The Bangalore Summer Season took off to a sensational start with fancied horses scoring one after another in a well-field card of eight events on Saturday. They ran true to their winter form, and those of them who had been subjected to some rigorous workouts, had a distinct advantage over the others. The only race in which an on-money favourite got beaten on the last stride was The Karnataka Police Cup, which happened to be the feature event of the afternoon.

This mile handicap for horses in the highest class saw eight acceptors facing the starter. Prithviraj's Timeless Treasure had won a similar race during the last week of March, and barring the top-weighted Spark Of Gold, there was none in this group that shaped like a danger. The presence of champion jockey Suraj Narredu in the saddle seemed to be enough reason for punters to go nap on this horse. The fact that Spark Of Gold had run a brilliant race in the Stayer's Cup at Mumbai escaped their attention.

After winning last years Monsoon Derby at Kolkata, Gloriosa was reappearing on a race track after almost eight months and this absence was bound to show out in a race. Therefore, as far as the punters were concerned, Timeless Treasure was a "good thing". The early pace in this race was quite modest, with Western Command showing the way to Hill Of Grace, Magnanimity and Phoenix Reach. While Gloriosa missed the kick and lost a couple of lengths at the start, Spark Of Gold was held back in mid group till the horses began to take the rising ground at the three furlong marker.

It was unusual to see Suraj maintaining his tight hold on Timeless Treasure, who was racing last but one as the runners swung for home. The early efforts of the front group began to show in the straight. All four of them packed up in a hurry, and allowed the chasing group to forge ahead. Spark Of Gold swept into the lead and went a length clear of Timeless Treasure. In the meantime, Gloriosa was switched towards the inner rails and asked to quicken. It became pretty evident at this stage that it was going to be a two horse affair.

Under the strong riding of Rupesh, Spark Of Gold was able to maintain his advantage till the very end. Timeless Treasure was able to reduce the margin with each passing moment, but his supporters were dismayed to see him miss by a short head. Winning trainer Prasanna Kumar was delighted to see his ward carrying 63 kilos to a thrilling victory. For many years now, The Kunigal Stud Farm has been claiming the honour of being the leading stud farm by having the maximum number of winners in a season at Bangalore.

Saturday afternoon was quite special for this breeding establishment. Five out of the eight races were won by horses bred at this farm. While Soviet Melody and Sweet Caroline won for the first time in their careers, Love Conquers All, Joriki and Spearhead reproduced some known form to record their triumphs. All five of them won almost in identical fashion, as the victories were effortless and easy.

Dr Vijay Mallya's retained South African jockey J G Sampson made a superb debut on Indian soil by winning on all three horses that he rode today. Sampson and Attaollahi were able to score a popular double with Sweet Caroline and Spearhead. Three year-old Sweet Caroline was a firm favourite ahead of Bugatti in a sprint race for maiden three year-olds. She was looking the part, as she sported a fine coat and was on her toes in the parade ring.

With Bugatti getting withdrawn at the starting gates, the race finally turned out to be a procession. Sweet Caroline went to the front and stayed there. All Sampson had to do was to keep waving his stick at the filly. Citrali and Sky Glider were involved in a close finish for the second spot. It must have done a lot of good for the jockey’s confidence, as he was on his way to making a winning debut in Indian racing. It is learnt that the young man has close to 800 winners across many international race tracks. Good horses can be brought back to peak form by a certain amount of patience, care, understanding and tender handling.

Trainer Attaolahi showed all these qualities by producing Spearhead in immaculate condition in the paddock today. The stable had a very high opinion about this horse, and as a three year old, he was considered to be a Classic hopeful of his connections. Spearhead seemed to have lost his zest for racing, as he began putting in some poor performance. His master was aware of his abilities and refused to give up. He nurtured him back to peak fitness, and the result was there for all to see.

He ploughed through a field of Class III milers and romped home in spectacular fashion. The nine long lengths that he spared to second placed Spark Of Reverence fails to tell the entire story. Spearhead is likely to receive a stiff penalty after this race, but is he capable of repeating on promotion. Modern Art beat a bunch of disinterested runners to end a faraway third. The powerful stable of Western India champion Pesi Shroff saw its first runner strike gold. Three year-old Eloise was entered in a sprint handicap for horses in Class III.

Neil Darashah's Friendly Bond was the rage in this race. Having won his only career start in a smart timing on the local track during winter, Friendly Bond was considered to be a horse with a lot of potential. It was felt that outstation horses need a run under their belt before winning a race on the tight and tough Bangalore track. The declaration of apprentice Zervan astride Eloise was another dampener. However, the confidence of her connections was reflected on the betting boards.

Eloise was backed down to joint favouritism with Friendly Bond. The race itself revealed the superiority of Eloise. Despite the young apprentice getting caught behind a wall of horses, switching lanes towards the outside, swinging eight horses wide into the homestretch and finishing on the outer strip of the grass track, Eloise won by a widening margin of almost four lengths. If this is any sort of yardstick that one can measure the abilities of the horses that have arrived from Mumbai, then we must get prepared to watch some intense competition over the next couple of months.

For the record, Friendly Bond failed to dislodge Flying Tricolour from the second spot and had to ultimately finish a poor third. Dhariwal's Joriki had made a fine impression while winning her maiden start during the last week of the winter season. Her master had got encouraged by that performance, and had opted to run her again within five days of her debut. The step-up in distance as well as the short gap between the two runs were the reasons for her undoing. She ended a dismal fourth on that day. The six week rest did her a world of good. With Prakash reporting sick, Joriki provided Sampson with an opportunity to complete his hat-trick of victories.

He took a smart jump and was alongside Amber Star for most of the way. Joriki quickened into the lead thereafter, and was seen racing clear of Corleone for the rest of the way. Sampson seems to be a quick learner as he has read the situation perfectly. In order to give your horse the best chance of winning on the Bangalore track, a jockey must take an advantageous position fairly early in a race. Sampson is quick at the gates.

One may argue that his winners today were superior to the opposition, but then we must remember that a horse still needs to be guided past the winning post. PS Chouhan drove Dominic's Love Conquers All to a fine victory over Crown Vision, and landed a neat gamble for the stable. He was the only three year-old in this field to have won over seven furlongs. He had been subjected to some solid preparation, and that ultimately reflected on the track. Favourite Crown Vision was taken by Srinath on a start to finish mission, and the tactics were nearly successful. But for the sparkling acceleration shown by Love Conquers All, Crown Vision would have won this race.

The other runners led by Stormyred ended way behind the leading pair. The winner was seen to be getting stronger at the finish and this augurs well for his future. He is likely to become a top-class miler. The only other race in the day's card was the opening event of the day. Lokanath's Soviet Melody stood head and shoulders above her class B rivals. The youngster was being campaigned in the lowest class, and her efforts during the winter months in maiden company were good enough to win this race.

Soviet Melody was backed accordingly and reached the gates as the half-money favourite. Apprentice Sreenath showed her daylight near the two furlong pole, and the filly responded gamely. She tore way from the others and justified the short odds quoted on her. Good Gift and Rainbow Rising filled the rest of the frame.