Sulaiman Attaollahi served notice that he intends to dominate the Derby week-end winter races recording a memorable treble on Derby eve. And considering the fact that he holds a whiphand in the blue riband of the season, the Kingfisher Ultra Derby on Republic Day, the top colt Lagarde and the `Queen’ filly Forest Flame from his yard set to dominate the finish in the mega event, the leading pro is set to sign off on a high after the showdown at sundown on Tuesday. 

Sulaiman opened his account through the talented Scruples who won the A S Ramaiah Winter Million with a measure of comfort from the Padmanabhan schooled Spectacular who impressed most in her debut, while the Arjun Manglorkar-trained Winmylove, who was heavily backed raced green and eventually failed to even make the frame. Winmylove dislodged her jockey Sandesh on the way to the starting gate and bolted before she was apprehended at the starting gates. Many railbirds in the stands expected the stipes to withdraw the public choice but the decision of the stipes and stewards in this case to let the filly come under the starter’s flag was right though it cost her supporters dear. 

Cosmic Ray in the next event, the Bangalore Race Course Commemoration Trophy did URBB proud reigning supreme in emphatic fashion. The Darius Byramji-trained Prevalent Force was the on-money favourite in the event. Suraj Narredu had chosen to partner the Darius ward in favour of Northern Alliance and that was enough for the punters to pin their hopes on the Darius ward while ignoring the credentials and form of Northern Alliance who was in line for a hat-trick. The `Jodi’ to the delight of the many illegal bookies operating from outside and inside the BTC premises went out of the window, the moment Cosmic Ray in the hands of Sandesh assumed command at the top of the straight and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The winner in her last essay had finished behind Multifaceted, another star performer from Darius Byramji’s yard and this time out the much improved filly avenged her loss, though beating the higher rated stablemate of Multifaceted in convincing fashion. Cosmic Ray on the strength of this performance is certain to pick up another race before the curtains are drawn this winter. Northern Alliance gained the runner-up berth while Prevalent Force failed to save place money too. 

Coming to the many illegal bookmakers operating from inside the BTC premises, it must be pointed out that the managing committee has done little to curb the menace. The fact that the men calling the shots are not willing to nab the illegal operators by imposing strict vigil and employing good security cover defies logic taking into account that the illegal bookmakers are eating into a big chunk of collection.  Why is the managing committee choosing to address the illegal issue with kid gloves and is simply choosing to look the other way when the illegal operators are making hay sends out the wrong signals and it is not wrong when the investors in the game question the attitude and approach of the men in charge while pointing out the many omissions and commissions that dent the image of the club. 

In line for a hat-trick, Sulaiman was confident that Asgardia would do the trick in the hands of Trevor in the Sriharikota Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. And Asgardia did just that powering through to score from Tokyo Rose and Cosmic Feeling. The Corporal, who had his fair share of followers performed below par and is best left ignored until he shows some spark and determination required to stand tall at the podium. 

Earlier, Akshay Kumar packed punch on the Prasanna Kumar-trained Galvarino to peg back the challenge of the second in demand at the betting ring Abira in the Statue Of Unity Plate run over a sprint. The Prasanna camp strongly fancied the winner and he delivered to the delight of his many supporters who confidently punted big. Cuban Pete did well to finish third while the topweighted Psychic Warrior failed to reproduce his last effort. Akshay later booted home the Satish Narredu schooled See My Heels in the concluding event, the lower division of the Sringeri Plate from Country’s Jewel and Ocean Dunes while the well fancied Bloom Buddy who on paper looked hard to down only managed to take a lot of good money down the drain. 

The Pradeep Annaiah-trained Limited Source provided Pradeep Chouhan an arm-chair ride to success in the opening event and Glenary too romped home without Suraj really needing to stretch every sinew in the lower division of the Sringeri Plate run over a sprint. 

Ironic Humour dropped the biggest bombshell in the eight-event card coming up trumps in the Bagalkot Plate run over a mile. The winner piloted by John paid a handsome dividend of Rs 260 on a tenner at the tote window. My Vision from Neil Darashah’s yard, who was fancied most in the big field of dozen runners flopped badly and failed to figure in the board.