The ongoing Winter Season has been a fairly ordinary one for trainer Arjun Mangalorkar. For a professional who normally sets very high standards for himself, things have not been half as good as they were in the last few years. With only one more weekend of racing left this season, Arjun found himself in tenth position in the trainer's tally on Saturday morning. A fine treble during the afternoon saw the smiles returning to the faces of his followers, and the brilliant performance of Optimus Prime (Valid Concept-Actuate) was indeed praiseworthy. This game galloper won his second successive race in Class I, and confirmed the good opinion that he had created at the beginning of his career. Even though he has had a few niggling problems throughout his career, the steady campaign planned by his master ensured a smooth climb to the top of the ladder. Optimus Prime has progressed to graded company, and it will be only a matter of time before he makes his mark at that level. The victories of Sky Train and Sky Marshall were scored in contrasting circumstances. While Sky Train won as the shortest priced favourite today, Sky Marshall paid the biggest dividend of the afternoon. Since quite a few horses in this stable are currently handicapped at a favourable level, it will be worthwhile following their fortunes during the summer months.

The Stewards Trophy, a sprint handicap for horses rated 80 and above, featured a well-filled card of eight events on Saturday. Twelve of the best stationed at this centre accepted to face the starter. The presence of Carla gave this event a look of being a one-sided affair. The brilliant filly had made a terrific return to a race track in February, and had carried a back-breaking weight to an effortless victory. Even though the four-year-old had been heavily penalized, she looked good enough to tackle her present opposition. The fact that she was carrying eight kilos less than what she had shouldered while stopping the clock in a smart timing on that day, was enough for the fans to go nap on her. Carla received one-sided support to start as the 60/100 favourite in this race. Optimus Prime and Lady Duff had stray following, while the others were ignored from a betting perspective.

Clear Mandate darted out of his inner draw and set a strong pace ahead of Superb Style, Miss Ruby and Lady Duff. Optimus Prime had settled in midfield while Carla was gracing the rear. The supporters of the favourite were surprised with her style of running, as Carla was known to possess early speed. However, she refused to move forward and ended in the ruck. Clear Mandate shook off his nearest rivals and led into the final furlong. Just about the same time, Optimus Prime decided to make his move. The big-made horse came charging down the straight and sauntered past the leader. Under the powerful handling of John, he made it look so easy. Optimus Prime sailed away from Clear Mandate and a late-finishing Lady Duff. For those who were still confused with Carla's pathetic performance, there was some consolation. A public announcement confirmed that the filly had burst a blood vessel during the running of this race. It is possible that she may be retired to stud hereafter.

John set a strong pace in the day's opener by taking Sky Marshall (Ontario-Madam Brady) to the front. The odds-on favourite North Cape found the pace a bit too hot for his liking, and surrendered without a fight. The huge advantage that the leader had established in the last furlong, enabled him to withstand a late onslaught from Windsor Park. She came flying towards the inner rails and finished close behind the winner. North Cape and Blue Origin filled the rest of the frame. Well fancied Shahizaar produced another poor performance and finished far behind the leaders.

Sky Train (China Visit-God’s Grace) had advertised his chances by finishing a good second behind the talented Sirono in his last outing. Arjun gave him a lot of work and got him ready to tackle his seven rivals in The Hoysala Cup. The bookmakers were quick to realize his potential and refused to offer more than 40/100 on this runner. A hushed silence greeted the start of this race. Sky Train missed the jump and lost precious ground at the start. Even at the half-way mark of this six-furlong event, the favourite trailed the pack. However, the final result confirmed that he was much too superior to this present lot of horses. Sky Train made rapid progress in the straight and ran away from Ice Mint and Abnoba. But for his lethargy at the gates, Sky Train has the makings of a top class sprinter.

A couple of fancy "gambles" were successfully landed on Saturday. The most significant and common aspect of both of them were the quality of riders used by the two stables. Satish Narredu utilized the services of R Koch, while Pradeep Annaiah used T Bernard to deliver the goods. Running in the lower division of a maidens event, Narredu's Bourne Supreme (Rebuttal-Iquique) was backed down from 6/1 to 6/4. For those who weren't privy to any inside information, this was quite curious. The horse had run once, had finished off the frame, was gelded thereafter and was being ridded by Koch. All this made very little sense to put such big money on this runner. The confidence of the trainer was reflected on the betting boards. The horse took a good jump, went to the front and never looked back. Koch kept hustling him till he passed the winning post. The owner of Bourne Supreme and his friends, kept backing their horse till the start was effected, and it is learnt that they totalled their bets only after the race was over. The winning margin of almost seven lengths justified their optimism. Satish Narredu's ability to pull off a gamble was never in doubt, but this was quite a revelation.

Pradeep Annaiah's Youre Chilubuli (Brave Hunter-Cheers Zone) had been steadily brought down at the scales, and was running at the bottom of a Class IV handicap for horses in his own age group. The presence of Bernard, who was bound to carry an over-weight, saw this horse being quoted at 5/1 in morning trade. A huge surge of money saw the odds against this horse tumbling down to 12/10 at race time. Punters who were ready to follow this trend were benefited by their decision. Youre Chilubuli showed remarkable speed to lead from the start, and after a couple of taps of the whalebone in the straight, was seen pulverising her opponents. Despite being allowed to relax in the final furlong, the five-year-old won by a widening margin of almost nine lengths at the wire. Even though he is bound to get a stiff penalty for this performance, it is more than likely that Youre Chilubuli may defy the handicapper. Man Down Under and Shot Of Gold were the best of the beaten brigade.

The Amit Caddy-Valdir Desouza bandwagon continued to roll on Saturday, when the duo scored another double through Price To Fame and Colour Of Money. Both these runners had finished second in their previous starts. The trainer had apparently worked hard with them and licked the two of them into good shape. Their victories were almost identical in nature. Both won from start to finish and were seen extending their margins in the straight. Nectar Crown tried his best to chase Price To Fame (Brave Hunter-Signs), but was unable to do so. He settled for the second spot ahead of a disinterested Aston Park. The last-named is getting ready for a coup at the beginning of summer. Colour Of Money (Oath-Deserting) had shown immense speed in his only career start. After leading for most of the way, he had been passed by Win Again in the final furlong. There was no such opponent today. Colour Of Money received all round support to start as an odds-on favourite in today's race. Desouza took him to the front and the horse raced well within himself while trouncing the opposition. Hillstone made up a lot of ground from the back to take the second spot. No Doubt was found to be totally flat-footed, as she plodded along to save place money for her followers.