The Indian horse racing fraternity woke up to the sad news of the demise of veteran trainer J.S.Dhariwal on Thursday morning. ‘Jaggy’ as he is fondly called in racing circles was an embodiment of a ‘gentleman’. ‘The show must go on’ and as a mark of respect to the departed soul Mysore Race Club observed a minutes’ silence and the jockeys wore black arm bands as they went through the seven races card at Mysore.  

Mumbai import Absolute Brave (Glory of Dancer-Exotic Moves / Nanoli Stud) who had scored its maiden win 9 days ago, repeated the winning performance in the Sardar K.B.Ramachandraraj Urs Memorial Trophy, the main event of Thursday’s races at Mysore. Trained by C.Girinath, Absolute Brave travelled almost together with the leader Amazing Redd from the outside till the top of the straight. Inside the last 400 metres Absolute Brave surged forward to take over the running. The favourite Emperor Cruise started to move up from the outside with a strong challenge but Absolute Brave quickened readily to V.R.Jagadeesh’s urgings and spared a length and a half at the finish. Madame Bovary was third another four lengths away. Royal Shaan was a non-starter in the race.

Veyron (Epicentre-Bluegrass Gal / Chhtari Stud) from Satish Narredu’s yard won the V.Vijay Kumar Memorial Trophy. Veyron got to the front quickly at start and the favourite Optimus Zone who was squeezed between horses stumbled and dislodged the rider within the first 100 metres. Veyron and Bessie came into the straight together and the latter went ahead momentarily. Veyron was ridden out by apprentice Ajeet Kumar to regain the lead and stretched out to win by 2 3/3 lengths. No Doubt got the better of Bessie close home. Clever Trick was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the starting gates.

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Rare And Gorgeous (Noverre-Erina / Sohna Stud) started off her career in a splendid fashion, wrapping off the Alekona Trophy, a 1100 metres dash for 3 year old maiden horses. Vito came in with a good lead into the straight, followed by So Famous. Smart Connections was up with a challenge from the outside and Rare And Gorgeous looking for a rails run. Smart Connections went ahead with a furlong left but started to veer out of the straight course. The favourite Amanda began to get stronger in the centre and Rare And Gorgeous flashed on close to the fence with Ryan Marshall riding out. The three headed almost together towards the winning post and the debutante Rare And Gorgeous stuck her neck in front at the wire. Smart Connections was second and a ‘head’ behind was Amanda. Vito was beaten fourth.

Ayahuasca (Oath-Tempering / Pratap Stud) decimated the opposition while scoring its maiden win in the Datta Jewellers Trophy. Ayahuasca who was backed to the exclusion of the other runners moved in towards the rails from an outward draw and settled well to track the early leader Intensive Act. As they headed past the 400 metres board jockey D.Gnaneshwar gave one tap to Ayahuasca and the youngster forged ahead and left the rest standing ‘still’. Intensive Act did well to hold on to the runner-up berth from The Back Bencher and Fantasy Living in a close finish.

Jockey Gnaneshwar had in the earlier race, the Urs Car Trophy, had piloted Mohamood Khan trained Nation’s Glory (China Visit-Safari Girl / Mehra Stud) to a convincing win. The 5 year old justified the flow money on her without any fuss. Nation’s Glory raced a close third behind Greenbro and Entertainer till passing the half-way stage and improving steadily, surged past to take charge even before hitting the straight. Entertainer tried to challenge from the outside but drifted out under pressure. An unperturbed Nation’s Glory kept a straight course close to the rails and stayed clear. Sunny Express finished on to take the second spot in front of Entertainer. Second Lady finished fourth.

C.D.Monnappa trained Samajdaar (San Fransisco-Star Class /Doaba Stud) pulled off a surprise in the Valarosa Plate, the opener of the day. Racing in about fifth till entering the straight Samajdaar was pulled out to make its bid from the extreme outside and forged to the front. The favourite Magnetic Power started to gain ground from the inside but Samajdaar was safe home by a length. Tandav was third a ‘neck’ behind.

Trainer C.D.Monnappa won the last race of the day, the Papanashini Plate to complete a double for the stable. Rising Little Star (Express Wish-Silver Crest / Mebajeona Stud) was given a hard ride by S.John to shed its maiden ranks. With about 400 metres left on the straight Beautiful Effect surged past the leader Beautiful Fin to take over the running. Lagoona started to gain ground from the extreme outside and Rising Little Star began to get stronger beside Beautiful Effect. Rising Little Star got the better of Beautiful Effect 50 metres away from the winning post and spared three parts of a length. Lagoona and Guapo finished third and fourth respectively.