Zareer Darashah trained Keturah (Burden of Proof-Astrodance), a classy filly from this racing circuit trounced her rivals in the Elusive Pimpernel Cup, a seven furlongs trip for horses rated 60 and above on the first day of the Mysore Winter season. The daughter of Burden of Proof has set her sights on the ‘Guineas’ at Bangalore and this race was more of a warm up for the event.  Racing a handy third behind Flying Tricolour and Crrisp, Keturah surged forward to take charge effortlessly and drew away from the pack. Crrisp held on to the second place from the fast finishing Royal Shaan in a close finish for the minor positions. Rule Forever and Scholar were non-starters in the race. 

Darashah started off the new season on a high, saddling four winners. The other three winners were Blue Zone, Golden Slipper and Artic Rose. The last named was well supported in the betting as the second favourite but the other two were bombshells with Blue Zone paying Rs.762 for a tanner. Keturah and Artic Rose were ridden by Y.S.Srinath while the other two by apprentice M.D.Paswan.

Artic Rose (Rebuttal-Artic Bride) was quick at start to get to the front and lead the pack in the higher division of the Dharwad Plate. Racing close to the fence all the way, Artic Rose stepped up the pace on coming into the home stretch and drew away to extend the lead to four lengths. Sand Dune and Yamas fought for the runner-up berth and finished in that order in a close finish. Happiness, Superb Style and Delta Delight were non-starters in the race.

The 3 year old filly, Blue Zone (Noverre-Isle of Mull) who had finished fourth in her only run on the Derby day here was completely neglected in the betting with apprentice M.D.Paswan assigned the task in the division I of the Fantasy Dream Plate. Blue Zone rushed to take the lead early in the race, joined quickly by the favourite Prezzie. The two came in to the straight almost together but Darashah’s filly stepped up momentum and forged ahead. Blue Zone started to drift out of the straight course inside the last 250 metres but still maintained the lead and kicked on.

Golden Slipper (Burden of Proof-Rhapsody in Blue), a temperamental 4 year old filly surprised everyone in the higher division of the B.R.Hills Plate. Taking a flying jump from an outward draw, Golden Slipper rushed to the inner rails to head the field and won with a lengthening margin of over eight lengths. Infatuation was best of the beaten lot. Theworldismine finished third, ahead of Flirting King.

Santosh Rao trained Maverical (Quest Star-Sweet Suzzanne) upset the apple cart of the favourite Historica in the lower division. Ace High led the field early, tracked by Maverical, Little Athena, Abbys Baby, Historica, Brigades Paradise and the rest. As the race got to a boil on the straight Maverical and Little Athena moved to the front together and Historica was looking to find its way between them. The gap closed up and jockey Srinath checked Historica and pulled her left to make a move from around the field. Maverical had in the meanwhile built up a good lead and Historica came with a strong run but fell short by a ‘short head’ at the finish. Abbys Baby gained places along the shortest way to finish third.

C.D.Monnappa schooled Rising Romeo (Oath-Actress) scored a runaway win in the Lt.Col.C.Rudrappa Memorial Plate, a 1100 metres dash for 2 year old maiden horses. Dancing Tableaux was withdrawn and nine juveniles, all of them on their first run, took the start. Ridden by Vivek, Rising Romeo went to the front early and led all the way to the finish. The Back Bencher followed the winner all the way to finish second. Ultimate Princess warmed up late to finish third, ahead of Silver Oak.

Monnappa saddled a double with his filly Always Love (Black Cash-Zariyba) scoring an encore in the Gadag Plate. Always Love settled well in third behind Queen’s Colour and Belle Etoile. Improving gradually to be second as they took the final turn, Always Love surged forward readily to take charge on top of the straight  and drew clear to spare five lengths to Queens Colour at the finish. Belle Etoile was third another three lengths away. Brillante was a non- starter in the race.

Feroz M Khan trained Passage of Time (Brave Act-Strokes of Fire), which had won only once in its career spanning over 53 runs, came good to lift the lower division of the Fantasy Dream Plate. Queens Cruise set out on a start to finish bid, leading till the last 150 metres. Golden Time came well to take charge from thereon. Passage of Time after a good jump had fallen back to stay last. Improving around the field as they turned for home, the 7 year old galloped well to join Golden Time and stuck its neck in front at the wire. The long-time leader Queens Cruise finished third.

Gunpowder (Fantabulous King-Badgering) from Vikram Appachu’s yard, a winner once during the Mysore main season bounced back to win the division II of the Dharwad Plate. Native Lady and Fox Trot hit the front together followed closely by Gunpowder and Mom in Law. As they got to the straight, the duo that followed the leaders moved to the front. Jockey V.R.Jagadeesh who had replaced D.Gnaneshwar on Gunpowder started to ride out strongly and the gelding responded well to surge forward with 100 metres left from the finish. Mom in Law held on to finish second from the fast finishing Party Tonite.