It was no surprise when top trainer S Padmanabhan disclosed that Sir Cecil is the best he has trained in his illustrious career. “I have trained a lot of good classic winners but Sir Cecil is a very special horse. He tops my list.” said Padmanabhan delighted with the record breaking effort of the champion in the Mysore Derby on Sunday.

Pitted against six rivals who posed no threat to the star performer from the Dashmesh Stud Farm, Sir Cecil, it appeared decided to race against the clock. The moment his pilot Trevor Patel eased him in front he kept going and halfway from home it was clear that the handsome grey was running against the clock, none of his rivals having the ability to match his cruising speed. The champion with Trevor easing him down stopped the clock at 1:59.05 bettering the existing mark (1:59.62) registered by Castlebridge last year. It was an astounding performance and all the big classics in winter are now at his mercy. The top gun unbeaten from his seven starts is in a league of his own and his next target is the Bangalore winter classics before he moves to Mumbai for the big Indian Derby.

Well for the record, Sir Cecil won the Mysore Derby by a yawning gap of more than 13 lengths from Secretive Force while the winner’s stablemate Indian Pharaoh took the third spot ahead of the solitary filly in the fray, Mea Culpa.

The Samar Singh-trained Subah Ka Tara reigned supreme in the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy run over a sprint. The favourite who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring produced a sprakling gallop in the hands of leading pro Srinath to overhaul his arch rival Korol at the distance post before putting the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Subah Ka Tara, it is needless to mention is in peak form and is certain to maintain his winning streak in the forthcoming Bangalore winter season.

The Padmanabhan-trained Big Sur, Courage from the stables of Arjun Manglorkar and the Irfan Ghatala-trained Automatic topped the betting board in the Hyderabad Race Club Trophy run over a mile. Big Sur hit the front after the field of eight contestants came under the starter’s flag and never let the initiative slip despite coming under pressure briefly from Courage at the top of the straight. Automatic who failed to keep pace with the first two finished a tame third ahead of the topweighted Sedulous.
The Bobby-trained Be Bold was fancied most in the Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy run over a sprint. But the public choice after streaking ahead flattered to deceive. Lesser fancied Turf Striker from Rakesh’s yard who had failed to enter the winners’ circle when fancied most in his two earlier starts produced his best in the hands of Umesh on D-day to score from Gran Paradiso in a thriller while all Be Bold could do was to cling on to the third spot. The runner-up appears to be enjoying the climate and conditions at this centre after shifting base from Mumbai and it will surprise most if she fails to make a mark in the winter.

The Madras race Club Trophy was split into two divisions. In the upper division run over a distance of seven furlongs, Blue Jack from Sirajuddin’s yard on the strength of his facile victory in her last essay was fancied most but the mare disappointed most finishing a poor fourth thanks to Imran Khan who appeared in a great hurry to gain a favourable position at the start and again to hit the front the moment the field negotiated the final curve. Export Quality from Azhar Ali’s yard came up trumps in the hands of Srinath pegging back Prince Azeem and  Campari Girl who charged home late on the scene. The lower division was claimed by the second in demand at the betting ring Intrepid Warrior piloted in copybook style by Nirmal Jodha.  

Earlier the S M Jhonson schooled Classic Jewel who was in line for a hat-trick failed to accomplish the feat finishing a tame third behind the winner  Lord Iisley partnered by apprentice  Manish. The winner had the credentials to test the best on the strength of his impressive effort in his last start, but he was overlooked the moment the big bettors went bang-bang on Classic Jewel. The eight to one shot Gintoki assumed command the moment he went past the favourite in the final furlong only to see Lord iisley spoil his party close home.

The Lokanath Gowda-trained Ultimate Speed proved too good in the opening event. The ten to one shot shocked the followers of form shooting through the pack to win with a measure of comfort while suggesting that he doesn’t belong to this class.