Dinesh Pujar trained Cosmic Touch (Alnasr Alwasheek-Czarina / Capricon Stud) won the Elusive Pimpernel Trophy, the main event of the first day’s races at Mysore. Jockey Arshad Alam took Cosmic Touch to the front in the early part of the race and established a clear lead over the others. On the home stretch Arshad looked back repeatedly to see if there was any threat in sight and not finding any, was not harsh in his efforts. Arrete began to pick up momentum inside the last 400 metres and started to cover ground at a rapid pace. Arshad started to ride out seeing Arrette approaching fast and managed to finish a length and a quarter in front at the finish. Class Above and Clever Trick finished third and fourth respectively. Evalina was withdrawn before the race.

The drama that followed later has led to an enquiry being opened into the running of Arrete in the race. Just as the supporters were rueing over the loss of their fancied horse, the yellow cone was hoisted and a steward’s enquiry pertaining to the start of the race was announced. Jockey B. Harish who rode Arrete had complained that the start was effected although he was not ready. On seeing the replay of the start it was observed that the right leg of the rider was not in the stirrup when the gates opened and he was also unbalanced as they jumped out, thereby losing precious ground in the initial part. The jockey also claimed to be shouting that he was not ready to the starter.

The Stewards were of the opinion that there was no reason for the jockey not to be ready and they were rightly so. The horse was loaded very early and was not troublesome in the gates. Even the horses in the nearby stalls were not troublesome and therefore it was the duty of the rider to be ready for a start. One of the stipendiary steward also opined that it could be a deliberate attempt by the rider and favoured the concerned horse to be declared a non-starter to ensure that the perpetrators do not encash over it. The Stewards finaly decided to keep the result and initiate further enquiry into the incident.

Veteran trainer Zareer Darashah had a rewarding day with a grand treble. The in-form Kir Royale (Curule-Royal Assault / Lumbini Stud) completed a hat-trick in the higher division of the B.R.Hills Plate. Saturday Affair had taken charge from Sivanta on entering the straight and Indian joined from the outside. Kir Royale was looking to get between the two and finding the path along the inside clearing up, jockey Srinath wasted no time in going for it. The gelding responded readily to grab the lead and fought a grim tussle with Indian before going clear by a length at the finish. Saturday Affair was third another length and three quarters away.

Dark William and Ophira were the other two victors from Darashah’s stables. Dark William (New Famous-Temple Quest / Yeravada Stud) who has performed in snatches won the Dharwad Plate. Salzburg was the quickest at start to take over the running and Dark William did well to improve from an outward draw to be in chase behind the leader. Salzburg began to shorten its strides inside the last furlong and Dark William surged past easily and drew clear. Starstruck closed up late to be third while the well backed Amazing Lady ended up fourth.

Ophira (Oath-Liquid Gold / Pratap Stud) who was winless from 13 starts finally came good in the opener, the Fantasy Dream Plate. The filly rushed ahead as the gates opened and fought her way to keep the lead. Into the straight Ophira was still clear with no threat in sight from behind. Jump In The Red started to gain ground from the wide outside rather late and finished on to be second three parts of a length adrift of Ophira. Act Of Glory and Ceasaria finished third and fourth respectively.

Another filly to score a maiden win was S.Rakesh’s Beautiful Effect (Duja-Loud Water / Pratap Stud) in the lower division of the B.R.Hills Plate. Winless from 19 starts Beautiful Effect denied a win for Felix Legion. On entering the straight London Eye was quick to grab the lead. Felix Legion was getting stronger from the outside and Beautiful Effect trying to slip in through the shortest way. While London Eye fizzled out of the fight Beautiful Effect edged out Felix Legion by a neck at the wire. London Eye was only third while Esoterical finished fourth.

M.Bobby trained Run To Win (Admiralofthefleet-Royal Deeds / Kunigal Stud) shed its maiden ranks in a very impressive manner in the lower division of the Gadag Plate. Backed to the exclusion of the other runners over the 1200 metres sprint, Run To Win took over the running approaching the last 200 metres and stretched out effortlessly under M. Prabhakaran. Always United and Diamond Attraction finished second and third respectively wth Silver Prince ending up fourth.  

Bobby and Prabhakaran wrapped up the higher division as well with Bestow (Mr.Mellon-Regal Fantasy / Ruia Stud). Racing a handy third behind Classic King and Amazing Connection till entering the straight Bestow rallied strongly from the inside and surged ahead. Classic King stayed on in second despite drifting out of the straight course. Thundering Cruise garnered the third place from Amazing Connection.

Vishal Yadav’s Demanding Format (Hymn-Flaming Bay / Jai Govind Stud) pulled off a stunning upset in the Sharavathi Plate, pocketing a rich dividend of Rs.3923 for a tenner on the tote. Charging ahead inside the last 100 metres Demanding Format flew past and snatched the race from Charming Knight. Gunpowder and Tulip filled the judge’s frame in that order.