Ranjeet Shinde trained Impedimenta (Black Cash-Bon Sang) won the higher division of the Octogonal Trophy that featured the eight races card on New Year’s day at Mysore. On a day when half the card witnessed close finishes, the handicapper must have sported a smile at the close of day but the followers of money did not have the kind of start they would have wished for at the start of the New Year, as only three firm favourites obliged in a card of eight races. Trainer Feroz M Khan and jockey Shobhan Babu combined to score a double. Jockey D.Gnaneshwar who was going through a lean patch also piloted a double.

The reduced field of eleven horses faced the starter for the 1200 metres sprint, following the withdrawal of the troublesome Golden Slipper near the gates . Esoterical and Amazer almost shared the favouritism among them. Impedimenta improved well as the field approached the final straight and rushed quickly to hit the front and opened a sizable lead. Tusker was in futile chase. Amazer, on whom jockey Arshad Alam replaced Saddam Hussain, travelled wide all the way and took the final turn about six away from the fence. Amazer started to get stronger inside the last 150 metres, bridging the gap steadily but Impedimenta held on to touch the winning post first, a ‘neck’ ahead of Amazer. Tusker was third another length away. The winner was ridden by Irvan Singh.

Yakeen (Hurricane State-Excitement) from the stables of M.Bobby which had found one better in its last two starts won the Halebeedu Plate, a six furlongs sprint for horses rated 60 and above, in an impressive fashion. Yakeen humped out smartly from an outward draw and quickly went to the front to lead the pack. Jockey D.Gnaneshwar let Yakeen settle in third when Daring Dynamite and Flying Tricolour headed past within the first 200 metres. Yakeen rushed forward as they started to round the bend and slipped in along the inner path when the front runners drifted out and made way on entering the straight. Miyarprincess warmed up late to take the second spot in front of Alizadeh.

Gnaneshwar had earlier piloted Dinesh Pujar’s Brillante (Ivory Touch-Anntari) to a start to finish win in the Splash Plate. The 5 year old mare headed to the front as the gates opened and maintained a lead of over a length in front of Supreme Strength till the last 400 metres. Once into the straight Brillante stepped up the pace and extended the lead to over three lengths. The favourite Take Off made a late bid from the extreme outside inside the last 200 metres but Brillante was well clear and won being eased up before passing the winning post. Prost rallied on to finish third.

Trainer C.D.Monnappa who has been having a good run with his youngsters this season, pulled off another win with first timer As Always (Brave Act-Somerset West) in the Solitaire Plate, a 1100 metres dash for maiden 2 year olds. Jota, which was sent in as the favourite was withdrawn near the starting gates on veterinary grounds. Beautiful Effect set out in front and was joined by The Back Bencher in the last 300 metres. Vroom Vroom sneaked between horses with a good burst of speed and rushed ahead to take charge. As Always, racing in about fifth position on top of the straight was pulled out for a clear run by jockey Vivek and with a strong gallop diminished the lead that Vroom Vroom had established and got the nod on the wire.

J.Saravanan trained Born For Beauty (Hymn-Sprit of Patxi) upset the apple cart of Getafix in the lower division of the Octogonal Trophy. Born For Beauty was very keen after taking a good start and poked through to take the lead. Getafix tracked the leader and the two came into the home stretch almost together. They were involved in a keen tussle throughout the last 400 metres and Getafix lost out by a ‘head’ after veering out under pressure towards the closing stages. The favourite Time Flies was being urged strongly throughout the straight but the 8 year old failed to gain speed and ended up to be third.

Feroz Khan and Shobhan Babu’s double came through Windsor Park and Galaxy Queen. Windsor Park (Ajaad-Maltese Falcon) pulled off an upset in the Kovalam Plate, the first race of the day. The 7 year old which was still winless from 24 starts finally entered the winner’s enclosure. Beautiful Fin was on a start to finish bid, tracked closely by the favourite Magic Island. As they came into the last furlong Magic Island was urged to quicken but the filly began to drift out of the straight path under pressure. Windsor Park in the meanwhile found a gap along the rails and slipped in to take over the running. Beautiful Fin came back with a re-run but failed to make it by the proverbial whisker. Aerial Acrobat finished third ahead of Magic Island. It was observed after the race that Magic Island had bled through its nostrils.

Galaxy Queen (Mull of Kintyre-Premier Galaxy) won the higher division of the Varuna Plate. Sharp Girl and Shubkamna raced together in front right from the start and brought the field into view on the final straight. They both started to move away from the fence and Galaxy Queen went for the gap readily and forged ahead. Shubkamna started to improve near the last 300 metres but began to lug in and failed to produce a fluent gallop. Shubkamna was beaten to the third place by a fast finishing Chandini.

Bipin V Salvi trained Beyond Thankful (Gaswar-Ladyfeelgood) which was running after a gap of over four months justified the strong support with a runaway victory in the lower division, the concluding race of the day. Beyond Thankful did give its supporters some anxious moments while traveling towards the rear in the initial stages of the race. Improving gradually to be sixth as they rounded the bend, Beyond Thankful rushed to take it up as they straightened up and drew away from the rest. Black Dragon and Secret Missile finished second and third respectively.