Sharat Kumar trained On A Roll confirmed that he is in the best form of his career, by winning a third race in his last four starts on Friday at Mysore. Imran Chisty made full use the low handicap, and allowed his mount to run freely while winning The Star Of Mysore Gold Cup. The day's feature, to be run over seven furlongs, had attracted 11 acceptors. A majority of them had made the journey from Bangalore to take part in this race.

Rashid Byramji's Caspian Sea cornered most of the support, and started as a firm favourite ahead of Stone Of Destiny, Express It and On A Roll. With Bangalore based horses winning most of the events held so far this season, it was safe to assume that one out of the above would lift this trophy. The final outcome confirmed this assumption, as the display boards showed that the visiting brigade had occupied the first five slots.

John-ridden Snob Value got straight down to business by setting a good pace ahead of On A Roll, Youre My Sensation and Beauty On Duty. The favourite Caspian Sea and Stone Of Destiny were gracing the wrong end of the pack, as they made their journey towards the straight. Snob Value kicked clear of On A Roll, and with none of the others showing further improvement, this became a two-horse affair. Imran Chisty put his horse on an even keel and asked him for more.

On A Roll responded brilliantly by surging forward. After a brief duel, he got the better of Snob Value and strode away to register a comprehensive victory. Harish made free use of his whalebone while guiding Caspian Sea into third place. This trend of Bangalore-based horses winning a major portion of the races open to them during the Mysore Main Season will continue, unless and until the local handicapper has a re-look at his own handicapping systems.

It is quite evident that during the smaller Winter and Summer Season's, he is quite harsh on Mysore-based horses that register runaway victories. While that makes complete sense for local racing, it is very difficult for these very horses to race against outstation competitors. An older Mysore based horse rated above 80 may find it very difficult to place in a 40-65 race at Bangalore.

It may be a good idea to drop the entire scale of the Mysore-based horses at the end of July, so that we have a level playing field for all participants in the Main Season. This may lead to keener competition, and also, may provide an opportunity for the local owners to earn some well deserved stake money. The Bangalore Turf Club recently granted licences to apprentice jockeys after a gap of many years. About 20 young men graduated from the "riding-boy" ranks, and started donning silks at the beginning of this month.

The fact that they had won five events prior to the commencement of racing on Friday was enough proof that they were gifted. This was further emphasised by the results at the end of the day. Three out of the eight races held today were won by those who claimed the maximum allowance of four kilos. It is nice to see senior trainers encouraging these boys by declaring them astride fancied runners from their yards. A major beneficiary of these decisions on Friday happened to be trainer Lokanath Gowda. He was the only professional to saddle a double during the afternoon. Both his winners were ridden by apprentices.

His first winner was Classical Dancer. Entered in the lower division of The Star Of Mysore Gold Cup, this seven-year-old made all the running while registering an unexpected victory. Adarsh took this 15/1 outsider to the front and managed to keep him going till the very end. The fancied trio of Royal Player, Greens and Ready To Mingle played the waiting game, as they expected the front runner to slow down in the straight.

The riders of the chasing pack panicked in the last furlong, but by then it was too late. Classical Dancer maintained his momentum and lasted out to finish ahead of them. Lokanath won the very next race with Sparkling Cat. It was the turn of Nausad Alam to display his skills. The boy took a good jump from an outside draw, and Sparkling Cat was soon alongside the leading pair of Summer Wine and Nectar Crown.

He kept riding hands and heels till the wire, and finished ahead of Scarlet Knight and Tribal Queen. The young man has impressed all concerned with his cool temperament and riding abilities, and this victory on Sparkling Cat was the second one in his budding career. Friday was a disastrous day for punters, as only a couple of fancied runners obliged in a card of eight events. They started on a positive note by collecting on Pradeep's Spark Of Galaxy.

This John-ridden favourite charged out of the starting gates and made mincemeat of the opposition. The rider looked back repeatedly in the straight before easing his mount. Spark Of Galaxy finished many lengths ahead of Hamsafar and Black Super Star. There was smart money on Mohd Khan's Star Of Stars, but the three-year-old flopped miserably. He was belted at the top of the bend, but was unable to answer his rider's call.

He put his head down and began to slow down in the straight. In my opinion, the mile trip was a bit too long for his liking. Inayathulla's Indian Bolt was the most impressive winner during the afternoon. He was second-in-demand behind Attaolahi's Sweet Caroline. The two fancied runners allowed Aahana to show them the way till well into the straight, before making their respective moves.

Pradeep-ridden Indian Bolt was noticeably moving the better of the two, and it took him only a few strides to go clear of the filly. Jockey Sampson was quick to realize that he was on a beaten horse. He put away the stick and refrained himself from punishing her any further. Sweet Caroline ended tamely to take the second spot ahead of an extremely tired Aahana.

The rest of the runners were out for an airing. The only other race in the day's card went to Amit Caddy's Greenbro. The numerous turn of events prior to this race were apparently destined to ensure his victory. Astounding Gallop, Inspired Move and Cationic were the three fancied runners in this race. All of them were three-year-olds, and their respective camps were confident of their charges.

Astounding Gallop dropped his rider in his preparatory track-work at Bangalore, and was withdrawn even before being loaded on a horse-van to Mysore. Cationic was withdrawn on veterinary grounds before coming under the starter's orders. This resulted in Inspired Move being installed as a firm favourite in the race. To the dismay of her supporters, the filly refused to break level from the gates.

Inspired Move literally walked out with a swishing tail, and seemed to be in no mood to gallop. For all practical purposes, she took no part in this race. Greenbro strode to the front, and in the hands of rookie Shahbuddin, cantered away from First Of A Legend and Bullish Luck.