S.Padmanabhan trained Field Marshall (Placerville-Shamaal / Exhilaration Stud) romped home in the prestigious Maharaja’s Cup – Grade III, rewriting the existing course record for the mile trip that stood in the name of Southern Emperor for a year. The 6 year old chestnut gelding who has always performed well on the Mysore track, winning all his three starts including the 2000 Guineas and the Derby in the year 2011 kept his record unblemished at this centre. With no recent form to go by and also the fact that he was entrusted to lesser known jockey Ranjeet Singh, Field Marshall did not have many supporters in the betting. Those who dared to have their dime on Field Marshall reaped a rich dividend of Rs.567/- on a tenner.

There was no rainfall for the last five days at Mysore and the weather being quite hot, the track was good to hard. Most of the winners clocked fast timing and course record was broken by three of them including Field Marshall. The other two who broke the course record were Shrewd Master and Kentucky Rose. Shrewd Master broke the 14 year old record for 1100 metres in the division III of the Seetharam Mudaliar Memorial Trophy and two races later Kentucky Rose bettered it by 0.55 seconds in the higher division of the same Trophy.

Field Marshall likes to do his own running in front and he did just that as they set off for the Maharaja’s Cup. The favourite Czar of Romance was a disappointment again, jumping out slowly from the gates and losing all his chances. Super Storm tracked the ‘Marshall’ followed by Arrogant Approach, Keturah, Ridgeway, Beyond Thankful, Wind Stream, Noble And Nice, Ambitious Reward, Ace Badran, Charlatan, Duma and Czar of Romance. Rounding the bend and entering the straight for the final 400 metres Field Marshall was still galloping well and the closest challenger was Arrogant Approach. Super Storm was beginning to tire out and Keturah making a bid from the outside.  Field Marshall was in his elements and kicked on gamely to stop the clock at 1: 33.70 secs., being faster than the existing course record by 0.15 secs. Duma maneuvered her way through the field to finish as the runner-up while Ambitious Reward also rallied in late to take the third spot from Arrogant Approach.

Diamonite (Burden of Proof-Silver Satire / Kunigal Stud) from trainer Azhar Alis’ stables scored an encore in the Y.R.Puttannaiah Memorial Trophy. Diamonite who had won her last start five weeks ago at Bangalore in wet conditions galloped well in even on hard surface to win the race in a smart timing. No Boundaries who had shifted base from Mumbai recently set off on a start to finish bid. Inside the last 300 metres Diamonite improved along the rails and when pulled out by Arshad Alam to challenge the relentless No Boundaries from the outside, quickened in a trice to surge forward and spare a length at the finish. Violent Storm and Strike The Stars finished third and fourth respectively.

The Seetharam Mudaliar Memorial Trophy was divided into three races. Trainer Aravind Ganapathy bagged the second and the third divisions while Neil Darashah trained Kentucky Rose the first. Shrewd Master (Burden of Proof-Color Me Red / Kunigal Stud) who had not made it to the judge’s frame in four starts was sent off as the favourite at 17-10. Racing a handy third behind Big Copper Penny and Young Gallant, Shrewd Master started to move up between them as they headed past the 400 metres board and stretched out to win by a lengthening margin of six lengths, bettering the 14 year old course record over the 1100 metres distance. Young Gallant and Big Copper Penny finished second and third respectfully with a short head separating them. Cadagon ended up fourth after being slow at start. Felloship was withdrawn after he bolted from the gates.

Kentucky Rose (Rebuttal-Intimate / Hazara Stud) bettered Shrewd Master’s record in the higher division, chipping off a little more than half a second. The filly jumped out smartly from the innermost draw and got straight down to business straightaway. Leading at every pole under Arshad Alam Kentucky Rose drew away unchallenged in the final furlong. Catch The Eye came in late to finish second ahead of Catchy Charger. Tulip was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Forest Tern (Burden of Proof-Ching Mai / Kunigal Stud) shed its maiden ranks in the second division as a short priced favourite. Jockey J.H.Christopher held back Forest Tern to follow the leader Anmol Heera early. Inside the last 400 metres Forest Tern moved alongside Anmol Heera and when urged by its rider, started to drift out of the straight course causing anxiety among its supporters. The youngster galloped well to take the lead despite the drift and spared a length and a quarter to Anmol Heera at the finish. Country’s Nobility and Always United filled the frame in that order.

Pratap Kamath trained Flash Time (Mathematician-My Time / Sans Craintes Stud) won his fourth start on the trot in the Coorg Plate. Jockey S.John who had replaced an indisposed Srinath used all his might to overhaul Bourbon Street in the last 50 metres of the race. Bourbon Street running on this track for the first time after shifting base from Western India set off in front and continued to kick on in the final furlong. Flash Time came up with a strong challenge from the outside and after a keen tussle surged ahead to be the winner by a length and a quarter. Spiritual Blue finished third in front of Class Above.

Trainer Sharat Kumar scored a double through Encourager and Cool Approach. The 7 year old Cool Approach (Brave Act-Six Speed / Kunigal Stud) headed to lead the field along the fence and made every pole a winning one under J.H.Christopher. Summer Sun rallied on to finish second while the favourite Deep Blue Sea finished a tame third.

Encourager (Mischevious Music-Shy Romance / Pratap Stud) won the opening race of the day, the Nagaland Plate. Encourager and Amazing Blue disputed the lead till the top of the straight. Inside the last 400 metres Amazing Blue moved ahead to be half a length in front but with jockey Ashhad Asbar continuing to ride out, Encourager came up with renewed effort to surge past in the last 50 metres. The favourite Distinctive chased the duo all through the straight to end up third.

P.C.Tejaswi trained Hard To Pin Down (Puerto Madero-Lamplight / Pratap Stud) who was backed well to be the favourite at 2-1, came good to win the Aunty Pip Plate. Racing towards the rear in about sixth position till the top of the straight, Hard To Pin Down came up with a good gallop from the outside to take charge and draw away by 6 ½ lengths. Best Move pipped Mountain Train for the second place.

For the professionals trainers Aravind Ganapathy and Sharat Kumar scored a double each while jockeys Arshad Alam and J.H.Christopher had their share of two winners each.