Appearing on a race track after a long gap of fourteen months, Pesi Shroff’s Bullseye did really well to claim The Patrons Cup at the Bangalore races on Saturday. By claiming the day’s feature, the five year old mare succeeded in winning six out of her last seven starts. Looking a picture of fitness in the paddock, she carried the public purse to an impressive victory. Apprentice Yash Narredu brought her with a nice run through the middle to win by a widening margin from Shivalik Star and Whispering Gallery. It was apparent that the trainer had subjected her to steady preparation, as it is extremely rare to see horses coming out after such long breaks and succeeding at the highest level. Pesi had lightened her burden by claiming four kilos off her back. There were a number of speedy horses that had accepted to start in this race. Shivalik Star and Whispering Gallery had ended within a “nose” of each other while placing second and third behind Rock With U in a graded event earlier in the season. Since Bullseye was running after a long lay-off, the connections of Whispering Gallery decided to take their chances. They felt that PS Chouhan would be able to guide her successfully across the finishing line. The allowance claimed by Arjun Mangalorkar on his ward Shivalik Star made things a bit more even. But the bookmakers were careful while offering odds against Bullseye. Despite many horses getting backed in this race, Bullseye continued to occupy the top slot on the betting boards. The race was expected to produce a thrilling finish.

The speedy Light Of Success got down to her customary front-running tactics and sped away from Shivalik Star and Whispering Gallery. Yash Narredu and Bullseye were traveling in mid-division and the young apprentice was seen biding his time in the middle of a tightly bunched field. Once Light Of Success shot her bolt at the top of the straight, it was time for the others to move ahead of her. Apprentice Prasad brought Shivalik Star with a smooth run through the middle and went ahead of the pack. PS Chouhan put Whispering Gallery under pressure and made a serious move with her. She made up some ground from the back and tried to bridge the gap with Shivalik Star. The picture remained almost the same till they crossed the distance post. It was hereabouts that one sighted the light green colours of Bullseye. Yash wove his way through the middle and brought the mare into the picture. It was a one-horse-affair thereafter. Bullseye gave no chances to anyone else, and strode strongly towards the finishing line. Both Shivalik Star and Whispering Gallery ended timidly to take the minor slots on the result boards. We are sure to hear a lot about Bullseye after she returns to her parent centre and begins her monsoon campaign at Pune.

Neil Darashah and jockey TS Jodha cornered the day’s honours by scoring personal “trebles” on Saturday. Incidentally, Neil scored a hat-trick for the day by winning the second, third and fourth race of the afternoon. Two out of his three winners were steered by TS Jodha. It all began for him when short-priced Glittering won the lower division of a sprint reserved for maiden three year olds. Glittering’s close fourth to Supreme Fairy a few weeks ago was considered to be enough to beat her present opponents. Since Supreme Fairy had come out and won her next start, there were many who felt that Glittering was unbeatable in today’s race. PS Chouhan held her back till the bend and allowed Miracles Of Life to lead on sufferance. Glittering was given a tap at the top of the straight and ridden hands-n-heels thereafter. She bounded away to register an expected victory over a late finishing Wholelottalove. The last named came with a spirited bid in the last furlong and managed to snatch the runner-up berth from Miracles Of Life near the winning post.

The Own Opinion Trophy, a nine furlong handicap for horses rated 20-45, was a rare opportunity for those blessed with stamina to have a say at the finish. A number of three year olds who had flopped over shorter trips were trying their luck in this race. But it was Neil Darashah’s four year old Czar Rule who asserted his superiority. He dug deep into his reserves of stamina and won in a close finish from Obelinna Princess and Spreadeagle. Jodha allowed Obelinna Princess and Aceempressjessie to go ahead of Czar Rule for a major part of their journey. He made his move only after the runners had straightened for home. Czar Rule took his time to overtake the front-runners, but once he had done so, there were no problems. His smooth acceleration enabled him to win ahead of Obelinna Princess and a fast finishing Spreadeagle. By covering a lot of ground in the final furlong, Spreadeagle showed that even a nine furlong trip was  a bit short for his liking.

