A long card of nine events postponed from last Friday, was conducted at the Mysore Race Club on Tuesday. With no rains over the last four days, the underfoot conditions had improved substantially and the track looked very well at the start of the day’s proceedings. However, intermittent showers during the course of the afternoon ensured that the “going” once again became tricky. The Maharaja’s Cup (Gr.3), a mile event for horses four years old and over, happened to be the day’s feature. Some of the best horses stationed in this part of the country had accepted to face the starter. Indian Derby winner Super Storm was being opposed by the highly regarded pair of Toroloco and Immense. Even though Toroloco was appearing on a race track after a gap of almost six months, trainer Irfan Ghatala had prepared him nicely on the local turf. His victory in a mock race confirmed that he was back in form. Despite looking a bit underdone in his last start, Immense had run well to figure a close second to Sovetskaya. With the said run under his belt, Immense was expected to run a big race over a trip perfectly suited to his style of running. Yet another strong contender for the big prize was the small made but large hearted Panamera. She had just returned after a brilliant victory at Pune, and was known to be in the best form of her life. The betting charts confirmed the “open” nature of this race. With almost equal support for four or five runners, the day’s feature was certainly headed for a close finish. 

Satish Narredu’s Super Storm was eased into an early lead and the bay galloped well within himself while showing the way to Bold Police, Panamera and Immense. Despite travelling towards the middle of the track, Toroloco headed the chasing pack, as the runners took the rising ground and turned for home. Since none of the jockeys had made a serious move till that stage, it was difficult to say who was moving better than whom. Suraj brought Super Storm the shortest way home and tried to skip clear of the rest. He responded to the stick and moved marginally ahead of the others. Once Bold Police faded from the scene, there were three of them that made strong moves from the back. While Panamera surged on the inside, Immense and Toroloco appeared to be making up much ground on the wide outside. With all four jockeys in full motion, it was a pleasure to see them gallop towards the finishing line. Those watching the race were totally enthralled by what transpired in front of them. Three horses were absolutely abreast as they touched the finishing line. Super Storm on the rails, Immense in the middle and Toroloco on the wide outside were involved in a blanket finish. After a careful look at the digital print, the judge confirmed that Toroloco had beaten Immense and Super Storm in the day’s feature. Only a “nose” separated them from each other. Irfan Ghatala has enough reason to be pleased with Toroloco’s performance. After a long absence from racing action, this runner had taken the longest route and galloped resolutely under Babulal Paswan to win one of the most prestigious races of the Mysore Main Season. 

There were a couple of other Trophy events held during the afternoon, and both of them saw long priced runners from Darius Byramji’s yard posting unexpected victories. The YR Puttannaiah Memorial Trophy, a seven furlong handicap for horses in class II, had an outstanding runner in Ratham. The four year old filly had competed against some top class horses in the past, and had done well against them. Since she was well handicapped today, Ratham had an army of supporters who were happy to back her at 90/100. Maddox and Foswell had stray support in the betting rings. The twelve runners were closely huddled behind early leader Chestnut Charmer, as they tackled the first half of their journey. Finding the early pace a bit slow, both Foswell and Ratham increased the tempo at the final bend and went ahead of the others. Imran Chisty brought Foswell with a run towards the inner rails, while John and Ratham drifted out in the straight. This somehow helped the Darius trained six years old to go further ahead of the favourite. Being ridden out hands-n-heels thereafter, Foswell went on to register an easy victory. Ratham and Sudden Magic ended at regular intervals to take the minor placings on the result boards. 

The upper division of The Police Trophy witnessed another upset, when the 12/1 outsider Boudicca scored her first ever victory in a fairly long career. The Darius stable had fancied her a couple of times last winter, but on each occasion she had caved-in under pressure in the final stages of a race, and got beaten near the winning post. Things worked out a little differently today, and she was fortunate to hold a strong and determined challenge from the favourite Mountain Splendour. After five of the dozen acceptors got withdrawn in this race, Suraj Narredu’s mount Mountain Splendour received all round support ahead of Golden Princess and the others. Making use of an inner draw and her initial speed, Imran Chisty pushed Boudicca to the front. She travelled comfortably ahead of Style of Signature and Golden Princess. Mountain Splendour seemed to lack the ability to keep up with the front-runners, and he was a few lengths behind the leaders as the seven of them turned for home. It was hereabouts that Boudicca asserted her superiority. Getting the better of her nearest challengers, Boudicca kicked clear of the pack and opened-up a nice looking lead into the final furlong. Mountain Splendour responded to Suraj’s whip and gained ground on Boudicca, but it was all in vain. The latter lasted out to win by a neck from the former. A tired Style Of Signature just about held third ahead of a late finishing Jeyem’s Pride. 

