Winner of the Golconda Guineas, Staranzano made a winning appearance on the Bangalore track, with a start to finish victory in the 1600 metres Ardent Knight Cup, the highlight of races held on Saturday. The late-maturing son of Burden of Proof is slowly displaying his true worth and the fact that he gave a weight and a beating to a contemporary like Al Qamar should speak highly of this win. Surely he deserves a place in the Derby line up. Al Qamar, who enjoyed a distinct pull in weights, was the firm favourite to win as he was blazing the track. The longish absence from the track was not expected to be a hindrance while Staranzano was not considered good enough to concede weight to almost everyone in the fray. In the event, Colm O’Donoghue who took Staranzano on a start to finish mission, found the son of Burden of Proof possessing plenty of ammunition when Al Qamar essayed a strong challenge. Staranzano kicked away from his chief opponent and then held on gamely to land the spoils in a fairly good time of one minute 38.92 seconds. Jumping For Joy ran on to finish third. Stride to Glory who missed action for a long period of time, obviously some problem or the other keeping her out of action, was nevertheless spiritedly supported in the 1200 metres Tungabhadra Plate on the basis of her two mock races which were pretty impressive. But she was a damp squib in the race, packing up like a pricked balloon when the heat was on. Supreme Power who had let down on a couple of times, perhaps relished the sprint as he dictated the pace from the word `go’ and comfortably held on from Lanark. Itsmyday pipped Splash of Class for the third spot. Loknath Gowda’s Big B has made amazing strides during the season. Despite an impressive win in his last run, the trainer put blinkers on his ward but that was no deterrent as he bolted to victory in the 1400 metres A V Venkatesh memorial cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 35, in taking style. Freebee who was none too well placed at the top of the straight finished with a good stretch run to take the appointed runner up spot. Big B may figure in the Derby line up as the trainer is pretty optimistic about his ward’s ability. A big gamble was landed on Irfan Ghatala trained Barnabee in the Splendid Role Plate (Div I), Backed spiritedly in the ring to the exclusion of the rest, Barnabee, in the hands of apprentice Babulal Paswan landed the spoils at the expense of Passing Glance. The lower division of the race saw Khoka winning with a great deal of comfort. There was inspired support for Artic Bride but the four-year old filly put up a poor show. Michael Eshwer trained Zooming won the January Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year olds, quite capably. Tina’s Triumph was an impressive second while heavily supported Priceless Memories proved to be pretty ordinary, showing some speed at the start and little else. In the lower division of the race, Jaggy Dhariwal trained Amelie just about got up in time to nose out That’s The Touch virtually in the last stride. Make a note of Nicoletto who could have landed the plum with a little vigor in the effort on the part the pilot. In the day’s other action, Port To Port justified the strong support he received in the ring by coming from rear to overhaul the front-running Settle The Score. Port To Port appeared to be a lost cause as he was trailing at the field at the bend but his good stretch run indicated that he was cut above the opponents he was taking on.