Nesto who had recently migrated to trainer Puttanna`s yards from Neil Darashah, recorded an encore staving off the late challenge of Shrewd Master to win the 1200 metres Stewards Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above, which featured a drab card of eight events that were gone through on Thursday. One cannot help but wonder how the authorities manage to piece together such a disastrous card. Surely they can plan better to prevent mediocrity ruling the roost.

The feature event had an open look about it. Scarlet Emperor who was bidding to achieve a hat-trick was the favourite ahead of Nesto and others. In Bangalore, younger horses invariably find it tough to bag a hat-trick of wins as each win attract a crushing penalty as the handicapper gets aggressive in his attempt to stop the horse from marching on. On the other hand, older horses, winning narrowly, have greater chance to win more races in Bangalore. Scarlet Emperor looked out of depth, did not get a good start and finished poorly. It was reported that he bled. Jockey Imran Khan on Nesto darted right across the field from the outside draw to take position behind Mickey Mouse before putting his horse in top gear with about 300 metres left in the race. Nesto quickened well and established a winning lead which held him in good stead as it helped to thwart the late flourish of last outing winner Shrewd Maser. Mickey Mouse ran on to finish third ahead of Topspot.

Padmanabhan trained Anarosa proved too good for the opposition in the 2000 metres Bhagamandala Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Though the filly fought for her head in the early part of the race, she settled down well in the latter half of the race. She easily collared the front running Turf Tactics and was hailed a winner long way from home. Turf Tactics stayed put in second position ahead of Big Ticket. Romeo was withdrawn from the fray on veterinary grounds.

Neil Darashah trained Goldberg made an emphatic debut in the 1100 metres Belur Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds. The progeny of Nakul Stud Farm`s new stallion West Virginia, Goldberg hit the front straightaway and skipped away from the rest to record an impressive win. Favourite Able Friend struggled to keep pace but managed to save the second spot in a close finish over Hand of Fury and Agustina. Amit Cady trained Heisenberg came in for sustained betting in the lower division of the race and the favourite readily obliged beating the challenge of Ignition and Shining Armor.

The 1200 metres Ramanagar Plate, a race for horses rated 0 to 25, was restricted to jockeys and horses who had not won a race. The qualification for horses was also something on the same lines. They could have added one more parameter that is to restrict the race to trainers who too had drawn a blank. Then it would become a sure battle of mediocrity. The race was won by lesser fancied Oriental Belle who gained ground along the rails and made a good rally to land the spoils. Carbonado could have pulled it off but for a poor ride given by jockey B Harish.

Last start winner Amanda recorded an easy win in the 1400 metres Devarayanadurga Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Punters were confused as the stable`s other horse, Mystical Shadow, came in for big betting, with its odds crashing significantly. In the battle of outsiders, Amanda won easily from long shot Zeshan and White Raindrops. Fancied Our Little Dragon packed up after being prominent well into the straight while Mystical Shadow was not spotted at the busy end.

The well backed Bella Pinky obliged in the 1200 metres Gadag Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. The favourite had things under control right from the word `go` and easily beat the challenge of poorly ridden Better Than Ever. The odds drift on Union Jack was a clear indication that he was not a serious horse in the fray and he ran accordingly. Shoot Out had all the credentials and jockey Imran Chisty had the seven year old shoot into the lead in the final furlong and had enough reserve to keep the late challenge of Icepick Willie at bay to win the lower division of the race. Incidentally the winners of both these divisions were trained by Imtiaz Ali.