The Mysore Summer Races 2012, spread over fifteen race days, came to a close on Monday, with a long card of ten races run on the final day. The battle for the leading trainer and jockey, spilt over to the concluding day. Darashah, Rakesh and Pratap Kamath among the trainers, Rajesh Kumar, Ashhad Asbar and D.K.Ashish among the jockeys were in contention for the top spot with their scores level before the start of the races on the concluding day. S.Rakesh and Ashhad Asbar scored a double each to top the tally in their respective categories. Jockey S.John was the only other professional to score a brace of winners.

Treasure Mountain (Ace-Divine Diamond) scored an impressive victory in the Indraprastha Cup, which featured the day’s card. The much experienced Treasure Mountain was sent into the race as the firm favourite ahead of Esoterical and Castle King. The son of Ace was very eager and jockey S.John let the gelding take charge from Real Potential near the 800 metres marker and once he showed up on the straight, went clear to dictate terms over the half a dozen opposition. Castle King who had won all his four starts earlier to this run, finally met his match and ended up as the runner-up ahead of Esoterical.

The Bannur Plate, a six furlongs sprint for horses rated 80 and above turned out to be an exciting finish with three horses going past the wire in a close finish. Demanding Format, who was on a hat-trick moved swiftly around the field inside the last 400 metres to take the lead and was looking good even as the winning post got nearer. Hurricane Bay and Vigoroso produced a brilliant gallop inside the last 100 metres and flew in to collar the leader. Vigoroso Young Senor-Alero) stretched ahead of Hurricane Bay by half a length while Demanding Format ended up third, a neck adrift.

Pratap Kamath, who was in contention for the championship, could only saddle one win, through Seriously Perfect (Serious Spender-So Perfect), in the Divine Light Plate, although he had nearly five hopefuls in the day. Kukanof set the pace over the seven furlongs distance and Seriously Perfect tracked the leader, a length behind. As they showed up on the straight, P.S.Chouhan urged Seriously Perfect and the filly surged ahead and kicked on till the winning post. Money Bay travelled almost six away from the inner rails throughout, till the bend and went further wide on the home stretch. Despite the alarming drift, Money Bay was finishing on and ended up second, a length away from the winner. Kukanof finished third.

Ranjeet Shinde trained Ceasaria (Hurricane State-Simply Sensual) was the biggest upset of the day. Setting out on a start to finish bid under Afsar Khan, the 5 year old mare drifted out of the straight course on the straight but still managed to hold on from a fast finishing Showhorse, in the lower division of the Shivanasamudra Plate. Simply Dangerous towed Showhorse throughout the home stretch finish third. The favourite Heavenly Divas ended up a tame fourth. Spurt was withdrawn before the race.
P.S.Chouhan reported sick after the third race and he was replaced by Vivek, on Sanatana, in the lower division of the Serengeti Plate. Ice Weapon (Black Cash-Wily Nily) produced a startling run under Ashhad Asbar to win the race with a three lengths margin. Moving from a fifth position rounding the bend, Ice Weapon was given a couple of backhanders by Asbar and the 3 year old responded readily to assume command. Sanatana beat Speedy Amigo for the second spot, close to the winning post.

The second win for Rakesh-Asbar duo was on Artisan (San Fransisco-Sherie Rose), in the Dhanushkoti Plate. Artisan went ahead to lead, passing the 1200 metres board and came into the final run almost three lengths ahead of the nearest horse. Truthandfaith raised a gallop very late and bridged the gap at a rapid pace but fell short by a ‘short head’ at the wire.

Dinesh Pujar’s Tusker (Ivory Touch-Ever Lasting Love) showed plenty of speed to romp home in the higher division of the Shivanasamudra Plate. Tusker started to improve places gradually throughout the race and moved around the horses in front inside the last 400 metres and drew clear. Brave Assault, Rock All and Miss International filled the
frame.

T.Natraj’s Skyfleet (International-Claribel) produced a resounding gallop under M.A.Milan to win the higher division of the Serengeti Plate. Ahira finished second ahead of Yankee Lane and Caterina.

The day started off with P.C.Tejaswi trained Chakravyuha Bhedak (Tirol-Gypsy Moth) winning the race under D.Gnaneshwar. Ridden close to the fence till the bend in about 4th or fifth position, Chakravyuha Bhedak slipped in to take charge on straightening up and kicked clear. Cute Angel was always in chase of the winner on the final straight.

S.John piloted C.D.Monnappa’s Rising Rainbow (International-Rainbow Vision) to victory in the Abide Stakes, the concluding race of the day. Guided Missile and Flash Flares finished second and third respectively while the highly thought of Lad Lady finished a poor fourth.