B Puttanna’s Jersey Shore paid a huge compliment to his veteran trainer on Friday by winning a fourth successive race in his very short career. The three year old confirmed that his victory in The Juvenile Sprinter’s Million (Grade III) during Bangalore Summer, was no flash in the pan. He had come into the race after a couple of straight wins in lower classes, and was friendless against top class horses that day. However, a late bid through the middle of the pack had enabled him to lift the coveted trophy. The handicapper had given him a stiff penalty and pushed him into class II.  The Star Of Mysore Trophy, a seven furlong handicap for horses rated 60 and above, happened to be Friday’s feature at Mysore. This race had attracted some good runners. The one that looked outstanding on past performances was Suleiman Attaolalhi’s Striking. This filly had been in rousing form all winter, and after a second on debut in Bangalore summer, had finished fifth in The Fillies Championship behind Amelia. She had been given a good rest after that run, and was appearing after some smart workouts on the training track. To add to the aura around her, Striking was receiving four and a half kilos from Jersey Shore. For all these reasons, she became an odds-on choice of the betting fraternity. 

With Chestnut Charmer bolting out of the starting gates and opening up a ten length lead over Keturah and Astounding Gallop, the twelve runners were strung out in single file. Jersey Shore was held back in fourth by Srinath, while Trevor and Striking were seen cruising behind the two of them.  The field started to get closer in the straight. The first one to make his move was Imran Chisty. He urged Keturah near the two furlong marker and assumed command of the proceedings. The filly darted ahead and opened up a three length lead over the improving pair of Jersey Shore and Striking. The three youngsters began to pull away from their older rivals. Keturah’s lead began to diminish with each subsequent stride. While Striking got tired at that stage, it was Jersey Shore that moved forward. Srinath got him nicely balanced before pushing him further. The brave colt devoured ground and was soon alongside Keturah. It was evident that he was moving much better than the filly. Jersey Shore moved further ahead and scored comfortably. Striking was fully extended while ending a very tame third. The filly seems to have last her winter form and it may take her a while to get into her old shape. The manner in which Jersey Shore tackled the seven furlongs today, showed that he could be equally comfortable over a mile. His sporting owners will be hoping for some improved performances from him in the Mysore Classics. 

Three year old Tijuca Forest reconfirmed the fine impression that she had made while winning her maiden race at Bangalore, by storming home to another fine victory in The RR Komandur Memorial Trophy. It was a seven furlong handicap for horses in class III.. Even though she was eligible to run in a lower class, trainer Dhariwal did not want to saddle her with too much of a burden. She enjoyed her bottom weight and showed that the extra furlong today was not a problem. With the withdrawal of Mickey Mouse, the bookmakers were very careful while offering odds on this filly. For those who love to back short priced horses, this was a god-sent opportunity. Tijuca Forest tracked Ground Marshal, Bighero and Artic Rose till the bend. Trevor showed her daylight on the very wide outside and tapped her at the bend. Tijuca Forest lengthened her strides and strode away for a very comfortable victory. With a late bid in the final furlong, Violent Storm made up much ground to finish ahead of third placed Artic Rose. While the winner is sure to progress to the higher classes, the one that caught the eye was Violent Storm. The five year old should benefit from today’s outing and make a mark in the company of horses in his own age group. 

The Sri VB Ramachandran Memorial Trophy, a sprint for Mysore based horses in class IV, attracted some speedy contenders. After being re-located from Bangalore earlier this year, Sweet Timer had been given a couple of runs in the higher category. It was felt that he could win immediately on demotion, and for such a reason,  was a prime candidate to lift this trophy. Party Tonite, Ceasaria and Atom Bomb were the others that were considered by the punters. Ceasaria took a good jump from a widish draw and showed the way to Amiable Lady, Sweet Timer and Huckleberry Finn. The first four were a few lengths clear of the others. There was a sudden turn of events at the bend. Ceasaria got tired and began to send distress signals, while Amiable lady stopped in her tracks towards the inner rails. Those who were waiting for Sweet Timer to accelerate under Gnaneshwar’s urgings were also in for a surprise. He too rolled sideways under pressure and faded from the scene. In the midst of all this chaos, Huckleberry Finn improved under apprentice MD Paswan. He rocketed ahead of the pack and was soon many lengths clear of the others. The Z Darashah trainee undoubtedly ran the best race of his career. Party Tonite appeared late on the scene to beat Ceasaria into third place. The day Party Tonite runs in a higher class at a low weight, she will be worth supporting against Mysore based horses. 

