The racing buffs always appreciate a change in the classic picture.  A change in scene and the arrival of a new hero is lauded.  And it is the changing scenes which provide hope to all owners while generating maximum interest among the punters who love an open contest.  And this is what is happening at all premier centres and that’s one big reason the classics have retained the appeal, be it in Mumbai, Bengaluru or Kolkata.

A Delhi challenger, Starlet who made Bengaluru her base after her summer campaign  won  the 1000 Guineas defeating  the Bangalore summer Derby winner Angel Dust and New Alliance who came up tops in the Mysore 1000 Guineas.  Desert God, the best colt from Bangalore after winning at Malakpet lost out to Mogadishu  in the Mysore Derby before reigning supreme in Kolkata.  And  Mogadishu himself finished a poor fourth in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, Brilliant Cut brilliantly prepared by his trainer Irfan Ghatala and superbly piloted by Pradeep Chouhan  emerging the best of his age and sex in the mile long classic journey.

At the time of writing, 14 fillies are listed to come under the starter’s flag for the Indian 1000 Guineas at Mumbai and this is again an open affair, Eternal Flame the only classic winner in the big field.

Coming to the second classic of the Bangalore season, Brilliant Cut just proved too good. The Burden Of Proof out of Clear Cut chestnut colt bred at Kunigal Stud who was rated high by his trainer and owners Shailesh Shivaswamy and former trainer Gautam Basappa produced his best when it mattered most. Chouhan who played the waiting game on the winner disclosed that he knew he would gallop home first taking into account that he was moving effortlessly all through the backstretch.

“He was very temperamental and lacked focus. He kicked up a big fuss and was in no mood to enter the paddock in the Mysore Derby despite which he finished a close fifth. We knew that all we had to do was to settle and calm him down. And we only did that.  And  the change in attitude brought home the desired result,” said Shailesh pointing out that Brilliant Cut has peaked right and will be the front liner for the winter Garuda Derby scheduled to be held on Jan 23.

Auriga from trainer Sriram Komandur’s yard rightly garnered the maximum support, more so after his pilot S John had booted home three winners. The favourite travelled nice and easy making his own pace before he was stunned by the amazing turn of foot of Brilliant Cut at the distance post.  Spurred by the success of Starlet, another top horse from Delhi, Let The Lion Roar took the third spot to the delight of the Delhi camp while Mogadishu plodded in fourth.

The in-from John opened his account through the favourite Edge Of Eternity in the upper division of the Bangarpet Plate run over a sprint. The winner from Gregory Sandhu’s yard who had twice failed in his mission to justify favouritism provided John an arm-chair ride to success. Winter Bloom finished second while Scorching raced in patches and never looked in the hunt.

 Back on the five to one shot, Festive Cheer from Arjun Manglorkar’s yard, John pulled out all stops driving the Arjun ward home ahead of the half-money favourite Saladin who reportedly burst a blood vessel.  Temujin caught the eye while claiming the runner-up spot despite bolting on the way to the gates.

In line for a hat-trick, John produced his best on another Arjun ward Vencedora. The lesser fancied contestant  who started her campaign this winter on a winning note warmed up in time to breeze past Temujin and the public choice Countrys Pride in the final furlong of the upper division of the Harangi Plate run over a sprint.

The opening event for juveniles saw the Padmanabhan filly Ice Glacier canter home in the hands of Zervan who got the chance ride after the Scottish pro David Allan needed to get back and get his visa right before donning silks.

Serena Ballerina from trainer Prithviraj’s stable on the strength of her impressive track form was the favourite. But all she did was make the running till turning for home. Ice Glacier streaked ahead at this juncture and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The second in demand at the betting ring, African Emperor finished a game second and he appears set to shed his maiden status in his next effort.

The Sharath Kumar schooled Dancing Laurie was fancied most in the lower division of the Bangarpet Plate. The favourite lost all her chances, Carlos Henrique struggling to gain a favourable position early on in the race.  Henrique all said and done is a very average jockey and he can win only on horses who are much better and really don’t need much assistance from the saddle.

Hard To Get , ridden in copybook style by Srinath gained the day and this helped Rashid Byramji add one more to his kitty this season.

Nikhil Punna brought off a successful gamble on Noble Sapphire in the lower division of the Parfait Amour Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner partnered by Ryan Marshall needed to win the race a second time in the stewards room following a protest by jockey Sandesh who piloted the runner-up Masked Marvel. The objection had little merit and was rightly overruled. One To Note finished third and appears to have improved.

The upper division saw the public choice Beyond Intensity from Satish Narredu’s yard provide Suraj the much needed winner. The leading pro who had lost out on a couple of favourites including Serena Ballerina and Countrys Pride on this day,  packed punch on Beyond Intensity  to resume his winning ways. Millrose who finished second bears watching and it will not be long before this Arjun ward earns her cornbill.

Fresh from his success in the 2000 Guineas, Chouhan booted home the four to one shot Dream Star from Britto’s yard in the concluding event. Miracles Of Life was fancied most on the strength of her eye catching last effort but the Inyathullah ward lacked the gas in the tank to challenge the winner who stole a march at the distance post.