Pesi Shroff's Diego Rivera asserted his superiority, and trounced his hapless opponents in The Chief Justice's Cup (Grade III), the feature event in Saturdays eight event card at Bangalore. The six year old showed that he thrives in the local weather, fancies the local track and loves to be guided by his regular partner Mallesh Narredu. The champion miler was looking a picture in the paddock and his performance was a tribute to his trainer. Pesi has done a great job of keeping him going at this age. He seems to be an easy horse to train as an effortless mock race during the early part of the season was enough to get him into shape. He was campaigned over his favourite trip last month, and had won that race with ease. Today's race was expected to be tougher for Diego Rivera. He was meeting Splendid Surprise on worse terms. The trip was longer in this event, and the presence of an unpredictable Southern Charge added to the excitement. But the racegoers had no doubt about his chances as they sent him out as an odds-on choice to lift this well endowed trophy. The start of the race saw a roar emanating from the packed stands. Southern Charge had taken a jump, turned sideways and dislodged Wayne Smith. The seven runners were led by Angelique ,Fleeting Arrow and Splendid Surprise while the others were spread out in single file. Mallesh Narredu and Diego Rivera seemed to be running their own race, and were more than ten lengths behind the leader as they began their climb near the three furlong marker. Angelique was soon challenged by Splendid Surprise and Fleeting Arrow , but with all three running out of gas at that stage, it was Vanquish who came from the rear and assumed control of the proceedings. The scene altered dramatically thereafter. Mallesh had been biding his time at the back. He was saving ground all the way and was waiting for an opening to appear. He knew that in most long distance races at Bangalore, the frontrunners begin to flounder at the bend, and the field begins to spread out under pressure. The opportunity appeared at the 300 metres marker and Diego Rivera seized it with grace. He made his move on the inner rails ,and was soon at the helm of affairs. Like all champions, he accelerated brilliantly and his lengthening strides were too powerful for Vanquish, Fleeting Arrow and the rest. Mallesh rode a perfect race with a powerpacked finish. The duo returned to a thunderous applause from their numerous supporters. After Mallesh's well timed successful run with Jacqueline in The Fillies Trial Stakes last week, today's performance was another feather in his cap.He is a strong and talented jockey with superb temperament He had apparently planned his race in advance and executed it to perfection. He had taken his chances by waiting for an opening, and knew that Diego Rivera was capable of piercing the field. With victory came a lot of adulation. People were heard praising him to the skies. They spoke of this ride as one of the best they had seen for a long time. But then, racegoers have short memories. What would have happened if Mallesh had failed to get the expected opening, would have had to check his mount, pull him to the outer portion of the track and lost in a close finish. The same people would have said that he had stopped this horse !! The other noteworthy performance came from the stables of Nosher Cama. The pair of Bee Quick and Equidae were brought from Mumbai and were saddled to win in their first appearance of the season. Bee Quick was running after a gap of nine months. She had been handicapped with a blood vessel problem in the early part of her career. The trainer had given her enough rest and treatment, and that showed in her performance today. The speedy filly was too good for her opponents as she tore away from her rivals. The top weight and a long absence from the track began to show at the end, as she began to tire in the last furlong. The big lead began to diminish with each stride but was still good enough to win this race. A late bid from Star Assembly saw him finishing a close second . Equidae was considered as a Classic prospect in the early stages of her career. Despite many niggling problems, she had won a couple of races on the local track before being sent to Mumbai. She was tackling her peers over seven furlongs today. She too was a bit rusty but her Class carried her through. Bottom weighted Desert Rule had opened an unassailable lead near the distance post and seemed to be going well at that stage. Equidae came with giant strides, and despity the disparity in weights, wore him down. Both Bee Quick and Equidae have the abilities to reach the highest Class in the coming months. Young trainers Neil Darashah, Amit Caddy and Prasanna Kumar have progressed by leaps and bounds in their short careers. Hardly a week passes without them being in the limelight. Their horses look well in the paddock and run according to expectations. Saturday saw two well supported winners emanating from their stables. Amit Caddy had the pleasure of saddling last outing winner Southern Gladiator to another victory. Although given a huge penalty for his previous effort, Southern Gladiator got up on the last stride to get the beeter of Atlantus and Son Of The Soil. Gaurav Sapra rode powerfully to guide him home. Atlantus and Son Of The Soil were involved in a rare dead-heat. Prasanna Kumar's Spark Of Bronte had finished second to Mystic Charm in his last start. The fact that the winner had finished a close third in the Fillies Classic in her subsequent start was enough for the punters to go nap on Spark Of Bronte. With a front running effort under the able guidance of Rupesh, he won a maidens event from a hard ridden Bucephalas and High Roller. Savvy Concept won the other maidens event of the afternoon.This Mangalorkar trainee looked too superior to his opponents today,and was backed down to half money favouritism. Frenchman Breux gave a few anxious moments to his supporters as he lost a favourable position, and dropped to the rear of the field. Just as everything seemed to be over, the brave horse picked up momentum in the straight and carried his jockey to an impressive victory. Runner-up Spark Of Joy ran a suggestive second and can be earmarked for an early triumph. Timeless Treasure and Table Mountain were two expensive failures in the last two races of the day. Both lost because of inept handling by their jockeys. Shafiq on Timeless Treasure went to the front but was found wanting when challenged by Prakash and Phoenix Reach. The boy panicked, unbalanced his mount and lost a certain race. On the other hand, John rode a pathetic race on Table Mountain. The horse was looking well and ran a relaxed race. He was travelling well in the backstretch, but John refused to improve his position. To compound his problems, he took the turn wide and galloped on the outer portion of the track. Table Mountain finished powerfully to finish close on the haunches of Spandau Ballet. His supporters were extremely unlucky to have lost their money.