The curtains came down on the winter season at Mysore with the concluding day turning out to be an eventful one. First of all an unusually long card of eleven races was framed for the concluding day. Veteran trainer Zareer Darashah called it a day after being in the business for almost five decades. One race was declared ‘null and void’ after the starter set the field off with one horse still behind without being loaded. An accident in the fourth race of the day had three jockeys being rushed to the hospital. Apprentice Shivpoojan Yadav is critical with Cerebral Hemorrhage and G.Sai Vamshi is left with a fractured collar bone while S.R.Santosh Kumar was lucky to escape with minor bruises. At the end of the day the Championship awards were given away with trainer S.Rakesh topping the table with 20 winners and G.Sai Vamshi bagging the award among the jockeys with 13 wins.   

As the saying goes, “all good things will come to an end” veteran trainer Zareer Darashah hung his boots after training for almost half a century. Zareer took his trainer’s license in the year 1969 but the first of his long list of 2335 winners had come much earlier in 1967 when ’You Will’ ridden by Jim Foley won at Secunderabad where Darashah held a temporary license. Zareer Darashah holds a rare record of being the Champion Trainer 8 times at Bangalore and a whopping 19 times at Mysore, a record that is yet to be equaled. Zareer saddled for the last time when he sent out Kir Royale for the 2.15 at Mysore. Mr.Zareer Darashah, a man known for his passion towards horses and dedication in his work will surely be missed by many in the racing circles.

C.D.Monnappa trained Ascendent (Mr.Mellon-Ciao Bella / Equus Stud) made the local lot proud while annexing the Kunigal Stud Gold Cup, a terms race for 3 year old horses. Ascendent raced last among the eight runners till approaching the 600 matres. Jockey Arshad Alam pulled him out and moving around the field started to cover places. On turning for home Sadeek made the first move but Ascendent came up quickly from the wide outside and grabbed the lead passing the 300 metres. Sea King took the shortest way to challenge but could only land up as the runner-up beating Sadeek. Star Style finished fourth.

Arjun Mangalorkar trained Downton Abbey (Abbeyside-Windunderherwings /Dashmesh Stud) proved to be a good sprinter while winning the Andolana Trophy. Jockey S.John who knows the 5 years old mare the best held her in check in second last position in the early stages of the race. On top of the straight Script Writer made its move with Pentagram getting stronger from the inside. Downton Abbey was brought from the wide outside and she sped past the front runners to wrest the issue with Pentagram. Script Writer finished third and Excelerate fourth.

Michael Eshwer trained Tiger Of Mysore (Phoenix Tower-Chabada / Manjri Stud) regained the winning form in the Aperitivo Plate. The 4 years old bay colt racing in mid-field till entering the straight charged between horses from the inside and shot to the lead and finally managed to hold on from the late onslaught of Tremendous that came with a blistering gallop from out of the blue. Savannah Sound and Storming Home finished a close third and fourth respectively. Naval Glory was a non-starter in the race.

Michael Eshwer had earlier given his new owners a back to back win. Clouds (Arabian Gulf-Caborig / Manjri Stud) opened her account in the lower division of the Sriharikota Plate. Chrome shot to the front as the gates opened for the five and a half furlongs dash and set off a bid lead. On the home stretch the lead of Chrome started to diminish and Clouds ranged up from the outside with Senator also getting stronger from the inside. Clouds travelled the better under S.John and skipped away to spare over a length to Senator. Scaramouche and Reach The Stars finished third and fourth respectively in the same frame with the runner-up. Synergy Dancer was withdrawn on veterinary grounds at the gates.

The second win was through Sardinia (Arabian Gulf-Otelcaliforni / Manjri Stud) in the lower division of the Indi Plate. The filly was quick to rush through from draw one to get to the front but settled in second when the customary front runner Majestic Queen passed the field. Inside the last 400 metres Sardinia, on whom jockey Arshad Alam had replaced an injured Sai Vamshi following a fall earlier in the day, began to raise a gallop under vigorous riding and surged ahead. Starstruck emerged from the pack behind and came up fast, minimizing the lead but Sardinia held on to hit the winning post first. Premier Ace and Forest Queen finished third and fourth respectively.

In the higher division of the race M.Bobby trained Moroccan (Phoenix Tower-Bailey’s On Line / Manjri Stud) scored an encore. Dare The Don went on a start to finish bid and was well ahead approaching the final furlong. Moroccan improved from behind and with a sustained gallop sped past the front runners to wrap it off. Class Above and Excelonce rallied in to finish second and third respectively ahead of Dare The Don.

S.Rakesh trained Order Order (Charmo-Gypsy’s Advice / Singh Stud) that was winless from 16 starts finally came good to win the division I of the Vesuvius Plate. The 4 years old bay colt supported well as the favourite among the dozen runners settled into fourth while Break On Thru led the pack followed by Amazing Beauty and Roi Junior. Inside the last 300 metres Order Order improved close to the rails and was pulled out to challenge Break On Thru from the outside with a furlong left. Order Order picked up speed to surge ahead easily and spared a clear two lengths to Samay Balwan. Amazing Beauty and Precious Script filled the frame in that order in a close finish.

The 9 years old Delta Delight (Don Michelleto-Fascinating / Nakul Stud) ended its career with a win in the lower division.  Jumping out smartly from an outward draw Delta Delight moved inwards quickly to track the leader Ophira. Passing the 300 metres on the straight Delta Delight surged ahead to take over the running. Always Resolute came up with a strong challenge but jockey Irvan Singh ensured that Delta Delight hit the winning post a neck early. Vroom Vroom and Delibration finished third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Feroz M khan sent out winners in both the divisions of the Ellora Plate. Mumbai import Quick Angel (Black Cash-Deeleecious / Equus Stud) scored a surprise win in the higher division. The gelding was left and trailed the field in its only run on this track after shifting base four weeks ago. Quick Angel showed remarkable improvement in gate manners and set off to lead the field after a smart jump out. Inside the last 200 metres Gran Tourismo, Kir Royale and Felix Legion gave Quick Angel a run for its money but the gelding held out remarkably to pull it off by three parts of a length. Gran Tourismo finished second ahead of Felix Legion and Kir Royale.

 Counter Point (Dylan Thomas-Growyourown / Nanoli Stud) won readily in the lower division. Counter Point raced a close third behind Durer and Kodals Princess till approaching the entrance of the home turn and made a swift move between them as they rounded the turn. On top of the straight Counter Point carrying the top weight forged ahead without much fuss and kicked on from the vain bid of the fancied Ruthba. Time To Time ended up third ahead of Alps. Cato’s Call was withdrawn on veterinary grounds near the gates.