Racing at Bangalore on Friday witnessed some stunning upsets, and this obviously led to a lot of heartburn amongst the betting fraternity. Most of the pools, including the jackpot, remained unsolved as a majority of the races were won by rank outsiders. While one accepts that favourites all over the world don’t win more than 30% of the races, what was surprising  was the fact that some of the winners today didn’t seem to have much of a chance “on paper” of figuring anywhere close to the result boards. The eight event card had a race for older horses, rated 60 and above, as the day’s feature. The Saptharishi Cup, to be run over a trip of seven furlongs, had attracted eleven contenders. Mumbai-import Port Blair was a firm favourite in this race. Although it was evident that this chestnut was tackling such a long trip for the first time in his career, there were many who saw “quality” in his earlier performance. His close second behind Cristoffe over a sprint suggested an ability to go further. A winner in three out of his last four starts, the Narayan Gowda trained Ethophian carried the hopes of his connections. This brave galloper was assigned a heavy impost of 63.5 kilos, and this somehow diminished his chances. Third-in-demand Real Steel had been running some poor races this season, but his camp felt that an inner draw and a suitable trip would see him figuring prominently at the finish. Not many gave a chance to Lokanath’s Talisker, and he was accordingly available at 10/1 with the bookmakers. 

The speedy Magnitude Star did his usual front-running and set a strong pace in this race. Taking off smartly from the widest draw, Talisker moved smoothly into second place, while Port Blair, Ethophian and Real Steel raced in close order, as the closely bunched group moved into the straight. It was hereabouts that the race took a serious turn. Talisker slipped into a narrow lead towards the centre of the track. John urged Port Blair relentlessly, but the favourite was certainly under pressure. Suraj brought Ethophian with a strong run through the middle, and for a moment it appeared as though the pair was headed for victory. But that was not to be. Under some fine riding from apprentice Kiran Rai, Talisker maintained his grip on this race and scampered home to a close victory over Ethophian, Port Blair and a fast finishing Sunstone. Just a couple of lengths separated the four of them at the finish. After a very long time, Sunstone showed some sparkle. He can win an age group race over a slightly longer trip before the end of this season. As far as the run of Real Steel is concerned, it was clear that he is not at his best this winter. 

This was Kiran Rai’s second winner of the afternoon, as he had already scored a point in the day’s opener. Partnering a 25/1 long shot from Prithviraj’s yard, the youngster had set the trend for the day. Simra had failed to win a race for a very long time and the owners had hoped for a change of luck by moving her to another stable. Even though she looked well in the paddock, there weren’t many who gave her a chance in this race. The Jaguar, Tic Tac Toe and Thunder were fancied ahead of the others. Once Law Of The Land and Tic Tac Toe shot their bolt at the bend, there were two horses that moved strongly from behind. Simra slipped through the inner rails, while Thunder came charging on the very wide outside. The two engaged each other for a while before Simra gained the day. She got stronger at the finish and finally posted what looked like an authentic victory. Depite slowing down considerably, Tic Tac Toe managed to retain his third place ahead of the others. 

The K Venkatesh Nayak Memorial Cup, a seven furlong race for horses in class III, was split into two divisions. Trainer Amit Caddy pitched Summer Sun and Bank On Me to win these races, and entrusted both of them to Suraj Narredu. Racing in the upper division, Summer Sun opened as a short priced favourite. His late finishing second to Ice Cutter a few weeks ago was still fresh in everybody’s mind. A similar effort would be seemingly enough to lift this trophy. After a steady start, Summer Sun was seen dropping through the field. While Mountain Beauty, Ballantoy, Athletic Star and Wrekin occupied advantageous positions, Summer Sun was seen gracing the rear. Athletic Star came under pressure near the distance post, and in an attempt to collar the front-running Mountain Beauty, made contact with her. In the midst of this match of bumping and boring between the two of them, Arjun Mangalorkar’s Wrekin appeared on the scene. With John waving his whip at him, Wrekin managed to go ahead in the last hundred metres and succeeded in holding a very late bid from the fast finishing Summer Sun. The latter lost a race that he could have won. After an objection by the rider of fourth placed Mountain Beauty, Athletic Star was dislodged from his third position by the Stewards. 

