Trainer S.Rakesh hogged the limelight at the races with a treble from theseven races that were run on Wednesday. Star Mountain, Divine Friendship and Tulip were the victors from the stable. There was a heavy downpour accompanied by strong wind just before the commencement of the first race threatening the continuation of the day’s proceedings but the weather cleared out completely and the races went on without any hitch. The penetrometer reading had changed from 2.8 cms. to 3.4 cms. after the rains. Horses which had the form to go by produced results although Tulip was the only firm favourite to oblige. 

Divine Friendship (Sharp Attack-Bribe N Prejudice) returned to winning form in the Amba Vilas Palace Trophy, the main event of the card. The 4 year old colt which had scored a hat-trick of wins during winter was neglected in the betting after finishing off the board in the two runs this season. Racing a close third close to the inner rails till the final bend while Sky High and Daring Dynamite disputed the lead, Divine Friendship sneaked in to get to the front at the top of the straight. Inside the last 100 metres Divine Friendship under Ryan Marshall had a sizable lead of over four lengths and that came in handy when Impressive Bolt covered ground rapidly from almost the last position to take the second spot. Divine Deliverance and Rio Grande finished third and fourth respectively.  

Star Mountain (Placerville-Mitzvah) who had finished second in its previous start for which the rider was suspended after the stewards found him guilty of not riding out fully, won the Red Chieftan Plate. Positioned a handy third behind the early leaders Brillante and Ice Splendour, Star Mountain quickly grabbed the lead inside the last 400 metres. The favourite Gran Turismo running third last till the bend improved well to get to the haunches of Star Mountain but the stiff penalty imposed for its earlier win was telling on the gelding and he finished second four lengths behind the winner. Always On Top and Breezo filled the frame in that order.

Tulip (Top Class-Dangerous Belle) who had the feel of the track four weeks ago as a debutant outclassed the field in the Ramanagar Plate, a five and a half furlongs scurry for 3 year old maiden horses. Grabbing the lead as they straightened up on the home stretch Tulip held The Back Bencher at bay and stretched clear. Rising Little Star warmed up late to come with a long stretched run from the rear to take the second place. The Back Bencher, Charming Night and Kallistrate finished in that order in a close finish two lengths behind the runner-up.

Pratap Kamath trained Flash Time (Mathematecian-My Time) who had won its last two starts in winter continued to be in that form to score a hat-trick in the Serengeti Plate. Mountain Prince was withdrawn earlier in the day and Clever Trick along with Santa Maria was withdrawn near the starting gates after being troublesome and the field was reduced to seven. A chance mount for V.R.Jagadeesh after Y.S.Srinath had reported unwell for the day, Flash Time was off the gates quickly from the outermost draw and tracked the leader Ice Skater till the final bend. The gelding surged ahead on the straight and started to drift out when asked to quicken, momentarily coming in the path of Mother Ewa but stretched out well to go clear. Cash Is King rallied on to be second while Mother Ewa finished third.

The 7 year old Too Cold To Hold (Ontario-Mystery Mood) from the stables of Feroz Khan whose last win was three years ago found the wet underfoot conditions after the downpour favourable and ran away in the opener, the Shivanasamudra Plate. Greenbro led the field early and extended the lead to over eight lengths as they passed the 8oo metres pole. Approaching the bend Greenbro’s lead was diminishing fast and Too Cold To Hold headed past and pulled away. The favourite Smokehead moved to finish second after traveling towards the rear for most part of the race. Ice Brown and Gard To Pin Down were non-starters in the race.

Ranjeet Shinde trained Flirting King (Alnasr Alwasheek-Habibi) lifted the Kengeri Plate. Jazzbythebay who received strong support towards race time led the field from start and held forte till the last 250 metres. Flirting King came with a good gallop to take charge from there. Brigade’s Paradise improved from the rear to come with a menacing run towards the closing stages but failed to collar the winner by a ‘neck’ at the wire. Lake of Magic finished third ahead of Jazzbythebay.

Last outing winner Young Gallant (Tejano-Aldiora) from P.C.Tejaswi’s yard scored an encore in the Dhanushkoti Plate with lesser known Chetan Kalay on the saddle. The right money came on the 4 year old towards race time to land up as the favourite at 7-2 with the bookmakers but the returns at the Tote were close seven times. Jumping out smartly from the gates Young Gallant made every post a winning one en-route to a six lengths victory. Zamindar, Stone Warrior and Golden Steps filled the frame in that order.