Virat (Hurricane State-Career Collection / Dashmesh Stud) from the stables of V. Narayana Gowda clinched the Safi Darashah Memorial Trophy with a sizzling gallop inside the final furlong on Thursday at Mysore. The 5 year old gelding sent off at 5-1 took a perfect start and settle easily in fourth when Will Star and Divine Friendship rushed forward to lead, followed by Amazing Redd. As they entered the last 400 metres Will Star was still holding on to the lead with Amazing Redd in hot pursuit. Virat approached from around the duo and with big strides sped past to spare a length to Will Star at the finish. Amazing Redd finished third another half a length behind.

The favourite Ace Bucephalus (Rebuttal-Shantay / Hazara Stud) from young trainer Azhar Ali’s yard carried the Lads’ silks to a convincing victory in the Sanctity Trophy, a 1800 metres race for horses rated 60 and above. A field of seven horses were to have taken the start but Lad Lady reared up inside the gates and had to be withdrawn as the rider was in pain. As the field was dispatched, the second in demand Pursuit of Fame called the shots. Ace Bucephalus who had missed the start in its last start at Bangalore was off to a level jump and tracked the leader closely. On the home stretch Ace Bucephalus inched closer to challenge the leader and with a good turn of foot settled the issue with 150 metres left from home. Pursuit of Fame finished on to be the runner-up while Winged Foot beat Spinning Chakram for the third place. The favourite Solitaire Royale was never in the hunt and finished off the board.

The Lads’ colours was prominent again in the very next race, the M.K.Srinivas Memorial Trophy. Lads Ability (Diffident-Shaandari / Yeravada Stud) who had shifted base to join Dinesh Pujar’s stables at Mysore recently was strongly supported to be the favourite at 11-10 despite its last win was two years ago. Jockey Y.S.Srinath kept Lads Ability away from the crowd, running about four off the rails all the way till the straight. Ice Splendour had taken charge on the top of the straight but once Srinath gave a few strong backhanders to Lads Ability, the 6 year old gelding responded readily to overhaul the leader and justify the favouritism. Absolute Brave came with a late run to finish second, ahead of Ice Splendour.

V.Loknath trained 8 year old Talisker (Hammerstein-Bottle of Whiskey / Bloodhorse Stud) sprang a surprise in the lower division of the Safi Darashah Memorial Trophy, thanks to the inept handling of the favourite Grand Applause. Sweet Secret was closely tracked by Grand Applause till the last 400 metres and then surged forward to grab the lead. At that stage it looked like the favourite would have it easy when he started to drift out alarmingly, finally getting on to the sand track. The rider was just not able to assert any control on the horse and Violent Storm and Flying Tricolour who were on its outside were also hampered. Talisker which was on the extreme outside sized the opportunity and headed to the inner ground with a good gallop to give apprentice A.Ramu his tenth winner. Ice Cutter also impressed while finishing second. Violent Storm finished on late taking the third spot.

Trainer S.Narredu and jockey Y.S.Srinath teamed up to bag both the divisions of the Kasargod Plate. Woodberg (Multidimensional-Anagram / Usha Stud) wrapped up the higher division while Star Kingdom (Avonbridge-Royal Tartan / Dashmesh Stud) won the lower division.

Woodberg waited patiently behind the front running Kir Royale till the top of the straight and moved fluently to take charge and was ridden out by Srinath to keep at bay the strong challenge of Zagato and Mandarin.

Y.S.Srinath was made to work hard to get Star Kingdom into rhythm before winning the lower division. The short priced favourite Forest Tern had taken charge from the front running Winning Desire inside the last 300 metres and was looking good with a 100 metres left from the finish. Star Kingdom had to be ridden hard right through the straight and he finally gained momentum in the closing stages to upset the applecart of the favourite. Insight was a notable third ahead of Amanda.

S.S.Attaollahi trained AJ One (Dark Nile-Polar Star / Mare Haven Stud), winless from 18 starts finally came good to win the lower division of the Lt.Col.D.K.Mistry Memorial Plate. The 6 year old gelding raced in fourth behind Jump in the Red, Mister Grey and Our Commander till the top of the straight. Improving steadily around the three in front, AJ One challenged Our Commander and Mister Grey and travelled better to win by a length. Mister Grey finished second while Kimora ran on to snatch the third place from Our Commander. Woodcraft was withdrawn near the starting gates.

V.Narayana Gowda’s Markus Sitikus (Imtiyaz-All The Rage / Broadacres Stud) shed its maiden ranks in the higher division. The 4 year old who was in the betting, being the second favourite at 9-4, was held back towards the rear bunch early while Penalty Kick set out on a start to finish mission. Improving gradually, Markus Sitikus moved to be a close fourth near the final bend and raised a resolute gallop to head past Penalty Kick with 300 metres left from home and stretched out to widen the margin to over eight lengths. Emancipation beat Penalty Kick for the second place.

For the professionals Jockey Y.S.Srinath scored a treble while trainers V.Narayana Gowda and S.Narredu scored a double each.