One bad day at the office and people were asking questions, a few on his fitness and some whether the star sprinter, who is a trifle long in the tooth has   gone off the boil after his success in his maiden start this season.

Well the star performer who time and again has bravely overcome his physical issues again produced his best despite the fact that he was not 100 percent fit to win the Sprinters Trial Stakes and earn his passage to Mumbai to compete in the Sprinters’ Cup in the Invitation Cup week-end in March.

The fact that he went out of gas, like a pricked balloon and finished down the field in his last essay did not stop his supporters from fancying the speedy customer who has made the Kunigal Stud Farm proud in his illustrious career and the moment he jumped out of the gates, the Padmanabhan ward dictated the proceedings and it was clear that his seven rivals on his day needed a pair of roller skates to match strides with the champion sprinter. 

Padmanabhan earlier struck through a good type of bred in the purple youngster Valiant Spirit who despite a sluggish start produced a heart-warming finish to the delight of the railbirds.  After Sun Moon And Stars made a smashing debut, Valiant Spirit is another from the stable who has impressed most in his first career start and this has certainly brought the smile back on the face of the top trainer who loves to target his youngsters for all the big plums on offer at all the premier racing centres.

 All In, who made a favourable impression while finishing a game third in his debut went one better claiming the second spot ahead of Sheer Luck who it must be mentioned needs more than sheer luck to enter the winners’ circle this winter.

Trainer B Puttanna, back at the helm in the Karnataka Trainers Association celebrated his success, pulling off a successful coup on Carducci in the upper division of the Brahmaputra Plate run over a sprint.  The winner who had placed once in his last eight starts was backed down from (10/1) in the betting ring to (4/1) despite the fact that the favourite Ace Mesmerise too garnered   solid support.  The ten to one shot I Smile and the customary front runner Stimulator took off like scalded cats before I Smile seized the initiative and just when the Sharath camp started to smile, Carducci in the hands of apprentice Chetan Kalay stormed through to send all the Puttanna supporters laughing all the way to the bank.  All credit to Puttanna for pulling off the big coup. To essay the role of a Vulture is a difficult task simply because it takes a lot of time and tests the patience, but then Vulture is a patient bird.

On the strength of his impressive second behind Deep Blue Storm in his last effort, Cullinan was the overwhelming favourite in the Hampi Plate but the public choice after streaking ahead at the top of the straight, it appeared, lost his galloping shoes. The second in demand at the betting ring Coolmore produced a late burst to edge out Ungoogleable and Open Page close home.  Trainer Sandhu, it must be mentioned has struggled hard with this moody mare and all credit to Sandhu who has now chalked out his sixth win this season with the limited stock under his care.

Most knowledgeable were of the view that Native Force was one safe bet in the nine-event card after he extended Anarosa  in his last effort over a mile. The fact that King Glorieux from Satish Narredu’s yard and the Hidayat Khan-trained Turf Tactics gained a fair share of support provided the followers of the Arvind Ganapathy ward the desired bonus. Sandesh rode a copybook race on the winner who is set to provide an encore taking into account that he still is not at his best and has good scope for improvement.

The Inayathullah schooled Vivid Impression after failing to make his presence felt in the Oaks produced her best in the hands of Vivek to score in the Smt. Saraswati Sajnani Memorial Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs.  Saltoro Ridge was surprisingly installed the favourite in this event but despite Trevor making free use of the stick in the final furlong, all that the Arjun Manglorkar ward could do was to finish a close third behind Sakchi in this event.  Saltoro Ridge is a chicken at heart. All he will do is keep knocking at the door and not bang it open.

Earlier another from Arjun’s yard Admired who had made a favourable impression after a long layoff entered the winners’ circle, Trevor guiding the on-money favourite home in the upper division of the Lalithmahal Plate. Now that the filly is in good shape, she is set to pick up another race before the curtains are drawn this season.

Well it is good to see Amit Caddy continuing to party after his double on Derby-day. Private Party in the hands of Ramu romped home in the opening event to the delight of the young trainer. And in the next event, the Prithviraj and Gnaneswar combination which is enjoying a great run this winter struck through the lesser fancied Blues Legend.