For the second day in succession, a long priced runner from trainer Padmanabhan’s yard managed to bag the day’s feature at Bangalore. After Invincible Prince’s exploits on Friday, it was the turn of Field Marshal to present his master with The Krishnaraja Trophy on Saturday. This race was a sprint handicap for horses in Class I. Even though there were nine acceptors in this event, only three or four amongst them merited attention. Secret Punch, Cecil and Cape Ferrat were reputed sprinters, and each one of them had won more than once at this level. They had clashed on a number of occasions, and had always finished in close proximity of each other.  While those at the lower end of the scale were recent promotees, the top weighted Klipspringer was carrying a huge load on her back. The only other runner that belonged to this category was Field Marshal. He was known to be a staying type, and his best performances had been achieved over a mile and longer. With Appu in the saddle, he was allowed to participate as a rank outsider in the day’s feature. An obvious favourite in this race was Sirajuddin’s Secret Punch. The five year old had retained his form and had been placing repeatedly over sprints in recent months. The trainer had chosen to entrust him to Suraj today, and the nice looking horse was backed down to firm favouritism.

Taking off smartly from his widest draw, Field Marshal was taken to the front. Appu moved him towards the inner rails, and the chestnut led at a steady pace from Cape Ferrat, Secret Punch, Talisker and Klipspringer. Cecil headed the chasing pack, as the nine of them moved towards the final bend. A couple of things became evident at this stage. The most glaring amongst them was the manner in which the front-runner was traveling. Field Marshal was enjoying his solitude in front and was getting stronger with each stride. On the other hand, Cape Ferrat, Secret Punch and Klipspringer were moving sideways under pressure. Each one of them was shortening his or her strides, and was fading away from the scene.  This permitted Talisker and Cecil to grab the minor berths. But the star of the show was definitely Field Marshal.  His long and fluent strides allowed him to move smoothly past the finishing line. It is often said that top class “stayers”  tend to sprint in their first outing of a new season.  But this performance by him was quite exceptional. In this sort of form and renewed vigour, Field Marshal is sure to be targeted at some important events later in the season.

The first race for maiden two year olds this year was held on Saturday. A brilliant turn of foot displayed by the Kunigal-bred Jersey Bride was the talking point at the race course today. The B Puttanna trained filly raced like a seasoned campaigner and rocketed away to win from some highly regarded individuals. Ganapathy trained Bold Majesty was the unanimous choice of the punters. This son of Multidimensional had been doing some good work and his paddock looks were indicative of his present fitness. On the other hand, the daughter of Burden Of Proof looked relatively smaller. But once the race got off to an even start, there was only one horse running in this race. With Suraj Narredu astride, she took-off like a scalded cat and opened up a winning lead at the final bend. The champion jockey was a mere passenger thereafter. Jersey Bride won impressively from a flat-out Bold Majesty and a late finishing Ocean Park. The winning margin of almost seven lengths and a smart timing clocked by her, tell the rest of the story. This was one of the best performances that has been witnessed from a two year old in recent times, and we are sure to hear a lot more about Jersey Bride this winter.

The Air Force Trophy was the added attraction in the day’s card. The seven furlong handicap for horses rated 40-65 attracted a large number of three year olds. Quite a few amongst them had done well in their short careers, and were now embarking on their winter campaign. Arjun Mangalorkar’s Coolmore was fancied ahead of the Lokanath trained Ambitious Reward, Kafka and Socrates. Ballantoy and Placervilles Glory played up in the gates and got withdrawn before coming under “starter’s orders”. The other ten got off to an even start. Cool Baby, Diamond Quest and Socrates showed early intent, and spurted ahead of Kafka and Coolmore. After a slightly sluggish start, Ambitious Reward was seen being niggled by Sreekanth, and he was trying his best to rally along the inner rails. Diamond Quest seized the advantage in the straight and spurted clear of the pack. Making free use of his whalebone, TS Jodha urged him further. With most of those around him fading out of contention, it was time for Ambitious Reward to make his final run. He emerged from the chasing pack and was soon besides Diamond Quest. Within the next few seconds, he gained the upper hand and ran away with this coveted trophy. Diamond Quest, Kafka and Coolmore ended at regular intervals to take the minor slots on the result boards. This run of Coolmore was definitely disappointing. It is possible that the way she played up prior to getting stalled, led to her undoing.

