The wonder filly Adjudicate, top pro Srinath and trainer James McKeown did it again, winning the Indian Turf Invitation Cup in successive years and the Mysuru railbirds loved it. The champion filly was determined to avenge her loss she suffered in her last head-to-head clash against Star Superior at her parent centre (Kolkata) and she did it in style. Another grey filly Juliette from trainer karthik Ganapathy’s yard followed the leader home and the biggest money-spinner in the Indian racing Desert God showed that despite getting old at the tooth he still retains enough ability to test the best, finishing a game third ahead of Anjeze. 

Hosts Mysore Race Club (MRC), who were staging the biggest event in the Indian racing calendar for the first time did a wonderful job and MRC chairman Nityanand Rao and his team headed by Ananthraj Urs proved equal to the task. Many top administrators in the game from the other premier centres were of the view that MRC would find it tough to emulate the rest considering the fact that MRC didn’t have the desired infrastructure and the support staff to stage the mega event. But MRC proved them all wrong. And the RWITC chairman Zavaray Poonawalla impressed by the spectacle was all praise for Nityanand and his team, who successfully put Mysore prominently on the Indian racing map. 

“It was a big challenge and I knew that the odds were against us to maintain the set standards.  But we were willing to stretch every sinew to do it, be it roping in sponsors or getting the desired infrastructure and the system in place for the big-ticket event,” said Nityanand Rao adding that the fact that they were staging the champion event for the first time didn’t bother or put pressure on his team. 

“It was absolute team work. Every individual pitched in. The moment I got Swaroop Kumar, who sponsored the Bangalore winter Derby to co-sponsor the event we were on a good wicket and MRC successfully raised the bar,” said Nityanand. 

Swaroop Kumar disclosed that the moment Nityanand  offered him to co-sponsor the big event he readily accepted. “After BTC I was looking to promote and support MRC and when the MRC chairman approached me I readily got into the boat and I must say that the MRC chairman did a great job,” said Swaroop who has sponsored many other sports events. 

“I love horses and it is the passion which is drawing me to the sport,” said Swaroop who also owns four horses and is in the running for the BTC membership elections scheduled to be held later this month. 

Back to racing, it was surprising to see Suraj Narredu hit the front on the public choice Star Superior in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup. The fact that he was ahead of Consigliori, Speedster and Wizard Of Stocks who normally hit the front and dictate the pace surprised most, but Suraj after the event confirmed that by default he was up in front. Suraj also revealed that Star Superior came back lame Star Superior after bringing the field into view was the first horse to pack up and at this juncture Desert God streaked ahead, but the moment Adjudicate responded to his master’s call, it was all over bar the shouting. Juliette did very well to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Desert God while Anjeze made the frame. It was a spectacular effort from the queen filly and all kudos to Srinath and James who entered the Hall Of fame. 

It proved to be a dream day for James, earlier leading in Trafalgar winner of the Super Mile event. Winner of two Derbies at Kolkata, Trafalgar was ignored in the betting ring, most punters choosing to pin their hopes on the Darius Byramji schooled  Prevalent Force. The Kolkata challenger superbly piloted by David Allan emerged the best miler edging out the Parvati schooled Indian 1000 guineas winner Gift Of Grace while Prevalent Force only managed to save money in place. 

Not many punters were willing to risk money on Multifaceted in the Suresh Mahindra Multi-Million after his poor showing in the Sprinters’ Cup. Snowdon from Padmanabhan’s yard was the top fancy after the Sprinters’ Cup winner Corfe Castle, Madras hopeful Cavallo Veloce and Set To Win opted out. My Journey set a scorching pace in the event run over a distance of seven furlongs. Tutankhamun followed the leader while Suraj settled Multifaceted nice and easy behind Tutankhamun. After My Journey shot his bolt at the top of the straight and even before Tutankhamun could streak ahead, Multifaceted produced a sparkling gallop to assume command and make amends. Tutankhamun held on to finish second ahead of the favourite Snowdon while Shesmyscript made the board. 

Vachan from trainer Rakesh’s yard appears to be the best youngster in Mysore. He won a Million at Guindy and back competing in the Kunigal Stud Million on the big day, the gutsy performer produced his best to edge out Ashwa Brooni in a pulsating finish. The heavily backed Hyderabad challenger Lacrosse from Leo D’Silva’s yard found the sprint trip a trifle sharp and had to rest content with the third spot. 

Great Gatsby from Laxman Singh’s yard won the opening event in a thriller from the Prasanna Kumar-trained Roma Victor  before two rankoutsiders Starry Wind from the stables of Darius Byramji and Aachen from trainer Irfan Ghatala’s yard floored the followers of form in the next two events.

Like on Saturday, a good gamble came good in the concluding event on Sunday. The Pradeep Annaiah schooled Lagopus it was on Saturday and Striking Memory from trainer Lokanath Gowda’s yard brought off a successful coup on Sunday  easily pegging back the favourite Divine Hunt.