It was around this same time last year that Adhirajsingh Jodha nurtured chestnut gelding Golden Kingdom claimed the Mysore Race Club Trophy beating favourite Supernatural. Before his current campaign, Golden Kingdom ran six times during which he went down to Chamonix thrice and lost twice to Magneto, all the while waiting for his turn to arrive. That turn, interestingly, happened to arrive on Friday in the Mysore Race Club Trophy with PS Kaviraj returning back in the saddle. The only change in the line-up for the MRC Trophy, which included Rasputin and Magneto, was that the Indian Classics winner Jendayi replaced her stable-mate Supernatural.

Jendayi was passing through the same phase as Supernatural, who had hit a bad patch after winning the RR Ruia Trophy that year, yet was the favourite in anticipation that she would resume her winning ways. However, she suffered the same fate as Supernatural. Kaviraj hit the front with Golden Kingdom (Kingda Ka – Albeed) and made every post of the mile and quarter journey a winning one. Golden Kingdom drifted out slightly under pressure in the straight but stretched out gallantly after Kaviraj got him back to race on an even keel. Having failed to collar the winner, Magneto, Jendayi and Rasputin were involved in a three-way finish and ran in that order behind Golden Kingdom. They were separated by a head each. Golden Kingdom is co-owned by Messrs Sudendu Shah, Kishore P. Rungta, K. M. Shah, Tanmay V. Mathurawala, Dr Rahul Shah, Mrs Pooja S. Shah, Mrs Hiral Shah and Mrs Preeti C. Shah. Golden Kingdom was bred at the Jai Govind Stud Farm.

The trophy event framed in memory of late trainer Magansingh P. Jodha was split into two divisions with Amadeo and Fable, the two candidates from his son Adhirajsingh Jodha’s yard, were both entrusted to A. Sandesh and fancied to win their respective races. But that was not to be. The first division was claimed by Karthik Ganapathy-mentored Bashir, who chased leader Trillionaire right from the start and easily tackled him just before turning for home. Amadeo was brought into contention by Sandesh in the final lap but flopped when asked for an effort which allowed Antony Raj-partnered Bashir (Dali – Burnished Gold) to streak clear for a comfortable win. Star Impact rallied to take the second spot after Amadeo lost pace and had Expedite making it to the third place ahead of Continental Drift. Amadeo ended fifth.

In the second division Fable showed plenty of initial speed to call the early shots and had Dancing Star on his haunches while Wild Child and Cinderella’s Dream raced close behind. As the field came down the hill to enter the straight, Sandesh drove Fable to gain a good lead and appeared to be enroute her maiden success when CS Jodha-ridden Ghirardelli, the “doosra” candidate saddled by Adhirajsingh came with telling strides to humble the favourite. Ghirardelli (Fiero – Bernice) was not fully extended when winning by a good margin of three lengths and has the potential to give an encore if judiciously placed next. Fable played second fiddle to the winner with Dancing Star and Wild Child completing the judges’ frame.

Miss American Pie was very fractious at the starting gates and threw a tantrum when asked to enter the stalls. Miss American Pie was on the verge of being withdrawn when the handlers finally managed to coax her into the gates which enabled the MK Jadhav-schooled filly to romp home in the Dr S. R. Captain Trophy. Miss American Pie settled nicely in the hands of Nikhil Parmar and stalked It’s My Time all the way from the start with Long Lease and the rest closely bunched behind. Miss American Pie (Gleneagles – Reine Australe) simply cantered past It’s My Time when Parmar released the brakes and the favourite went scooting towards the wire to post a victory which was easier than the official verdict of five lengths. It’s My Time retained the second spot whilst Golden Glow and Bazooka Babe finished third and fourth respectively after failing to make any headway in the home stretch.

Hosidar Daji-nursed four-year old Wanderlust emulated Axlrod, who had won on Thursday, in graduating from the maiden ranks immediately after being demoted to the lowest class. Wanderlust (Roderic O’Connor – Striking Beauty) was kept under wraps thus far and his connections decided it was time to cash in on whatever potential the bay gelding possessed. Wanderlust, who was backed down to favouritism, raced alongside She’s A Teaser and Zip Along till the field came into the straight where K. Nazil reminded the favourite of his task ahead. Wanderlust brushed aside Zip Along to assume command and kept going under the whip to land the spoils for his supporters. She’s A Teaser and Sorrento Secret were separated by a head as they finished second and third respectively with Talking Point ending a nose behind.

Trainer Narendra Lagad had five runners in the field of seven competing for the PanelService247 Gaming Trophy, a five-furlong scurry which was claimed by Mirae (Roderic O’Connor – Yesteryear). Mustakim Alam-partnered Mirae took a fluent jump from the gates as opposed to the tardy start taken by his fancied stable-mate Phanta and then showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals and won untroubled all the way. It was a case of living in hope and dying in despair for punters who fancied HJ Antia-trained Reciprocity to win despite his career record of finishing only once on the judges’ board during his 26 or so career starts. Apprentice Navnath Bhosale ridden Reciprocity was in a futile chase of the winner throughout the trip and just managed to hang on to the third spot by a head in front of Tarzan.