It was celebration time for Manjri Stud on Friday at Mysore with the progenies of their front-line stallion Phoenix Tower, Duma and Fink clinching the two plum races of the day. Duma lifted the H.H.Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy – Grade III, to complete a hat-trick, while Fink, the poster boy of Manjri Stud scored his seventh successive win in the richly endowed Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Million, a terms race for 3 year old horses. Both of them are trained by Michael Eshwer and were ridden by Y.S.Srinath.

It was a fruitful day for the followers of money on the day of Ganesh Chaturti as five firm favourites and three second favourites obliged in a card of eight races. Trainer Michael Eshwer and jockey Y.S.Srinath combined to score a double while trainer V.Loknath and jockey S.John scored a brace each.

Unbeaten in six starts, Fink (Phoenix Tower-Fleurissimo) was rightly sent off as the favourite at Evens, despite giving weight to his opponents which included bright hopefuls from Bangalore. Rising Romeo headed to the front at start and called the shots, followed by Del Santo, Rising Rani, Country’s Nobility, Fink, Del Russo, Super Strong Booker Jones and Alerio. As they rounded the final turn, Del Santo made the first move to grab the lead and jockey Y.S.Srinath played safe to keep Fink away from any kind of traffic snarls and brought him from the wide outside. Once on the straight Fink raised a stunning gallop to rush to the front and the ‘Millionaire’ was sighted long way from home. Srinath eased up Fink well before the winning post and Booker Jones gained ground from the rear to finish second, a length behind. Super Strong and Del Santo finished third and fourth respectively. Del Russo did not live up to its billing and ended up a tame sixth. Conjurer was a non-starter in the race.

Duma (Phoenix Tower-Firecrest) completed a hat-trick in the H.H.Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy – Grade III. The filly had to work hard to earn her first graded success. Winston on a start to finish bid came in first on the home stretch with Bold Police in chase. Duma and Keturah both made their move at the same juncture and in a trice had pulled away from the rest. The raced with their heads almost abreast into the last 300 metres but Keturah was a bit unlucky as her rider’s reins and whip got entangled with the neck strap and he lost a few precious strides in retrieving them. Y.S.Srinath in the meanwhile had ridden out Duma to establish a half a length lead and held that till the winning post. Winston held on to be third from Beyond Thankful and Invincible Prince in a three way finish. The well backed Ridgeway was a disappointing last.

M.Bobby trained Secret Plan (Noverre-Here Goes / Sohna Stud) who had finished in the money and showed improvement in its last two starts won the K.Thammanna Gowda Memorial Trophy by a lengthening margin. Well backed to be the second in demand at 13-4, Secret Plan rushed to join the leader Teri Adah quickly at start. The two traveled together till the top of the straight and then Secret Plan took over the running without much fuss and stretched out easily. Miss International warmed up late to cover ground from the rear and take the second spot. Precept rallied on to be third ahead of Robinhood Pandey.

Neil Darashah schooled Hector (Charmo-Thunderlite / Vikram Greenlands Stud) was impressive while opening its account in the Jog Falls Plate. Hector, sent off as the ‘on money’ favourite for the seven furlongs race was held back in third by Arshad Alam while Interactive led them with Thrillseeker in close attendance. Inside the last 400 metres Interactive came under the stick to keep going was no match when Hector began to challenge. The bay gelding forged ahead effortlessly with the rider using just his hands and heels. Interactive finished second with Thrillseeker taking the third spot.

Trainer V.Loknath saddled a double through Brownie and Noble Reward, both strongly supported as favourites in their respective races. Brownie (Epicentre-Bollinger / A B Stud) won the Squanderer Plate very comfortably. Improving around Beautiful Life and My Law turning for home, Brownie surged forward to take charge and cruised to victory. Starstruck started to gain ground late to beat Guapo for the second place by a neck. My Law was fourth another half a length behind.

Noble Reward (Arabian Gulf-Taralaya / Manjri Stud) justified the favouritism in the Yelahanka Plate, the concluding race of the day. Hugging the inner rails all the way from the start, close behind the leader Cool Approach till the top of the straight, Noble Reward rallied strongly under S.John to move to the front. Deep Blue Sea began to get closer towards the closing stages but Noble Reward was safely home by three parts of a length. Cool Approach finished third in front of Shaka Zulu.

Jockey S.John had earlier in the day ridden Born For Passion (Oath-Edelweiss / Pratap Stud) to a popular victory in the Kumaradhara Plate, the opener of the day. After a good jump from the gates Born For Passion went ahead to lead but settled to be second when Queens Cruise moved forward. Even before approaching the final bend Born For Passion took charge again and drew away to win by a lengthening margin. Catwalk Queen, Queens Cruise and Peppr filled the frame in that order in a close finish.

A quite touch by the connections of Manta Ray (Diffident-Zephyrella / Yeravada Stud) paid dividends in the Lavasa Plate. Positioned nicely with the front bunch, Manta Ray slipped into the lead inside the last 400 metres and stayed well to thwart the effort of the favourite Motivation in the last 100 metres. Seven of Hearts who was lethargic at start was brushed up early to be with the leaders and finished third. Cannes ended up fourth.