claws (Burden Of Proof-Sans Eagle) on Friday. The well-built filly weighed out at 480 kilos. She was seen bouncing along towards the parade ring and looked like a winner in the paddock. Her performance on the race track was absolutely superb. She cantered into an early lead, and was never off the bit while winning in a very fast timing. Jockey Christopher had a tough time trying to slow her down after she passed the winning post. These are clear pointers, that Eagle Claws has a bright future. She will be a force to reckon with in the Summer Classics. Adonis and String Along finished a poor second and third in this race.

The lower division of the maidens event went in favour of Prasanna Kumar's Spark Of Napoleon. With the odds against most of the runners going up steadily, only Spark Of Napoleon looked like a serious contender. The stable backed him confidently, Ashad Asbar rode him ably and the horse scored fluently. He went to the front and remained there. The others led by Super Gold and Sweet Performer looked fairly ordinary and may take a long time to enter the winner's enclosure.

A lot of punters money went down the drain, when Puttanna's Kalyan refused to raise a fluent gallop and ended a tame fourth in a sprint race for horses in Class VB. This horse had been given numerous unplaced starts to enable him to come down in his ratings. The early pace set by Trafalgar Square and Gara Fluid was too hot for the favourite, and he was seen struggling at the back. Trafalgar Square was fortunate to hold onto his slender advantage over a late rushing Enchanting Beauty. PS Chouhan had to ride a powerful finish to keep his head in front at the wire. Star League edged out Kalyan for the third place. The season ended with a win for Sharat Kumar's Hidalgo. The horse had signalled his readiness to strike by ending a close third over a sprint in his recent start.

Those racegoers who realized that this seven year-old is better suited over a slightly longer trip, were hugely benefitted by their opinion. Hidalgo received good support in the betting ring and started as a joint favourite alongside Royal Player and Lester. With most of the fancied runners failing to find foot, it was Buck Passer Junior who got stronger and led into the final furlong. Hidalgo began his move from the rear, but it seemed as though his challenge was a bit too late. In an amazing turn of events, Buck Passer Junior was caught on the post by Hidalgo. The bobbing of heads went in favour of the ultimate winner.