Many including Zeyn Mirza driving down from the Nilgiri hills, came out to watch the best colt on parade. And Admiralty didn't disappoint his supporters chalking out his third straight success. The winner of the Karnataka Juvenile Million, it must be mentioned appeared a trifle rusty, taking a little time to get into top gear, but the moment he did that, Ashish knew his job astride the classic hopeful from champion trainer Pesi Shroff's yard was over, the talented colt  powering through to start his summer campaign on a positive note. 

On the strength of his two facile victories at his parent-centre (Mumbai), Admiralty was half-money favourite for the event despite the fact that he needed to cross swords with the highest rated filly Eternal Flame who was on a roll, recording four wins in-a-row including a hat-trick in Mumbai, but the fact that Eternal Flame performed below par made the task of the classy son of Admiralofthefleet out of Caprese  easy at end. Admiralty will next compete in the Colts Championship Stakes and he again will be most favoured to register his first classic success.

Well after the success of Admiralty, it is needless to mention that Pesi Shroff will be a tad disappointed with the performance of another classic hopeful Myrtlewood in his yard. The filly who had made a smashing debut in Mumbai had most pros sit up and acknowledge her effort in a mock race with Sprinters' Cup winner Solomon and Admiralty before coming down to Bengaluru. Myrtlewood was the overwhelming favourite in the Bangalore City Administrator's Trophy but the daughter of Adamile, it was clear didn't enjoy the conditions and  as a result failed to display her true potential. Conspicuous after making a striking debut put up another good show and taking into account that the talented daughter of Burden Of Proof- Anonymity won the seven furlongs trip with a degree of comfort she has emerged as one of the frontliners for the Fillies Championship following the below par efforts of Eternal Flame and Myrtlewood. The promising Suleiman Attaollahi deserves a pat on the back for sending out Conspicuous spot on for the event and the moment Imran Chisty pushed her ahead she was ready to call the shots which she did romping home in emphatic fashion. The Puttanna schooled New Alliance who failed to grab a favourable position early on in the race and needed to go around and shift out before making her final challenge thanks to her jockey T S Jodha who time and again fails to take the pole position caught the eye finishing an impressive second and her connections, it is needless to mention will be pleased with her effort knowing that the mile long trip suits New Alliance most. 

The Ministerial Trophy split into two divisions saw the Padmanabhan schooled Miss Adler shed her maiden status in style after Garuda was withdrawn on veterinary ground in the upper division while Castle Key of whom much was expected  in winter finally came good in the lower division to the delight of Zeyn Mirza and trainer Arjun Manglorkar who rated him quite high. 

The Hyderabad camp fancied Sir Legend strongly in the lower division despite the fact that he was making his debut  on the exacting track. The Netto ward  much to the dismay of his supporters struggled to keep pace and eventually finished in the ruck. Ryan Marshall  took Castle Key to the front soon after the creditable field of eight runners came under the starter's flag for the sprint trip and he never let that initiative slip, the Arjun Manglorkar ward showing a clean pair of heels to all his rivals.  Though a lot of good money from the Nawabs went down the drain in this event, the Hyderabad camp can take a positive from Amethyst's effort who finished a game second  behind Castle Key despite short on fitness. This D'silva ward has it in her to enter the winners' circle when saddled next. The same cannot be said  in the case of Sir Legend  simply because he is no  English `Knight' and never will he gain the legendary  status. Now that Castle Key has broken the ice, it will pay to follow him again next time out. 

On the strength of his consistent performances in winter, the Satish Narredu-trained China One garnered the maximum support in the Lady Gibraltar Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs but the public choice met a tartar in Tronada from Prasanna Kumar's yard who recorded his second straight victory in the hands of Ranjeet in style. For the hardworking Prasanna, it proved to be a dream start, five winners in three days including  two plums on the Chandrashekar Rai owned  horses on Friday and  the unassuming pro is over the moon. Well done Prasanna, just keep it going. 

In the opening event, the lower division of the Romantic Dancer Plate, Admiral Messi was touted a cinch, but the on-money favourite much to the chagrin of his supporters went down by the shortest of margins to the Darius Byramji-trained Boysterous. Imran Khan partnering the favourite, it appeared was reluctant to give it an extra crack which would have gained the day for Admiral Messi, the fact  that he was pulled up and  later suspended for two days and slapped a Rs 25,000 fine for excessive use of the whip on Strengthandwonder  may well have weighed in his mind and this cost Inayathulla and the owners dear at end. 

Well it is always good to play any sport by the rules. But in situations when one marginally crosses the line to obtain a favourable result, the authorities need to overlook the breach and give the player the benefit of the doubt. The fact that Imran's  power packed finish helped the public choice Strengthandwonder win should be enough consideration for the stewards to let the rider go with a caution rather than suspending the rider who won the hearts of the railbirds with his never-say-die approach. Now Imran is confused. The leading pro just dosen't know if he is in the profession to make the Animal Welfare Board happy or showcase his skills to warm the hearts of his owners and importantly the racing buffs who are the chief patrons of the game. 

Young Azhar Ali pulls out a rabbit out of the bag when needed most. Alecia was sweetly fancied by the connections and the filly in the hands of Anjar Alam donkey-licked the opposition in the Ascot Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The favourite Equal Terms looked a trifle gross at the paddock and despite Imran Chisty's  best effort to get him going, the Darius ward  struggled to finish a tame third. The winner is in good nick and is set to provide an encore. 

Ancient Title was fancied most in the Dharmaprakasha L S Venkaji Rao Memorial Cup but the favourite  after gaining a box seat  failed to quicken. Surprisingly ignored and offered at the nourishing odds of (5/1) Vivid Impression who had impressed most while finishing second behind Equine Love in her last essay over a mile in winter produced a sparkling gallop in the final furlong to provide jockey Vivek an easy ride to success. Shrewd Master  did well to gain the second spot and considering he retains his winter form, this Arvind Ganapathy ward will earn his summer cornbill in the months ahead. 

The topweighted Connemara won the Dupont Plate run over a mile in convincing fashion pegging back the belated effort of Lucia. The favourite Native Force raced in patches and was a beaten horse much before the field negotiated the final curve. And in the concluding event, the even-money favourite Magical Light from Neil Darashah's yard stormed through to detonate his rivals in the final furlong. Rock N Rolla caught the eye while finishing an unextended second and is one for the notebook while Chal Dhanu Chal, it appeared is looking for Hema Malini's call to get into the Sholay mood and stride.