The fact that all three races framed for juveniles were declared void so far this season defies logic. Most owners not satisfied with the Bangalore Turf Club ruling that they need a minimum of eight acceptors to hold a baby event pointed out that the club needs to address  this crisis in a more positive and lenient manner taking into account that the owners have  made big investments while procuring the juveniles.

The owners made no secret of their opinion that the club should not look at framing each race from the revenue angle.  The idea is to promote and support the sport . One entry short, most owners agree will cost the club betting on place but they cannot be only looking at making  their money is the opinion of most owners who are dejected by the rigid policy of BTC.

The BTC point out that the owners should be complaining against their trainers and not pointing fingers at the Club. An official spokesman of the club revealed that the trainers at this centre take it easy with the youngsters and that is the reason why juveniles are not ready in time to race at the start of the season.

“Look at Mysore. They only have about 75 babies in their campus and all the youngster races have gone through. In Bengaluru we have more than 300 and we are finding it hard to get eight to race,” said senior stipendary steward T S Mahendher.  Well Mahendher has a point but BTC too should take a more lenient view when it comes to one horse falling short to make the cut.

Coming to racing on Friday, the Padmanabhan-trained Invincible Prince who had failed to display his true potential in his last essay in Mysore found his galloping shoes at his parent-centre winning the Krishnaraja Trophy in emphatic fashion. The Padmanabhan ward on the strength of this victory is certain to provide an encore when saddled next.  Leading pro John who partnered Invincible Prince earlier guided home the public choice Stuart Castle and later completed a hat-trick of wins, packing punch on the Mahesh schooled grey, Havelock Prince who produced a winning gallop at the distance post to snuff out the challenge of another well fancied Padmanabhan ward Anarosa at the shadow of the winning post. Can Havelock Prince record a hat-trick is the question most followers of form are asking and the answer is no despite the fact that the Mahesh ward clocked a smart time of 1:38.2 seconds for the mile long trip taking into account that the grey had to stretch every sinew to win his second straight start. 

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Castle Stuart was touted an early bird by most track reporters before the start of the season. The winner justified the confidence and ranking of all the `Eagle eyes’ romping home in the Kabini Cup. Evraz raced in patches and it will not be long before he earns his cornbill.

 The promising Yash Narredu,  it appeared failed to judge the pace in the  Adichunchanagiri Plate run over a distance of 2000M.  The youngster gave the on-money favourite too much to do in the straight and as a result could only finish second behind the friendless Regal Boast piloted by lesser light Asgar.

The long shot Arziki and the favourite Aqua Aria were the two other winners in the eight-event card. The former, a moody customer decided to a gallop the moment he negotiated the final curve and the moment he did this he showed a clean pair of heels to all his rivals including the heavily supported Diamond Quest who  appeared to have needed this run.