C.V.G.K.Kishore trained No Doubt (Sunday Doubt-Alvinia / Hargobind Stud) slammed the opposition in the division I of the Octogonal Trophy, the main event of Wednesday’s races at Mysore. The 6 year old daughter of Sunday Doubt who had won over a mile before unsuccessfully trying her speed over 1100 metres received strong support with the price being halved from 5-1 towards race time.

The favourite Divine Love set out on a start to finish mission over the seven furlongs trip while Al Attaturk and No Doubt, the two fancied runners were off to a sluggish beginning. On top of the straight Divine Love was still in front being challenged by Color Me. Al Attaturk improved from the outside to surge to the lead and jockey G.Y.Rajesh Babu pulled out No Doubt to make a bid from around them and with a scintillating gallop swept them all to bounce back to winning ways. Blue Zone after being hampered for a clear run finished a close third and then unsuccessfully lodged an objection against the winner for interference.

Trainer J.Saravanan and jockey Saddam Hussain combined to pull off a Countrys’ double. Country’s Beauty (Roi Maudit-Jazz Dancer / Country Stud) completed a hat-trick in the Christmas Plate. The filly who was the youngest among the dozen runners for the 1200 metres sprint was sent off as an on-money favourite after two successive wins. Hitting the front from the start Country’s Beauty made every post a winning one. Bourbon Street racing in third all the way finished on to be the runner-up while Catharsis managed to beat Class Is Class to be I the money.

Country’s Nobility (Chevalier-Ceebros / Country Stud) won the higher division of the Rejendravilas Plate by a lengthening margin. Smartly out of the gates, Country’s Nobility led briefly and then settled easily in second when Smart Mistral rushed to the front from the outside. Inside the last two furlongs Country’s Nobility sailed past the leader to regain the lead and stretched out easily to extend the margin of victory. Little Athena who received maximum support at race time, closing as the favourite could only beat the rest to be the runner-up. Catchy Charger did well to finish third after a slow start. Coffee Time was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

C.D.Monnappa trained Always United (Oath-One Way / Pratap Stud) was ridden out by R.Vaibhav to emerge on top in the lower division. There was flow of money on Always United approaching race time and the filly was sent off as the favourite at 6-4. Royal Regina set off in front followed about two lengths behind by Queens Cruise. Inside the last 400 metres Royal Regina was still in the lead but it was evident that it would not stay long as the saddle had shifted and the rider was unable to ride her out. Queens Cruise then took over the running but Always United came up with a sustained gallop to get the better by three parts of a length close to the winning post. Sivanta was always up with a challenge from the outside in the last furlong to take the third spot.

Another trainer and jockey combination that emerged successful with a double was S.Rakesh and J.H.Christopher. Their first win came through Ice Sprint (Warrshan-Secret Miracle / Ruia Stud) in the Pertigalete Plate. The 5 year old bay mare took a good jump from draw ten and moved quickly towards the inside to be in touch with the front bunch that was led by Ceasaria. As they entered the straight Cesaria led for a while but Ice Sprint ranged alongside swiftly to take it up and stretched out easily to score her maiden win. Welcome Again improved to take the second spot ahead of Cesaria.

Ice Brown (Red Clubs-Born Beautiful / Sans Craintes Stud) easily tackled the field to give them their second win in the Nandidurga Plate, the concluding race of the day. Travelling easily in third behind Ensantus Elegans and Young Gallant, Ice Brown moved swiftly around them rounding the final bend and stretched out easily to justify the flow of money. Pamushana rallied on to take the second place. Always Love after losing ground at the start came in late from the wide outside to take the third spot.

Gaupo (Senure-Athymia / Manjri Stud) from the stables of P.C.Tejaswi upset the apple cart of the more fancied stable companion Albatross in the lower division of the Octogonal Trophy. Oscar Sparkler on a start to finish bid came in first on the straight but soon surrendered the lead to Teri Adah. Albatross gained ground from the outside with Esoterical also making a bid. Guapo appeared between the two and with a strong challenge streaked through to pull it off from Albatross. Gunpowder came from way behind to take the third place from Esoterical.

Md.Sajid Qureshi schooled Al Dorado (Abbeyside-Open Amedale / Dhana Stud) opened its account on debut in the Taj Mahal Plate. The youngster raced close behind the leader Sufficient Proof till the last 300 metres and with jockey A.Imran Khan riding out forged ahead to score by a length and a quarter. Sufficient Proof just managed to hold on to the second place from Cosmic Touch who rallied strongly along the fence. The favourite Sakura Delight was a big letdown, finishing last of the field.