Arjun Mangalorkar trained Baffert has always reserved his best for the Stayers Trial Stakes. The son of Local Talent won this race for the second year running against the run of expectations at the expense of Randsberg and Adolfito. Randsberg who was well placed in scales were favoured to win only on this score. He lacks class and is hopelessly one paced. But over a grueling trip of 2400 metres, his ability to stay together with the feather weight were expected to stand him in good stead The son of Alnasr Alwasheek led all the way till passed by Adolfito but fought back to snatch the runner up berth in virtually the last stride even as Baffert came up with a spirited run in the closing stages of the race to clinch the issue in style to earn himself a place in the line up for the Gr 1 Stayers’ Cup to be held at Chennai. Adolfito, the stout stayer, ran a game race despite running after a very long lay off and he is surely going to be a force to reckon with. Obligado, who has won many graded races including the Gr 1 Mysore Derby, has never won a race in Bangalore after being disqualified. As such the support for him went in vain. The fastest finisher in the race was Star of Windsor. Jockey Appu took Randsberg on a start to finish mission with Adolfito racing within the reach of his shadow, with the rest spread out in single file. Randsberg was strongly challenged by Adolfito rounding the final bend and after a brief duel, appeared to have got the measure of him and shaped like a winner. However, his aspirations were put paid by Baffert who picked up momentum and sailed past the battling duo and won with a measure of comfort. Randsberg fought back to finish second. Star of Windsor and Obligado closely followed the first three finishers. While Adolfito has got nomination for the Stayers’ Cup from Hyderabad, Baffert, Obligado, Brown Sugar and Star of Windsor represent Bangalore. Niccoletto, who was given a light ride last time out, duly won the February Plate (Div I) without much fuss. Hitting the front from the wide outside draw, Niccoletto held on comfortably from the late-finishing The Peak. Fancied Supreme Chieftan and Contare Su Me put up a poor show, the latter not making any progress since his debut run. The lower division of the race was claimed by another progeny of Tirol namely Amazing Forest who won at fancy odds. There was inspired support for Ashwaraaj but the gelding was never in with a chance, finishing a tame third. Malesh Narredu had to stretch himself to the maximum to get the better of La Bella Vita who after a couple of listless runs ran spiritedly, defying her surface form. La Bella Vita was shaping to bring off a big upset but when Narredu appeared to have given up on Moment of Hope and put away his whip but the son of Razeen clinched the issue in the bob of the heads. Silva who was in the limelight with a win on Niccoletto and a narrow loss on La Bella Vita, took things too easy on Freebee who was hopelessly positioned but finished on take the fourth spot. Silva is always up with the field when she is serious about her job. She made no attempt to improve her position on Freebee so much so that the filly was a beaten cause well before the runners took the final bend. Boat of Garten led from the word `go’ and was not hard pressed to win from Stilton. Benvenuta was spiritedly backed and the daughter of Bee’s Prospector did not encounter any problems in justifying such support in the ring. Money makes the mare go indeed! Storm Eagle picked up speed too late to make an impact on the result. Lovely Empress won strongly fancied though at nourishing odds from Aiyana who had the initiative but lacked the steam to carry on. In the day’s other action, San Gimminano won without much fuss. Settle The Score was alerted only when the cause was lost.