Faraz Arshad trained Refreshing towers over the fillies currently racing in Bangalore. The daughter of Be Fresh defied all expectations of finding the mile and half trip too long for comfort by slamming the field in tremendous fashion to win the Gr.2 Bangalore Oaks, the third classic of the season, on Friday. Refreshing had more or less beaten similar opposition in the 1000 Guineas but the only reason why she did not go into the race as the best supported horse was because of doubt's about her staying ability. In the event, she proved everyone wrong with a scintillating performance and her victory was certainly reason to celebrate for young trainer Faraz. He has thus far saddled three winners in his career, two of them through Refreshing in classics and the other winner Storm Hawk who dead heated for the first position with Flicker last week. The trainer has shown promise as he has kept the filly going in good trim for a considerably long period and if he keeps a straight course, the third generation trainer can expect things to turn in his favour. Confluence who had won over nine furlongs last time out and That’s The Touch who had run a close second to Cedros and Glorious Breaker were believed to have better ability to stay the gruelling trip and received more support than Refreshing though she stood out because of her higher rating. Jockey Mallesh Narredu had Confluence in front though Epic briefly wrestled with her, with That’s The Touch racing a handy third and Srinath settling Refreshing comfortably in the mid-group while Glorious Breaker was in the rear. Confluence was strongly challenged by That’s The Touch as the fillies straightened out for the run in for home and surrendered the advantage to her adversary. In the meanwhile, Srinath had brought Refreshing with a lightning run in the middle of the course and the filly quickened nicely and left the field standing to win as she pleased. That’s The Touch held on to the second spot ahead of Glorious Breaker who struggled to pick up momentum while Confluence battled on take the fourth spot. Srinath had a double for the day as he drove out Nityanand trained Star Blue in the Amber Regent Stakes, a mile race for horses rated 10 to 25. Siguru came in for inspired betting but the four-year old gelding who sported bandages, was never in contention and ended a miserable fourth. Star Blue fought out with Laughing Buddha and won with a fair degree of comfort. Aspen Bay dragged herself from the rear and won without having to be extended. Daddy’s Darling, who had shaken off Fabuleux Dancer, was shaping like a winner but Aspen Bay flew home and went clear without Silva having to move a muscle. Silva was astride the heavily supported Fioredero and she capably guided the favourite to a start to finish win over Ministrel Girl and Langley Wood. Padmanabhan trained Running Bull was strongly fancied to win the race for juveniles but the three-year old bolted without the jockey while being stalled. Running Bull stopped in front of the barrier but the person holding the barrier, surprisingly moved out and allowed the favourite to bolt causing the public fancy to be withdrawn. BTC can certainly put some competent men, trained in the art of handling horses instead of some meek men who don’t serve the purpose for which they are employed. Birthday Star, who had two runs behind him, won quite easily from Game Fighter while Chiquitita did not shown any improvement over her last run and was a poor fourth. In one of the most thrilling finishes seen in recent times, Caprese and Hesperus battled the length of the straight, with the former getting nod in the bobbing of heads. Gallagher drove out Caprese with all the resources at his command while Appu on Hesperus was not found wanting either. Hesperus drifted out slightly under pressure and this perhaps caused the verdict to go in favour of Caprese. In any case, Caprese was the higher ranked horse and hence better placed in scales to win. Royal Fontaine managed to win from Over Power and Sunlaa in a close finish. With better handling, Sunlaa could have spoiled the day for the favourite. In the day’s other action, Touch of Realism went down narrowly to Just Perfect who picked up momentum in time to get the nod on the post. Krishnan who rode Touch of Realism was pulled up for excessive use of the whip and this being his fourth offence, he has been deprived the use of the whip for the rest of the season.