Suraj made ample amends for his failure astride Summer Sun with an impeccable performance on Bank On Me in the last race of the day. However, since most of the punters had lost a lot by that time, not many had the guts to back her with confidence. Not wanting to take any chances, he niggled his mount from the word “go” and made sure that she remained within striking distance of Simpleton, Starstruck and Magnomical. The moment the horses reached the top of the straight, he found an opening for Bank On Me and pushed her through it.  She stormed ahead with a fair amount of ease and continued her good work till the end. The chasing pack ended in a heap and there were quite a few who fought for the minor placings. Ultimately it was Magnomical, Midtown Delight and Right On Time who ended within a couple of “short heads” of each other. 

In an earlier event, the unbeaten Ice Cutter started as an on-money choice of the punters,  but the Irfan Ghatala trainee failed in his attempt  to win a fourth race this season. The handicapper had obviously caught up with this five year old. The top weighted Ice Cutter was giving chunks of weight to Click, Abnoba and Open Page, and there were many who chose to back them against the favourite. What transpired on the track was quite unexpected. The above mentioned horses failed to figure amongst the first two finishers in this race. Novel Approach, Click, Abnoba and Ice Cutter dominated the early proceedings and were at the helm of affairs till they reached the bend. It was hereabouts that both Ice Cutter and Abnoba were beaten. Both stopped in their tracks and faded out of contention. While Abnoba was distressed by a blood vessel problem, what happened to Ice Cutter is not known. The action in front became confusing as a number of unfancied horses moved towards the finishing line. Finally it was Irfan Ghatala’s other runner named Shivalik Star who found herself ahead of the others. Next Move came with a valiant bid in the last hundred metres, but was unlucky to lose by a whisker. 

A huge gamble by the Darius Byramji’s stable came unstuck when Amalfi failed in her mission to win an ordinary class IV handicap over 1200 metres on Friday. Even though the five year old was running after a gap of fourteen months, her previous form was very suggestive. The last time she ran in December 2012, Amalfi had finished a good second to Esteban. Considering the progress made by Esteban over the subsequent months, a fit Amalfi was considered to be too strong for her present opponents. What had kept her away from a race track during this period was known only to the connections. For an ordinary punter, the action in the bookmakers ring was indicative of Darius Byramji’s confidence. After opening at 6/1 in morning trade, the mare was backed as though there was no tomorrow. There were a number of people connected with the stable who were seen running around in the bookmakers ring, trying to back her at even-money at race time. According to an informed bookmaker, crores of rupees had been wagered on this horse all over the country. The race turned out to be a procession. A bandaged Gagan Star from Samar Singh’s yard, went to the front and stayed there. In fact, this rank outsider quickened further in the straight and went on to register a very easy victory. On the other hand, Amalfi tried her best to match strides with the leader, but was quick to realize that she was fighting a lost cause. Those who backed Amalfi today can confidently support her in her next start. She is sure to strip fitter after today’s exercise.  

The only other race of the day saw a lot of money going down on a horse named Liege Lord. This Padmanabhan trainee had run twice amongst maidens last year and failed to make much of an impression. However, he had shown remarkable improvement in recent times and begun to do some exceptional work on the training track. He was accordingly installed as a short priced favourite in a seven furlong handicap for those in class IV. He was receiving weight from most of his opponents and was looking the part in the parade ring. With David Allan in the saddle, he was backed as a “good thing” by his supporters. A sluggish start and the lack of a recent run, led to his undoing. After a decent start, Liege Lord failed to keep pace with the early leaders and was soon close the tailenders as the runners tackled the first half of their journey. On the other hand, Arta raced comfortably in second place and Imran Chisty was waiting for the right opportunity to make his final charge. The opportunity arrived in the straight. Arta quickened like a seasoned campaigner and tore away from her pursuers. She maintained her grip on this race and managed to hold a belated challenge from a fast finishing Liege Lord. The runner-up will be too good to miss in his next start.