A long and winding season comprising of thirty one days of racing during the winter months came to an end on Friday at Bangalore. Over 260 races were held during this period, and intense competition was witnessed on the local track. Trainer Padmanabhan, jockey Suraj Narredu and apprentice Kiran Rai cornered the professional honours by excelling in their respective fields. The absence of Irfan Ghatala, PS Chouhan and S John over the past many weeks was quite apparent. Winter Derby winner Agostini donned the crown as the champion horse of the season, while Ethophian, who won four times and claimed the runner-up berth on the other three occasions that he participated, was an obvious choice in the “horse of the season” category. Kunigal Stud Farm maintained its position as the leading stud farm at this centre. Horses owned by Dr Vijay Mallya continued to dominate the sport at Bangalore, and for yet another time, he was the leading owner during the Bangalore Winter Season 2013-14.

The Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a class I handicap to be run over 1400 metres, was the feature on the last day of the season. With a dozen acceptors, this race had the makings of a thriller. A number of them had progressed to the present category with victories amongst horses in lower classes, while there were others who had failed to win a race for more than a year. On the basis of his low handicap, Ganapathy’s Supreme Regime ran with a great chance of winning this race. His third in the Japan Trophy at Hyderabad was a fair effort, and there were many who felt that he deserved their support. After winning the 2000 Guineas in December, Mohd Khan’s Turf Striker had been running some poor races. There was a strong feeling amongst his supporters that the longer trips of the Derby and Invitation Cup weren’t suited to his style of running, and he was more effective over middle distances. He was accordingly backed with confidence by his yard. Chase The Sun, Port Blair and Aumento were the others that were considered by the punters. While Port Blair and Aumento had just about begun to race at this level, Chase The Sun was a veteran. She had been running some game races over the past many months, but had repeatedly failed to enter the winners enclosure. After running twice in graded company this winter, she had reverted to racing at her own mark. The last time Sandesh rode her, she had suffered from traffic problems and ended a game third. The leading professional succeeded keeping her out of trouble today. He found a clear passage for Chase The Sun, and by responding gamely to his urgings, the Padmanabhan trainee went on to claim the day’s feature.

With Turf Striker losing all his chances by getting left at the starting gates, the other eleven got off to an even start. Ethophian utilized his early speed and went ahead towards the inner rails. He was closely followed by Cape Ferrat, Supreme Regime, Port Blair and Jersey Girl.  The chasing pack was led by an un-extended Chase The Sun. The order remained more or less the same as they progressed towards the final turn. Despite a number of horses challenging him, Ethophian continued to hold sway till the final furlong. Port Blair was seen rallying towards the inner rails, while Supreme Regime was challenging him on the outside. But the best moving of the lot was Chase The Sun. The chestnut loomed large on the scene and was soon ahead of the others. With Sandesh riding her vigorously, the five year old lengthened her strides and skipped clear of her rivals. Ethophian, Supreme Regime and Port Blair were locked together for the minor placings. Only a couple of “noses” separated them as they ended in the above mentioned order. For Chase the Sun, this was a long overdue victory. In most of her runs, she had repeatedly shown an ability to win a race in the highest category.

Padmanabhan and Sandesh had scored earlier in the afternoon with a horse named Spanish Cannon. After beginning as a maiden, this nice looking specimen was attempting to make it three out of three this winter. With David Allan returning home after guiding him successfully in his last two starts, the trainer entrusted him to Sandesh. The presence of Ace Bucephalus allowed the bookmakers to offer a seemingly generous even-money on Spanish Cannon today. The six horse field in this mile and a quarter event was led by Cool Approach. This no-hoper did the hard work and showed the way to Potomac, Spaniard and Spanish Cannon. Ace Bucephalus and Greyconnection were content to stay at the back. The runners began to get closer in the straight. Potomac overtook the leader and was the first into the straight. Spanish Cannon was put into top gear on the wide outside while Ace Bucephalus tried to poke through the inner rails. With Christopher pulling out all stops on Potomac and guiding him strongly, there was tension in the Spanish Cannon camp. While Potomac led by a length near the distance post, it was a fast moving Spanish Cannon who roused hopes of a popular victory. Even though he took a lot of time, the favourite managed to beat Potomac on the post. Ace Bucephalus ended a tame third.

