Southern Emperor (Placerville-Mystic Dancer), a late foal from the stables of S.Ganapathy won the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club sponsored Mysore 2000 Guineas (Grade 3) in an absolutely thrilling finish. The son of Placerville stopped the clock at 1 min 33.85 seconds which turned out to be a new course record over the mile trip. The score of Classic victories for the ‘Goldie Brown’ silks of Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy soared to 570, which is a remarkable achievement in the annals of Indian Racing.  Southern Emperor had earned its maiden win in the Mysore Million about four weeks ago. Jockey B.Sreekanth was at his forceful best when he fought out with Czar of Romance in the final furlong and managed to edge out by the proverbial whisker.

Valerian and Ace Bucephalus disputed the lead with Southern Emperor racing close behind. Czar of Romance was lethargic at start losing about two lengths at start. The ‘Czar’ was quickly back on stride to be with the bunch, racing close to the inner fence with just Nabisco behind as they traveled at a blistering pace. Turning for home Ace Bucephalus hurried to go to the front and Southern Emperor moved on the outside. Czar of Romance which raced towards the fence slipped in and galloped strongly to challenge Southern Emperor who had by then taken charge. The two pulled away from the rest and matched strides all through the last 300 metres. They flashed past the winning post locked together and to identify the winner with naked eye was a tough task. The result went in favour of Southern Emperor who had snatched the race by a whisker. “I was confident that I had won the race”, said Sreekanth to India Race as he was waiting on the track for being led in after the results were announced and added, ” I had even lifted my hand in the air in celebration. You can see that in the replay”. Jersey Shore finished third another four lengths behind.

“He is a late foal and is just beginning to get into the grove. He will mature to be a good horse”, said the winning trainer S.Ganapathy. “The Mysore Derby will be his next”, he added.

Satish Narredu trained Aumento (Chatham Strait-Amazing Returns) scored an encore in the Justice P.Medapa Memorial Trophy, a mile race for horses rated 40 to 65. Aumento was settled nicely in third early while Formidable led the field followed by Zagato. Into the straight for the final run Zagoto headed past the tiring Formidable. Aumento started to get stronger in the middle of the track and overhauled Zagato easily to win by two lengths. Carisa raised some hopes in the last furlong and ended up third.

Satish Narredu scored a back to back double on Mountain Train (Placerville-Academic) to carry home a very attractive trophy in the Alekona Cup. The 5 year old who had scored a maiden win on the first day of the season seems to have struck form. Showing plenty of zest Mountain Train rushed to get to the lead early in the race. Coming into the last 400 metres with a lead of about two lengths, Mountain Train extended the margin to over five lengths at the finish. The favourite Spinning Chakram finished second ahead of Honourable Empress and Aero Star.

On a day of close finishes S.Britto trained Stellar Ambition (Gaswar-Kilspindie) edged out Altira in the shadow of the winning post in the higher division of the Margrove Estate Trophy. Brave Assault set off in front followed by Balas Glory and Stellar Ambition moving up to be in striking position. Altira missed a valuable three lengths at start after being slowly away. Brushed up quickly Altira was up with the field, racing close to the fence. Inside the last 400 metres Stellar Ambition headed to the front and Altira was brought on the outside by Anjar Alam with a strong challenge. The two moved away from the rest and Altira had a slender lead over Stellar Ambition as they went past the distance marker. After a fierce duel the stronger finish of P.S.Chouhan enabled Stellar Ambition to forge ahead by a ‘short neck’. Amazing Redd and Ice Weapon finished third and fourth respectively about five lengths behind.

It was a close finish again in the lower division with B.Puttanna’s Open Page (Gaswar-Interlaken) edging out Superb Style to justify the favouritism. As the field of twelve horses rounded the final bend Open Page was pulled out gradually to make its bit widest of all. Superb Style charged to the front inside the last 300 metres with Point Taken trying to match strides along the inside and Open Page crept up to join the fight on the outside. Point Taken tired out with 150 metres left from home and the other two continued the fight till the wire. Jockey Mudassar Nazar rode out Open Page strongly to get the better at the finish. Point Taken finished third.

Jockey Mudassar Nazar pulled off a double in the next race, the higher division of the Triveni Plate, booting home S.Britto’s Right on Time (Fantabulous King-Time is Money) in a close finish with Fantastic Strike. Right on Time and Fantastic Strike moved together to head to the front as the field straightened up and the two fought came away from the rest. After a fierce duel all through the last 400 metres Right on Time prevailed over Fantastic Strike by a ‘short neck’ at the finish. Style of Signature and Alphine Shine filled the frame in that order in a close finish.

The lower division was won by Prasanna Kumar trainer Novel Approach (Juniper-Storm River) in a runaway fashion. It was the first win for the 6 year old who started its career late as a 5 year old. Jumping out smartly, Novel Approach was taken to the front early and made every post a winning one. Inside the last 400 metres Novel Approach stretched out easily under S.John to extend the margin to over seven lengths. Bounty Hunter was in chase of the winner all through the trip.

The hero of the day, B.Sreekanth started off with a win in the first race of the day, the lower division of the Lokapavani Plate with V.Narayana Gowda trained Buzzword (Sharp Attack-New Dimension). The 4 year old which was winless from 16 starts made headway to join the front running Trillion Win near the 500 metres marker. After matching strides with Trillion Win for a short while on the straight Buzzword forged ahead to be a length in front at the finish. Gol Matol and Mystic Lavenders flashed on late to finish third and fourth respectively.

Amit Cady trained Hatchet Harry (Diffident-Zest) lifted the higher division. Star of Desire rushed to take the lead at start, followed by Enduring Speed and Samajdaar. Hatchet Harry improved gradually to run fourth as they took the final bend. Star of Desire came in first on the straight with a lead of about three lengths and Hatchet Harry responded readily to Suraj Narredu’s urgings and devoured ground to bridge the gap and flash past Start of Desire.

For the professionals trainers S.Narredu and S.Britto and jockeys B.Sreekanth, Suraj Narredu and Mudassar Nazar scored a double each.