Imran Chisty drove out Crown Royal to a comfortable win over a late warming Obligado in the Madras Race Club Cup that was the highlight of Friday’s races. Believer performed poorly, losing some ground at the start and going under no sooner the pressure was on him. At the bottom of the scales, Crown Royale was well placed to win and the son of Mischievous Music readily obliged. The ever-reliable Obligado came up with a sustained burst of speed in the final furlong but found the winning post coming too soon. With the benefit of this forward run, Obligado is ready to strike when he runs next if the terms are not tilted against him.

Believer who had been a model of consistency enjoyed equal measure of support with Crown Royal but he did not take off well from the gates. Though he covered ground without much fuss and moved into a striking position, he ran out of steam when he shaped to collar the opposition. He finished in the rear of the field, dropping back alarmingly even as Crown Royal shot through the middle and established a decisive lead. Obligado moved up well on the wide outside despite the heavy impost but lacked that bit extra to make a difference to the outcome. Discman who appears to have struck form, finished third in the hands of Basheer that in itself a good compliment to the horse.

Without doubt, Amazing Velocity is a horse, which belongs to the highest class. The daughter of Ajaad had no difficulty in trouncing the opposition in the Safi Darashah Memorial Trophy, the other highlight of the day. After tracking Conqueress into the straight, Amazing Velocity kicked clear to win as she pleased. She deserves support till beaten. Taurian moved from behind to take the second spot. In the kind of form that he is in, Taurian can be trusted to win soon. The blinkers have really worked wonders in calming him down and make him concentrate on giving out his best on the track.

It was almost a year since Luffness had won at the expense of Taurian in controversial circumstances at Mysore which had resulted in the suspension of jockey Srinath for his handling of the latter. Luffness finally came good when just about edging out Speed Mistress in the B Shivashanker Memorial Trophy (Div I). Speed Mistress appeared to have collared the front-running Luffness but slackened which enabled the latter to fight back and snatch the verdict by a whisker. Charleston who was well supported was never in the hunt. The lower division of the race saw Happy Times prevail over a late-finishing Onetouch Toomuch who was not given an inspired ride by apprentice Vijay Kumar.

The Shimoga Plate (Div I) had an interesting twist to the tale. There were six runners from trainer Robert Foley and out of them; five were expected to be mere passengers. King is Born’s price drifted out alarmingly in the ring, causing Gastronomique to become the favourite by default. Then again, King is Born was hammered in the ring to end up cramped odds. But to the dismay of confused punters, King Is Born was never in the hunt, finishing a tame fourth. Shalivahana made good the lack of zest in the opposition to win from Top Cat. One wonders why Foley runs so many horses, some of them in very poor shape. What is the point of giving runs when no purpose is served? Winning stake money perhaps may at least recover their stabling expense because once these horses go back to Chennai, they will in any case win at will. The lower division of the race saw Spark of Fire win at nourishing odds. The win of Spark of Fire was not out of turn but the reason why everyone ignored his chances was because Vijay was declared to ride him and one does not remember when he won his last race.

Indian Tech duly obliged a king sized touch when taking the Ranganathittu Plate quite convincingly from Silver Victress. Poirot was a poor third. In the day’s other action, favourite Storm Hawk was beaten by Alto whose spirited run in the final stages of the race ensured his success.