It's the same old story. A apologetic same six event card. Similar and same results, two favourites winning and four losing. How does one change, what has become the set pattern?. The trainers are happy and content with the six-event card framed on most racing days. The stakeholders, who were crying hoarse, when the management committee of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) decided not to provide any monetary help or support during the glanders period, appear satisfied, toeing the line of their trainers, (insufficient entries) never mind losing out on the stakes. From the owners point of view, it should be more (races) the merrier, but sadly the owners at this centre believe in, lesser the better. Well in this scenario how can one bring about a change. An appealing card, consistent results and above all the desire and willingness to provide the sport in Bengaluru a shot in-the-arm. Shivashankar and his men did make an attempt, telling the trainers, both big and small, that they need to put in sufficient entries. It didn't work simply because the mandarins of the club address critical issues sporting kid gloves. You need to throw a few punches to ascertain the ground reality, but that is not done and the trainers continue to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

On a Sunday, it was a repeat of what happened the previous day. Only two public choices, Reiko and Zuccaro justified their top billing, while the four other favourites failed in their mission to justify their top rating and ranking resulting in punters again losing out big again this week-end. 

The topweighted Eagle Eye from Pradeep Annaiah's yard and the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Sicyon garnered maximum support in the opener, the Mystic Memory Plate, but much to the disappointment of the followers of form the six to one shot Glorious Strides in the hands of Neeraj Rawal upset the applecart of the fancied two successfully pegging back the challenge of Eagle Eye, while Sicyon at no stage of the race was in contention for premier honours. Glorious Strides in fact bit the dust as a strong on-money favourite in his last essay over a mile and this time out, offered at nourishing odds, the Satish Narredu ward produced his best over a seven furlongs trip, which appeared to suit his style. 

In the next event, the Nandi Plate, a king-sized gamble on Dynamic Force from Joseph's yard flopped. Hammered down from (5/1) to (2/1) in the betting ring, the hard hit supporters of Dynamic Force were seen running for cover, the moment Akshay Kumar sent the eight to one shot Star Comet from the stables of Aravind Ganapathy sailing into the lead and it was all over bar the shouting, the winner cruising home in resplendent style. Second in demand at the betting ring, Southern Force from the stables of Faraz Arshad followed the winner home ahead of the rank outsider Elveden, while Dynamic Force failed to save even the money in place. All credit to Aravind for sending out the old at tooth mare spot on and the old lady did produce a neat effort to earn her winning bracket. 

After two long shots won the opening two events, Darius Byramji-trained Regal Beauty brilliantly piloted by leading pro Sandesh came up tops in the CNN Family And Friends Legacy Trophy run over a sprint. Ignored by most big bettors after Akshay Kumar, who piloted the debutant three weeks ago reported that the filly was continuously changing legs in the `run in' home, Regal Beauty was offered at (7/2), while the debutant Calix (2/1) from Sulaiman's yard despite making his maiden appearance was fancied most and the twice second from as many starts, Legacy Field, who Akshay chose to pilot in favour of Regal Beauty had her fare share of supporters, offered at (5/2).  Calix partnered by the in-form Vivek hit the front and called the shots till the final furlong before Legacy Field, Regal Beauty, Heimirich and Sensuous charged home to shoot past the leader and at end in a cluster finish, Regal Beauty gained the day. Sensuous from Aravind Ganapathy's yard piloted by leading pro Suraj Narredu edged out Legacy to gain the runner-up berth, and the Prasanna Kumar trainee in turn nosed out Heimirich who caught the eye and is one for the notebook.

After being floored with the results obtained in the first three events, the railbirds recovered a major portion of their losses, strongly supporting the Pradeep-trained Reiko and the speedy customer in the hands of promising apprentice Sachin made every post a winning one to the relief of all the big bettors. Reiko is on top of his game and is set to provide an encore. Advantageously placed in at the scales, the Prasanna-trained Flight On followed the smart winner home ahead of Power Of Beauty and the late finishing Victoria Doresaani, who appears to have improved.

After Reiko's run-away success, the public rage Zuccaro recorded his second straight success reigning supreme in the HH Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup before a thunder shower delayed the start of the final event, the Astounding Plate run over a mile and in heavy rain, it was the second favourite Turf Paradise from Lokanath Gowda's yard who galloped home fast and fine in the hands of Ashhad Asbar to the delight of the Lokanath camp. The overwhelming favourite Pledge from Darius Byramji's yard despite Akshay packing punch proved no match to the winner and at end finished third behind Imperador.