A new leaf was turned around in the history books of the 123 years old Mysore Race Club Limited, when they, for the first time raced under their own rules of racing. Mysore Race Club Limited joined as the sixth member of the Turf Authorities of India after they were accorded an Independent status by the TAI in the month of March this year. Mysore races which were being run under the Rules of Racing of the Bangalore Turf Club Limited all these years started off their Summer campaign under the rules framed by their own club.

A glittering event to mark the beginning of their new journey was held before the start of the races on Tuesday. Mr.R.Surender Reddy, Chairman, Hyderabad Race Club, Mr.V.Hari Mohan Naidu, Chairman, Bangalore Race Club Limited, Dr.Md. Javeed Ghatala, Steward, Madras Race Club graced the occasion. The event was well attended by guests from the racing fraternity.

Addressing the gathering Dr.D.Sathyanarayana, Chairman, Mysore Race Club Limited said, “Mysore Race Club is now an Independent Turf Authority and it is a huge responsibility on our shoulders. I assure you that we will strive hard to improve facilities to both the horses and the racing public, maintain high standards and take Mysore Racing to greater heights.”

Speaking to Indiarace Dr.Sathyanarayana disclosed that infrastructural development is high on their agenda. A high security sampling yard was inaugurated on the occasion. A state of the art Equine Swimming pool and expansion of the stabling facilities with around 300 permanent stables are the projects which will see the light of the day soon, he asserted. The Chairman also disclosed that the entire Swimming pool project is being sponsored by Mr.Shapoor Mistry.

Three veterans in their own fields, Mr.Rashid Byramji – trainer, Mr.M.Jagadeesh – Jockey and Mr.M.S.Haji Jaffer – racing official, were felicitated in the traditional Mysore fashion, in recognition of their contribution to Indian racing.

In the racing front, a card of seven races was framed for the opening day. The followers of ‘money’ were a happy lot with five first favourites and two well supported ones obliging. Zareer Darashah trained Keturah (Burden of Proof-Astrodance), a ‘costly’ failure in its previous run during winter, showed off her original form with a thumping win in the Turf Authority Cup, which featured the day’s card. The filly settled pretty in second while Crrisp led from the front. Entering the straight, Keturah surged forward without shedding a drop of sweat and trounced the field. Bold Police finished on being second ahead of Crrisp.

Trainer M.Pratap Kamath and jockey P.S.Chouhan were the most successful professionals with a treble each. A back to back double with Aerial Acrobat and Miyarsprincess in the first two races and a top up with Daring Dynamite later were Kamath’s spoils. P.S.Chouhan rode the second two winners of Kamath and scored a thrilling win with Oscar Sparkler in the last race to complete his treble.

Beautiful Effect and Aerial Acrobat went to the front at start in the Red Satin Plate and disbuted the lead till the top of the straight. Aerial Acrobat travelled the better inside the last 300 metres and registered an easy win. Beautiful Effect which came under pressure from the winner settled for the second place.

Miyarsprincess (Brave Act-Sea Spray) was more or less an easy airing for P.S.Chouhan. The 5 year old mare made every post a winning one in the second division of the Beloved Prince Plate. Robinhood Pandey who beat the rest convincingly is the one for your note book.

Chouhan’s riding skills helped jockey turned trainer S.M.Johnson earn his maiden win in his new profession. Stride to Success came in first into the last 400 metres but soon gave up. Precious Replica grabbed the lead quickly and she was challenged strongly by Chandini and Blue Zone. With the three hell bent in the front, Chouhan used his skills to manoeuvre Oscar Sparkler and with a final heave snatched the race on the final stride. Chandini finished second and Precious Replica third with just a ‘head’ and a ‘head’ separating them.

Darashah and Srinath had earlier teamed up to score a brace with Santa Maria (Mull of Kintyre-Symphony) in the division II of the Melukote Plate. The filly being the only 4 year old in the field made amends for her last run failure with a run-away victory. Santa Maria got off to a lovely start and hit the front within the first two furlongs. Thereafter there was no looking back. For the record Sanatana, Sunny Seven and Delta Delight filled the frame in that order. Smokehead was a non-starter in the race.

J.Saravanan trained Born For Beauty (Hymn-Spirit of Patxi), stripped off its win for a post race test coming positive last time, won the Dubare Forest Plate. The 6 year old did well to make it a start to finish affair. Haute Ecole in futile chase all through the home stretch finished second.