Wednesday’s races at Mysore did not go well for the followers of money as only two firm favourites obliged in a card of eight races. Catchy Charger and Fink were the two popular winners and both were straightforward victories. The other six were won by horses at nourishing odds with Kolaveri Di being the one paying the highest dividend.

Catchy Charger (Mambo Minstrel-Wisdom Queen) from the stables of Pratap Kamath sporting the colours of L.D’Silva – trainer at Hyderabad- won the Grey Gaston Trophy, a six furlongs sprint for maiden 3 year olds that featured the day’s card. Having finished a suggestive second in its previous start, Catchy Charger was sent off as the favourite among the ten runners. Debutant Tulip was very eager as the field was dispatched and rushed to the front to lead with Catchy Charger tracking at a safe distance. Rising Little Star and Blackwind raced behind the leaders all the way and started to close up on entering the home stretch. Catchy Charger charged ahead effortlessly when the rider M.Madhu Babu began to urge the filly and wrapped it up without a threat. Blackwind just about managed to nudge out Tulip for the second place almost on the last stride and the two are the ones that needs following when saddled next. Rising Little Star finished fourth. Charming Night was a non-starter in the race.

Fink (Phoenix Tower-Fleurissimo), the prized youngster from Michael Eshwer’s stables did not disappoint its supporters in the Loyal Prince Plate. Going into the race with four wins from as many starts, including the Gr.3 Bangalore Juvenile Million, where he had beaten the likes of Alexandra Mills and Bold Majesty, the price on Fink was rather liberal at 10-6 ‘on’. Racing a handy second behind Defining Moment till rounding the final bend, Fink slipped in very smoothly towards the inner fence and the win was a foregone conclusion at the top of the straight. The son of Phoenix Tower is in irresistible form and should look beyond the home centre in future. Rising Rani, Robinhood Pandey and Lads Ability filled the judge’s frame in that order in a close finish between them. 

C.Girinath trained Kolaveri Di (Glory of Dancer-Anthalia) was the biggest surprise of the day in the S.V.Subramaniam Memorial Trophy. Ultimate Princess and Delta Delight finished second and third respectively while the favorite Society Music turned out to be a big let-down, finishing a tame fourth. Society Music moved well from the outermost draw to be up with the front bunch quickly and upon entering the straight surged ahead to grab the lead. Kolaveri Di travelling in about fourth till the top of the straight came with a strong gallop and sped past the front runners. Ultimate Princess ran a bit erratic while finishing second ahead of Delta Delight. The top weight of 61 kilos and the wide draw probably did not go well for Society Miss.

Trainer M.Bobby was the only professional to score a double on the day. He scored through Crrisp and Natural Nine. The 7 year old Crrisp (Warrshan-Secret Miracle) being very consistent, finishing in the money in ten races from fourteen starts on this track after shifting base from Western India scored a well deserved win over the favourite Shubkamna in the Bugle Rock Plate. Daring Dynamite set out in front followed closely by Shubkamna and Crrisp. On entering the last 400 metres Daring Dynamite started to shift left and Shubkamna headed towards the inner fence to take over the running. Crrisp came up with a strong gallop inside the last 100 metres but was tending to lean in. Apprentice Saddam Hussain did well to keep his mount on even keel and surged past in the closing stages to win by a length and three quarters. Shubkamna, Spark of Beauty and Brigade’s Supreme filled the frame in that order.

Natural Nine (Epicentre-Seranova) scored its maiden win in the Shivajinagar Plate. Winless from seventeen starts Natural Nine took a good jump from the gates and settled along the rails in fourth while the favourite Flirting King set out to lead the field. Inside the last 200 metres Flirting King came under pressure and started to drift out. Jockey K.Anil on Natural Nine grabbed the opportunity and kept riding out. The 4 year old roan responded with a good gallop to down Flirting King by half a length in the shadow of the winning post.

C.D.Monnappa trained Miss International (International-Hurricane Jane) upset the apple cart of the favourite Precept in the Whitefield Plate. Precept took charge inside the last 150 metres and Miss International being pulled out for a clear run came with a good gallop and after a keen tussle with Precept surged past to win by a length. Perfect Speed which was prominent in front till the distance post finished on to be third.

Dinesh Pujar trained Salsa Touch (Sussex-Salsa Rhythm) which had shifted base to Mysore from Bangalore at the onset of the summer season, came good to score in the Koramangala Plate. Time Flies set out on a start to finish bid after a good jump from the widest draw. The two market fancies Rule Forever and Dance of a General were hard at work inside the last 200 metres but failed to get to the leader as he continued to kick on. Salsa Touch racing along the rails came with a powerful run and collared Time Flies on the last stride. Dance of a General and Rule Forever finished third and fourth respectively. Ground Marshall and Big Hero were withdrawn before the race.

Castlebar (Holding Court-Whisper City) from the stables of Bipin V Salvi made every post a winning one in the opener, the Evita Plate. The favourite First Light raised some hopes on top of the straight but was soon off the bridle and faded out. Friends Forever, Alloy and Zoyaan filled the judge’s frame in that order.