Pratap Kamath schooled Azure Fire (Tejano-Crown Secret) won the Shimmering Gold Cup, a six furlongs sprint for maiden three year olds which featured the day’s races at Mysore on Wednesday. Azure Fire went to the front from the start and set a scorching pace, leading by over four lengths till the final bend. Into the home stretch, Beyond Thankful made headway to get close to Azure Fire and at one stage it looked like the challenger would sail past but Azure Fire stepped up the gallop with renewed vigour to draw away from the field. Galaxy Queen moved up late to be the runner-up, ahead of Beyond Thankful.

Trainer S.Rakesh had a mighty afternoon with a rich haul of for winners from the stable. Rakesh scored a hat-trick with Lake Of Fortune, Color Me and Thriller in the first three races of the day and ended the day with Ice Weapon. Rakesh is now just one point behind J.Saravanan in the trainers’ tally and this will make the concluding day’s races interesting. Jockey Ashad Asbar was astride Thriller while apprentice Sarvan Kumar piloted the other three.

Color Me (Brave Act-Color Me Red), who had finished second behind Treasure Mountain in its previous run, used the additional 200 metres to its advantage to turn the tables in the Reshmi Art Plate. Seven horses lined up for the mile race, for horses rated 80 and above. Treasure Mountain was again the favourite with Color Me being the second in demand. Absolute Reality was on a start to finish bid while Color Me was held back off the pace, in the rear. Absolute Reality held forte till the last 150 metres from where Treasure Mountain surged ahead to get to the lead. Color Me got into a rhythm on the outside and devoured ground to settle the issue. Rising Rainbow rallied in late to finish half a length second. Treasure Mountain ended up third.

Lake of Fortune (Black Cash-Willy Nilly) justified the favouritism in the opener, The Bhagamandala Plate. After being in front for a short distance early, Lake of Fortune settled well in about fourth position, close to the fence, while Suryaputra got to the lead. Entering the home stretch, Lake of Fortune assumed command and drew away to register a facile win. Maverical finished second, ahead of Montag and Think Big.

Thriller (Juniper-Forgotten) won the Aihole Plate, a seven furlongs race for horses rated 60 and above. Inside the last 300 metres Emerald, Time To Time and Ohiyesa were getting into a line when Trriller came up with a powerful run from around the field and stormed ahead. Emerald and Ohiyesa finished second and third in a tight finish between them.

Ice Weapon (Black Cash-Willy Nilly), full brother to Lake of Fortune, won the Simhaghad Plate, the concluding race of the day.  Party Tonite was the first to show up on the straight after leading all the way from the start. Brave Assault was beginning to put pressure in the centre and Ice Weapon gaining ground on the outside.  After a brief tussle with Brave Assault, Ice Weapon moved forward. Always For You and Sugriv came flying to finish second and third respectively.

Dinesh Pujar trained Tusker (Ivory Touch-Ever Lasting Love) won the Sweet Memories Plate. Inside the last 400 metres, Winning Desire was up in front with Caldera making its bid in second. Tusker made a swift move from the outside to go to the front easily. Golden Slipper got the better of Caldera for the second place.

C.V.G.K.Kishore trained Just Great (Serious Spender-Wild Rain) lifted the Manipal Plate. Rich Rogue was in the lead from the start being tracked closely by Just Great. On the final straight, Just Great started to move up from the outside and went to the front near the distance post. Mr.Hurricane, Sequanna and Byzantine came fast towards the closing stages, closing up at a fast pace. Just Great held on by a ‘neck’ at the finish. Mr Hurricane, Sequana and Byzantine filled the frame in a close finish with the first four places covered within one length.