Neil and Jodha won the very next race with Ancient Title. The RS Nagendra Kumar Memorial Trophy , a sprint for older horses classified in class III, had attracted some good runners. With the withdrawal of Albertino and Strombolite, there were only ten of them that entered the gates. Ancient Title had been slammed with the bookmakers and was offered as a 14/10 chance to complete a hat-trick for the Neil Darashah stable. Jodha knew this colt very well as he had partnered him in his three previous starts. He nursed him in third spot behind Conrod and Prazsky till the final bend and made his move only in the straight. Ancient Title increased his tempo and assumed command of the proceedings. With the jockey waving his whip at Ancient Title, the bay colt stormed clear of the pack and lasted out to bag the first prize ahead of Prazsky and a late finishing Accuracy. Salzburg ran a poor race and failed in her efforts to save place money for her followers.

For TS Jodha, this was the final leg of his treble as he had already won the day’s opener astride the Manohar trained Noble Princess. It was a bit surprising to see only eight runners participating in this middle distance event for those in the lowest category. In the absence of any real evidence, the punters threw caution to the winds and started backing Faraz Arshad’s Conjurer in this race. The only factors that seemed to favour his chances were that the three year old was being ridden by A Imran Khan , as also, that the quality of his opponents was fairly mediocre. With Battle Empress, Croziet and Liquid Asset setting a good pace in this race, the other five were seen being urged by their respective riders. While those in front were travelling well, the first one beaten in this race was Conjurer. He went wide under pressure at the final bend and was a spent force thereafter. The action in front was getting closer as the runners entered the final furlong. By this time, TS Jodha had nursed Noble Princess into a striking position and the pair was  getting dangerously close to Liquid Asset and Croziet. The five year old got up in the nick of time to beat the front-runners on the [post.

The YS Surender Memorial Cup, a mile handicap for horses in Class II, attracted eight runners. Suleiman Attaoalahi’s Arrogant Approach was the only one in this group who had won a race this season. Even though he was carrying a fairly stiff penalty for that victory, there was sustained support for him with the bookmakers. The other runner that was backed with equal confidence was Potomac. His supporters felt that the low handicap would work nicely in his favour. Their opinion was vindicated by Potomac on the race track. PS Chouhan pushed him out of the gates and sent him ahead of Maddox, Spanish Cannon and Arrogant Approach. By the time they had crossed the half way mark, Potomac had already asserted his authority and gone a few lengths ahead of the others. Chouhan pulled out his whip in the straight and roused him further. Potomac continued his good work in front and went on to bag this trophy. In a close fight for the runner-up berth, Spanish Cannon managed to finish marginally ahead of a heavily whipped Arrogant Approach. In my opinion, Arrogant Approach is distinctly uncomfortable under a heavy impost. He has the ability to pick up a long distance race at a low handicap in the next category.

A seven furlong handicap for horses four years old and over in class IV ,was claimed by Amit Caddy’s Irish Song.  This filly had had run on the opening day of the season and ended third behind Prazsky and Coolmore. Being partnered by Suraj Narredu today, she received all round support to start as a clear favourite in this race. Since she was carrying a heavy impost, the jockey chose to ride her patiently. He settled Irish Song on the rails and tracked Pearl Reward for most of the way. Jet Set Go, Cheddar Face and Adriphos were right besides her as they galloped towards the final bend. Pearl Reward and Irish Song got stronger in the straight and it became clear that the race was only between the two of them. But it was Suraj’s posture in the saddle that somehow gave it all away. While Pearl Reward was being ridden vigorously by Ranjeet Singh, Suraj was yet to move astride the filly. He pressed the button only after they had crossed the two furlong marker. Irish Song responded immediately and cruised away to register a popular victory. Pearl Reward, Cheddar Face and Adriphos ended at regular intervals to complete a procession.

An intensely close finish was witnessed in the last race of the day. The upper division of a maiden’s sprint had attracted some good juveniles. Rock With Us, Air Dancer, Soul Magic and Vivid Impression were supported by their respective stables. Most of them had figured on the result boards in similar events during winter, and had been doing some good work in recent weeks. The race got off to an even start. Soul Magic darted to the front and set a good pace ahead of Rock With Us and Air Dancer. The chasing group headed by Vivid Impression was a few lengths behind the leaders, as they came into the straight. PS Chouhan made desperate efforts astride the favourite Rock With Us, but the colt came under pressure. He moved sideways and faded away from the scene by this time, Kiran Naidu had pushed Soul Magic into a clear lead, and the pair was seen moving strongly towards the finishing line. At almost the same juncture , Vivid Impression appeared on the scene. The lengthening strides of the filly enabled her to catch Soul Magic on the post. She covered a lot of ground in the final furlong of this race. Air Dancer retained third ahead of a late finishing Eternal Desire and a totally exhausted Rock With Us.