Manjri Stud bred Duma (Phoenix Tower-Firecrest) trained by Micheal Eshwer was ridden confidently by Keanen Steyn en-route to a fascinating win in the Dr.M.N.Doreswamy Memorial Trophy. The seven furlongs race for horses rated 80 and above had attracted nine runners and Duma with a brilliant record of eight wins from fifteen starts and rated highest  at 104 points was the firm favourite at 10-8 ‘on’. Bold Police who holds the course record over the distance ended up as the runner-up but the fact that Duma was giving the ‘Police’ 12.5 kilograms puts the filly in a different league. It is learnt from the trainer that the filly’s next is going to be the New Year Cup at Bangalore, early next month.

Duma was held back towards the rear bunch initially with Bold Police following the filly while Royal Shaan called the shots with Divine Friendship to go with. As they started to round the final bend, Duma began to improve through the field and Bold Police swiftly covered ground from around the field to grab the lead passing the 400 metres board. Bold Police had taken a lead of a length as they came into the last 300 metres. Jockey Keanen Steyn then began to urge Duma with a few cracks and the filly responded readily to show off her class. Duma flashed past Bold Police inside the last 100 metres and Steyn also had the luxury of easing up his filly before crossing the winning post. Castle King and Royal Shaan finished third and fourth respectively.

The Silks of Manjri Stud had another profitable day at Mysore with another Eshwer trainee, Constantine (Holy Roman Emperor-Coconut Squeak) romping home in the division I of the Brig.C.D.Mohan Memorial Plate. Constantine, who had won its first start at Mysore after coming down from Western India impressively, was sent off as an ‘unbeatable’ one at short price. The 3 year old kept up the top billing and scored an encore in the 1100 metres dash. Racing a handy fourth along the fence till entering the home stretch, Constantine made way between the leaders Jolie and Bourbon Street to scuttle ahead. Bourbon Street held on to the second place from Lake Emerald and Jolie.   

The lower division was won another Mumbai import Majestic Queen (Mr.Mellon-Band of Gold /  Ruia Stud). The 5 year old had ended up second behind Constantine in its last start and was backed to the hilt in the lower division. Showing plenty of speed at start after jumping out from an outward draw, Majestic Queen shot to the lead and made it a pillar to post affair. Aanchal Beauty chased the winner all the way to end up second while Young Gallant rallied on to finish third.

Zareer Darashah trained Hallelujah (Dubawi-Saa’ida / Nanoli Stud) carried the Shirkes colours to a second successive victory in the higher division of the Planters Plate. Backed to the exclusion of the other runners, Hallelujah was in fourth position nearing the final straight. Castlebar took charge quickly on top of the straight and tried to hold on to the lead but was no match when Hallelujah moved from the outside with a resolute gallop. Chandini finished third after being sluggish at start. Romantic King was withdrawn before the race.

T.Natraj trained Precious Replica (Kingda Ka-Licata / Capricon Stud) who was unlucky on a few occasions came good to wrap up the Vani Vilas Sagar Plate. The favourite Secret Missile was in the lead as they entered the last 400 metres and Precious Replica was in hot pursuit. As they headed past the distance marker Secret Missile looked to be in some sort of bother with the jockey not being able to ride out fully. Jockey Nitin Singh kept riding out Precious Replica and the filly grabbed the lead and stretched out well. Rising Rani finished second with Absolute Brave coming from nowhere to finish a close third in front of Spiritual Blue. The saddle of Secret Missile had slipped and the favourite fell back to finish fifth.

Jockey Nitin Singh who has developed a good rapport with S.Santosh Rao trained Happiness (International-Claribel / Mebajeona Stud) rode the 7 year old to a second successive win in the lower division. Racing prominently with the front bunch till showing up on the straight, Happiness shot ahead and was clear by about three lengths over For Your Eyes Only as they went past the 300 metres board. For Your Eyes Only picked up speed in the last 50 metres and the lead diminished but fell short by a long neck at the finish. Stone Warrior, the last to jump out of the stalls improved late to take the second spot.   

C Girinath trained Caterina (Senure-Femme Fatale / Manjri Stud) scored the biggest upset of the day in the Mangalagangotri Plate, the first race of the day. Jumping out from the outermost draw Caterina went to the lead from the outside within the first 100 metres. Leading by a good margin all the way Caterina won unchallenged. Gayle’s Storm was in futile chase right through the last 400 metres. Golden Steps finished third from Tandav.