Padmanabhan trained Holding Court maintained his winning streak, with a splendid performance in the Gr.1 Colts Trial Stakes which was the star event of Sunday’s races. In a truly run mile race, Holding Court’s sparkling acceleration stood him in good stead even as Flashing Star came up with a late burst only to find the front-runner flashing past the post fractionally ahead. The winning time of one minute 37.63 seconds is the fastest timing for a mile ever since the track was re-measured and distances altered a few years back. Once again, the finishing effort of Flashing Star is sure to make many believe that the son of Razeen will have his say over the Derby trip of 2000 metres, a feeling that he gave even when he lost almost in identical fashion to Yes Es Yes Ses in the Gr.2 Karnataka Juvenile Million over seven furlongs. Though Holding Court was grinding to a halt because he had expended his energies in going into what proved to be a decisive lead, it is also possible that his turn of foot could once again prove decisive when the two meet in the Derby. Though Holding Court had done nothing wrong in his lead up effort to this classic event, race goers reposed more faith in Flashing Star because of the spectacular nature of his wins at Mumbai. What many overlooked was the fact that Flashing Star takes his own time to warm up and pick up speed and in a short straight as the one in Bangalore, the horse which quickens best on turning for home enjoys a distinct advantage. Holding Court on this count alone deserved far greater support than he got in the ring. There were many who reposed faith in Arturo who had won in good timing in his last essay. Yes Es Yes Ses was completely overlooked in the betting ring. In the event, the race turned out to be a two-horse race with Yes Es Yes Ses finishing a far away third ahead of Amazing Striker and Arturo. Amazing Striker’s fourth from way behind was eye-catching. Admiral’s Force set a scorching pace as the starter dispatched the field for the mile long trip, with Finest Moment, Arturo, Holding Court, Flashing Star and the rest racing in close attendance, with Amazing Striker gracing the wrong end of the field. The fast pace helped Holding Court settle well. Entering the straight, Admiral’s Force weakened giving way for Holding Court to take centre stage. Flashing Star was flat-footed for speed and had a good margin to cover on his adversary. Though he closed up the leeway menacingly, Holding Court held on grimly to win by a whisker. Holding Court has the class to get the mile and a quarter trip and if he is held up and his burst of speed used effectively, he can continue his winning ways. Flashing Star has on both occasions here has flattered to deceive. The victory of Holding Court provided first season sire Royal Kingdom with his first classic race success. For Holding Court’s owner Haresh Mehta, it was a big occasion because it was his first classic victory in his chequered career. Eshwer trained Opera Queen who had everything her way in the 1200 metres Regency Stud Plate, won quite impressively from a late-finishing Diffidence and Perpetuate. Equally Good led the field into the straight but had no answer when Opera Queen unleashed her run. Diffidence was a noteworthy second. There was support for Solar Rocket but the support was going to misfire because the five-year old mare hasn’t won a race for quite a while now. Risada showed plenty of promise when beating the opposition pointless in the Tudor Jet Plate (Div I). Equally emphatic was the victory of Mystical in the lower division. Both these horses should mature into top class performers. Magic Touch, who ran behind Mystical, is slowly getting into form and should strike before long. Romantic Getaway was another impressive three-year old to come out of maiden’s ranks. This full brother to Poonawalla Million winner Noble Opinion showed plenty of speed to win as he liked. Mystic Minstrel’s leisurely second was suggestive of early success. Wafadar needs more time and a weak opposition to make his mark. All The Rage should show appreciable improvement after a good forward run in the race. There was spirited support for Hyderabad challenger Dama Grande but Solarity who had been waited with for a long time, was seen in true colors and thus spoiled a big touch. Dama Grande finished on strongly but it went in vain. With better saddle assistance than the one offered by apprentice Madhu Kumar, the favourite could have thrown a scare to the supporters of Solarity. A quiet coup was brought off on Magical Spirit who edged out Ashwaraaj in the dying moments of the race. Sharp N Smart who came in for spirited betting, was a beaten cause well before the race was on the boil. The well bred Rising Force recorded a smashing win in the 2000 metres Rajah S R K Ranga Row Memorial Cup. Radical Power, who had won unfancied over a sprint, was the betting rage but the full brother to Radical Force who has been plagued by several physical problems finished a dismal last.