War Head outclassed his rivals in the Ansbach Cup, the main event of the opening day’s races of the Winter Races at Mysore. The eight-year-old son of Glory Of Dancer relished the wet underfoot condition and galloped to a run-away victory. Hitting the front from the start, War Head brought the field onto the home stretch and kicked on in the hands of Jockey Vivek. Behram improved to be second while Royal View finished on, to take the third spot.

The first day’s race, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, 11th November, was since postponed to Tuesday, 16th November. The weather being clear and sunny before the start of the first race, suddenly changed complexion, and turned into a wet day, with rains lashing Mysore during the third race. The completion of the entire day’s card was in doubt after the jockeys complained about the track being shifty and the visibility being poor. However, with conditions improving gradually, the jockeys completed their engagements to the relief of the racing public.

Trainer S. Ravi Shanker and apprentice M. Rajesh Kumar combined to score a double. Bocconcino (Bee’s Prospector – Asprilla), being speedy at the start, set out in front, in The Bramhaputra Plate, run over seven furlongs. The short-priced favourite, Passage Of Time, emerged from a handy third, approaching the final turn to challenge Bocconcino strongly but failed to collar him. Killer Foot improved from behind but the rider looked to be content with a third place.

The duo pulled off a win on Billo Rani (Brave Hunter – After Glow) in the higher division of The Vishakapattana Plate and survived an objection from the third-placed She’s For Cash. Billo Rani veered out on the home stretch with She’s For Cash on her outside. As the two were engaged in a fight till the finish, Badda Rupaiyya raised a late gallop to sneak into the second position. Jockey Goutham Raj Urs, who rode She’s For Cash, raised an objection on apprentice M. Rajesh Kumar for taking him out almost to the outer sand track and that was overruled by the stewards.

The lower division turned out to be a nail-biting finish between Faction Leader and Vertex with the former holding on by a hair line. Faction Leader (Tocave Botta – Sheesmine) chose to take the route along the rails while Vertex moved around horses with both making their move at the same juncture, passing the distance post. Faction Leader took a lead and that came in handy when Vertex flew on the wide outside.

Trainer Rakesh’s On Call (Black Cash – Weathering) pulled off a coup in The Erode Plate, run over 1,400 metres. Jumping out well from outside draw, On Call got to the front very quickly and never looked back. Mr. Sunrise was in futile chase while Milagro improved towards the closing stages to end up third. Turf Raider (Young Senor – Corn Fleur) tracked Milford till the top of the straight, surged ahead and ran away by a distance in The Princess Huma Plate. Greek Ship, Eona and Preset filled the frame.

C.D. Monnappa’s Looking To Lead (Glory Of Dancer – Princess Cut) burst into the lead inside the final furlong, taking over from the front-running Miss Ruby and scored an encore in the higher division of the Gol Gumbaz Plate. Zanzara flashed on late to push Miss Ruby to the third spot. The lower division was a three-way close finish between Real Magic, Skyfleet and Beau Monde. Darashah-trained Real Magic (Gaswar – Gatling) had a clear advantage of over two lengths, inside the last 200 metres but started to shift out and shorten her strides.

After the finish, it was observed that Real Magic had burst her blood vessel. The rider of second-placed Skyfleet raised an unsuccessful objection against the winner for shifting out. Trainer Sharavanan’s Bee For You (Bee’s Prospector – Ashwa Kirti) started the day with a pillar-to-post victory in The Kaiga Plate. Nano Blue was in futile chase throughout.