Incessant rains throughout last week soaked the Mysore track and the underfoot conditions on Thursday were officially declared as "soft". Although racing continued unhampered throughout the afternoon, the timings were quite slow and many unfancied runners scored in the eight races framed for the day. Not a single racegoer was able to solve the tricky jackpot pool. Horses that relished the "going" were rewarded for their abilities.

The biggest example of this phenomenon was the performance of Corbett in The HH Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup. A runner who had been absent from race track for almost three months and was considered a trifle rusty by those connected to him, produced a stunning gallop in the last furlong of this mile event. The manner in which he quickened clearly indicated that he was totally at home in these conditions. The day's feature had attracted a dozen milers rated in the highest Class. A mere look at them was enough to realize that this wasn't a truly representative Class I field. Bangalore-based challengers Spearhead and Star Assembly had won during the Bangalore Summer Season and were running here with penalties.

Others like Blink and Cruising had been regularly figuring on board, and their respective yards were hopeful of some luck today. Attaolahi-trained Corbett had the best credentials over this distance. His second behind Sprint Star in the Bangalore 2000 Guineas was a fair effort. However, he had been raced sparingly in recent months and there were doubts about his fitness. Most racegoers fancied his stablemate Spearhead ahead of him. From a betting perspective, the race had a very open look. One could back anything at 4's and over. Chief De Mission, Yankee Lane, Spearhead and Cruising strode to the front and set a fair pace ahead of Star Assembly and Gershwin.

Blink and Corbett, who raced at the back, were seen being hustled to stay in touch with the leaders. The field began to bunch up near the home bend and it became apparent that the ones in front were totally fatigued. They stopped in their tracks after straightening for home. Jockey Imran Khan was the first to seize the opportunity astride Star Assembly. He pushed his mount to the front and pulled out his stick.

Star Assembly led for a while before caving in tamely to Blink's assault. John had produced him on the wide outside, and the horse was full of running. Blink hit the front and there was a huge roar from his supporters as he charged for home. All this while, Corbett was still in the rear. Ryan Marshall had just about pulled him towards the centre of the track and asked him to "go".

The four year-old gained ground with each stride and got up in time to nail Blink near the winning post. What looked like an unassailable lead at one time had diminished quickly. Although Ryan had ridden a powerful finish, he was equally amazed by Corbett's performance. Blink was clearly unfortunate to catch the winner in this mood today. Star Assembly plodded along to finish a tame third ahead of Guided Missile.

The rest of the field was literally walking at the end of this race. Ryan was the only professional to score a brace today. His other winner came in the form of Neil Darashah's Persian Princess. This small-made filly had failed time and again to carry the public purse to victory. Neil had allowed the best of jockeys to ride her, but each one had failed to score with her. The trainer was quick to realize that she was unable to carry the top weight. He therefore chose to campaign her at a low handicap in the higher Class.

Ryan Marshall had the distinction of finally guiding Persian Princess to her maiden victory. He held her back for a final assault, and the filly seemed to enjoy these tactics. The duo managed to get the better of last outing winner Yes I Can and Stampede. The easiest winner on Thursday was definitely Lokanath's One For The Money. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cup was a terms race for maiden three year-olds. The Mysore Race Club frames a few such races during the Main Season to give an opportunity to some late-bloomers.

One For The Money had run some brilliant races in Summer, and had lost his previous start on the post. He was running over his best trip of six furlongs and was the fittest horse in this group of twelve. Well-bred Airplay shaped as his closest threat, but the colt was running after a gap of seven months. Airplay's pedigree suggested that he may want it longer, but there were many who felt that he would win on "sheer class ".

However, nothing of the sort happened. One For The Money raced well within himself while leading from Elite Land. Jockey Sreekanth released his grip on the favourite and he bounded forward. It ceased to be a race thereafter. On a tight leash, One For The Money cantered away from a late finishing Airplay and a tired Elite Land.

Dhariwal-trained Alpha Baby was touted as the day's best betting proposition. She was considered to be too speedy for a bunch of Class II acceptors. The trainer chose to claim an allowance on this front-running filly, as he felt that it would help her cause. She was backed to the exclusion of her rivals, and started as an even-money chance to win this sprint. Apprentice Vaibhav was totally at sea in this race. The boy was unable to take a good jump with the favourite, as a result of which, he got knocked around at the start.

While Miss Ruby went charging to the front, Alpha Baby was seen struggling to find galloping room at the back. She remained in sixth spot till they turned for home. Alpha Baby took the turn miles wide and went in chase of the leader. It must go to the credit of the filly that she was able to make up acres of ground and finish alongside the front-runner.

Miss Ruby was lucky to hold on to her early advantage, as Alpha Baby lost a race that she could have easily won. Here Comes The Don finished purposefully to end a fair third. The day started with a couple of Class V races. Sajid-trained Callidora managed to win the day's opener. Her task became easier after the withdrawal of raging hot favourite Game Face. Jockey Ravi allowed Callidora to race freely in third position till they reached the bend. He pulled her towards the wide outside and seized the initiative.

The six year-old mare lengthened her strides and managed to keep Major Impression and Killer Foot at bay. The next one saw an equally easy victory for Sneak A Peak. The Narendra-trained horse was quietly fancied by his connections. AR Mani made free use of the whalebone while coaxing him to stay in front of Miss Marvelous and Pearl Of Bangalore. The race was run like a procession, as there were a lot of unfit horses taking part in this event.

The last race of the day produced a real shocker. Early morning favourite Atomic Queen was slammed down to hot favouritism. About five minutes prior to race time, there was a strong rumour that there was "wrong money" riding on this horse. The real connections were unhappy with the odds quoted on her, and had decided to take it easy. This led to a stampede in the direction of second favourite Secret Vision. The filly was backed down from 5/1 to first favouritism. The race was run as predicted by the betting boards.

Jockey Pradeep astride Atomic Queen was lethargic at the gates and made little effort to improve his position at any stage of the race. On the other hand, Imran Khan was really enthusiastic astride Secret Vision. He charged to the front and rode powerfully. The filly led till the last few strides before being challenged by Suave. To the delight of the bookmakers, the rank outsider managed to get the better of Secret Vision. It is learnt that an enquiry has been ordered into the running and riding of Atomic Queen.