Neil Darashah and Ryan Marshall shared the day’s honours by combining effectively to score the only double of the afternoon. The speedy pair of Kentucky Rose and Jolie raced in identical fashion and posted start-to-finish victories in their respective events. Kentucky Rose had burst a blood vessel during summer and flopped as an odds-on favourite. Neil gave her a long break of over ten weeks to recover, and produced her in fine shape today. Even though she had not been really extended on the training track, it was her class which ensured Kentucky Rose a place at the top of the betting charts. There was some smart money on Style Of Signature, as the eleven of them reached the starting gates. Kentucky Rose and Maracana shared the early lead and were at the helm of affairs at the bend. While Kentucky Rose moved strongly towards the finishing line, Maracana ran out of steam and allowed Style Of Signature to overtake her. Both Ryan on Kentucky Rose and Franco DaSilva on Style Of Signature, made free use of their whips in the final furlong. Kentucky Rose dug deep into her reserves of energy and managed to retain her narrow advantage till the very end. 

Three year old Jolie had run thrice amongst maidens in summer and finished on the board on all three occasions. After being rated by the handicapper at the end of the season, this was the first time that she was taking part in a handicap event. It was a scurry for horses three years old only, and the short trip was perfectly suited to Jolie’s style of running. The prohibitive odds quoted by the bookmakers confirmed that she was expected to be too fast for her ten rivals. Even though she scored in this race, it was not the way that many expected her to win. Ryan took her to the front and led from Sharp Girl and Divine Friendship. The rest of them led by Tradition, found the pace a bit too hot to handle and were content to stay at the back. Jolie came under a bit of a pressure in the final furlong. Under the guidance of Arshad Alam, Tradition moved menacingly on the wide outside and made up much ground on the leader. The two of them were besides each other as they flashed past the winning post. Only half a length separated Jolie from Tradition at the wire. The runner-up showed some form after a couple of ordinary efforts earlier in his career. He can be earmarked for an early success in the near future. 

After a number of futile efforts during the summer months at Bangalore, Sharat Kumar’s Cool Approach finally managed to enter the winner’s enclosure on Friday. By choosing a mile handicap for horses five years old and over, the trainer gave him the best opportunity to score a point for the stable. He enhanced Cool Approach’s chances by entrusting him to S John, and the connections backed him down to favouritism. Since this top-weighted horse loves to dictate pace, it was important for him to be guided carefully. John did exactly that. He took a smart jump from his innermost draw and sent him ahead of the others.    Strive And Serve, Super Surprise and Neron were quick to take the next few slots as the runners tackled the first half of their journey. Cool Approach galloped well within himself and maintained his two length lead at the bend. Realizing that he would have to keep his mount going, it was here that John pulled out his stick. The pair moved further ahead and ensured that none of the others came anywhere close to them. In a scramble for the minor placings, Strive And Serve managed to keep a late finishing Magnomical and Neron at bay. 

A brilliant turn of foot displayed by Babu Rao’s Abbas Dreams enabled this small made horse to make up much ground in the straight and score an almost impossible victory. After being backed with immense confidence by the stable, the four year old took off to a lethargic start. Since it was an 1100 metres event, those who had backed him were quite nervous at this stage of the race. The speedy Game Dancer set a good pace ahead of Starista and the pair was a few lengths clear of the rest, as the ten runners moved into the straight. Abbas Dreams was still gracing the rear. It was at this stage that the favourite was switched towards the centre of the track. While Starista overtook Game Dancer and strode smoothly in the final furlong, the blue and white colours of Abbas Dreams appeared on the wide outside. Under some relentless pressure from Rajesh Babu, the gutsy horse got up in the nick of time to beat Starista into second place. Game Dancer slowed down perceptibly, but still managed to save place money for his supporters.