M.Bobby trained Distant Promise (Mr.Mellon-Over The Ocean) won the division I of the Steward’s Trophy in an absolving finish with the race favourite Lad King. Flying Tricolour headed to the front quickly at start and the two market fancies, Lad King and Distant Promise had improved steadily to be right behind as they rounded the final turn. Lad King made the first move on top of the straight and Distant Promise ranged alongside with a strong challenge. The two matched strides all through the last 100 metres and Distant Promise prevailed by a ‘neck’ at the wire. The rider of Lad King lodged an objection against D.Gnaneshwar, the winning jockey for hitting him on the hand due to which his whip fell down costing him the race. The Stewards found no merit in the claim and overruled the objection.

Big Hero (Juniper-Enchante) from Bipin Salvi’s stables, a winner on the last day of winter here, reproduced that form to claim the lower division. Tracking the leader Lightening Thunder till the last 400 metres, Big Hero surged forward and stayed well till the finish to give jockey Anil Baandal his first win after his return to the saddle. Dance of a General rallied on to take the runner-up berth ahead of Su O Moto. Anonymous was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Trainer Bobby, prior to his win in the feature had led in Little Athena (Eljohar-Desirable) in the higher division of the Irappu Falls Plate to complete a double.  The favourite Smart Mistral and Style of Signature disputed the lead right from the start and were a clear four lengths lead as they came into the home stretch. Smart Mistral was a spent force inside the last 200 metres and while Style of Signature continued to kick on, came Little Athena with a strong gallop to get the race inside the last 50 metres. Happy Victory beat the tiring Smart Mistral for the third place.

Trainer Pratap Kamath was the most successful professional, leading in three winners. While Teri Adah was a raging public choice, the other two were at longer odds. Teri Adah (Tejano-Sea Spray) was an arm chair ride to jockey J.H.Christopher in the lower division of the Irappu Falls Plate. The filly that was a maiden going into the race jumped out smartly and took charge readily. Leading by more than three lengths as the moved into the last 400 metres, she lengthened her strides to be a ‘street’ ahead at the finish. Spiritual Blue, Zizzi and Badshah filled the judge’s frame in that order.

Spinning Chakram (Lucifer Sam-Hyacinth) who was winless when she came into the stables after the winter season three months ago won the higher division of the Alberetto Plate like a champion by a lengthening margin. The filly made every post a winning one under D.Gnaneshwar while Zamindar could only follow the leader like a mute spectator all the way. Belle Etoile and Will Still finished third and fourth respectively.

The third win for Kamath came in the Heggadadevanakote Plate, the concluding race of the day through rank outsider Rio Grande (Ontario-Sexy Gal). The 7 year old paid a dividend of Rs.219 for a tenner and also brought down the winning jackpot tickets to just three from 75 hopefuls in the penultimate leg. Rio Grande, whose last win in Mysore was when he had shifted base from Hyderabad and was running on this track for the first time a year ago, took a good jump as the gates opened and settled along the inner rails in second while Royal Shaan decided to take the lead. Entering the final straight jockey M.A.Milan pulled out Rio Grande to make his bid and the game 7 year old picked up speed to surge forward and despite drifting out of the straight course, spared over a length to Royal Shaan at the wire. Visionist came in late to take the third spot a ‘head’ behind Royal Shaan.

Zareer Darashah trained Sky High (Acclamation-Cois Cuain) travelled well under Y.S.Srinath to win the Goa Plate. Smartest out from the gates among the dozen runners in the six furlongs trip, Sky High hit the front to take the lead. The race favourite Lads Ability raced a close second all the way and when he started to make a bid, jockey Srinath went for the stick on Sky High and kept the 5 year old going till the winning post. Getafix and Rule Forever closed up late to finish third and fourth respectively.

Ranjeet Shinde trained Small Cruise (Eljohar-Stormy Look) winless from 14 starts sprang a surprise in the opener, the lower division of the Alberetto Plate.  On a start to finish bid Small Cruise kept kicking on to keep Natural Nine at bay till the finish. Time Matters and Stone Warrior finished third and fourth respectively.