The Narayan Gowda-trained Mickey Mouse sent out a message loud and clear that he is in fine form for the Sprinters’ Cup on the first Saturday of March. The seven-year-old won the Sprinters Trial Stakes, the plum event on Friday in a superb time of 1:11.4 seconds. This after beating Bold Command and Auriga over a mile last week only confirms that the Narayan Gowda ward is in great heart and is at his best over sprints.

Smile Stone who has emerged a consistent performer this season and the speedy New Prince were the two top fancies in the feature. The Chennai challenger Solomon who had won the Sprinters Cup in Mumbai a couple of years ago hit the front in his attempt to make every post a winning one and called the shots halfway into the straight before Imran Chisty packed punch on Mickey Mouse and the Narayan Gowda ward sped through to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Solomon stayed on to take the runner-up berth ahead of Shivalik Star while the late surge of Satellite failed to make an impression on the first three.

Darius Byramji- trained Botswana Colt who had benefitted from his debut run looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and the even-money favourite simply outclassed his rivals in the Topmost Cup. Jockey Srinath had no hesitation in taking the well-prepared son of Multidimensional to the front and the favourite waltzed to victory without any challenge from the rest. For the record So Mi Dar finished second ahead of  Shivalik Crown.

At a time when young gun Prasanna Kumar needs winners to emerge the champion this season, I`ve Got Clout who has failed to justify his rating chalked out a win to the delight of his trainer in the Galloping Acres Stud Plate. Amazing Redd had the lead going into the final furlong and looked good enough to win but I`ve Got Clout to the surprise of most followers of form decided that this was his day and he produced a stunning gallop to record a shock victory. The favourite War Envoy raced in patches and finished a tame third.

Irfan Ghatala schooled Grecian Light was a strong contender in the upper division of the Chamundi Hill Plate. The on-money favourite proved too good in the hands of leading pro John and is set to provide an encore.

The Dominic-trained High Admiral too was fancied by the connections in this event but the `Admiral’ after raising hopes at the top of the straight failed to match strides with the winner who was too good on this day. Island Pearl held off Varsha to get the third place.

There was significant support for Iron Man from the stables of Gregory Sandhu in the lower division. The paddock looks too were impressive and it came as no surprise when Iron Man when asked for an effort, stormed through to win in resplendent style. Runaway leader Princess Holly finished third behind Blessed One who started the favourite before the Iron Man connections hunted down the bookies.

Faraz Arshad- trained Tuscano recorded an upset in the Ilkal Plate run over a mile. Tuscano tracked Only Prince who was bidding for a hat-trick and measured the front-runner in the final furlong to win in a close finish from Proudprince and Only Prince. Frenemee who came in for spirited betting could have won with a more enterprising ride than the one given by Mukesh.
Trainer Pradeep Annaiah and jockey Pradeep Chouhan found an elusive winner through Dancing Princess who won the  Brahmaputra Plate in convincing fashion. The seven to one shot produced striking turn of foot in the final furlong to streak clear and easily peg back the efforts of Summer Star and the favourite Freestyle.

In the opening event, the Sandhu- trained Thalassa prevailed in a thriller. Thalassa measured the front-running Slightly Blonde and surged ahead in the final 50 metres to score. Slightly Blonde held on to take the runner-up berth by the shortest of margins from  Don’tworrymonday.