A small card normally springs up many surprises and that’s the reason the railbirds exercised caution on Friday and at the end returned home satisfied with the result that three favourites and an equal number of lesser fancied horses nailed bold colours to the mast.

The plum event, the Chamundi Hills Cup was split into two divisions. The upper division of the event saw Mohican from trainer Neil Darashah’s yard piloted in determined fashion by leading pro Suraj Narredu edge out the lesser fancied Holy Trinity close home. The public choice at one stage was running green and not getting into the rhythm before Suraj in a never-say-die bid drove him out to edge out Holy Trinity to the delight of the punters. Santamarija Festa finished third while the second in demand at the betting ring, Ciel Etoile, who was found gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the seven furlongs trip came home a poor fourth.

The lower division saw the on-money favourite Ambrosio from Sulaiman Attaollahi’s yard make a winning debut in the hands of Trevor Patel. The bred in the purple winner in his effort to make his run on the rails was caught, unable to find the desired opening before he found space in the final fujrlong and the moment he did that it was easy for Trevor to guide him home. Ambrosio, it is clear needs a much longer trip to display his true potential and it will pay to again take a big punt on the Sulaiman ward when he choses to pit Ambrosio over a 2000M or more trip. Scarlet Princess surprised many gaining the runner-up berth in the hands of the forgotten jockey H Rathod, while Marco Polo took the third spot.

Gerontocrat was the other favourite who reigned supreme in the Red Baron Plate edging out the lesser fancied Game Changer close home. The winner who initially struggled to keep pace in the seven furlongs trip did manage to produce a winning gallop in the final furlong and Imran Chisty did well to pack punch and enable Gerontocrat earn his cornbill. Tyto Alba raced in patches and only managed to save place money while Aeolus made the frame.

The Gregory Sandhu schooled Silken Striker fancied sweetly and quietly by the Sandhu camp  won the upper division of the Krishnaraja Sagar Plate in the hands of Rajesh. The winner, who opened at (10/1) in the betting ring was slammed down to (4/1) and Rajesh to the delight of his supporters made free use of the stick to power ahead of last start winner Nostradamus and Amazonite, who was ineptly handled by apprentice jockey Shamaz Shareef. The favourite Habanero performed below par and finished a tame fourth.

The lower division of the event also saw a lesser fancied winner Kudla Punch from Sharath Kumar’s yard come up trumps. The Irfan Ghatala-trained Bold Move and Master Of War from the stables of Dominic topped the betting board at the start before money came pouring in on Bold Move and the Irfan ward was the overwhelming favourite at the end. The public choice jumped out quick and enjoyed a good break over his 10 rivals at the top of the straight before Trevor guiding the fortunes of Master Of War and Naveen astride Kudla Punch got busy and the latter stormed through to gain the day at the shadow of the winning post. Master Of War finished second and Bold Move had to rest content with the third spot.

Earlier Sandhu and Rajesh combined effectively to record a double after striking through Silken Striker. The lesser fancied Parting Shot who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring assumed command at the top of the straight and Rajesh never let the initiative slip punching Parting Shot home. Romantic Haven finished on purposefully at end to gain the second spot ahead of Ice Speed who caught the eye while the favourite Able Master from Lokanath’s yard  never looked able enough to justify his top billing.