On the eve of the blue riband of the season, the Mysore Derby, K Sai Kiran, who is enjoying a good run this season hogged the limelight recording a fine treble. The fact that his first winner Big Time Bay in the opening event, the R M Puttanna Memorial Trophy almost brought the curtain down on Saturday, didn’t stop the most improved pro from guiding home the run-away winner Towering Storm in the next event and Buscadero provided the icing on the cake, edging out Starry Wind in the concluding event.

The Vishal Yadav-trained Big Time Bay won the opener while the most fancied Everlasting Memory failed to make the frame. The railbirds while pointing out that the C Umesh astride Everlasting Memory was not ready when the starter flagged off the big 14-horse field demanded that the favourite should be declared a non starter considering the fact that Everlasting Memory had lost all her chances at the gates simply because the starter had given the `go’ without noticing that Umesh was not ready. But the stewards and the stipes not impressed with the demand hoisted the white cone and the angry punters stormed the paddock demanding justice. It is also learnt that the punters who wagered on Everlasting Memory asked the bookies in the ring to refund the amount and this led to a chaotic situation. On one hand the winners had collected their cash and on the other side the losers, who had pinned their hopes on Everlasting Memory wanted the money back, claiming that the favourite suffered at the gates for no fault of his. The plea of  the decision makers to the punters to exercise control and calm down and not to disrupt the seven-event program failed to make an impression on the agitated punters who threatened to storm the track but after a long debate wiser counsel prevailed and the second race started 105 minutes after Big Time Bay won the opener.

The Satish Narredu schooled Radiant Treasure and Santiago from the stables of Sirajuddin were fancied most in the next event, the Sharan Lakshmanan Memorial Trophy run over a mile. The ten to one shot Towering Storm from M Bobby’s yard threw the `Jodi’ out of the window effortlessly cruising home in the hands of Sai Kiran. The connections of Towering Storm strongly fancied the winner in place but the fit as a fiddle Bobby ward cantered home without unduly extending himself. Santiago gained the runner-up spot ahead of Radiant Treasure who struggle hard to finish third ahead of Shaktiman.

Another Bobby ward Celtic Mist opened the favourite in the Bottolonda Trophy but soon big money started pouring in on Jolfa from trainer Monnappa’s yard and it was Jolfa piloted by Ryan Ahmed who closed firm favourite while Celtic Mist was offered at (7/2) in the betting ring. Jolfa much to the chagrin of her supporters failed to break level from the gates and though she produced an astounding burst in the final furlong, the mare failed to nail Celtic Mist who prevailed in a `photo’. Unbelievable finished third ahead of Point who caught the eye with a suggestive gallop at end.
The Bangalore hopeful Corybantic from Prasanna Kumar’s yard was the overwhelming favourite in the Gayatri Devi Memorial Trophy run over the distance of 2000 metres. Trevor astride the public choice stole a march at the distance post and looked set to score before Srinath on the lesser fancied Steinlight and Umesh guiding the fortunes of The Lieutenant packed punch and in a blanket finish, Steinlight and Srinath gained the day ahead of The Lieutenant by the shortest of margins.

Despite the fact that the Darius Byramji schooled Prevalent Force had let down large following in his last essay over a mile, the topweighted colt again garnered the maximum support in the Mysore Race Club Golden Jubilee Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs. Prevalent Force again disappointed most failing to raise a winning gallop and match strides with the winner Mauritania who produced his best in the hands of Sandesh to record his second straight success this season. The Mumbai hopeful New England who too had his fair share of followers was seen finishing on purposefully to gain the runner-up berth ahead of the favourite who `nosed’ out Cavallo Veloce at the post.

The talented New Creation back after a three-month lay-off was the on-money favourite in the Forester’s Trophy run over a mile. Sandesh pushed the public rage to the front soon after the field of eight contestants came under the starter’s flag and never let the initiative slip romping home an easy winner. New Creation on the strength of this victory is certain to provide an encore when saddled next. Sadeek finished second ahead of Rustic Sunrise who after raising hopes at the top of the straight found New Creation too hot to handle.

The fact that the over confidence of apprentice jockey Chetan Gowda had cost Glittering Gold dear in her last essay and that Glittering Gold had gone down fighting to Perfecto in her first essay here saw punters going big on Glittering Gold. While the punters were confident that none among the 14 contestants could stop Glittering Gold, the bookies were totally confident that Glittering Gold would not make the frame. The price on the Warren Singh, who opened at (2/1) drifted to (13/4) at end. The bookies were right, the top fancy, who had the best credentials failed to make the frame and this calls for an explanation. Azhar Ali-trained Buscadero helped Sai Kiran complete a fine treble edging out the ten to one shot Starry Wind at the shadow of the winning post while Erdemir raced in  to snatch the third spot from the front running Magnolia.