The record crowd that had turned up to witness the Mysore Derby 2015 was treated to one of the finest derby finishes in recent times. The first five horses went past the winning post in a spectacular blanket finish. The one who came out victorious was Manjri stud bred Mogadishu (Phoenix Tower-Leeward Passage) who managed to edge out Bold Command. The winner is trained by Dallas Todywalla and given a splendid ride by S. Zervan.

“We dedicate this Derby win to Continental” said Mr.Sarosh Mody, representing Manjri Stud in an emotional tone while recollecting the sad end of the gelding in the Pune Derby a week ago.

An elated Dallas Todywalla commented that staying capabilities was not a concern for his ward going into the race. “We were happy with his performance in the Guineas considering the fact that he was new to this track” he said. “We expected him to do well in the race and are indeed overjoyed by the result” he added.

Southern Surprise got on to the job assigned to him and set off to lead the pack quickly as the gates opened. Mogadishu was close behind in second followed by Bold Command, Star Formation, Eternal Flame, Desert God, Flamboyance and Brilliant Cut. The order was the same as they went past the halfway stage, all of them within about eight lengths. Southern Surprise looked to be getting out of steam passing the 800 metres board and jockey Sandesh decided take Bold Command ahead. On the home stretch Bold Command was still in front and Mogadishu joined from the outside with 300 metres left. The two started to fight out every stride and the favourite Desert God looked to have a tough task on hand. Star Formation was rallying hard from the inside and Brilliant Cut began to gallop strongly widest of all. Mogadishu and Bold Command went past the winning post locked together with Desert God, Star Formation and Brilliant Cut closing up fast towards the closing stages. Mogadishu triumphed by a short neck from Bold Command. Desert God, Star Formation and Brilliant Cut finished third, fourth and fifth respectively, all of them covered within one length.

Sriram Komandur trained Auriga (China Visit-Grand Madame / Usha Stud) who had missed the 2000 Guineas due to health issues was pitched in the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy, a class I race for horses rated 80 and above. The choice of the connections was vindicated as the son of China Visit set a new course record over the 1400 metres distance. Sent off at as the Even money favourite, Auriga was settled nicely in third while Phelps showed some early speed to lead followed by Topspot. Inside the last 300 metres Auriga was urged by P.S.Chouhan and he galloped nicely to take it up in the centre of the turf. Satellite started to get up from the wide outside and began to drift out of the straight course. Alexandra Mills saw the path from the inside opening up and came up strongly to challenge but fell short by a neck from Auriga at the finish. Satellite finished third with Topspot filling the board. Ocenic Storm was a non-starter in the race.                      

 Darius Byramji trained El Fenix (Phoenix Tower-Romantic Heights / Manjri Stud) scored an impressive maiden win in the division I of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy. Suraj Narredu guided the bay gelding to get to the front within the first furlong of the race and made every post a winning one thereafter. El Fenix was a clear 3 ½ lengths in front at the finish while Bonfire, Indian Brahmos, Able Master and Al Dorado ended up in a cluster in that order for the minor placings.

Trainer Warren Singh and jockey Trevor combined to pull off a double through Manta Ray and Speed Hawk on the big day. Speed Hawk (Mathematecian- Spark Of Elegance / AA Stud) won the Hyderabad Race Club Trophy. Last outing winner Ancient Title set off on a start to finish bid and came in first on the straight with about three lengths in front. Trevor got Speed Hawk to get going inside the last 400 metres and forged ahead with a furlong left. Native Force came charging down towards the closing stages but Speed Hawk was safely home by half a length. Glorious Light was withdrawn before the race.

Manta Ray (Diffident-Zephyrella / Yeravada Stud) which had lost out after a stirring duel in its previous start won the Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd., Trophy Div II . Manta Ray chased the early leader Capitano till into the final furlong and sped past easily. Cool Hand, Ice Cream and Bella Pinky finished second,third and fourth respectively in a close finish. Coolmore played up in the saddling area and was permitted to be withdrawn.

B. Prithviraj trained See The Storm (Senure-Perfect Peace / Yeravada Stud) whose last win was over a year ago pulled it off in the Madras Race Club Trophy. Racing a close third all the way behind Spanish Fly and Crown Emperor till turning for home See The Storm slipped in between them on entering the straight and drew clear. Strengthandwonder rallied from the wide outside to be the runner-up. Star Mountain and Spanish Fly finished third and fourth respectively in a close finish.

A well backed Hard To Get (Placerville-Difficult Doll / Poona Stud) from trainer R.R. Byramji’s yard scored a maiden win in the Delhi Race Club Trophy. Longshot Goddess Of Love set out on a start to finish bid and looked to be relentless entering the final furlong. Jockey Arshad Alam rode hard to get Hard To Get raise a gallop and managed to forge ahead by a length at the finish. Another fancied runner Saffron Intense was third further two and a half lengths away.

Trainer Narayana Gowda’s  Handsome Soldier (Roi Maudit-Cute Princess / Country Stud) started off the day in the lower division of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy. Getting to the front early, Handsome Soldier led all the way and stretched clear of the favourite Aqua Blessing. Crazy Pineapple and Beautiful Effect finished third and fourth respectively. Surnaturel was a non-starter in the race.

Apprentice Syed Imran rode the first winner of his career on Azhar Ali trained Smithsonite (Mull Of Kintyre-Sheen Falls / Capricon Stud) in the higher division of the Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd., Trophy. Racing a close fourth till turning for home Smithsonite responded readily when the rider started urging and surged ahead of the relentless Catharsis. Ace Force came in late to finish. Solitaire Royale finished third with Catharsis filling the judge’s frame.