On form the Vittal Deshmukh-trained Alaindair was the best. He rightly enjoyed  the maximum support. And the multiple classic winner delighted the followers of form producing a sparkling gallop in the final two furlongs to win the  Karnataka Mile Championship in style on Friday. The top pro Srinath allowed Alaindair to travel nice and easy all the mile long trip before he reminded the winner of the task ahead negotiating the final curve and the public choice stormed through to confirm that he is on top of his game.  A model of consistency Booker Jones finished second ahead of Mickey Mouse while Bold Command disappointed his supporters.

Apprentice jockey Prashanth Dhebe who stole the limelight recording a fine hat-trick started the day booting home rankoutsider Hot Star in the  Sha Tin Plate run over a sprint. Breaking Away finished second while the favourite Thundersquall only took a lot of good money down the drain.

Next astride another 15 to one shot Side Winder in the Lt. Col Gaunt Memorial Cup, Dhebe successfully made every post a winning one pegging back the belated effort of the on-money favourite Proserpine from trainer Neil Darashah’s yard. The on-money favourite produced a gallop only after the race was in the safe keeping of Side Winder. John who is set to emerge the champion this season, it must be mentioned was not at his best on the Darashah filly who was given a lot to do in the straight in the sprint event.

Arjun Manglorkar schooled  Amorate who had won twice in winter before failing to make an impression at Ooty was surprisingly provided the top billing in the upper division of the K N Chennabasappa Memorial Cup and what actually was a false favourite performed poorly failing to make the frame.  Dhebe struck on Seven Of Hearts here to register his maiden treble employing his favourite start to finish tactic to good effect. Wise Guy finished second ahead of Wind Wonder.

Prithviraj-trained Good Fortune was backed to the exclusion of the rest despite the presence of Back In A Flash who was in line for a hat-trick in  the lower division of the event.  Back In A Flash after contesting the lead with Good Fortune for most part of the trip burst like a pricked balloon and eventually finished down the field.  Good Fortune won by a widening margin of eight lengths from Millrose and Soviet Union.

Dominic schooled Tamara was the top fancy in the Lively Emprey Plate but the favourite Tamara only could finish a poor third. The Prasanna Kumar-trained Campari Girl showed big improvement after flopping as a favourite in her last effort, donkey-licking  the field by a margin of over six lengths. 

Faraz Arshad-trained Tuscano won the Treasure Girl Plate in the hands of Neeraj Rawal, producing a winning gallop at the all-important final furlong. The favourite Beauty Is Truth raced in patches and was never a serious contender.

Neil Darashah-trained Cadillac Sky finally entered the winners’ circle winning the Set Alight Plate from Interesting and Flirting Eyes who surely would have finished second with a better Indian pilot. The Frenchman David Breux is just not up to the mark. De Ville Butterfly from Gregory Sandhu’s yard was also supported strongly but the Butterfly, it apperared had no wings to fly.