Rashid Byramji trained Parthenon’s progress has been steady and fruitful. The son of Steinbeck recorded his second straight win of the season when easily accounting for the opposition in the 1400 metres J.B. Mallaradhya Cup, a race for horses rated 40 and above, which highlighted Saturday’s proceedings. Parthenon had appeared twice on the scene during the winter season and he had made both of them winning ones. Now that the handicap exploitation is almost over, Parthenon could be profitably campaigned in terms races where the scales will favour him. Explosivo and Parthenon were ahead of the field when the starter dispatched the filed for the seven furlong trip, with Only For Gold racing in close proximity along with Attorney who was improving on the wide outside. Parthenon was raced on the centre of the track as the going was firmer there and it did not take much out of the favourite to burst clear of the field. Attorney shaped to essay a strong challenge but the erstwhile champion performer drifted out to almost the edge of the grass track and could finish only a faraway second. Just Brave was third while Only For Gold who has dropped form, faded out of the reckoning without a fight. Padmanabhan’s Democraticus returned to winning ways with a bang in the Col. Rajkumar C. Desraj Urs Memorial Cup (Div.I), a race for horses rated 20 to 25. Democraticus who had been left at the gates when he raced in the (Gr.3) Karnataka Juvenile Million and finished a detached last, was backed to the exclusion of his rivals as he was blazing the track and race goers put faith in him despite his poor show the previous occasion. Democraticus cruised into the lead on turning for home and jockey Srinath took things easy even as Suraj Narredu on Refreshing went all out. One tap from the jockey was enough for Democraticus to change gears and the son of the Royal Kingdom bounced away to a comfortable win. In the form that he is in, Democraticus should repeat. The lower division of the race turned out to be eventful as it was held in pouring rain. Sweet Angel and Oxfordshire were the market fancies but Prakash on the favourite came a cropper close home as the filly slipped and came crashing to the ground. However, the jockey escaped unhurt. Power of Gold who raced the widest won at the expense of Oxfordshire who was plodding in heavy underfoot conditions alongside the rails. Suraj Narredu surprisingly raced Oxfordshire closer to the rails while three races earlier he had chosen to race Parthenon on the centre of the track! There was inspired support for Royal Panache in the 1400 metres Santorini Star Plate. The temperamental son of Royal Kingdom had run a prominent race last time out despite throwing tantrums on way to the starting gate and he was backed as if his defeat was out of question. Royal Panache once again was fractious and sat in the gates at the time of starting and was withdrawn from the fray. Green Bax who had everything going for him won as he liked from first timer Cedros. All The Rage was hard-pressed to finish third. Dominic’s ward Settle The Score was rewarded for his consistency when he managed to edge out Magical Spirit and a late-finishing Star Blue to win the Brave Dancer Plate (Div.I) in the hands of jockey Srinath. Magical Spirit who was sluggish at the start was helped by the fact that most of the runners swung wide in search of good ground in soft underfoot conditions and the Puttanna trainee came through the shortest way home. Star Blue was denied a clear run as Shakti Singh had to change course repeatedly and the finishing burst of Star Blue was good enough to save place money. Elusive Adventure, who came in for spirited support, ran without hope. Samar Singh brought off a quiet coup in the lower division through Olympic Glory. The son of Dark Nile reveled in the conditions and went away for an effortless win. Fancied Instant Appeal and Contare Su Me were no match for the eventual winner. Matter of Opinion who had let down as a favourite, won at nourishing odds, the 1100 metres Basque Plate from a reluctant Space Angel. Alagi who was well supported, led the field into the straight but packed up without a fight. Fashion Statement picked up momentum late to be an eye-catching third.