It was the same old story. Not many entries. Next, paucity of acceptors and at the end only six races were framed on Friday. The card lacked the appeal. The stands understandably were empty and the women behind the tote windows had enough time to play Candy Crush. Few fluke seekers apart, none of the favourite punters were willing to place bets on tote knowing the dividends in win and place on the totalizator were not appealing and just not worth the risk one faces when putting out a bet. The lacklustre scenario drew yards of yawns and it simply didn't look like a good day out in the summer season. Hopefully it will all change next week, a good number of  top colts in this campus may well prove to be big draw cards and bring back the excitement, glitz and glamour associated with the sport. 

It is no secret that the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) in a bid to to overcome the financial crunch adopted many cost cutting measures in winter despite the fact that the last committee did well to rope in many sponsors, big and small which helped the club avoid posting many debit entries in the balance sheet. The pomp and gaiety was missing. and on a couple of occasions, the Mysore Race Club (MRC) upstaged the big brother hosting a couple of marquee events including hosting the first Invitation Cup at that centre in style. MRC again are looking to raise the bar and go one better on the first Sunday of March next year.  In this game it is the glamour quotient which separates racing from the other sport .Racing carnivals attract big crowds all over the world. And the carnivals generate sizeable revenue. It is time you value add to the sport and bring back all the hype and hoopla and most importantly the big buzz to stay on the high road. 

Back to racing on Friday, the Arjun Manglorkar schooled Aldgate came up tops in the Krishnaraja Wadiyar Trophy, the plum event run over a sprint. The winner on the strength of his impressive last head-to-head clash with classic winner Champions Way was strongly fancied to score. And he did just that in style, producing an astounding gallop in the hands of leading pro Sandesh to put the race to bed a furlong from home. Yukan who also figured in that race finishing fourth behind Champions Way, while Aldgate gained the runner-up spot behind the winner Isnt She Beautiful  went two up following Aldgate home, while Champions Way in his attempt to make every post a winning one failed to live upto the expectations of his supporters and only finished ahead of the two nohopers, Polished Girl and Priceless Gold. Aldgate, it must be mentioned is on top of his game and is set to provide an encore. 

The Speaker's Cup was claimed by a goodtype of youngster from Sulaiman's camp. The on-money favourite  Finley who had made a favourable impression from her two starts in winter readily justified her top billing, while providing leading saddle artiste Suraj Narredu an arm-chair ride to success. The Warren Singh-trained Silicon Star was also strongly supported but she found Finley too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. Stentorian from Satish Narredu's yard caught the eye while finishing a creditable third and is one for the notebook. 

Anadale from Irfan Ghatala's yard and the Dominic-trained Anzac Pipernal  despite making an appearance after a year garnered maximum  support in the concluding event, the Prince Khartoum Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The former in the hands of Alex Rozario kicked clear in the final furlong to romp home a deserving winner, while Anzac Pipernal ineptly piloted by apprentice Siddaraju finished in the ruck. It was clear that the Dominic ward needed this run, but Siddaraju failed to provide the required saddle assistance losing control at the start and allowing the horse to go wide and in the end shifting in and out, failing to properly guide the grey. Anzac Pipernal, it is needless to mention will benefit from this run under her belt and it will pay to support her again next time out. 

Earlier, the six to one shot Debonair from Faraz Arshad's yard reigned supreme in the opening event, the Classical Act Plate run over a sprint. The winner piloted by Ryan Ahmed beat another lesser fancied contestant Princess Jasmine, while the public choice, Golden Gallery from Lokanath Gowda's yard failed to complete the course, her rider G Vivek getting down before the post. Second favourite from Inayathullah's yard, Mega Success finished third ahead of Amazing Luck. 

Pharazon from Irfan's yard enjoyed top billing in the Romantic Dancer Stakes run over a mile, but he failed to justify favouritism and finished a tame third behind another lesser fancied winner Regal Aristocracy from Imitiaz Khan's yard. August gained the runner-up spot and it will not be long before this Arjun trainee earns her cornbill this summer. 

The in-form Kaallu Sakkare from Warren Singh's yard chalked up his third win from five starts, winning the Chettinad Stud Plate in emphatic fashion. The winner was very strongly supported and the game galloper provided his connections a big reason to smile, producing another commendable effort while sending out a strong message that he has the ability and capacity to maintain the winning streak. Indian Blues finished second ahead of Aherne who appears to be a chicken-hearted customer, not the one for the big fight.