The ever consistent Atlantus produced another trademark gallop in the straight to annex The HH Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup at the Mysore races on Friday. The seven year old proved once again that he is one of the very few horses in Indian Racing that has performed gracefully at the highest level for such an extended period of time. Season after season and month after month, Atlantus has always been ready to take on anything that is thrown at him. Trainer Sharat Kumar needs to be complimented for keeping him in fine shape During the recently concluded Bangalore Summer Season, he was assigned back-breaking weights by the handicapper. Despite this burden, Atlantus came with strong runs on the wide outside and finished within the vicinity of the winners. Friday's feature was one rare opportunity when he was favoured by the terms. A race in which almost a Million Rupees awaited the winner, Atlantus was seen getting weight from most of his rivals. Optimus Prime was the first choice of the punters. This Arjun trainee had been running some wonderful races in recent months, and on form, had the best chance in a field of fourteen runners. Sparingly raced D'artagnan, who had worked well, was fancied by the Padmanabhan camp. The other twelve received stray support in the betting rings.

 The wide false rails ensured that the actual strip of grass available for racing was narrower than normal. Since everyone wanted to take a good position in the back-stretch, there was a bit of jostling after the start. Lovely Kiss darted out of a wide draw and took control of the proceedings. String Along, D'artagnan and Indian Bolt travelled close behind the leader, while the others were seen getting knocked around at the back. Optimus Prime and Atlantus were forced to travel wide, while One Life To Love graced the rear. The field bunched up at the bend. D'artagnan emerged from the pack and held a marginal advantage over Optimus Prime. The pair kicked clear of their pursuers and were seen battling with each other. Under some forceful riding from John, Optimus Prime roused hopes of a victory. However, he was soon joined and passed by Atlantus. With Christopher making full use of his whip, Atlantus came with giant strides and won near the winning post. The most eyecatching run came from One Life To Love. She moved forward from an impossible position at the bend, and was the fastest finishing runner in the straight. The five year old is ready to strike in her next start.

 Apprentice Ajeet Kumar was the only professional to score more than once on Friday. He won two out of the nine races with Caldera and Born To Race. Both of them scored as complete outsiders. Vikram Appachu's Caldera was opposing a pair of Bangalore based youngsters. Speedy Girl and Smart Star were expected to run away from their rivals. On the basis of an earlier second, the Suraj Narredu ridden filly started as the shortest priced favourite in the day's card. She bolted to the front and tried to make both ends meet. Speedy Girl was totally exhausted in the final furlong, and it was apparent that she was going to get beaten. She was passed first by Smart Star and finally by Caldera. The last named came with a strong burst of speed in the final furlong and returned 80/1 at the totalizators. Gorgeous Gold was another one who got up in time to relegate Speedy Girl into fourth place.

Ajeet Kumar used different tactics on Born To Race. After scoring back-to-back victories in her last two starts at Kolkata, Born To Race had arrived at Mysore. This was the first time she was running under the charge of Vishal Yadav. The youngster kept her in striking distance of the leading pair of Game Dancer and Superb Style, and made his move at the bend. Born To Race strode to the front and was a couple of lengths clear in the final furlong. Superb Style was her closest challenger. With Born To Race running out of steam and Superb Style gaining ground on her, the race took another interesting turn. The pair were inseparable at the wire. Had Christopher managed to win astride favourite Superb Style ? No one had an answer to this question. The digital camera confirmed that Born To Race had won by the proverbial "whisker".

PS Chouhan's perseverence with Pratap Kamath's  Esoterical paid rich dividends when the filly got up on the last two strides to beat front running Sand Dune. Attaolahi trained African Queen ran on late from the back to finish a fair third. Sand Dune set a scorching pace in this sprint and Imran Chisty kept niggling him till the end. The chestnut colt held a commanding lead of four lengths as they entered the final furlong. Esoterical was finding it tough to move forward. Chouhan refused to give up and gave her a couple of cracks. Esoterical dug deep into her reserves of stamina and produced a sparkling turn of foot. She joined Sand Dune and wore him down in the shadows of the winning post. Both these Mysore based youngsters performed better than what was expected of them.

Lokanath trained Talisker succeeded in lifting The Safi Darashah Memorial Trophy. He had served notice of his good form by ending a close third over seven furlongs to Atlas Power at Bangalore. He was now running over a favourable sprint. With Suraj guiding his fortunes, Talisker was campaigned for eventual speed. Capote, Time Flies, Cute Style and Free Law set the early pace, and brought the eleven runners into view. With none of them really accelerating in front, and most of them spreading accross the track, Suraj chose the path along the inner rails. He brought Talisker with a smooth gallop and joined the issue. The moment he realized that his horse was travelling much better than the others, he put away his stick. Riding hands-n-heels thereafter, he steered Talisker to a very easy victory.Capote hung onto his second spot ahead of a hard ridden Free Law.

 The Poottannah Memorial Cup witnessed another game performance from Darius Byramji's Matia's. After an unsuccessful trip to Kolkata last winter, where she was expected to do well, Matia's was brought back to Bangalore. Running earlier this season as a rank outsider, she had sprung a surprise by beating some highly regarded horses. Even though she was penalized for that victory, the bookmakers had little hesitation in installing her as the favourite in this race. With second favourite Strive And Serve behaving lethargically at the start, Matia's job became easier. She raced prominently throughout the race, and despite veering out in the final stages, skipped clear of Always On Top and a late finishing Strive And Serve. Imran Chisty had an easy time astride this winner.

 Last outing winner Harini landed her second prize within a fortnight by picking up the first race on Friday. In her last start over seven furlongs, she had opened up a good looking lead in the straight before slowing down near the winning post. Because the margin of victory was very small, Harini was lucky to have escaped with a minimal penalty. Trainer Sharavanan decided to shorten the trip today. Running over 1100 metres in the lowest category , Harini enjoyed apprentice Rajesh Kumar's handling and justified the cramped odds offered by the bookmakers. She overtook Small Made at the bend and sealed the issue. Secret Girl improved late to take the third spot. In her present condition, Harini can pick up another race before the end of this season.