It was dream come true for proud owner Muthappa Rai  and his brother Chandrashekar Rai. They wanted to lead in a classic winner and they now have two against their names, the filly New Alliance making them proud in the New Year after she broke the ice in the 1000 Guineas at Mysore.

A delighted Chandrashekar Rai revealed that the victory in the Bangalore Oaks was most satisfying taking into account that New Alliance did it in a premier centre which they consider their very own.

“It was a run for the roses at Mysore and today it just proved to be a classic romance,” said Chandrashekar Rai  lauding the effort of the two pros, Prasanna Kumar and Imran Chisty who produced a stellar effort to gain the verdict in a pulse-pounding finish from Heaven Is Here.

Chandrashekar Rai disclosed that in his effort to pick up a classic winner, Muthappa Rai had given a free hand to all  his trainers to rope in the best, never mind the cost but the classic eluded them and finally it came from a filly which his brother picked on his own from the Kunigal Stud Farm.

“This daughter of Quiet Storm, we knew would stay the 2400 metres gruelling trip better than the rest and the fact she had maintained her form provided the confidence. The fact that we were in with a good shout delighted us and the thrilling victory was just the icing on the cake,” said Chandrashekar Rai adding that he will cherish the moment most.

“Muthappa Rai on his visit to the Kunigal Farm had chosen three horses which I personally liked and when he sealed the deal, I knew that with a little bit of luck he could well realise his dream and I’m happy that New Alliance made the Rai brothers and Kunigal proud in the new year,” said Zeyn Mirza.

The fact that the favourite Angel Dust lost out in the big one did not bother Zeyn. He simply was delighted that another from the famed stud farm had emerged the best of her sex and age. “She is very gutsy. She won in a thriller in Mysore and she repeated the stellar act today,” said Zeyn.

It was the public choice Angel Dust who brought the eight-horse field into view at the top of the straight  before David Allan partnering the Padmanabhan schooled Heaven Is Here streaked ahead  and Chisty got busy on New Alliance. The Burden Of Proof out of Quiet Storm filly responding readily and gamely to her master’s call produced a winning gallop and gained the day at the shadow of the winning post. Angel Dust finished third while Festive Cheer took the fourth spot.

Happy with the effort of New Alliance, the Kunigal brigade was all smiles in the next event, Schiavone, another `Burden’ progeny winning the New Year Cup in resplendent style.  Top knight Trevor Patel produced his best on the Suleiman ward who breezed past the second in demand at the betting ring Shivalik Star to resume her winning ways.  This proved to be a double whammy and a great start to the new year for the Vijay Mallya camp with more in the pipeline.  

Earlier the January Plate for maiden youngsters was claimed by the Arjun Manglorkar-trained Aster Rose from the Usha Stud farm. The daughter of Multidimensional who had impressed most in her maiden attempt looked spot on and she cruised home in the hands of Suraj Narredu. Cadillac Sky finished second ahead of Iron Will who appeared to have needed this run while Wonder Woman disappointed. Keep an eye on Thomas More from Neil Darashah’s yard. The fashionably bred gelding despite failing to take a level jump and running green for most part of the seven furlongs trip did well to finish fourth and it will not be long before he sheds his maiden status.

After twice failing when fancied most in summer, Iceglow from trainer Padmanabhan’s yard donkey-licked her nine rivals in the lower division of the Gombos Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs.  The moment a confident David Allan  pushed her ahead it was all over bar the shouting, Iceglow cantering home while serving notice of her potential. Now that the filly has broken ice, it will again pay to  follow her in her next start.

The Lokanath-trained Mariko had the best credentials in the lower division of the Splendid Role Plate run over a sprint. But money came pouring in on the Neil Darashah schooled J Gatsby who despite Arshad Alam  making every effort could only follow Mariko home. Apprentice Ryan Ahmed  rode a copybook race on the winner who is set to provide an encore when saddled next.

The Irfan Ghatala-trained Lucia shocked the followers of form in the Madhugiri Plate run over a mile. It really was shocking taking into account that Lucia in her last attempt with a leading pro Pradeep Chouhan to guide her fortunes had finished down the field. Now with Ahsan Qureshi in the saddle Lucia appeared to have sported a pair of wings and this improved performance in less than 15 days calls for an explanation.

After Lucia’s shock victory punters were stunned by the loss of on-money favourite Frizbee in the next event.  Backed to the exclusion of her ten rivals in the upper division of the Gomos Plate, Frizbee who had started her campaign in style this season failed to match strides with the Md Khan schooled Bonfire who proved too good in the end.  Bazinga again finished third and his turn is round the corner.

A facile last start winner, Ambleside brought the smile back on the face of Neil winning the upper division of the Splendid Role Plate in convincing style. Arshad Alam who lost out in the earlier whipless race made sure that he drove home the in-from filly to get the better of Danburite close home.

Spurred by the success of Bonfire, the Md Khan camp fancied Calico Jack strongly in the concluding event, the Malpe Plate. But the strongly supported public choice after assuming command at the top of the straight had no answer to the challenge of Lozen who darted home in the hands of Srinath. Cherie Amour was a disappointment but it will pay to persist with this Suleiman ward.