S.S.Attaollahi trained Shaman (Burden Of Proof-Set Alight / Kunigal Stud) was back to winning ways in the Heritage City Trophy on Monday at Mysore. The son of Set Alight had shown lot of promise in the early days but had failed to deliver in the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby. The bay colt was rested well since then and trainer Suleiman along with his team had worked hard to get him back to form.

Shaman shot off  to lead the field of seven from the outermost draw and brought them into the straight. Pinyada tried to catch up with the leader inside the last 300 metres but Shaman picked up momentum when asked for it by Y.S. Srinath and like a true champion stretched out effortlessly. Pinyada rallied in second while the favourite Olympia Fields ended up a tame third ahead of Miniver Rose.

In the supporting event of the day, the Urs Kar Trophy, S. Ganapathy trained Star Carnation (Excellent Art-Attractress / Poona Stud), a winner in the lower class beat the field of 14 runners to score an encore. Racing a handy fourth till the final bend Star Carnation slipped between horses and grabbed the lead on entering the straight. Steinlight was ridden hard by Srinath to get to the leader but could only reduce the lead to three parts of a length. Star Carnation and Prashant P Dhebe were safely home. Ultimate Magic finished third followed by Malkia.

Wonder Story (Sharp Attack-Ankle Bracelet / Gee Stud) was another one to score an encore in the higher class. Bipin V Salvi’s trainee was sent in as the favourite for the sprint event. The 5 year old mare raced towards the rear in about ninth position till rounding for home. Suraj Narredu guided Wonder Story from the inside and weaving through the field came flying as the winning post neared and snatched the race from Murcilago on the post. Dare The Don and Brown Beauty filled the frame in that order.

In another nail biting finish Sharat Kumar trained Perfect Legacy (Mull Of Kintyre-Hazelhead / Manju Meadows Stud) with a stunning late gallop nicked out Gandharva on the post in the division I of the Virija Plate. Approaching the last 300 metres Treasure Quest and Raw Gold were in the fight to gain control. Gandharva came charging down from the outside looked to pull it off when Perfect Legacy ridden by apprentice M. Naveen flashed in from the inside to upset the apple cart of the favourite Gandharva by the proverbial whisker.

In the lower division Irfan Ghatala trained Cantabria (Western Aristocrat-River Cree) opened her account with a pillar to post effort. John Cabot was in hot chase right through the straight but could only end up second three parts of a length behind the winner. Athena and Tockyo Rose finished third and fourth 5respectively. Blazing Faith was withdrawn before the race.

V.Loknath trained Ultimate Warrior (Serious Spender-Arizza / Kunigal Stud) scored a maiden win in the Talakadu Plate. Chasing Secret Pursuit till entering the straight Ultimate Warrior wasted no time and surged ahead to grab the lead. The gelding opened a gap of over two lengths but that started to diminish fast in the closing stages with Golden Success and Prize Finder finishing fast. The three went past the winning post together in the same order. Happy Dancing was withdrawn near the starting gates.      

B.Prithviraj trained Desert Gold (Mull Of Kintyre-Sudestada / Manju Meadows Stud) defied the stiff penalty for its earlier win and scored well in the opener of the day, the Mandakalli Plate. The filly had slipped into the lead close to the rails as they passed the 1000 metres board and brought the field into view on the straight. The well backed Celtic Mist started to come up with a challenge from the outside but Desert Gold was ridden out by apprentice R.N. Darshan to hold out by three parts of a length at the finish. Rosebrook finished third ahead of Happy Hours.

P.C.Tejaswi trained Young Gallant (Tejano-Aldiora / Sans Craintes Stud) that had not seen the winning post for almost 22 months burst into the scene in the Shivakashi Plate. As they came towards the last 300 metres Sheer Luck on a start to finish bid was joined by Break On Thru and Iroko. The three were almost in a line when Young Gallant found a gap between them, shot through that and sped away. Senator covered plenty of ground from the rear on the extreme outside to finish in second. Scorpene and Iroko were in a close finish in that order for the third and fourth places.