An interesting clash between Shinnecock Hills and Artic Attraction resulted in the latter scoring a long overdue victory. While Shinnecock Hills had won his only start in summer, Artic Attraction had failed repeatedly in her efforts to emerge from the maiden ranks. Although she had raced prominently, there was always someone or the other who  finished ahead of her. This was the first time that Artic Attraction was racing in handicap company. The eight kilos that she was receiving from the top-weighted Shinnecock Hills, looked like a great advantage. In the hands of PS Chouhan, this Attaolahi trained filly received all round support to start as the first favourite in this race.  Tracking first-timer Santa Ana till the bend, Artic Attraction was the first into the straight. Chouhan urged her further and made full use of his whip. Racing towards the centre of the track, she proved to be too strong for Shinnecock Hills. The latter rallied along the inner rails, but was marginally shy at the wire. Shinnecock Hills will be a different proposition the day he sprints at a low weight in a higher category. Santa Ana did well to finish a fair third in this race. She is another one who will be too-good-to-miss in her next start.

 A sprint for those in class III witnessed a near perfect performance by Babu Rao’s Frenemee. This colt had run against younger horses exactly seven days ago and finished off the frame. The yard had apparently picked up some clues about his present form and condition from that run, as they were seen supporting him confidently today. They were neither worried by his top handicap nor with their choice of jockey. With an ordinary rider named Tauseef Ahmed in the saddle, Frenemee was the best supported horse at race time. Once Little Lion and Suraj Narredu decided to go ahead and set a good pace ahead of Sweet Secret, Tauseef was content to keep Frenemee in third place. Without much assistance from the saddle, he continued to rally along the inner rails. Little Lion managed to retain his hold on this race till the distance post. It was hereabouts that he was challenged by Frenemee. Responding smartly to Tauseef’s whip,  Frenemee raised a fluent gallop and marched ahead of Little Lion. He went on to register a fine win over Little Lion and a late finishing Whistlejacket.

Debutant Ice Cutter landed a superb gamble in the last race of the day. This son of Burden Of Proof , who will be turning five in another couple of months, was  obviously troubled by a handful of problems earlier in his career. Trainer Irfan Ghatala sorted them out before accepting to run him against class IV opponents. Since it was an age group handicap for those rated 20-45,  Ice Cutter wasplaced near the bottom of the scales. By entrusting him to Anjar Alam, the trainer ensured that  bookmakers were generous while offering odds against him. Once money started to flow in his direction, the bookmakers were seen running for cover. Ice Cutter took off to a level start and was seen traveling in mid group as the field skirted the wide false rails and entered the straight. It was hereabouts that Anjar Alam made his move. He brought Ice Cutter with a smooth run through the middle and skipped clear of King Of Heroes. The others were so far behind, that it was almost impossible to visualize any of them troubling the favourite. He got stronger with each subsequent stride, and to the delight of his camp, ran away with this race.  Supreme was the only one who showed some intent in the closing stages and the four year old was rewarded for her efforts. She managed to earn her corn bill by finishing right behind King Of Heroes in third place. Ice Cutter is a game galloper and he must be supported confidently  in his next start against similar opponents.

A couple of races for horses in the lowest class completed the rest of the day’s card. The seven furlong handicap attracted sixteen acceptors, and since the authorities wanted to have eight races on Saturday, the race was divided into two divisions. The upper division had an outstanding runner in Faraz Arshad’s Estelita. This grey filly had begun her racing career during the recently concluded season at Mysore, and had done well to finish a good fourth to Mark in a higher category. Her present opponents were relatively weaker. The bookmakers started by installing her as an odds-on favourite, but once money began to flow in the direction of Standing Tall and Tiger Eyes, the odds against Estelita almost doubled within the next few minutes. Those who continued to repose faith in her were rewarded for their decision. Estelita tracked Standing Tall and Tiger Eyes till the bend and Trevor waited for the right opportunity before making his final bid in the straight. Estelita moved strongly past the leaders and went on to register a fairly easy victory. While Standing Tall continued to plod in second position, Green Path came with a late burst of speed to push Tiger Eyes  into fourth place.

The lower division was annexed by Arjun Mangalorkar’s Distinctive. The four year old filly was entrusted to apprentice Feroz, and the youngster made no mistakes while guiding her successfully across the finishing line. Taking a smooth jump from her innermost draw, the filly made every post a winning one. She was chased most of the way by Many Wishes, but once she ran out of steam at the bend, the second spot was taken by Independence Day. The last named managed to hang onto this position by a whisker from a late finishing Byronic. The three year old was seen doing some good work at the end, and it may not surprise many if this chestnut comes out and wins his next start.  Since Byronic looks like a staying type, the connections would do well to campaign him over a slightly longer trip in future.