Getting out of a possible mess in the nick of time, Rashid Byramji trained Attorney edged out Just Brave and a late-finishing Concur in the 1400 metres H H Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup, a terms race for four-year olds and over, which featured the races on Thursday. With wide false rails, it was only to be expected that in a tight finish, with the runners spread out horizontally, traffic problems would ruin the chance of a horse struck along the rails. Darashah trained Just Brave who was trying to come through the rails encountered a wall of horses in front and by the time jockey Imran Khan was able to extricate himself and bring the game performer on the wide outside, David Badel on Attorney had established a winning lead. Concur picked up momentum late and was full of running the finish.

Attorney, Just Brave and Star Falcon were the ones who were expected to figure at the finish though there was some support for Chilli Girl who is yet to regain her last year’s form which saw her fare well in the classics. All the fancied runners were in close attendance and 200 metres from home it looked as though Star Falcon who moved with a flourish could land the spoils but he lacked the steam to carry on. In the meanwhile, Attorney who shot through the middle in the final furlong, quickened nicely and held on to win from Just Brave and Concur who ran above expectations. Rashid Byramji who was finding winners hard to come by ended the day with three winners, his other successful wards being Silken Magic and Prince of Rome.

Taurian has been a transformed horse after the trainer put blinkers towards the fag end of the summer season. He had the form and fitness to win the RWITC Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 and above, which was the other highlight of the day. However, Soviet Rocket was backed to the exclusion of his rivals so much so that Taurian was allowed to run at good odds. In the event, Taurian who tracked Butter Sponge into the straight surged clear and stretched away for a facile win. Solar Rocket was plodding on home second, ahead of Storm The Fort and Soviet Bay. Storm The Fort should profit from this run.

Imperialistic was made the favourite over a sharp trip in the Datta Jewellers Gold Cup and it came as no surprise that he faded out long way from home. The son of Alnasr Alwasheek needs trips longer than six furlongs to prove his mettle. Missedent came in for inspired support but the Diffdient progeny was beaten fair and square by Rashid Byramji’s Silken Magic who had played truant as a favourite on a number of occasions at Bangalore. The blinkers on her had the desired magic but not many were prepared to back her with conviction.

Yet another horse sporting blinkers to put up a remarkable show was Catch Fire. Exploiting the pull in weights, Catch Fire left the field flat footed to win theBalagunda Estate Gold Cup over Blazing Rock and Don Alejandro. There was some support for Avaleur but he was never in the hunt.

Kuts trained Don’tforgetmaumann recorded an encore, edging out a late finishing Island Pearl with a great deal of comfort. Fantasy Strip who is now in the care of trainer Puttanna, let down her supporters once again. Yet another fancied runner to bite the dust for Royal Prose where Time Is Money was a decisive winner over Anonyme who despite a lethargic start, finished on with flourish. However, Puttanna had a double for the day with lesser fancied Taurian and Nakshtra being the winners. Despite not being unduly extended, Nakshtra nevertheless proved good for the opposition winning from Red Flame. The support for Dr Pepper went in vain.

Prince of Rome who was running for the first time, won quite capably from River Bed while in the day’s other action, Sharath Kumar trained Don Minstrel who was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, won without coming under threat from any of the runners.