C.D.Monnappa trained Ascendent (Mr.Mellon-Ciao Bella / Equus Stud) made a bright start to its career in the P.M.Channabasavanna Memorial Trophy, the main event of Wednesday’s races at Mysore. Stable mate Lord Iishley set off in front followed closely by the piping hot favourite Star Style. Approaching the final turn Ascendent ranged up from the outside to join the duo. As they straightened up Star Style took the first initiative and rushed ahead. Ascendent was quick to join the fight and the two fought every inch of the last 200 metres. Jockey Cedric Segeon kept up the tempo on Ascendent and got the youngster to beat the favourite by half a length at the finish. The Imposter finished third and Lord Iishley was a faraway fourth.  

C.Girinath trained Kazuri (Glory Of Dancer-Dynasty / Sohna Stud) pulled off a surprise win over the favourite Excelonce and survived an objection scare thereafter in the Rajendravilas Plate. Kazuri was taken to the front as the field of eight was dispatched for the seven furlongs trip. Premier Ace raced second followed closely by Excelonce and the rest. On the straight Excelonce started to move up to challenge Kazuri from the outside. Passing the 300 metres Kazuri started to drift out of the straight course and Excelonce had no choice but to drift out also. The fight continued till the finish with Kazuri holding on by a head. Excelonce took an objection against the winner for severe interference and although the favourite had enough grounds to get the verdict in its favour the Stewards thought otherwise and overruled the objection. Premier Ace stayed on in third followed by Tremendous. 

The 4 years old Ascendency (Multidimensional-Star Supremacy / Usha Stud)m from trainer Feroz Khan’s stables was the only favourite to oblige on the day in the division I of the Nandidurga Plate. Ascendency shot ahead to the lead from the innermost draw and set off on a start to finish bid. Inside the last 400 metres the bay colt extended the lead and was safely home by a length and a quarter with Carisa covering plenty of ground from the rear to finish second. Ice Weapon finished third in front of Amazing Khodal. Kir Royale was permitted to be withdrawn near the gates after the rider observed the led bag in his saddle to have opened up. 

T.Natraj trained Stellenbosch (Glory Of Dancer-Dubai Spirit / Nanoli Stud) scored a maiden win in the lower division. The gelding jumped out of the gates well and settled nicely in second when Here’s Abbey rushed to grab the lead. Queen raced a close third with the rest some distance away. Approaching the last 300 metres Here’s Abbey started to shorten its strides and Stellenbosch forged ahead and drew clear with Archimedes rallying on to take the second berth. Queen stayed on in third and Here’s Abbey finished fourth. 

Touch Of Romance (Chevalier-Taj Mahal / Ruia Stud) ended the year with a win in the division I of the Pertigalete Plate. After a good start from the innermost draw Touch Of Romance fell back when almost half a dozen horses rushed ahead. Inside the last 400 metres Samay Balwan took over from Nenitara and established a lead of over two lengths. Touch Of Romance improved gradually to challenge Samay Balwan from the inside and surged ahead with 100 metres left to spare a length at the finish. Napolean Dynamite ended up third five lengths away followed by Country’s Tigress. 

C.D.Monnappa trained Always United (Oath-One Way / Pratap Stud) entered the winner’s enclosure after a gap of two years in the lower division. The 5 years old was speedy from the outermost draw to join the leader Ophira at start. Entering the straight jockey Madhu Babu drove Always United to grab the lead and staved off the strong bid of Time To Time throughout the last furlong. Vrajanandan rallied from the wide outside to beat Delta Delight for the third place. 

Trainer Feroz M Khan picked up both the divisions of the Taj Mahal Plate to end the day with a treble. Sans Frontieres (Burden Of Proof-Sans Eagle / Kunigal Stud) that had come down considerably in handicap won the lower division in a cluster finish with the first five horses within 1 ½ lengths. Debutant Be Ready that was sent off as the favourite for the 1200 metres sprint shot to the lead early and led till the last 200 metres. Sans Frontieres surged ahead from the outside and wrapped it off from the late finishing Ice Brown. Point improved well through the shortest way to finish third from Dazzle Away on the wide outside.

Feroz’s ward Country’s Sher (Roi Maudit-Storm Command / Country Stud) turned out to be the biggest upset in the division I. Peace Time took a good star and brought the field into view on the straight. As the leader Peace Time fizzled out Bryant Park that was in chase all the way surged ahead to grab the lead. Even as Bryant Park worked hard to hold on to the lead Country’s Sher got stronger through the rails and sped past inside the last 100 metres. Wolf Rock finished third followed by the favourite Pretty Hot.