Srinivas Babu trained Flash Drive continued his upward march on the local track with a smashing win in the 1600 metres Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above, the feature event of Wednesday`s Mysore races. Glorious Light who was widely expected to produce a repeat winning performance performed poorly. Fancied runners ruled the roost in the small card of six events.
Flash Drive was held back in the rear group as Royal Shaan and then Obelinna Princess did the pace setting. Rounding the final turn, Flash Drive improved place in a few fractions and then bounced clear in the final furlong to win by a widening margin of five lengths. Spiritual Blue who habitually misses the kick, once again finished on well to take the second spot ahead of Society Music who finished clear of the rest. The winner is in such rousing form that a hat-trick is not ruled out.

The well backed Markus Sittikus obliged in the Kodlipet Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65 quite capably. The favourite took over the running from Ice Splendour inside the final two furlongs and skipped clear. Though he came off the rails and raced towards the outer side of the track, he had enough ammunition to win from late rallying Storming Home who literally raced on the edge of the track but nevertheless covered good ground in the end. The latter should strike before long. Albatross was third. Tejaswi trained Bucethalis ended the long wait of 763 days while returning to winner`s enclosure. Bucethalis, who had the required money riding on him for his success, was in earnest right from the word `go` and led by lengths in the lower division of the race. Going into the final furlong, he had the race sewn up though the late rally of Aristomache added some spice to the race as the six year old mare came within a length of the front runner. Reanna who was in second position weakened to finish third.

Vishal Yadav trained Kaguya Himei had no problem in tackling the opposition in the 1400 metres Republican Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. Kaguya Himei had things under control and looked a clear winner well before the final furlong. Midnight Breeze was driven out under the use of the whip but the three year old was a reluctant to produce that bit extra and was a tame second ahead of late finishing Generous Gesture.

Santosh Rao trained Small Cruise fought valiantly along the rails with a never say die approach and eventually managed to get the better of Oro Plate who held on to the initiative till the closing strides of the race. Ophira had all the chances but quickened only when Small Cruise had reached the safety of the winning post but nevertheless managed to edge out Oro Plate for the runner up berth.

Zareer Darashah`s Blue Zone had no problem in obliging favouritism in the 1400 metres Red Rufus Plate. Blue Zone raced a handy second behind Flirting King before taking over the running after the first two furlongs had been travelled and stayed put there. Black Dragon and Brigadier who were sluggish at start ran on well towards the end to occupy the next two slots.