The Mysore Races 2014 started off as per schedule on Thursday after much anxiety, caused by the all India strike that was called by the Jockeys Association of India for fulfilment of their ‘long pending’ demands by the Turf Authority of India. The declaration for the first two days of racing at Mysore was extended till late evening on Wednesday, as the office bearers of the J.A.I. were huddled in a meeting to come to a consensus on the issue. Better sense prevailed on them finally, much to the relief of the ‘backbone of racing’, the racing public. The Turf Authority of India in the meanwhile has called for a meeting with the J.A.I. later this month to sort out the issues with that has been put forward.

A card of eight races was framed for the opening day and racing went on expected lines with fancied horses obliging in most of them. The H.H.Sri Jayamachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a mile race for horses rated 80 and above was the highlight of the day. Eight horses lined up for the start but the main focus revolved around two of them, Jaggy Dhariwal trained Sovereign Rule and Czar of Romance from Dominic’s school. Both of them shared the favouritism at 19-10 each. The rest were 8-1 and overs.

The supporters of Czar of Romance (Mathematecian-Born Free) were glued to the starting gates as he had of late developed the habit of getting off to a lethargic beginning. This time he took a level jump and settled well in third while Ethophian went to the front followed by Sovereign Rule.  Approaching the last two furlongs, the two market fancies came in together and when jockey P.S.Chouhan asked the ‘Czar’ to quicken, he power his way to take charge readily and won comfortably in a smart timing on soft going. Sovereign Rule towed in to be the runner-up while for the record Alcazaba and Im Different ended up third and fourth respectively.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan hogged the limelight on the day with a treble, the other two winners being Son of Stars and Pepper King. Trainer Neil Darashah and jockey T.S.Jodha combined to score a double while the leading trainer of the Summer season here M.Pratap Kamath also started his campaign with a brace.

Neil Darashah trained Ancient Title (Ikhtyar-Estonia), the only Bangalore based horse among the nine runners in the higher division of the B.K.Krishnadevaraj Urs Memorial Trophy justified the short price with a pillar to post victory. Taking off well from the innermost draw, Ancient Title led the field with Secret Plan in chase all the way. Inside the last 250 metres Ancient Title was travelling easily in front and jockey T.S.Jodha gave him a couple of cracks to keep the momentum going. “I went for the stick as the going was soft and riding a hot favourite I didn’t want to be caught on the wrong foot” said jockey Jodha after the race. Secret Plan did well to retain the second place. Galaxy Queen finished on being third. Miss International and Born to Race were non-starters in the race.

Neil and Jodha had earlier won on another short priced favourite Czar Rule (Declaration of War-Minivet) in the Somanathapur Plate. Rewarding Desire was the first to take the initiative and head to the lead on top of the straight and Czar Rule racing in about fourth till then responded with a resolute gallop to Jodha’s urgings and drew away to score an encore by a lengthening margin. Noble Princess rallied on to take the second spot from Rewarding Desire. Masked Marvel who did not travel from Bangalore was permitted to be withdrawn.

M Pratap Kamath’s Pepper King (Hurricane Center-Daily Dance), a winner of its last start here in summer completed an encore under P.S.Chouhan in the higher division of the Rangas Cup. Tracking the leaders at a close distance all the way from the start, Pepper King moved ahead to grab the lead as they rounded the final bend and kicked on to win by 4 ½ lengths. Chandini beat the rest while Hard to Pin Down finished third in front of Queens Colour. The favourite Pamushana who finished off the board was reported to have returned lame on left fore.

S.Narredu trained Son of Stars (Mount Nelson-Karasiyca) won impressively in the Bright Hanovar Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for 3 year old maiden horses. Country’s Beauty rushed from an outward draw to quickly be in the lead. Son of Stars raced in third with Amazing Blue chasing the leader. Country’s Beauty looked good even as they moved into the last furlong with the favourite Son of Stars toiling hard in second. Once jockey P.S.Chouhan reminded Son of Stars with a few hard cracks, he started to bridge the gap and with about 50 metres left from the winning post sizzled past impressively to win. Speed Hawk and Nazanin finished third and fourth respectively.

Kamath’s Second Lady (Burden of Proof-Sugarbird) whose only win from 28 starts was about two years ago, came up with a spirited run under V.R.Jagadeesh  inside the last 200 metres to down Charm And Dream in the lower division of the Rangas Cup. Natural Nine came with a long stretched run to finish third.

S.S.Attaollahi trained Assiduous (Glory of Dancer-Dance With Style) wrapped up the lower division of the B.K.Krishnadevaraj Urs Memorial Trophy, the concluding race of the day. Nearing the 300 metres pole Arch Duches was slightly ahead of Sweet N Smart and the favourite Assiduous started to get stronger from around them. With Trevor Patel riding out Assiduous travelled the best of the three and spared a length to Arch Duches at the wire. Sweet N Smart was third another half a length away.

Bipin V Salvi trained Zizzi (Burden of Proof-Indian Style) scored its maiden win in the Virija Plate, the opener of the day. The filly started to gain ground inside the last 300 metres, took charge quickly from Samajdaar and sped past. Demand Draft on whom a lot of money came during race time, making it the favourite, travelled in the rear for most part of the race and covered plenty of ground to finish a close second. Stone Warrior and Samajdaar finished third and fourth respectively.