Trainer S.Rakesh hogged the limelight at the races in Mysore on Wednesday, saddling four winners. The railbirds returned home a happy lot with six first favourites obliging on the day and the other three races being won by well fancied horses. Jockey Suraj Narredu was astride two of Rakesh’s wins while Ryan Marshall and M.A.Roshan bagged one each.

Ice Splendour and Infinithoughts were the two successful mounts of Suraj Narredu. Ice Splendour (Black Cash-Eau De Vie) won the Division I of the M.Govindappa Memorial Cup, the main event of the day. The 5 year old mare which had found one better in her previous two starts after a win was sent into the 1400 metres race as the favourite. Jumping out smartly, Ice Splendour hit the front right from the start and led all the way. Entering the home stretch, Ice Splendour stepped up the pace and extended the lead well. Royal Prodigy in its usual fashion came with a strong gallop towards the closing stages but Ice Splendour was a clear two lengths ahead at the finish. Time Flies finished third.

Infinithoughts (Hymn-Sparklingchampagne) justified the favouritism with a six lengths victory in the higher division of the Gerusoppa Plate. Racing a handy fifth till the final bend, Infinithoughts rushed through horses to take charge on top of the straight and raced away. Thrillseeker inched closer to Sanatana in the last 150 metres and just managed to snatch the runner-up berth on the last stride by a ‘nose’. Virtuoso filled the judge’s frame.

Jockey Ryan Marshall piloted Rakesh’s Divine Friendship (Sharp Attack-Bribe n Prejudice) to victory in the lower division of the Vijayawada Plate. Princess of Syria was withdrawn on veterinary grounds d Teri Adah which was racing after a gap of almost five months was installed as the favourite at 12- 10. Devine Friendship was second in demand at 3-1. Teri Adah led the field from the word ‘go’ and held forte till approaching the last 300 metres. Devine Friendship in chase all the way was urged by Ryanfrom there on and the 4 year old responded well to surge past the leader and stretch away and register its first win by four lengths. Lagoona was third many lengths behind. Erica was also a non-starter in the race.

The fourth win for Rakesh was in the lower division of the Gersoppa Plate, the last race of the day. Ice Brown (Red Clubs-Born Beautiful) ridden by M.A.Roushanscored its maiden win in a pulsating finish with Brigade’s Passion. The favourite Brigade’s Passion went ahead with 300 metres left from home and looked good with a lead of two lengths. Jockey Roushan kept riding out Ice Brown and the gelding accelerated tremendously in the last 50 metres to fly in and snatch the race from Brigade’s Passion at the wire. Truthandfaith and Guapo finished third and fourth respectively.

Dinesh Pujar trained Tusker (Ivory Touch-Ever Lasting Love), whose last win was almost eleven months away, won the Sangam Plate in a close finish. Ace Princess was in the lead as they came into the last two furlongs and Tusker with a sustained gallop improved in the centre of the track and forged ahead. Little Athena in its usual fashion warmed up late and came flying but failed to collar Tusker by a ‘short-head’. Ace Princess ended up third with Historica finishing fourth. 

Society Music (Chevalier-Secret Paradise), the youngster from C.D.Monnappa’s stables won the Formal Invitation Plate, a five and a half furlongs dash for maiden 3 year olds. Racing in about fifth position till the final bend, Society Music came from the wide outside and shot ahead of Vroom Vroom which was in the lead by then and stretched out easily. Char And Dream, The Back Bencher, Beautiful Effect and Spiritual Blue finished in a cluster in that order, four lengths behind the winner.

J.Saravanan trained Ground Marshall (Ontario-Madam Brady) lifted the lower division of the M Govindappa Memorial Cup. Taking a good jump from the outermost draw, Ground Marshall moved in quickly to be a handy third behind Brave Assault and Lake Emerald till approaching the last 600 metres. Improving swiftly as the rounded the final turn, Ground Marshall took charge on the top of the straight and drew away easily to extend the margin to five lengths. Too Cold to Hold finished second with Greenbro in third further behind.

M.Bobby trained Secret Missile (Crown Jewels-Heena) scored an encore with a run-away victory in the higher division of the Vijayawada Plate. Improving steadily to hit the front as they passed the 800 metres marker, Secret Missile came in first on the straight and stretched out easily to extend the lead to over seven lengths. Mother Ewa was in futile chase all the way to finish second. Herculean and Star Mountain filled the frame in that order.

Pratap Kamath trained Aerial Acrobat (Brave Act-Circus Maid) won the opener of the day, the Ajantha Plate. Queen’s Cruise was out on a start to finish bid and led till the last 250 metres. Aerial Acrobat started to improve well under M.A.Milan and surged forward inside the last furlong. Magnifique warmed up late and finished fast to be a close second. Queen’s Cruise ended up third.