Apprentice Kiran Rai was the only other professional to score more than once on Tuesday, and the youngster was mighty pleased to share the day’s honours with his senior colleagues. The lower version of The Police Trophy was his first target. He was partnering the speedy Magic Wave from Babu Rao’s yard, and the five year old was a second favourite behind Youre Rocking. The odds against early morning favourite Ace Shineon drifted violently to tens and over as the runners faced the starter. Maracana and Magic Wave set a real fast pace in this race, and the pair was at least five lengths ahead of Youre Rocking at the bend. It was at this stage that Magic Wave asserted his superiority. He overtook Maracana, darted clear of the rest and went on to post an impressive victory. Tony Montana made up much ground in the straight to finish an impressive second ahead of Maracana and Jeyem. Youre Rocking stopped in his tracks to finish in the ruck. He looks like an unreliable type that must be left alone from a betting perspective in future. 

Kiran Rai gave a mighty scare to the punters while partnering odds-on favourite Precept in a class IV sprint that was reserved for Mysore based horses. This horse had run once in summer and once again during the present season. On both occasions, the jockey’s partnering him were suspended for not doing justice in the saddle. Trainer Sharavanan gave him a lot of work and made sure that Precept was fully fit for this race. Additionally, he lightened the burden by declaring Kiran Rai and claiming four kilos off his back. The connections backed Precept as though he had already crossed the finishing line, and the price on him continued to contract till the starter opened the gates. Kiran held back Precept in third place and was noticed biding his time till the final bend. Once the runners entered the straight, it was Archer who went ahead of the others. Responding nicely to Christopher’s whip, he galloped strongly towards the winning post. The expected acceleration from Precept failed to materialize. He took a long time to quicken and continued to plod in second place. It was only in the last hundred metres or so that he appeared to discover his galloping shoes. He came with giant strides and ended besides Archer. With the naked eye, it was almost impossible to call the winner. After a long delay, the judge confirmed that Precept had won by the proverbial whisker. The winner had to fight another minor battle in the Stewards Room, when third placed Theworldismine raised an objection against him. Those who had backed the favourite were relieved to learn that the Stewards had decided to overrule it in quick time. 

Three year old Aceempressjessie obliged as the shortest priced favourite in the day’s card. The maiden filly had competed in open company during the closing stages of the Bangalore Summer Season, and ended a good fifth behind Adriphos. Since Dominic had chosen to run her in the lowest category, it was evident that Aceempressjessie shaped as a very strong contender for the first prize. A Imran Khan , who had been working her regularly in recent times, was asked to partner her in this race. Realizing that Aceempressjessie lacked early speed, Imran gave her a couple of taps at the start. She moved smoothly thereafter and came within striking distance of The Senator, as the twelve runners galloped towards the straight. The favourite was travelling well within herself, and it was only a question of when the jockey would release his brakes. Imran Khan did so near the distance post and Aceempessjessie responded immediately. She lengthened her strides and bolted away from The Senator. In a scramble for the minor slots, Spark Of Blue ended many lengths behind while claiming the third position. 

A mile handicap for horses in class III looked tightly handicapped. Horses like Mi Amor, Arrabian Gold, Magnomical, Strive And Serve and Neron had been clashing regularly over the present trip, and had always finished close to each other. A new entrant to this group was Violent Storm. It was the first time that this top weighted runner was tackling a mile. His fast finishing second behind Tijuca Forest in late August had enthused the connections to test him over this trip. They felt that since he was seen getting stronger over seven furlongs, the extra 200 metres would not be a problem. He was accordingly supported to start as the first choice of the punters. The first half of this race unfurled on expected lines. Arrabian Gold and Strive And Serve did the usual front-running, and allowed the others to settle into their rhythm. The group was closely huddled as they approached the bend. Arrabian Gold was the first into the straight. He was challenged on the wide outside by Magnomical, Violent Storm and Mi Amor. All three of them were put under pressure by their respective jockeys, and were seen making up ground on the leader. A couple of things happened at this stage. First of all, it was Violent Storm who stopped in his tracks. After breaking a blood vessel, he came to a crawl. On the other hand, a rank outsider appeared on the scene. In the hands of Vivek, Samar Singh’s Cowboy Cal enjoyed the soft underfoot conditions and moved strongly towards the finishing line. He overtook each one of them and strode majestically past the winning post. Mi Amor, Arrabian Gold and Magnomical had to be content with the other slots. 

The day ended with another race reserved for local horses. The seven furlong handicap for horses in class III, attracted Z Darashah’s highly regarded Artic Rose. After remaining unbeaten amongst youngsters, the three year old had run only once in handicap company. Her close third behind Bangalore based horses earlier this season was an outstanding effort. Since none of the others had recent form, Artic Rose was backed down to odds-on favouritism. Ace Princess and Crrisp fought for the early lead, and the pair moved steadily ahead of Artic Rose and Carisa till the bend. While Crrisp took over the running in the straight, Artic Rose came under severe pressure. She moved sideways under Suraj’s urgings, and it was clear that she was in no mood to gallop. While Crrisp and Carisa moved strongly towards the finish, Artic Rose slowed down and ended a very tame third. Under some relentless pressure from Saddam Hussain, Trainer Bobby’s Crrisp succeeded in keeping Carisa at bay.