P Prasanna Kumar trained New Alliance (Burden of Proof-Quiet Storm / Kunigal Stud) sporting the colours of M.R. Stud Farms pulled off a surprise in the Karnataka Race Horse Owners Association Mysore 1000 Guineas – Gr.3, the first classic of the season. Eternal Flame was the overwhelming favourite for the race but the filly let down her supporters without even giving a fight.

Flamboyance set the tempo followed by O Ms Akhila, New Alliance, Star Formation, Eternal Flame, Alexandrite and Cameron. There was not much of a change in the order till heading towards the last 600 metres. Star Formation, New Alliance moved up at the same juncture on entering the straight and Eternal Flame ranged from the outside. The favourite was travelling nicely at that stage but the rider found something amiss in her acceleration and went for the stick. New Alliance kept kicking on with Star Formation fighting along the fence even as Eternal Flame started to falter. Jockey A Imran Khan rode hard to get New Alliance ahead of Star Formation by a neck at the finish. Cameron closed up from behind to be third another three parts of a length away. Eternal Flame was a disappointing fourth. All That’s Nice was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Clever Trick (Gaswar-First Trick / Galloping Acres Stud) from trainer Ranjeet Shinde’s yard staved off Mandarin’s late charge to lift the Civil Services Trophy. Clever Trick was taken to the front to lead by jockey Nitin Singh and was ahead by almost four lengths with 300 metres left on the straight. Mandarin had a wall of horses in front on top of the straight and making way between them came flying inside the last 100 metres but fell short by three parts of a length. A split second error in timing the final assault by the rider cost Mandarin an otherwise certain win. Emerging Star and Markus Sittikus filled the judge’s frame. Divine Love was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Mumbai import Arrete (Multidimensional-Star Luminary / Usha Stud) whose only win was on Derby day at Bangalore a year ago turned out to be the biggest upset of the day in the division I of the A.C.Somanna Memorial Trophy. Arrete tracked Country’s Pride for a short while and slipped in to be in front before the final turn. Finding himself well in front Arrete kept kicking on to hold on by three parts of a length from Super Force who came with a flourish but found the sprint trip a bit sharp. Country’s Pride finished a close third. Fatal Attraction was a non-starter in the race.

Jockey P Trevor piloted S S Attaolahi trained Sheer Elation (Burden of Proof-Ripple of Pride / Kunigal Stud) to a gutsy win in the lower division. Sheer Elation led for two furlongs and Zulfiqar slipped in along the inside to take charge. Inside the last 400 metres Sheer Elation made its bid again from the outside and forged ahead after a keen duel. Pacific Blue warmed up late and came charging towards the closing stages but Sheer Elation was safely home by half a length. Dream Star was a non-starter in the race.

Tactful riding by A Imran Khan enabled favourite Hello Boss (Epicentre-Political Power / AB Stud) to win the Indradhanush Plate. Ensantus Elegans, London Eye and Happy Victory were almost in a line approaching the last 300 metres with Hello Boss waiting to spring from around them. Happy Victory surged ahead and Hello Boss joined from the outside. Imran Khan gave a crack from the left and not getting the required effect changed to the right and the gelding responded with a quick gallop to get the better by half a length. London Eye finished third from a fast finishing Star Mountain.     

Neil Darashah trained Everest (Arabian Gulf-Sierra Vista / Manjri Stud) scored a maiden win in the Penambur Plate. The 4 year old gelding set off in the lead from start and came in first on the straight with Flying Bullet challenging from the outside. Nearing the 300 metres pole Everest shied out all of a sudden but jockey Arshad Alam controlled it well and got him to on even keel to pull it off. Candice came with a late burst from way behind to take the second place three parts of a length adrift. Impulse finished third ahead of Flying Bullet.

Trainer Ranjeet Shinde and jockey Nitin Singh had earlier in the day won through Micron Yaacow (Arabian Gulf-Lyrical Star / Manjri Stud) in the Shimsha Plate. Small Cruise was on a start to finish bid with Catwalk Queen in hot chase from the top of the straight. The two started to drift out of the straight course inside the last 200 metres and the top weighted Micron Yaacow improved steadily close to the fence and rallied strongly towards the closing stages to wrap it up by half a length from Small Cruise for a maiden win. Catwalk Queen was third.

Vikram Appachu trained Guapo (Senure-Athymia / Manjri Stud) justified the favouritism in the Haveri Plate, the concluding race of the day. Challenging Momotaro who was on a start to finish bid inside the last 200 metres, Guapo rallied stronger and surged ahead to win it. Ground Marshall and Oceana finished third and fourth respectively.