Kambaku from the stables of trainer Arjun Mangalorkar lorded over the opposition in the Mayor’s Cup, the feature event of Saturday’s Bangalore races. Kambaku who had been unsuccessfully campaigned in the classics during the winter season found the opposition in the handicap race easy meat and won as he pleased.

Jockey John had an armchair ride to victory on Kambaku. Kambaku raced in the third position with Nicaragua setting the pace. John made his move at the 800 metres marker and quickly covered up the leeway. Kambaku was hailed a winner the moment he ranged alongside the front-runner and then strode out like a colossus. The 2000 metres trip suited him fine. Nicaragua stayed put in the second position while Hyderabad challenger Reunion who was the favourite, was hopelessly outclassed.

Sulaiman Attaollahi trained Sakura had no problem in winning the His Majesty Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Sandesh took Sakura to the front from the start and the lesser fancied runner maintained the lead without coming under pressure. Orenda gave a chase without hope. Secretive Force who was the firm favourite did not have the initial speed to stay in touch with the front-runner and was left without hope well before the race came to the boil.  

Dominic who is struggling for winners saw his horse Bellarive being backed down to a short price in the Ich Dien Plate. The favourite had no problem in taking charge at the top of the straight and went clear to win easily from a disinterested opposition Cool Springs was second ahead of Turf Spirit who both seemed to be out for an airing. The upper division of the Diablo Plate was claimed by Darius Byramji trained Haedi’s Folly who proved that he was a cut above the rest as he decimated the opposition.

Nityanand trained Mulholland had no problem in taking the 1400 metres Lumbini Stud Plate. Jockey Suraj Narredu pushed Mullholland to the front soon after jumping out and nobody came near the favourite. Good Time Indeed made a late rally to finish second best while the fancied Ultimate Magic finished far away third. Good Time Indeed can recoup the losses if he is raced over a longer trip.

Capricious maintained his amazing winning form with a comfortable victory in the 1200 metres K N Chennabasappa Memorial Cup. The progeny of new stallion Gusto proved to be a revelation as he defied the penalty easily with a speedy start to finish mission. There was a close finish for minor places with Harley Queen edging out Emperador to get the second place.

Parvati Byramji trained Piper Regina who had run a forward race, showed good improvement when coming up with a fine effort inside the final furlong to win the race from long-time leader Piccola. Piper Regina won by a margin of over two lengths. Fancied Aleef came late to take the third position.

Most of the day’s races were won by horses which made a successful start to finish dashes. The punters had a very profitable day with first favourites winning the majority of races.