Mysore Winter Races started off on Wednesday under bright sunshine and good going. The followers of form had every reason to smile at the end of the day as most of the races were won by horses in the money. Veteran Zareer Darashah, who has now settled down in Mysore started his winter campaign with a fine treble, all of them ridden by P.S.Chouhan.

Bright Star (Rebuttal-Fiorenzza) had to be given a hard ride by P.S.Chouhan, to win the Ansbach Cup, almost on the last stride. Green Vision set a fast pace over the seven furlongs trip and entered the home stretch three lengths over his nearest rival Bright Star. Green Vision looked to be unrelenting and kept going at the same pace. Chouhan had to work overtime on Bright Star to bridge the gap and be able put his neck forward in the nick of time, much to the relief of his supporters. Dream of Gold rallied on to finish third.

Ohiyesa (Ontario-I Fear Nothing) came up with a good turn of foot inside the last furlong to lift the Kaiga Plate in a smart timing, fractionally short of the course record. Rule Of People set a scorching pace and led on the home stretch till overtaken by Ohiyesa inside the last 300 metres. Rule Of People took the runner-up berth ahead of Rising Rainbow.

The first win for the trainer jockey duo was through Aahana (Glory Of Dancer-Triple Time), in the Erode Plate. Aahana led all the way from the start and kept Snow Peaks at bay throughout the home stretch. The favourite Speedy Amigo burst its blood vessel and finished fourth behind Wimbeldon star.

It was a productive day for trainer Rakesh, who saddled a double, through Lake Of Magic and Lake Emerald, both ridden by apprentice R.Vaibhav. Lake Of Magic (Royal Kingdom-House On The Hill) got to head the field passing the 800 metres marker and extended the lead on entering the final straight. Crackerjack, Queens Colour and Star and Stripes were in chase on the straight and they covered ground towards the closing stages. Queens Colour started to hang out when put pressure and moved fast in the last 50 metres to finish a close second. Crackerjack, Star And Stripes and Prince Norbert also rallied strongly towards the closing stages to finish in that order behind Queens Colour.

Lake Emerald (Black Cash-Eau De Vie) won the Gol Gumbaz Plate from start to finish, beating the even money favourite Honey Buzzard. Chouhan tried his best to get Honey Buzzard past the leader but Lake Emerald galloped gallantly to thwart the favourite’s effort.

M. Bobby’s Smile to Victory (Inner City-Café Dancer) was another one who won from start to finish. Time To Time was backed to the exclusion of the other runners although the 3 year old was being ridden by an apprentice who was on the race track for the first time. The favourite looked to be lost in the crowd and was never in contention in the race. Kar O Bar was the only horse to raise a gallop in the last 100 metres to finish second.

Thumping Victory (Stavros-Pushy) put up an impressive display en-route to an encore, in the higher division of the Vishakapattana Plate. Gris Rapide set out to match strides with Rock All early in the race but the saddle slipped near the 800 metres and the jockey had both his legs off the stirrup. Entering the home stretch, Gris Rapide faded out and Rock All took over but surrendered rather meekly to Thumping Victory, who moved fast along the inner ground. Chakravyuha Bedak, Lake Of Fortune and Sugar Gold took the minor placing behind Rock All in a close finish.

Vishal Yadav trained Chinab (Polar Falcon-Alexandrie) tracked Archer till the final turn and raced away with the Princess Huma Plate, the concluding race of the day. Yankee Lane made a late bid along the inner rails but had to settle for the runner-up berth.