The RWITC Trophy, a sprint for maiden three year olds, looked like a very interesting race. Experienced runners like Expert, Mandarin and Topspot had figured on the board in their earlier starts and shown that they were ready to strike. But the entire attention in today’s race was focused on a couple of first-timers. Darius Byramji’s Ontime and Arjun Mangalorkar’s Allez Royale looked well in the paddock. Both had been doing some good work on the training track and it was felt that they were the one’s to beat in this race. Expert went darting to the front and stayed ahead of Mandarin, Topspot, Ontime and Allez Royale. Since the front runners were closely huddled, Imran Chisty chose to travel wide astride Ontime. It is possible that he was looking for a clear passage for his well built mount. The scene suddenly altered in the straight. Pradeep Annaiah’s Topspot shot ahead of the pack and opened-up a nice looking lead into the final furlong. He was more than five lengths clear of a hard-pressed Ontime on the wide outside. The latter managed to make up some ground thereafter, but it wasn’t enough to go anywhere close to the leader. Topspot won comfortably from Ontime and a late finishing She’s Stunning.  The last named covered a lot of ground from the back to overtake the other nine participants.

Another professional who did really well on Friday was trainer Sharat Kumar. He claimed the day’s honours by winning three out of the nine races held during the afternoon. Jockey B Mahesh scored a personal double by guiding two out of those three across the wire. Oriental King had steadily come down in his ratings and was presently running against those in the lowest category.  Furthermore, he was tackling a trip that was suited to his style of racing. Since none of the dozen acceptors had won over a mile, this looked like a fairly “open affair”. With Dominator, Bel Esprit and Our Commander getting tired after the early running, it was left to Oriental King to make an appearance. With Mahesh guiding him strongly, he came with a lightning run through the middle and strode away from Abba and Glamour Boy. The placed horses may have to improve further before they get an opportunity to grace the winner’s enclosure.

Last outing winner Atlas Power was the next one that scored a point for the Sharat-Mahesh combination. Atlas Power was known to possess a strong burst of speed in the straight, and it was this very quality that had allowed him to win last Friday. Since today’s race was run at a relatively slower pace, Atlas Power’s job became even easier. Active Grey and Open Page were fancied ahead of him. But once those two failed to stay in touch with the front-runners, the stage was set for Atlas Power’s arrival. Mahesh gave him a couple of taps near the furlong marker and pushed him ahead of Mark Of Genius and Firelight. Thereafter, it was all very comfortable. Atlas Power was all alone in front and he went on to score one of the easiest victories of the day. Open Page rallied late along the rails to push Firelight back into third place. Active Grey performed poorly to finish in the ruck.

Sharat Kumar’s  Joanees Beauty had run seven times this season. On each occasion, she had led till the distance post before fading out of contention. Interestingly, she had never attracted betting with the bookmakers in any of those starts. It was a little different today. In the hands of an in-form Christopher, Joanees Beauty was supported strongly in the betting rings. Starting as a 5/1 chance, she was backed down to 18/10 favouritism at race time. Making use of an advantageous draw, Christopher took her to the front. Within the next few seconds, she was more than five lengths ahead of Anfield and Magic Wave.  For a change, she did not stop in the straight. Maintaining her momentum, she continued to dominate the proceedings and won easily from Anfield and a late finishing Inspirator. Much was expected from the top weighted Right On Time, but he floundered under pressure and finished off the frame.

For Christopher, the win astride Joanees Beauty was his second for the afternoon, as he had already claimed the day’s opener astride Dominic’s Ace Shineon. This horse had ended a close second over a sprint to Secret Touch , and since today’s race was being run over a slightly longer trip, there was every reason to believe that he could win this event. Tony Montana, Masked Marvel, Appys Pride and Impulse showed early intent and were prominent till the bend. It was hereabouts that Masked Marvel asserted his superiority and went ahead of Appy’s Pride. With those around them beginning to disappear, it was only Ace Shineon that looked threatening. He appeared on the wide outside and joined the fray. Since he was traveling the best of the lot, it was easy to spot him as the winner. Ace Shineon got stronger near the finishing line and won from Masked Marvel, Appy’s Pride and a late finishing Emancipation. The last named was seen doing some good work in the closing stages of this race, and he should be noted for an early success during the summer season.

The only other winner in the day’s card was Narayana Gowda’s Prom Queen. This five year old mare had served notice of her fine form with a decisive victory over a mile in the lower class. Since she had done that with a start-to-finish effort about ten day’s ago, the yard wanted to exploit her present condition once again. She did not disappoint them by doing exactly the same today. With the public purse on her back, she took a good jump and carried CS Jodha to the front. Jaanvi and Mountain Splendour tried to match strides with her, but were soon out of contention.  Prom Queen continued her good work in front and won un-challenged from Jaanvi and Mountain Splendour. For trainer Narayan Gowda, this has been a very satisfying season. By winning fourteen races, he enjoyed the distinction of being amongst the top five trainers at Bangalore this season.