Western India import Paris (Rock of Gibraltor-City Zone) bred at the Manjri Stud and trained by Zareer Darashah scored her maiden win in an impressive fashion, in the higher division of the Negresco Trophy at Mysore. Paris was quick at start and headed to the front. Golden Time which was the second in demand whipped out and dropped the rider after jumping out from the outermost draw. Paris maintained a lead of over two lengths all through the seven furlongs and won easily. Spark of Blue, Indian Hero and Siena finished in that order for the minor places in a close finish.

The 6 year old gelding Yamas (Pennine Ridge-Sober Mind) from C D Monnappa’s yard upset the apple cart of the favourite Arctic Rose which is half its age in the Sahyadri Plate, a mile trip for horses rated above 60. Racing in about sixth position till the final bend Yamas made a swift move around the field to grab the lead on top of the straight and galloped resolutely to draw away by six lengths. Arctic Rose could only finish second. Money Bay improved to finish third ahead of Spark of Beauty.

Monnappa completed a back to back double with Distant Promise (Mr Mellon-Over the Ocean) in the Pattadakkal Plate. Oscar Sparkler which was second in demand among the dozen runners was on a start to finish bid, chased by Foxtrot till entering the home stretch and Distant Promise ranging on the outside. Surging forward on the straight, Distant Promise kicked on gamely under apprentice A Vishwanath. Esoterical came up late to take the second spot ahead of Oscar Sparkler. The favourite Ice Weapon was never in the hunt and finished in the ruck.

Bipin V Salvi trained Kolaveri Di (Glory of Dancer-Anthalia) which had finished an eye-catching second in its previous run a fortnight ago scored its maiden win in the Mekedaatu Plate. Kolaveri Di sent in as the favourite at 11-10 for the mile trip was settled well in about sixth by S.John while Chandini and Brillante disputed the lead followed by Blue Zone, Born to Perform and Party Tonite. As they turned for home john found a wide gap along the rails and slipped in readily to hit the front straightaway. The filly was eased up well before passing the winning post to win by a little over two lengths. Born to Perform finished second in front of Secret Missile.

Trainer Ranjeet Shinde sent out winners in both the divisions of the Dandeli Plate. The 7 year old Vertex (Young Senor-Alzira) which was the second favourite after Byzantine won the higher division with a start to finish effort. Byzantine came up late with a strong challenge but Vertex was ridden out by Arshad Alam to be a ‘neck’ in front at the wire. Little Athena finished third ahead of Jazzbythebay.

Ceasaria (Hurricane State-Simply Sensual) won the lower division at lucrative odds. Ceasaria tracked the leader Archer as they came into the final run followed by Impressiveattitude and Real Potential. Ceasaria forged ahead inside the last 300 metres but failed to maintain a straight course and began to drift out. Despite the drift Ceasaria kept galloping and spared a length to Penalty Kick at the finish. Theworldismine and Impressiveattitude finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer S Rakesh saddled a double with Zora Zora and Infinithoughts in the first two races of the day respectively. Zora Zora (Danehill Star-Arisaka) was a stunning upset in the opener, the Crown Treasure Plate, a 5 ½ furlongs dash for 2 year old maiden horses. The youngster paid a whopping 100-1 in the totalizators dividends. Class Above in front was joined by The Back Bencher and Vroom Vroom and the three started to fight it out on the final straight. Zora Zora Zora in the meanwhile opted for a clear path on the extreme outside and swept past the front runners. Murcilago raced towards the rear till the top of the straight and warming up late, manoeuvred through the field and flashed in to take the second spot. The Back Bencher and Vroom Vroom finished third and fourth respectively.

Infinithoughts (Hymn-Sparklingchampagne) scored its maiden win as a favourite in the lower division of the Negresco Cup. Rich Rogue on a start to finish bid led till the last 250 metres. Infinithoughts close to the fence and Prost on the outside headed past Rich Rogue together and after a duel for about 100 metres Rakesh’s ward galloped better to win by a ‘neck’ at the wire.

For the professionals trainers S Rakesh, Ranjeet Shinde and C D Monnappa scored a brace each.