Mr Genious (Joint Account-Salvation) was ridden to victory by Keanen Steyn, in The Grey Gaston Cup, the main race in a small card of six races on Wednesday at Mysore. The 5-year-old gelding from Bipin Salvi’s stable had won only once out of 20 races and had not shown any form in his recent runs. After a lethargic start, Mr Genious was not hurried up by Keanen and raced towards the rear in the first 4 furlongs. Passing the 800 metres, Keanen started to work his way around the field and put Mr Genious into top gear on the straight to zip past the front-runners and register a surprise win. Hidalgo covered a lot of ground towards the closing stages but was a bit too late and missed the bus by three parts of a length. Ziggy Stardust had emerged in front on the straight but ran green and lost a favourable position to finish fourth behind Gentle Legend.

The race which generated a lot of interest was The Anekal Plate, for horses rated 80 and above. Ohiyesa, a consistent performer from Darashah’s yard, received strong support, landing up as the even money favourite followed by the 8-year-old at 11-4. River Rule, who had hit a purple patch, winning four races in a row had finished poorly in her previous essay and found few takers in the ring, quoted at over tens. In the race, Adamant Approach quickly hit the front after a slow start and stayed there till the last 300 metres. Ohiyesa had surged ahead a furlong out and was shaping like a winner when Rakesh’s River Rule (Royal Kingdom-House On The Hill) moved menacingly along the shortest way and beat the favourite in a smart timing. Classical Dancer finished in the money ahead of Cannon Scot.

Darashah and Ladjadj Stephane held the limelight booting home a double together. Azita (Rebuttal-Persian Delight) justified the strong favouritism in The Magadi Plate, the opening race of the day. Small Made, Fly Fantasy and I Care A Damn raced in front almost together, with Azita and Always on Top following the trio till the top of the home straight. Once the field showed up on the straight, Azita shot ahead and never looked back. Always On Top finished second while the rest were far behind.

All For Cash (Royal Kingdom-Am Capable) lifted The Davanagere Plate beating the field convincingly. Distinctly Ahead lost many lengths at the start but was brushed up quickly to head the field. Approaching the last 300 metres, Distinctly Ahead lost steam and it was the grey, Chief De Mission who took over. All For Cash unleashed a good gallop in the final furlong forcing Chief De Mission to settle for the runner-up berth while Cationic appeared late to take the third spot. Swept Away was withdrawn before the race.

Feroz Khan’s Killer Foot (Forest Flair-Coquihalla) reproduced his winning gallop to lift The Doddaballapura Plate under jockey Melvyn Maseyk. Catapult was withdrawn earlier in the day and the field was reduced to seven with the top-weighted Queens Cruise cornering most support in the betting, winding up as the firm favourite. Supreme Strength had taken a big lead early in the race but weakened on top of the straight. Killer Foot was ridden vigorously by Melvyn to rush along the inner rails and assume command. Pokemon Master managed to beat Supreme Strength for the second place while Different Opinion finished fourth. Queens Cruise never raised a gallop when asked for an effort on the home straight and was reported to have burst her blood vessel during the race.

Santosh Rao’s Alchesaye (Brave Act-Antecedent) was ridden in check by jockey Harish and the change in tactics enabled the 7-year-old to romp home in The Konark Plate. Rota Rooa, Mr.Sunrise, Awesome Fighter and Haggler were huddled together in front while Alchesaye preferred to settle behind them till the final bend. On entering the home straight, Alchesaye came up strongly to take charge and held on from the late effort of Mister Trooper. Haggler and Mr Sunrise filled the frame.