Irfan Ghatala's Sun Absolute (Ikhtyar-Absolutely) confirmed the fine impression that she had made while scoring a runaway victory in the lower class, by winning The KN Chennabasappa Memorial Cup at the Bangalore races on Thursday. The filly showed that she has blossomed into a fine specimen by ably handling the 18-point penalty that had been received for an earlier win. Having started her career a bit late, this was Sun Absolute's fourth success. Even though both her losses had been over a mile, Irfan continued to persist with her over the same distance once again, and his confidence was vindicated when she came with smooth strides to get the better of Red Renegade in the final stages of the day's feature. Sun Absolute came into this race with fine credentials. Apart from being the youngest runner in a field of eight, she had the best form. She was the only one to have won a race this season, and was getting weight from most of the others. She was accordingly installed as the 5/4 favourite to win this race. Imtiaz Sait's Belligerent and Dhariwal-trained Oban were considered to be her closest rivals.

Vinod Shinde pushed Suleiman Attaolahi's Red Renegade into an early advantage and the free-striding horse led from Flaming Lamborgini, Sun Absolute, Belligerent and Oban. The field was pretty strung out as the runners made their way towards the home turn. The leader quickened nicely at the bend and shook-off Flaming Lamborgini as they entered the straight. Suraj took the shortest way home and went in chase. Sun Absolute responded to his urgings and came alongside Red Renegade. It became apparent that the filly was travelling the better of the two, and it was only a matter of time before she would control the proceedings. Sun Absolute hit the front in the final furlong and went on to score a popular victory. Oban was under pressure to take the third spot ahead of a tired Flaming Lamborgini. Belligerent stopped in his tracks to finish in the ruck.

The above victory completed a superb hat-trick for Suraj, as he had already won a couple of races prior to the day's feature. Partnering piping hot favourite Mountain Splendor (Burden Of Proof-Payola) in The Chaitanya Chakram Trophy, a sprint for maiden three-year-olds, he had won in a common canter. The winner sent signals of an early success by running a good second behind the highly regarded Panamera a couple of weeks ago. Today's field was comparatively poorer. Mountain Splendor took a good jump and was never headed in this race. She increased the tempo by quickening in the straight, and won by a widening margin from Abracadabra and Sparkling Star. There was silent support for Provocateur, but the filly ran poorly to finish a tame fourth.

Suraj had somehow reserved his best for the Satish Narredu trained Star Presence (International-Tapioca). The five-year-old mare was carrying the top weight in a sprint reserved for horses in her own age group. Tharun's Chronicle was the rage in this race. He had ended a smart third while running against younger horses a fortnight ago. With leading jockey Chouhan partnering him, Chronicle was fancied ahead of Star Presence, Appolonaire and Romance In The Air. The last-named did her customary front-running and led comfortably from Star Presence and Chronicle. The race took a serious turn near the two-furlong pole, when all three of them were put under pressure. Under some forceful riding from Suraj, Star Presence put her neck in front and staved-off a strong challenge from Chronicle. Only a length covered the first three finishers.

The lower division of the above race went in favour of Warren Singh's Game Dancer (Diffident-Thunderous). She had run a forward race while carrying a back-breaking weight in the lower class. Warren chose to lessen her burden further by declaring an apprentice in the higher category. With a postage stamp weight on her back, the speedy Game Dancer led from the start and charged away in the straight. She won unchallenged from Amiable Lady, Logan's Run and Rubellite. The last-named is a good type but the trip was a trifle short for him. Rubellite can be backed confidently when he is allowed to tackle a longer course amongst horses in his own age group.

After a couple of futile attempts at picking up a sprint race with Spark Of Silver (Juniper-Cristina) in Class III, trainer JS Pillay decided to increase her distance. The filly had generally come with a strong run into the final furlong, but was always shy at the wire. She justified her trainer's decision by producing a sensational spurt in the last 50 metres of a seven-furlong trip on Thursday. Moves Goodenough and Make My Day had made most of the running and were at the helm of affairs as the dozen acceptors made their way into the final furlong. The small-made Spark Of Silver was racing on the wide outside and wasn't making much of an impression at that stage. However, it all changed in a trice. Under Sreekanth's handling, she suddenly discovered her galloping shoes and charged towards the pair of them. Spark Of Silver managed to overhaul Moves Goodenough and Make My Day near the winning post.

A similar finish was witnessed in the lower division of this race. The fancied trio of Never Say Goodbye, Sky Diver and Scarlette looked beaten in the final furlong and it was evident that one of the horses coming from behind would score today. Amit Caddy's Its My Party (Mischevious Music-Shift Over) and S Narredu's Hard To Pin Down got stronger in the last 100 metres to fight out a thrilling finish. The better handling of Valdir De Souza tilted the balance in favour of the former. Sky Diver ended a close third. Well fancied Amazer was hopelessly positioned at the top of the straight. He had to weave his way through a hampered passage before finishing a fair fourth. Amazer is the one for your notebook, as he was seen putting-in some smart work in the closing stages of this race. It will pay to support him in his next start, either here or at Mysore.

The most thrilling finish of this season was reserved for the concluding event of the afternoon. A horde of fancied runners faced the starter. On all known form, Attaolahi's Sovetskaya was an obvious choice in this race. Her chances got further enhanced once the trainer claimed an allowance on the filly. She was known to possess initial speed as well as eventual acceleration. The Inayathulla camp backed Lucky Sam with a lot of confidence, and the odds against this horse kept shortening with the passage of time. With quiet support coming in for Summer Sun (Royal Gladiator-Angeles) and La Clique, this race had the makings of a real pot-boiler. La Clique showed early speed and led from Sovetskaya and Lucky Sam, while Summer Sun and Gun Salute met with interference near the gates and were noticed gracing the rear. La Clique maintained his hold over the proceedings as they entered the final furlong. Lucky Sam and Sovetskaya joined the issue while Gun Salute made his move on the wide outside. The four horses were almost abreast at that point in time. Not many noticed the moves of Summer Sun at the back. He was pulled off the rails and pushed through a narrow opening. The three-year-old responded gamely and came rushing towards the leading pack. The five horses were huddled together as they flashed past the winning post. The judge confirmed that Summer Sun had got up in time to beat Sovetskaya, La Clique, Gun Salute and Lucky Sam at the wire. Less than a length covered the five of them.