It was a shot in the arm for Mysore based horses in the Chief Minister’s Trophy, the main event of Thursday’s races. The local lot occupied the first four places in a pulsating blanket finish involving five of the six runners. Jockey Keanen Steyn rode out Michael Eshwer trained Daylite (Phoenix Tower-Night Life / Manjri Stud) to lift the coveted Trophy.

Flamboyance and Flash Drive were the joint favourites at 19-10 for the nine furlongs trip. Sea Lord set the tempo followed by Flamboyance, New World, Daylite, Flash Drive and Class Is Class. Just about 3 ½ lengths separated the field of six as they approached the last 600 metres. On top of the straight Flamboyance was the first to take the initiative and shot to the lead. Daylite joined quickly to challenge from the outside. Flash Drive and Class Is Class also swooped on the duo and New World maneuvered its way from the inside. The five of them went past the winning post in a blanket finish. Daylite had prevailed by a short neck. New World finished second followed by Class Is Class, Flash Drive and Flamboyance, all the five finishing within one length.

Another Mysore based horse Speartooth (Chatham Straight-Winning Talk / Ruia Stud) that had signed off the summer season with a win scored an encore in the higher class, the Chettinad Stud Trophy. Jockey Y.S.Srinath took the speedy Speartooth to the front quickly as they settled down and came into the straight with a sizable lead. Speartooth was still travelling well in the final furlong and Bonfire who had fallen back to the third last position after a good start took the shortest way and began to bridge the gap at a fast pace. Bonfire failed to collar Speartooth who held on by a length and a quarter. German Guide and Inquisition finished third and fourth respectively.

Jockey Y.S.Srinath was the only rider to pilot a double. He rode trainer M.P.Mahesh’s Jersey Shore (Ikhtyar-Annot /Nanoli Stud) in the division I of the Dupont Plate. Majestic Queen had got to the front early and came in with a lead of about four lengths on the straight. Jersey Shore had improved places to be in chase of the leader. Bridging the gap Jersey Shore took over the running inside the last furlong and stayed clear fro a fast finishing Cool Baby and Fair Game. Rich Revival finished fourth.

Amit Cady’s 6 years old mare Colour Of Gold (Mr.Mellon-Secret Paradise / Ruia Stud) came good to win the lower division. I Smile and Dream Star went to the front together and Colour Of Gold settled in third followed by the rest. On the final straight I Smile came in first and had a sizable lead. Colour Of Gold from the outside and Praelector from the inside began to gallop and the lead of I Smile started to diminish. Colour Of Gold picked up speed towards the finish and got the better of I Smile by a neck in the shadow of the winning post. Praelector finished third and Queen filled the frame. Jersey Bride and Fourth Dimension were withdrawn after being fractious inside the gates.

Second in demand Intrepid Warrior (Win Legend-One Uttama / Dashmesh Stud) from trainer Azhar Ali’s stables opened its account in the Karapur Plate. Jumping out from the extreme outward draw Intrepid Warrior started moving inwards and was in front of the field as they headed past the 1200 metres board. Into the straight Intrepid Warrior was still in front by about four lengths and jockey Suraj Narredu kept the youngster going. Internal Affair and the favourite Amber Crown fought out for the minor places and finished second and third respectively in a close finish. Pull The Plug was fourth further behind.  

Galino (Arazan-Sprungli / Poona Stud) from trainer S.Dominic’s stables scored a maiden win in the higher division of the Bharachukki Plate. Power And Strength went on a start to finish bid with the well backed favourite Galino a close second. On entering the straight Power And Strength was still in the lead and Galino was ridden out to challenge from the outside. Galino began to drift out of the straight course after passing the leader and jockey A.Imran Khan quickly corrected the drift and rode out to spare a length and a half to Power And Strength at the finish. Saffron Intense held on in third from Winsomeness who came with a late run from the last position. Just Fabulous was withdrawn on veterinary grounds and Fire Rainbow was withdrawn after being troublesome at the gates. 

Imtiaz Khan trained Oye Komo Va (Glory Of Dancer-Better Off Red / Broadacres Stud), a winner of only one race from 19 starts came up with a good gallop to win the lower division. Approaching the last 300 metres Tic Tac Toe slipped in to take charge from Raziel. Oye Como Va was brought from the outside and the 5 year old mare covered ground well to forge ahead of Tic Tac Toe inside the last 100 metres. Active Grey warmed up late to take the third spot in front of Thalassa.

Generous Gesture (Sharp Attack-Venturous / Gee Stud) pulled off a surprise in the Belur Plate. After a good start Generous Gesture led briefly and settled in second when Green Meadow surged ahead. Entering the home stretch Generous Gesture regained the lead and kicked on gamely even as Sky Jasmine made a vain bid. The favourite Drops Of Jupiter finished a tame third while Waterfall filled the frame.

Vikram Appachu trained Ireland (Tariq-Jade Image / Capricon Stud) broke its winless jinx in the Mandya Plate. Into the home stretch Teri Adah and Pretty Hot were fighting it out trying to outbeat the other in a fierce duel. Ireland began to unleash a run from the wide outside and with a flying finish beat the pair in the shadow of the winning post. Pretty Hot edged out Teri Adah for the second place.