Trainer Michael Eshwer has worked wonders with six-year old River God whose zest for racing appears to be getting better by the day. Having become the first six-year old in the country to win three graded races on the trot, the trainer entered River God, handicapped at 67 kgs, to run in the 1200 metres Delhi Race Club Cup, a sprint race, the feature event of Thursday’s Mysore races. The son of Razeen had never won over a sprint and as such, most people were skeptical about his chances though the trainer had wisely taken a five-kg claimer in A Quereshi. In actual fact, River God was cut above the opposition he was facing and as such, he was expected to overcome whatever problems he had to face vis-à-vis the weight and the distance. But there were not many takers for this argument.
Master Craft who has failed to oblige more number of times than he has succeeded as a public fancy, went into the race as the best supported one along with such modest performers like The Music Lover and the rest. River God was allowed to run loose at tempting odds. The reason for the reluctance of most people was also the fact that River God was drawn one and he had always come from behind and the lack of initial speed was expected to go against him. But River God had no problems when jumping off smartly and hitting the front straightaway. He went at a good clip and some of the horses, which tried to chase him, were in danger of returning lame! River God came into the straight clear of the rest and went away for an effortless win. Master Craft plodded on to be second ahead of Small Solider who continues to make his upward progress.

River God is expected to race at Pune in the Southern Command Cup and considering the form that he is in, he deserves support till somebody outshines him. He is in pink of condition and the trainer deserves praise for being able to sort out his problems and make him the champion that he is now from a listless performer at Mumbai.

Jockey Harish rode a poor race running into one problem or the other on Romantic Count and as a result, the favourite was a good thing beat in the Jog Falls Plate (Div I). Mount Royale shaped like a winner but was beaten in the last stride by Amazing Warrior. Though Romantic Count came home flying, he missed the berth narrowly. It is difficult to fancy a favourite’s chances when Harish is astride because the jockey is eminently capable of indifferent rides. Harish tried to reverse the verdict raising on objection on the winner and the runner-up but his appeal was found to have no substance by the Stewards who did not appreciate his shenanigans. Courageous Duke was hampered by the fall of jockey L Marshall on Catch Fire soon after the start and thereafter, he was a lost cause. The lower division of the race was won by Black Berry who got a dream opening along the rails and won from a late finishing Winds of Fire. Winds of Fire could have pulled it off but jockey Gnaneshwar got himself cramped along the rails and by the time he switched out, he had lost the cause. Diamond Rock ran well to finish third ahead of Cameo Role who despite a bad stumble at the start was a noteworthy fourth.

Jockey Prakash has this knack of losing ground when astride cramped favourites at Mysore. Own Elegance whipped around after jump out and thus the favourite did not give the punters a run for money. Vogue was the beneficiary as he won quite easily from Aspen Bay. There was a host of gold and brown brigade who were out for an airing, languishing way behind.

Havana Goodtime has been in great form and the daughter of Tejano moved with a flourish from the outside draw and won quite capably from a late-finishing Super Model who should strike before long. Atlantic Heiress just about managed to save money by narrowly staving off the challenge of rank outsider On Her Toes. Grey Hawk had her supporters but she was never in the hunt. In the day’s other action, Sworn Silence obliged after being waited with for eternity while Snow Deer appreciated the step up in distance to win at nourishing odds. Favourite Saoirse who was bidding for a hat trick made no show. Super Chieftan won the concluding race of the day in a race that had everyone groping in the dark in search of a winner.