Ganapathy trained Bold Majesty accomplished what the majority expected when landing the Gr 1 Legacy Bangalore Derby, the biggest attraction of the winter season in front of a capacity crowd at Bangalore on Monday. Bold Majesty towered over the rest by virtue of impressive achievements and jockey Sandesh rode him with the expertise of an accomplished jockey and was unperturbed when coming from way off the pace to measure the front running Authentic in the final moments of the race.

This year`s winter Derby offered a record prize money of over Rs 1.5 crores with the winner getting a whopping Rs 92,94,913 thanks to three final entries for the race. Bold Majesty should have gone to the post at a short price but surprisingly the odds expanded on him though there was no perceptible danger from the opposition. Barring a below par performance, it was difficult to expect Bold Majesty to be toppled. The others seemed to be in the fray to fight for minor berths as they lacked class. Rajesh Narredu trained Authentic who is a stout stayer put up a game show, refusing to give up easily and fought on till the end. Bold Majesty`s class and consistency helped him to overcome his opponent.

Torch Bearer went so fast in front that if the progeny of Burden of Proof were to last out the trip at that pace, he would have done so in record timing. Torch Bearer brought the field into view before fading out of sight. Authentic, Speed Hawk, Athens were in close proximity with the front runner while the others were spaced out behind, with Bold Majesty eased in about seventh or eighth position. Sandesh was not unduly bothered by the frenetic pace in front and he waited for the space to open in the straight before settling alight the progeny of Multidimensional. The Usha Stud Farm produce gathered momentum in the final furlong and overhauled the front running Authentic with minimum of fuss. Sandesh later said that he always knew that he had more on hand and he was not worried by Authentic establishing a useful lead. Athens ran on to finish third ahead of Azzurro. The winner clocked a smart time of two minutes 31.04 seconds. Bold Majesty is possibly headed for the Indian Derby to be held next Sunday. Hyderabad challenger Net Champ was a non starter, withdrawn on veterinary grounds.

Suleiman Attaollahi trained Arrogant Approach recoded a hat-trick of wins by winning the 1600 metres Bangalore Race Course 152nd Year Commemoration Cup, a terms race for four year olds and over in the best timing for the season at one minute 36.39 seconds. Jockey Srinath was unseated at the jump out on Alexander Mills. The race was run at a furious pace so much so that Duma was completely outpaced and trailed the field by over distance. I`M Different set a race spoiler pace followed by Acclaimed, Ethophian and Arrogant Approach. The pace was bound to take its toll as the first three runners who ran out of steam in the straight. Sandesh improved places on Arrogant Approach earlier than he would have wanted but the game son of Carnival Dancer responded well to the demands of the jockey and broke into a good lead in the final furlong. Duma hung in before jockey Steyn could get the five year old mare going. By the time Duma began to devour ground, Arrogant Approach was already in sight of the post. Arrogant Approach checked in a shade more than a length at the finish with Duma full of running at the finish.

Power of Time had won so impressively last time out that a hat-trick looked a distinct possibility for the five year old in the Vidhana Soudha Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. With Mickey Mouse coming in for big support, Power of Time was available at good odds. Power of Time had the race under control in the final furlong though Mickey Mouse came home with a rush and only managed in stretching the fancied runner to stave off his opponent. Though Kingston Town was a good type of a horse, he had run way below par in his last run and as such, went to the post at big odds in the lower division of the race. Wings of Fortune came in for big support only let down his supporters with amazing regularity. King of the Court shot ahead in the straight with One Of A Kind in chase. Kingston Town moved between these two horses with hardly any effort on the part of the jockey and went cantering away from these two runners. The ease with which Kingston Town won surely came as a surprise King of the Court held off One Of A Kind for the runner berth.

Youre Ashwashakthi who had lost by a short head to Authentic who ran a mighty race in the Derby was the firm favourite for 1200 metres Vijayanagar Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. The horse ran a pathetic race and was never in contention highlighting the folly of supporting such horses that have more hype than substance. The race was won by Mandarin who benefitted from a good forward run and won with ease from Spanish Moon and Black Areca. The lower division of the race was claimed by rank outsider Starhunt who just about held on to win from another long shot and debutant Renee. Hereto the fancied runners made no show.

Ganapathy trained Oxford Opinion recorded an encore when giving weight and a beating to his opponents in the 1400 metres NRCE Cup, a race for three year olds. Sandesh waited for spaces in the straight and he swiftly reacted to the opening along the rails and pushed Oxford Opinion to take over the running. The progeny of Medicean quickened well to go storming clear and won with great deal of ease from favourite Haven Is Here who struggled for speed in the straight. Revelnation just about failed to snatch the runner up berth from the favourite.

The well backed Connemara recorded a win after 338 days when keeping stablemate Star of Destiny at bay in the 1800 metres Indian Republic Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Star of Destiny could have got the measure of the favourite with a more enterprising ride.

Capitalize who had been waited with for long was the betting rage in the 1600 metres Talkad Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Capitalize was desperately ridden to win from Seven of Hearts by a fast diminishing margin of a neck.