The 15 days Winter season started off on Thursday at Mysore with a card of nine races framed for the opening day. The demonatisation of Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- announced recently by the Government of India had its effect at the races too with the attendance thinning down by almost 30 % and the collections also dropping correspondingly. The bookmakers did not operate and the patrons had to queue at the totalizator counters.

Fancied runners took a backseat on day one even as most of the races ended up in close finishes. 

Flying Show (Varenar-Queen Victoria / Equus Stud) from trainer M.Bobby’s stables upset the applecart of the favourite Excelerate in the Air Force Trophy, the feature of the opening day’s races at Mysore. The four years old filly imported from Western India had won a five furlongs sprint at Pune before moving down to Mysore three months ago. Having had a lung opener on this track a month ago the filly was tuned well by Bobby to tackle the local lot of horses in winter.

Amazing Connection racing prominently all the way from the start brought the field into view on the home stretch. The favourite Excelerate was on its haunches while Dare The Don looked for a run along the rails and Flying Show getting a clear run from the outside. Approaching the last 200 metres Flying Show and Excelerate were in front and the fight had started. The two matched strides throughout the last 100 metres and Flying Show ridden by V.R.Jagadeesh prevailed by half a lngth at the finish. Class Above covered some ground to be third ahead of Amorate.

Michael Eshwer trained Tiger Of Mysore (Phoenix Tower-Chabada / Manjri Stud) sporting the Manjri colours won the Sharavati Plate. Arrive showed some early speed and was in the lead within the first 100 metres. Turning for home Arrive was still in front with Tiger Of Mysore racing in about fifth. Once on the straight Tiger Of Mysore started to pick up speed and had tackled Arrive approaching the last furlong. While Tiger Of Mysore drew clear by five lengths from Arrive, Classic King rallied on in third with Chackaloochoo racing on the wide outside to finish fourth.

The inform Catharsis (Emerald Cat-Carnelly / Capricon Stud) scored an encore in the Dharwad Plate. Chasing the leader Dreamliner till the top of the straight Catharsis surged ahead inside the last 400 metres and won unchallenged. Savannah Sound came out of the pack to take the second spot. Felix Legion and Tulip finished third and fourth respectively.

S.Rakesh trained Top Trainer (Multidimensional-Serrafina / Usha Stud) won the higher division of the Lt.Col.C.Rudrappa Memorial Plate. On the straight Ayra’s Delight had grabbed the lead and Sans Frontieres was gaining ground from the rear. The 5 years old Top Trainer racing in ninth position on entering the straight came up with a long stretched run from the wide outside and went sweeping past the front runners to register its first win on this track. Apprentice M. Bhaskar who earned his first win of the career was over enthusiastic in the closing stages and stood up awkwardly in celebration. Sans Frontieres edged out Ayra’s Delight for the second place.

Trainer Vishal Yadav saddled a back to back double through Bryant Park and Friends Forever. Bryant Park (Hurricane State-Aryanoush / Hargobind Stud) won the lower division of the Lt.Col.C.Rudrappa Memorial Plate. Bryant Park rushed to the front from draw one and set off to lead the field. Inside the last 200 metres Bryant Park continued to kick on even as Wolf Rock and Ice Splendour closed up late to finish second and third respectively. Zoe filled the frame.

Friends Forever (Chinese Whisper-Nymph / Paramvir Stud) sprang a surprise in the B.R.Hills Plate. Always Resolute running prominently along with Delilah brought the field into view on the straight. Inside the last 300 metres Always Resolute started to drift out of the straight course and Flaming Spear made its move from the inside. Friends Forever running second last on top of the straight was pulled out and once on the outside the 5 years old covered ground rapidly to go past all the front runners and score. Flaming Spear finished second while Brown Fairy who reportedly burst its blood vessels ended up third ahead of Always Resolute. 

Santosh Rao trained Peppr Sharp Attack-Working Progress / Gee Stud) that had not won a race for almost two years just made it in the higher division of the Fantasy Dream Plate. It was a close finish with just about a length covering the first five horses. Heidrun went on a start to finish bid and led till approaching the last 200 metres. As Heidrun began to weaken Summerville and Peppr started to move up simultaneously. The two were heading towards the winning post almost together when the tote favourite Dazzle Away came fast from the outside to join them. Peppr had the verdict in its favour by a head. Summerville finished second while Dazzle Away ended up a close third. The rider of Dazzle Away took an objection against the winner and the second placed horse but the Stewards found no merit the claim and overruled the objection.

The lower division was won by Vikram Appachu trained Neron (Ikhtyar-Social Place / Nanoli Stud) in a close finish. Ophira went on a start to finish bid. Neron joined from the outside on entering the straight. The favourite Precious Script looked to make a bid between the two but the gap started to narrow down. The rider checked his mount and pulled it out to be given a clear run. Neron hit the winning post even as Precious Gift came flying to finish second ahead of Ophira. The rider of Precious Gift raised an objection against the winner but the claim did not hold water with the Stewards and the placing remained as declared by the judge.

Trainer Santosh Rao led in his second winner through Starstruck (New Famous-Treasured / Yeravada Stud) in the Gadag Plate. The 7 years old ridden by N.Ramesh Kumar just about made it from Alps at the winning post. Alps showed up first on the straight and worked hard to keep the lead. Starstruck joined from the inside and the two went stride for stride inside the last 150 metres. Starstruck just held on by a whisker from Alps on the post. The tote favourite Alps was third another four lengths away. Stellenbosch came in late to take the fourth spot.