Trainer Michael Eshwer was off to a great start on day one of the summer season at Mysore, clearing half the day’s card of eight races including the feature, the Grey Gaston Trophy. Young Prashant Pramod Dhebe who has just joined the ‘Manjri’ team was astride three of them including the big one.

Kingoftheworld (Phoenix Tower-Sandlash / Manjri Stud) trounced the opposition in the Grey Gaston Trophy, a seven furlongs race for horses in the highest class. Sent off as the on-money favourite, Kingoftheworld settled nicely beside Moroccan who fought hard to hold his head early on. Passing the 600 metres Kingoftheworld surged ahead to take control and broke away from the rest on the straight, to win by a big margin of nine lengths. For the record Storming Home finished second ahead of Extra Spark and Reanna.

Eshwer’s other successes came through Tigris, Unbelievable and Tobin with the first two being piloted by P.P.Dhebe. It was a procession in the Kushalnagar Plate by Tigris (Phoenix Tower-Sunderland Echo / Manjri Stud). Tigris showed plenty of early speed and shot to the lead early. Entering the straight the bay filly galloped freely in front and decimated the opposition by a street. Lord Iisley beat Silvery Grave for the runner-up berth. Amaris was far-away fourth. Eyez Hypnotize was withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Unbelievable (Phoenix Tower-Star Conquest / Manjri Stud) opened its account in fine fashion in the division I of the Red Satin Plate. Roi Junior showed some early speed to lead the field and Unbelievable sat handily behind in second. Break On Thru raced third followed by the rest. As they came in for the final 400 metres Unbelievable was unleashed from the outside and the filly stretched out effortlessly to shed her maiden ranks. Break On Thru moved on to second while Order Order did well to finish in the money.

Young apprentice Vishal N Bunde who had tasted success last week at Bangalore stuck to the basics while driving home the public choice Tobin (Curule-Kool Kruiser / Regency Equine Stud) in the Dubare Forest Plate. Dare The Don shot off to the front as the gates opened and brought the field into view on the straight. Stepping up the pace Dare The Don broke away from the pack and was ahead by about three lengths passing the distance marker. Apprentice Vishal kept pushing Tobin and the 5 years old responded readily to collar the leader and zip past in the closing stages. Reach The Stars finished a close third ahead of Mr.Carpe.

Eshwer’s bid to get his fifth win for the day through Gusty Wind was thwarted by P.C.Tejaswi’s Naval Glory (Champs Elysees-Wooden Doll / Nanoli Stud) in the Trombay Plate. The 6 years old gelding turned out to be the biggest upset of the day, paying a whopping Rs.468 for a tenner. Zidaan led the field early and brought them till the top of the straight. Ascendency and Gusty Wind who were chasing the leader were quick to go for it inside the last 400 metres and as the fight started Naval Glory devoured ground from the outside and swept past the front runners. While Naval Glory and S.Guruprasad drew clear by over five lengths Gusty Winds stayed on in second. Chandini finished on being third ahead of Galaxy Queen.

Trainer Tejaswi sent out another longshot Aliboxer (Princely Heir-Miss Pukka / Dashmesh Stud) in the Beloved Prince Plate. Aliboxer took a smart start but the rider Irvan Singh decided to settle the gelding in second when Skyjet rushed ahead to get to the front. Entering the straight Aliboxer regained the lead and extended the leeway effortlessly. Atlantis and Bandito finished second and third respectively followed by Skyjet. 

It was just the kind of start for the season the followers of favourites would have wanted. The tote favourite Al Dhama (Ace-Persopolis / Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) got to her old ways of hitting the front right from the beginning and made every post a winning one in the lower division of the Red Satin Plate.  Amazing Beauty accompanied Al Dhama till turning for home but the 7 years old mare kicked on from there-on and drew clear. Vroom Vroom rallied on to be second while Flaming Spear and Country’s Charm filled the frame in that order.

Trainer Srinivas Babu pulled off a surprise through Lucky Emerald (Arabian Gulf-Lyrical Star / Manjri Stud) in the Melukote Plate. One Step Ahead made a strong bid on entering the straight and Lucky Emerald gained ground to fight it out even as Classic King lost a prominent position going wide and getting into the sand track. After a brief duel Lucky Emerald shot ahead and won comfortably. One Step Ahead stayed on in second while Here’s Abbey and Clouds filled the frame in that order.Passing Falcrum was withdrawn after refusing to move into the gates.