The absence of Sea Quest, who was withdrawn on veterinary grounds provided Desperado the big chance in the Bangalore Summer Million. The Neil Darashah ward grabbed the opportunity and made his sporting owners Muthappa Rai and  his brother Chandrashekhar Rai proud winning the plum event in  emphatic fashion. A facile last start winner Desparado piloted by Arshad Alam tracked the Mumbai challenger Sacred Roman from trainer Pesi Shroff’s yard for most part of the mile long classic journey before Arshad astride the winner reminded him of the task ahead at the top of the straight and the Neil ward responding gamely to his master’s call produced a stunning gallop to put the issue beyond doubt even before the race came on a boil. The Irffan Ghatala-trained Shesmyscript did well to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Superb Success while the Mumbai challenger disappointed his supporters finishing a tame fourth. This was Desperado’s second straight success after he joined Neil’s yard and taking into account that the good type of youngster won with a degree of comfort more will be heard of him in the winter season.

Lesser fancied Regal Music from trainer Prithviraj’s  stable made every post a winning one in the Karnataka Sub-Area Trophy run over a sprint. The winner partnered by Delhi – based jockey Dhanu Singh hit the front the moment the nine contestants came under the starter’s flag and never let the initiative slip. Mansuetude, who was strongly fancied to score failed to gain a favourable position early on in the race and only could finish second ahead of Fire Glow.

A smart last start winner New Moon provided the followers of form a reason to smile winning the Jayant Shah Memorial Cup in effortless fashion. Arshad Alam who had earlier booted home Desparado again produced a flawless effort on New Moon to help Neil Darashah recorded popular double. Haedi’s Folly who also had his fair share of followers failed to justify the confidence of his supporters, finishing down the fleet. Torsoro with an improved effort gained the runner-berth ahead of I’ve Got Clout.

The Arjun Manglorkar-trained Concept Win won the lower division of the Basque Trophy in style. The winner strongly fancied by the insiders and the right connections was piloted in copy book fashion by the promising youngster Yash Narredu. Starry Wind and Hanko from Gregory Sandhu’s yard were the two others who were also fancied to score in this competitive event but both failed to make an impression. The former finished a tame fourth, while Hanko produced a listless performance to eventually finish in the ruck. Call Me Maybe surprised most gaining the runner-up berth ahead of Free Port.

After failing to score on the public rage Venus Bay in the opening event, Imran Khan enjoyed a good run on Noahs Ark in the upper division of the Basque Trophy. The favourite after tracking the early leaders shot ahead approaching the distance post and cantered home without unduly being extended. Noah’s Ark on the strength of this performance is certain to provide an encore when saddled next. Erdemir shifted out violently after the start and with that lost all his chances. Tanoura finished a creditable second while Lycurgus took the third spot.

 Wonder Blaze from Arjun Mangaloriar yard shocked the rail birds winning the Track Lightning Trophy in resplendent style in the hands of apprentice jockey Antony Raj. The favourite Air Command, who set a good pace with Yerwazan at the start flopped badly and it is clear that this other Arjun yard needs time and space to regain his winter form. Yerwazan did well to finish third while Jon Snow who raced in patches came home fourth.

Most pundits were of the view that Venus Bay was a moral certainty in the opening event, The Epsom Plate, but the knowledgeable old hats were sadly proved wrong by Princess Holly who in the hands of Kiran Rai produced a stunning performance to outwit the public rage. Aine after hitting the front dropped her rider Ramu in this event. Princess Holly, it appears is at her best and it will pay to again follow her next time out.