The FK Irani Memorial Cup featured a card of eight events framed for Thursday's racing at Mysore. Held in the memory of a popular Chairman of the Mysore Race Club, this seven furlong handicap for horses in the highest class attracted a full complement of a dozen acceptors. Horses like Atlantus, Lads Gladiator and Classic Charge, who had all been performing creditably during the recently concluded Bangalore Summer Season, were part of this group.On all known form, it was Sharat Kumar's Atlantus that caught one's attention. His present rating ensured a great chance for him to win this race. The present trip, recent trackwork and comparative performances were indicative of a positive result. The only one that came close to him on paper, was Warren Singh's Lads Gladiator. He was another horse who loved to come charging from behind, and the presence of Appu in the saddle was enough to ensure steady support for him in the betting rings. There was hardly anyone present at the course who gave Red Indian a chance. The seven year old had run on the opening day of the season, and had finished a fair distance behind the second placed Atlantus. With hardly any alteration in the weights, it was difficult to back him against a favourite who had already given him a comprehensive beating. However, the M Bobby trained horse revelled in his galloping shoes and caused a major upset in the day's feature. Red Indian reversed the verdict with authority and gave apprentice Vaibhav an armchair ride to victory.

The race was run at a fairly fast pace. Flaming Arrow showed a lot of speed to charge away from Edmondo, Mighty Heart, Lads Gladiator and Ohiyesa. Red Indian was tucked away on the rails in sixth position while Atlantus graced the rear.They raced in more or less the same order as the horses made their way towards the final bend. It was quite apparent that the front runners were getting tired as they straightened for home. The white colours of Red Indian were very prominent at this stage. He moved smoothly through a packed field and sailed into an unassailable lead. Red Indian strode away for one of the easiest victories of his career. Atlantus made a move towards the inner rails to take the second spot ahead of Lads Gladiator. Trainer Bobby has to be credited for a wonderful performance from this seven year old. Viabhav has struck a fine partnership with Red Indian, as he had already scored with him a couple of months ago.

Apprentice Vaibhav is maturing to become a fine rider. The youngster finished riding ten winners at the beginning of September, and was allowed the use of a whip. He celebrated the occasion by riding three winners last weekend. He added another two to his kitty today. Apart from Red Indian, he rode a winner for Rashid Byramji. Three year old Jiyolife was backed at all prices to win a sprint handicap for horses in Class IV.Vaibhav allowed Sayonee and Style Of Signature to go to the front, and relaxed his mount as the runners tackled the first half of their journey. Second favourite Brownie followed in the shadows of Jiyolife for most of the way. The race took a serious turn thereafter. Jiyolife hit the front in the final furlong, and had to be ridden vigorously by Vaibhav to hold the challenge from Brownie. A little more than a length separated the two runners. A tired Sayonee retained her third spot ahead of a disinterested Cool Whistle. The last named is getting ready for a coup amongst horses in her own age group.

The other professional to score a double today was John. While he failed with morning favourites like Atlantus, Will Still and Time Flies, he managed to score on a couple of longer priced horses. His first win for the afternoon came astride Monappa's Sterling Speed. A major share for this victory should go to the rider's of the fancied horses in this race. Hot favourite Windsor Park ran lethargically to finish off the frame. After a slow beginning, he raced wide for most of the way. Sreekanth's antics in the saddle were insufficient to help his cause. On the other hand, second favourite La Clique was ridden with too much aggression. Rathod rushed him into a ten length lead in the back-stretch and kept niggling him in the straight. The horse was bound to stop. Sterling Speed seized the opportunity, and came with a smooth run to go past the leader. Royal Spirit and Unique Star ended a fair distance behind the two of them.

Eshwer trained Heat Haze had been getting left at the gates in her recent starts. After giving some gate practice, the trainer entrusted her to John on Thursday. The filly literally walked out of the gates and took her time to join the bunch. Her fluent strides subsequently ensured her a narrow victory over Sugriv. Heat Haze made a steady move on the wide outside, and John rode her with all his vigour thereafter. Last outing winner Sugriv galloped menacingly in the final stages , but was forced to settle for the second spot. The pair of them were almost a distance clear of Marianella and Sky Empress. Eshwer can place Heat Haze to win another race before the end of the season. Sugriv is in equally good form and is another one for your notebook.

The Air Force Gold Cup was the added attraction in the day's card. It was a race confined to Mysore based horses. On the basis of his close second behind Tromos last season, Bipin Salvi's Time Flies was installed as the initial favourite. However, a negative rumour saw his price expanding to 10's and over, and it all happened in a matter of minutes. As always, the bookmakers were absolutely right. Time Flies performed on expected lines to finish off the frame. The race went in favour of Rashida, who galloped favourably for Appu and managed to beat Yanamaria and Kingdom Of Love. The last named was putting in some good work in the final stages of this race, and is sure to win over a slightly longer trip. Time Flies can be ignored from a betting perspective for the rest of this season.

A rare terms event for maiden three year olds figured in Thursday's race card. Quite a few horses based at Bangalore made the journey to have a tilt at The RWITC Trophy. Will Still, Bryant Park and Blue Mala had good credentials. While Bryant Park reproduced his earlier form, the others performed pathetically. In the hands of Christopher, the dark bay colt shot away from Super Sprint and Headliner to post an authoritative victory. The change in stables, from Attaolahi to Sriram Komandur, seems to have done this winner a lot of good. He looks capable of winning in "open" company.

The only other race in the day's card was a mile event for horses in the lowest class. A few maiden three year olds were seen parading in the paddock. Neil Darashah's Nadia was a firm favourite in this race. The well-bred filly had run a fair fifth amongst horses in a higher category earlier this season. The six furlong trip on that occasion was considered to have been a trifle short for her liking. Everything looked to be "perfect" today. The lowest Class of opponents, an optimum trip and some smart trackwork enabled her to complete an expected formality. Ryan Marshall rode a confident race on this favourite. He settled her nicely behind Arsenio and Pokemon Master before popping her the question. She leapt forward in the straight to score a bloodless win over Bernicia and the others. The winning margin of almost five lengths does not accurately describe the authoritative nature of this victory.