It was a glorious Wednesday for Manjri Stud Farm when their much-loved son of Phoenix Tower, Fink, returned to centre stage in an outstanding manner after a major setback that he suffered after returning lame in the 2000 Guineas here last October. Fink, the property of M/s.P.S.Ranganathan and Manjri Horse Breed’s Farm Pvt.Ltd., had won all his seven starts including the Juvenile Million at Bangalore before returning lame in the Guineas. Fink (Phoenix Tower-Fleurissimo) back to the race track after a gap of 8 ½ months won the Stewards Trophy in an amazing fashion. 

Sent off as the favourite at 6-4, Fink raced in about fifth while stable companion Constantine, led the pack, followed by Keturah, Secret Hunter and Country’s Beauty. Inside the last 400 metres Fink covered ground from around the field and took off in brilliant acceleration to wrap it off in a smart timing that was much faster than his earlier three wins over the sprint distance. Jockey Keanen Steyn did not move a muscle and Fink knew his task fully well. Fink was comfortably home and the victory was much easier than the verdict suggests. Class Is Class emerged as the runner while Vijays Best came from way behind to finish third.

Manjri Stud tasted success in three more races with Mr.Go, Bandito and Daylite winning their respective races but that result was reduced to two as the last named was disqualified following two objections and a Steward’s enquiry. Fink and Mr.Go are both trained by B.K.Narendra.

Mr.Go (Phoenix Tower-Current Affairs) scored an impressive win in the Kapila Plate, a 1200 metres sprint for maiden 3 year old horses. Mr.Go was on the ‘go’ quickly at start and surged ahead to lead within the first furlong. Showing up first on the straight the son of phoenix Tower galloped nicely till the end. Chambray weaved through the field from the rear to get to the second place with a late effort. Beautiful Revenge and Sazae San finished third and fourth respectively. Generous Gesture, Diamond Attraction and Express Speed were non-starters in the race.

Trainer Zareer Darashah who was going through a lean patch this season, broke the ice with Bandito (Phoenix Tower-Athymia / Manjri Stud) in the higher division of the Irappu Falls Plate. Flying Tricolour even at the age of 8 years is packed with speed, leading from the front in his customary fashion. Approaching the distance marker Bandito covered ground from behind and surged ahead and while doing so came in contact with Flying Tricolour who was drifting out from the straight course. The saddle of Bandito had shifted back and despite this Keanen stayed on well to win by two lengths. Markus Sittikus and Starsonboard finished third and fourth respectively.

C.D.Monnappa and A Viswanath scored a double together through Lincon Continental and Murcilago. Lincon Continental (Hurricane Center-Rush / Singh Stud) powered his way with a late burst to deny Al Dahma a win, on the post in the lower division of the Alberetto Plate. Al Dahma, sent off as the favourite with lot of money coming on it rushed to the front from an outward draw and tried to make it start to finish. With a furlong left Al Dahma still had the lead with Catchy Charger trying hard to bridge the gap. Lincon Continental was ridden hard by A Viswanath and the gelding responded in the last 100 metres to nail Al Dahma at the post. Catchy Charger was third another half a length away.

 Murcilago (Mathematecian-Prefix / Sans Craintes Stud) was gifted with the race in the Goa Plate, the concluding race of the day. Daylite originally won the race with Murcilago finishing second ahead of Spiritual Blue and Distant Promise. Following the objections by the riders of Spiritual Blue and Distant Promise against Keanen G Steyn, the rider of Daylite and also a Steward’s enquiry into the running of the race, Daylite was disqualified. Murcilago was declared the winner in the revised order.

Murcilago surged ahead to get to the lead on top of the straight. Steyn in his anxiety to get Daylite to gallop, pulled him out dangerously and in the process disturbed the running of Distant Promise, Capitano and Spiritual Blue who were beginning to get up from the outside. Daylite went past Murcilago and won the race but lost out in the Steward’s room due to the dangerous riding of the jockey.  

Trainer Dinesh Pujar and jockey G Sai Vamshi pulled off a brace with Come on Gingin and Absolute Pleasure, both well backed favourites. Come on Gingin (Princely Heir-Premier penache / Dr.Kehar Singh Stud) who was winless from 14 starts finally came good in the Hiriyur Plate. Racing in about fifth early on while Outer Space called the shots, Come On Gingin started to improve gradually from the outside. Inside the last 400 metres the 4 year old gelding surged ahead and despite hanging in slightly scuttled away by a good 2 ¼ lengths.  Brigadier and Touch of Romance finished second and third respectively ahead of Outer Space.

Absolute Pleasure (Gaswar-Killarney / Chhatari Stud) just managed to justify the favouritism in the lower division of the Alberetto Plate. Absolute Pleasure took charge on entering the home stretch and was travelling well when Bucethalis came charging along the rails towards the closing stages. Absolute Pleasure and G Sai Vamshi had scrapped through by a neck at the finish. Rule Forever finished third.

Trainer K.Somashekar opened his account this season through well backed favourite Secret Touch (Royal Gladiator-Think of Us / Pratap Stud) in the higher division of the Alberetto Plate. Secret Touch settled well in mid-field while Magic Wave and Dare the Don disputed the lead till the final bend. Into the straight, Dare The Don took charge and opened a gap of over two lengths with Al Dorado rallying along the fence and Born For Beauty making a bid from the outside. Secret Touch started get stronger from the wide outside and with a sustained gallop sped away clear by three lengths. Dare The Don, Born For Beauty and Al Dorado filled the judge’s frame in that order.