Manjri Stud’s flag was held high by Sofast and Duma, both daughters of Phoenix Tower who won their respective races in fine fashion at Mysore on Wednesday. Both the fillies are trained by Michael Eshwer, who is saddling at the races after a gap of nearly five months. Eshwer had earlier led in Secret Treasure, to return home with a commendable treble.  Y.S.Srinath was astride Secret Treasure and Sofast, while Duma was piloted by R.Vaibhav, who also earned a double for himself with Truthandfaith.

Sofast (Phoenix Tower-Shiseido) won the C.P.Chinnappa Memorial Trophy, the feature of the day’s nine races card. Carisma was withdrawn in the morning and the field was reduced to seven runners. Sofast was settled well in about fourth position early while Cash is King led, followed by Mountain Glory and All For Cash. Always on Top and Breezo were further behind and Euphoria which had lost considerable ground at start trailed the field. As they entered the last 400 metres, Sofast forged ahead to take charge and built up a good lead. Euphoria started to improve from the rear and came with a flourish inside the last 150 metres. Although Euphoria bridged the gap at a rapid pace and finish locked together with Sofast, he was short by a ‘short head’ at the wire. All For Cash finished third, nine lengths behind.

Duma (Phoenix Tower-Firecrest) won the Wynad Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for horses rated over 60, in a spectacular fashion. The way she raised a gallop in the last 100 metres, coming from what could be termed as an impossible position left everyone spellbound. Twelve horses took the start with Duma jumping out from the outside draw. The filly was tapped out by Bucethalis immediately after jumping out and lost a good two lengths at the start. Duma trailed the field all the way till turning for home. On the home stretch the favourite Yakeen surged forward and went clear with Rebecca and Flying Tricolour in futile chase. Duma was not to be sighted even as they moved into the last 300 metres. She then started to manoeuvre through the field as she picked up speed and with an unbelievable acceleration pierced through the horses in front and push back Yakeen by three and a half lengths.

Secret Treasure (Hurricane Centre-Secret Star) earned her maiden win in the Kakanakote Plate sprinting over the 1200 metres distance from pillar to post.  The filly which opened as the favourite at 16-10, started to ease out to 3-1 as Blues And Royals garnered a lot of support to be the firm favourite at 5-2. Secret Treasure was three lengths clear of the rest as they turned for home and kicked on gamely without being troubled. Shining Fame chased the winner all the way up the straight to take the second position.  Abbys Baby and Pearl of Bangalore finished third and fourth respectively while Blues And Royals travelled wide all through the distance and was nowhere close to the frame.

The 7 year old gelding Truthandfaith (Classic Tale-English Daughter) won the Manasagangotri Plate, the opener, under R.Vaibhav. Chantilly Jewel set out on a start to finish bid, bringing the field into view on the straight. Truthandfaith challenged the leader as they went past the 400 metres board and headed past. Truthandfaith began to veer out of the straight course in the last 200 metres with Penalty Kick and Rich Rogue making their bid on the outside. Despite the drift Truthandfaith kicked on gamely to win. Penalty Kick, Rich Rogue and Chantilly Jewel filled the frame in that order in a close finish.

Dinesh Pujar trained Alabama (Ajaad-Aldiora) justified the favouritism in the lower division of the Big Deal Plate. Game Face tried different tactics, rushing to the front at start and trying to run away with the race, opening a big lead of over six lengths. As they came into the last 400 metres Game Face started to lose steam Alabama along with Getafix charged forward. Alabama travelled better and drew clear to spare 3 1/4 lengths over Getafix. Huckleberry Finn finished third ahead of Game Face. Wynn was a non-starter in the race.

Ranjeet Shinde’s Mom In Law (Case Law-Miss Biarritz), a runner-up last week, came good to win the higher division. Sent in as the favourite at 13-10, Mom in Law tracked Sky High till the top of the straight and surged past to take charge and win. Sky High ended up second. Amazer and April Showers finished third and fourth respectively.

Ice Splendour (Black Cash-Eau De Vie) from the stables of S.Rakesh scored an upset win in the lower division of the Nanjangud Plate. Ice Splendour jumped out smartly from the outermost draw and rushed to hit the front. Triple Victory, Rosie’s Dream and Spinning Chakram raced close behind in that order while the rest were many lengths behind. Entering the straight Ice Splendour drifted out alarmingly but kept accelerating to win by a lengthening margin of seven lengths. Persian and Rosie’s Dream finished second and third respectively while the ‘odds on’ favourite Spinning Chakram never relished the trip at any stage and ended up a tame fourth.

C D Monnappa trained Flash Time (Mathematician-My Time) scored its maiden wins in the higher division. Settled into a handy third close to the inner fence behind Vertex and Ensatus Elegans, Flash Time found a dream opening along the inside and apprentice A.Vishwanath who had just got to hold a whip after completing ten winners, went for it and won well. Kolaveri Di who was in chase on the home stretch wavered a bit after leaning close to the false rails and finished second. Big Hero was withdrawn after being troublesome in the gates.

M Bobby trained Little Athena (Eljohar-Desirable) won the Great Cherisma Plate, the last race of the day. Perfect Speed, Real Potential and Winning Desire raced close in front till turning for home. Little Athena which was towards the rear till the top of the straight came with a fast gallop on the extreme outside to get to the front with 150 metres left from home and thwarted the late effort of Prezzie. Real Potential finished third.