A heavy downpour before the start of Thursday's programme at Mysore resulted in poor underfoot conditions, as a probable result of which, many public choices failed to perform to their true potential. During the course of the afternoon, racegoers witnessed unusual happenings. The one feature that stood out all day was the success enjoyed by front-running horses. Almost anything that went to the front, stayed there.

Another one that caught the eye was the margin of victories. While half the winners in the eight-event card scored by ten lengths and more, the others too posted victories by widening margins. In a card packed with handicap events, this phenomenon was difficult to understand. It could either be attributed to bad handicapping or poor stiping. A majority of the runners today could be seen toiling in the rear, with their jockeys totally disinterested in the proceedings. The races were run in small groups. The serious contenders raced in front, the non-serious ones with ability raced in mid-group, while the "duds" graced the rear. Punters were quick to feel the discomfort, and the crowds near the bookmakers stalls became smaller and smaller as the day progressed.

After a number of shocks in the races leading up to the day's feature, the final nail in the coffin came in the form of Carla. This filly was one of the six acceptors in The Daisy Appoo Cup, a terms race for three year-olds to be run over seven furlongs. The runners were penalized according to the number of races that they had won thus far in their short careers. Carla was fortunate to be placed at the bottom of the scales, as she had won only once. She had made a tremendous debut during Bangalore Summer, when she had clocked one of the fastest timings in her very first start.

In her next outing in a Sprint Million, she was beaten on the post by Sirono. The pair of them had stopped the clock at an unbelievable One Minute and Twelve Seconds. The professionals were quick to acknowledge that both Sirono and Carla were quite exceptional. Trainer Attaollahi took a decision to train this filly for a longer trip. His sights were set on a Mile Million that was to be run over the last weekend of the Summer Season. The track reporters saw her being exercised over a mile on the outer sand track on a couple of occasions.

But soon after, there were no signs of Carla. It was rumoured that she had suffered a setback in training, and her fans were crestfallen to hear this news. The connections decided to rest her for a few months before bringing her back into training. She was given a couple of gallops prior to running her in Thursday's feature. Although Carla was opposed by Spark Of Atan, Braavo and Tempus Fugit, it was difficult to back against this filly. On sheer ratings, she was placed much above the others. Added the fact that she was receiving weight from them, it looked like a one-horse race.

The bookmakers were quite alert and had little difficulty in installing her as the 70/100 favourite in this race. Spark Of Atan, Braavo and Tempus Fugit were available at 5's and over. Some strong rumours pertaining to her well being were circulated at race time. This led to a steep increase in the odds against her. The price on Carla doubled in quick time, and she started as a 14/10 pick ahead of a heavily backed Spark Of Atan.

Ashhad Asbar managed to push Braavo (Pennine Ridge – Belief) into an early lead, and the pair of them showed the way to Spark Of Atan. Carla, who was slightly hesitant at the start, got caught on the wide outside and had no choice but to remain there. Tempus Fugit, Aahana and Cationic were under pressure to remain in touch with the leaders. The order remained more or less the same as they reached the bend. A few things were noticed at this juncture. First and foremost, it was the acceleration shown by Braavo. The moment the rider asked him to quicken, he gained momentum. He darted forward, and within the next few seconds, sealed the issue.

Chandrasekhar worked hard on Spark Of Atan, but the best he could do was to finish five lengths behind the winner. A similar distance behind him was Carla. The favourite put up a listless performance while running well below her known form. There was no evidence of her blinding speed and quick acceleration today. In the hands of Ryan Marshall, she managed to plod along and finish marginally ahead of the other three runners. Being a Burden Of Proof progeny, she could not have been hampered by the soft going. Attaollahi needs to thoroughly check Carla, before accepting to run her again.

The added attraction in the day's card was The SN Harish Memorial Trophy. This mile race for horses in Class III had only eight runners. Sharat Kumar's Rubellite received one-sided support and started as an even-money choice in this race. He had beaten his closest rival African Sky earlier this season, and was even better placed at the weights today.

However, Rubellite performed miserably and took down a lot of money with him today. Despite being urged in the back-stretch, he remained totally one-paced. Nausad Alam took the bottom weighted African Sky (Johannesburg Wild – Rezonution) into an early lead and wasn't unduly pressed to keep War Head at bay. A disinterested Luckynumberslevin dragged his rider into third place.

The trend was set in the very first race of the day. Harish-ridden Baton Rouge (Alnasr Alwasheek – Astor Place) had won from pillar to post in the day's opener. This Prithviraj-trainee was opposed by the fancied pair of Social Climber and Rip Van Winkle. Social Climber had run a forward race while placing fourth in the higher class. Being ridden by the in-form apprentice Nausad Alam, this four year-old was considered to be a handicap certainty. The boy settled her nicely behind a runaway Baton Rouge, and bided his time till the bend.

He expected the leader to get tired in the straight, but that never happened. Baton Rouge loved the conditions and won by more than a distance. A hard-ridden Act Of Duty ran on to take the third place. The upper division of this seven-furlong race was won by Lokanath's Mr Ambassador (Ajaad – Genuine Article). This winner had been unfortunate to have lost his earlier start to African Sky. The fact that African Sky won effortlessly in the higher class earlier in the afternoon, enhanced Mr Ambassador's chances today. Sreekanth allowed his mount to track Voodoo Moon and Irish Intellect till the bend, before asking him to quicken.

The supporters of Mr Ambassador were delighted to see him galloping in the straight. He put his head down and spreadeagled the opposition. Mr Ambassador ended more than a distance clear of Voodoo Moon and Irish Intellect. The easiest victory of the day was posted by Monappa's Time For All (Juniper – Lucky Break). She was the bottom weight in a seven-furlong handicap for horses in Class II.

Having run second while carrying a heavy impost in the lower class, this filly had indicated her readiness to strike. The trainer asked jockey Vivek to make use of his innermost draw, and try and win from start to finish. The boy followed instructions, and delivered in style. He rushed Time For All into a sizeable lead, and raced all alone in front for the rest of the trip. The winning margin of more than 20 lengths was quite unbelievable. Champions League, Spandau Ballet and Needofthehour finished close to each other while filling the rest of the frame. Inayathulla's Indian Bolt showed a remarkable reversal of form. This even-money favourite stopped in his tracks near the final bend and put up a dismal show.

Trainer Ganapathy added another point to his tally by winning with hot favourite Scarlet Knight (Emerald Cat – Danseuse). Imran Khan showed a lot of maturity by taking an excellent jump from the gates. Even though he was drawn on the wide outside, Scarlet Knight made use of his early speed and raced alongside Satin Slipper till entering the straight. A couple of cracks thereafter were enough for him to seize the initiative. Scarlet Knight toyed with the opposition and was eased up much before he passed the winning post.

Satin Slipper maintained his second position ahead of Enduring Speed and Suave. The last named was the fastest finishing runner in this race, and the eight year-old must be earmarked for an early success in an event reserved for horses in his own age group. The day ended with the eclipse of another favourite.

Lokanath's Vernostonous was the hottest order of the day. He had raced against much superior opposition in the past and had been figuring regularly on the board. In the absence of any worthy opponents, Vernostonus was expected to emerge from the maiden ranks. Those who had chosen to back him at this short price today, were quick to realize their folly. The horse detested the underfoot conditions and was scrubbed from the very beginning.

He chased Warren Singh's Black Super Star (Emerald Cat – Cozumel) till the bend before fading from the scene. Vernostonous petered out in the straight and ended a faraway fourth behind Black Super Star, Black Beauty and Allegro. The last named came from the tail end of the pack to save place money for his connections.