The Summer Season at Bangalore is known for the participation of high quality horses at this centre. Racing activities at all other racing centres in the country come to a halt during these intense summer months, allowing Bangalore to hold centrestage and conduct its racing with an all-India flavour. The climatic conditions at Bangalore are wonderful during this period and the rains keep the track in perfect shape. Some outstation trainers make their long journeys to take part in the "Summer Classics", while others are happy to race their wards in the regular events. This mix-and-match makes it difficult for the punter to make a comparative study of the participants in a race during this season. The timings clocked at different centres cannot be matched with each other and, therefore, the performances cannot be accurately predicted. Even seasoned racegoers become careful with their wagering during this period. On the other hand, the bookmakers look forward to the racing conducted at the BTC during these months. This year is going to be no different. A large contingent has arrived from Hyderabad. The six big guns from that centre namely Prasad Raju, L D Silva, Netto, Deshmukh, A Vatsalya and Shezad Abbas have relocated more than 50 horses to Bangalore. Most of them are 3-year olds and have won many plums at their parent centre. Some have classic pretensions and their progress shall be watched with keen anticipation. Even though they return by late June, the Hyderabad horses win their fair share of races during the Bangalore Summer Season. The size of the contingent this year is larger than usual and reportedly consists of many well-bred and well-performed individuals. The trainers are excited about their prospects. Mumbai shall be equally well represented this year. Pesi Shroff holds the key to this year’s classics. Set Alight is the best performed 3-year old in the country. Her last victory in a mile event was breathtaking. The ease and the manner in which she galloped after being asked to quicken by C Rajendra was superb. Her staying capabilities are not doubted, thus making her an overwhelming favourite to waltz away with the races in which she is pitched by her master. It is learnt that Pesi was planning to take a well-earned break from racing but seeing the performances of Set Alight, he changed his mind. The champion trainer from Western India is set to arrive here with seven horses. Apart from the above mentioned filly, his string includes the champion miler Diego Riviera and the speedy Kiara. Imtiaz Sait and Mansoor Shah are also coming over with a nice bunch of horses. Imtiaz is bringing a string of 15 horses, most of which are maiden 3-year olds. Mansoor's string consists of Rejuvenite, Party Celebration and eight 3-year olds. Trainer Vijay Singh shall be missed by the racing fraternity at Bangalore. He has been a regular for the last two decades, and, has won many laurels for his principal patron Deepak Khaitan. Apart from the classics, his horses have been regularly winning graded races reserved for older horses at this centre. This act of giving a pass to the Bangalore Summer Season stems from a decision taken by the owner to curtail his racing activities at this centre. The suspension of C Alford on one of his horses by the stewards of the BTC made him angry. It is learnt that Vijay Singh has scratched most of his horses that had been entered for the summer classics. It is hoped that there shall be a change of mind and we shall see his horses visiting Bangalore in the near future. The local bunch of 3-year olds has not done anything outstanding. Fleeting Arrow and Archipenko stand tall amongst an ordinary lot of youngsters currently racing at Bangalore. It has to be seen how they compete against the outstation challengers. The competition is definitely going to be intense and winner picking during the Summer Season will be a hazardous task.