Rashid Byramji trained Appeaser’s transformation has been amazing. The Twist And Turn progeny Appeaser, who had scored an exciting win over The Proletarian in the Golconda Derby in January last, had blotted his copybook by his dismal performances in his subsequent essays. In the Indian St Leger in March, he had lost to Perceived Value by a `distance’ but in the Bangalore St Leger on Sunday, he was able to reverse the verdict with ridiculous ease. Though the victory of Appeaser was predictable considering the improvement he had made during the season, it must be said that the big made filly Perceived Value ran below her potential. In the form that he is in, Appeaser should have no difficulty in getting the better of Perceived Value even if she performs at her best. The Hyderabad plums, the Nizam Gold Cup and the President of Gold Cup, are at his mercy.

The Dallas Todywalla ward Perceived Value appeared better that what she looked in the Maharaja’s Cup. But Perceived Value like her full brother Allied Forces, is a difficult horse to train as she takes longer time to pick up form after being rested at the end of the season. It is quite possible that Perceived Value may come into full bloom and pick up big races later in the winter season but at present, she needs more time to be able to perform to her ability. As such, the short odds placed on Appeaser’s win in the betting ring despite the duos past record, was justified.

Stone Ridge did the job of setting the pace as the starter dispatched the field for the grueling 2800 metres trip, with Argolis, Il Diablo, Hello Brother, Appeaser, Perceived Value, Mosaic and Anagram racing in that order. Il Diablo was taken to the front after passing the winning post for the first time by jockey Gallagher and the Green Forest progeny enjoyed being at the helm till approaching the final bend. Jockey Aslam Kader, showing greater sense of urgency, moved up quickly and by the time the horses straightened for the run in for home, he was in front. In doing so, he slightly went on to Perceived Value but the attempt of jockey Prakash to reverse the verdict in the Stewards room was bound to fail. Jockey Malesh Narredu too put up a most optimistic but conviction less objection against Prakash for leaning on to him. The Stewards hardly took any time in throwing out these double objections, which had no substance.

Appeaser after hitting the front, stretched away to win as he pleased from Perceived Value. Mosaic edged out Chevalier for the third spot, and it was quite a procession, as barring the first two placed horses, the rest of the runners barely managed to crawl to the finish. Hello Brother was well positioned but did not have steam to make his presence felt.

In an exciting finish, jockey Prakash’s persevering efforts paid ample dividends as Assertive Allies nosed out the front-running Donna Mia on the post in the Byerly Stud Plate. Favourite Strides of Fire ran below expectations to finish in the rut. Donna Mia was straight down to business from the word `go’ and had it not been for Prakash, Donna Mia could have landed a quiet touch. Mrs Silva was quite aggressive and persevering on the Wattlefield progeny.

But the Stipendiary Stewards did not find her in the same frame of mind on Whitehall who finished an eye-catching second to lesser fancied Chitty Bang and slapped her a fine of Rs 2,000 for not persevering with her mount. The D M Shivaswamy Memorial Cup turned out be quite a nightmare for the punters as the fancied runners made now show and it was left to Chitty Bang and the late-finishing Whitehall to claim the plum slots. Jockey Nagesh too was fined Rs 2000 for not persevering with Spectacular Style.

The well bred got-abroad filly My Treasure who had gone down narrowly to Zidane, made amends with a stylish win in the 1400 metres Divine Light Plate, a race for maiden three-year olds. The Turtle Island progeny cantered home. Actuate who was expected to finish second best on the basis of the Elusive Pimpernel’s forward last time out, put up a poor show. Another Elusive Pimpernel progeny Barroness Orczy took that slot and in doing so, served notice of her being more than an ordinary type. Soviet Cove who did the front running, finished third and her time to bask in glory will come soon.

Arjun Mangalorkar who saddled Barroness Orczy did not go empty handed as the well backed Royal Hunter won the 2000 metres Happy Valley Plate quite competently from Skeena and the late-finishing Daiimio. Royal Hunter was under pressure from the start and jockey Gallagher had to drive out the gelding right through the trip to get him going. Only in the homestretch did the Argyle Lake progeny found foot and won with some comfort. But at around the final bend, the cause seemed to have been lost.

The change of name could do no wonders for Stormsky (late Don King) who gulped down a flood of money yet again. Made a overwhelming favourite to win the Astronomic Plate (Div I), the No Louder progeny flattered to deceive as he failed to sustain and lost close home to the battling duo of Saturn Star and Three To Count. Saturn Star’s one of the runs during the season was suggestive of better things to come as he had finished ahead of subsequent winners like Gullane and Appleby. Three To Count who had a landed a quiet touch on the Derby day, maintained his form and just about lost out. Jockey Imran Khan who drove out the Be Fresh had another winner through Chitty Bang and he missed the third one on Anandini narrowly in the concluding race of the day.

The Sydney Moses ward Crystal Goblet looked a cut above the rest in the lower division of the Astronomic Plate. The Rebounding Thrill progeny dictated the proceedings right from the word `go’ but the lack of a strong forward run very nearly undid his chances. With jockey I Khan persisting in using the whip instead of aiding the horse with hands and heels, Crystal Goblet was grinding to a halt when Anandini squeezed through along the rails. The winning post, however, came too soon for the Puttanna ward Anandini who has been guilty of some glaring inconsistent running during the season. For the second day running, two jockeys came cropper. Mani on Anzac and P Krishna on Roman Flame were the victims of the crowded field as well as the inability of the jockeys to keep a straight course.