The Mysore Summer Races started off on Wednesday with a card of seven races framed for the day. On a warm afternoon lesser fancied horses were to the fore with followers of ‘money’ returning with holes in their pockets.

S.Rakesh trained Ace Princess (Ace-Persepolis) scored a thumping victory in the Midnight Cowboy Cup, a five and a half furlongs sprint for maiden 3 year olds. The filly that was systematically prepared for the season, reproduced the blazing form it had shown during the morning trials, while trouncing the field in a smart timing. The filly showed plenty of initial speed and was in a commanding position at the helm within the first 100 metres of the race. Into the home stretch for the final run, Ace Princess, sticking towards the inner rails, continued to bowl along merrily in front, increasing the lead with every stride. Rickety Rock, who was chasing the leader started to veer out on the straight under pressure but still managed to keep the runner-up berth. Small Cruise and The Alchemist finished third and fourth respectively.

On a day dominated by outsiders, the short priced Duma (Phoenix Tower-Firecrest) from Michel Eshwer’s yard proved to be cut above the rest in the lower division of the Capt.Nabi Khan Memorial Plate. Duma was a bit tardy at the start, losing about two lengths but had the class in him to move quickly to be a close fourth while Alabama called the shots in front. Always Inspiring and Impedimenta were racing in second and third respectively between Alabama and Duma. Alabama held on to the lead till the last 100 metres but was no match Duma was asked to quicken. Duma remains unbeaten on this track. Mother Ewa was withdrawn on veterinary grounds before the race.

Eshwer’s ward Shaka Zulu failed to justify the favouritism in the Ramanagar Plate, finishing second to the front running Bucethalis (Burden of Proof-Ching Mai).  The bottom weighted Bucethalis led the field right from the start and kicked on gamely in the straight. Shaka Zulu bridged the lead that Bucethalis had established but fell short by a length. Orient Glory was third another three lengths away while Lad Lady finished fourth.

The biggest upset of the day came through Santosh Rao trained Beautiful Green (Storm Trooper-Royal Yavarro) in the Carnival Plate, paying a whopping dividend of Rs.1077 for a tenner.  The 5 year old Beautiful Green, who had never placed in any of its four runs went on a start to finish bid and successfully held on from a fast finishing Mischief. Prost rallied strongly along the rails to finish third while God is Great and Star And Stripes finished fourth and fifth respectively in a close finish with the first five places covered in just a length and a half. Peppr was a non starter in the race.

Dinesh Pujar trained Cash is King (Serious Splender-Song of Freedom), whose last win was almost three years ago, struck form immediately after shifting base from Bangalore. Cash is King made every post a winning one over the seven furlongs distance in the Oncidium Plate. Sivanta and Huckleberry Finn finished second and third respectively, after a futile chase of the leader all through the home stretch.   

The day started with T.Natraj trained Diamond Flame (Oath-Woman’s Chat) winning the Jan-E-Jan Plate. Heart of Reality moved swiftly from an outside draw to get to the front at start. Rose of Texas was prominent in second, with Small Made running third and the favourite Diamond Flame a close fourth. Approaching the last 200 metres Small Made surged forward to get to the lead. Diamond Flame rallied strongly under apprentice Ajit Kumar, who had a chance mount, to settle the issue in front of the grand stand. Small Made had to settle for the second place while Montag finished in the money, ahead of Heart of Reality.

Pratap Kamath trained Miyarprincess (Brave Act-Sea Spray)surprised everyone by winning the higher division of the Capt.Nabi Khan Memorial Plate, the concluding race of the day with a start to finish attempt. Sky High who went into the race as an ‘on money’ favourite, chased Miyarprincess all through the final straight but failed to catch the leader and eventually lost the runner-up berth to Esoterical in the last few strides. Ice Weapon finished another three parts of a length adrift.