Suleiman Attaollahi trained Acclaimed who had been pretty consistent but finding the winning post elusive, came good in the Gr 3 H H Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a terms race for four year olds and over, the feature event of Friday`s Mysore races. Acclaimed staved off the late bid of Alexander Mills to record a win after a break of 355 days. Favourite Royal Salute disappointed with a dismal performance and he was reported to have come back lame.

Royal Salute, after his exploits during the summer season and his awesome performance against quality opposition at Pune, was installed the favourite though he was taking on the opposition whom he had beaten in the past at difference of weights which was bound to have a bearing on his chances. The odds drifted tremendously on Royal Salute, with Acclaimed coming in for solid support close to race time. Jockey Imran Khan took Royal Salute to the front but he could not breathe easy as Acclaimed was on his heels all the time. Shivalik Star, Alexandra Mills, Dyna, Smile Stone raced behind with So Fast tailed off last.

Approaching the final bend, it was clear that Royal Salute was leading only on sufferance as Acclaimed was cruising up. Jockey Trevor Patel pressed the accelerator immediately after turning for home and the progeny of Burden of Proof quickened for home. Acclaimed established a good cushion over the rest which helped him in good stead as Aleaxandra Mills who had lost pace to drop back to almost the rear position produced tremendous acceleration in the final furlong and very nearly overhauled the front runners who barely managed to stay put with a gutsy effort. Shivalik Star who was in chase of the eventual winner, weakened to finish third while Royal Salute finished poorly. So Fast covered lot of ground in the straight to finish fourth from way off the pace.

Gregory Sandhu trained Ungoogleable just about managed to survive by a whisker over fast finishing Capri and Emperor Cruise in the 1200 metres Safi Darashah Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Ungoogleable and Shrewd Master were the joint favourites but the latter was out of the reckoning well before the race came on the boil. Ungoogleable displaced Will Star from the lead inside the final two furlongs and fought on resolutely to stave off the late rallies made by his opponents. In the act of doing so, Ungoogleable drifted out of a straight course and came in the path of Precious Replica who had to be checked to prevent clipping the five year old gelding. At the same time, Capri moved in on the wide outside and ducked towards the inside which also contributed to Precious Replica from going out of contention. Emperor Cruise who was carrying the top weight of 64 kgs showed semblance of returning to form with a noteworthy run along the inside and missed toppling the joint favourite narrowly. After several indifference performances, Emperor Cruise has advertised his readiness to strike if and when there is a will to exploit his form. There was an objection by Saddam Hussain who rode Precious Replica against Arshad Alam who rode the winner and A Qureshi who rode Capri for interference but the same was overruled. Though there was interference, it did not warrant reversing of positions.

Trevor has been riding with such gusto and enthusiasm so much so that every horse he rides invariably attracts solid betting. However, he failed to deliver on favourite Castle Key in the 1200 metres R R Komandur Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Castle Key had slight interference half way through the race which cost a couple of lengths. And in the straight when he looked like he would pull through, he shifted out under pressure. Magical Light who was handily placed, profited from the travails of the favourite to record a comfortable win. Silent Trust ran on to finish third. Trevor had no problem in driving out Satellite for an emphatic win over Super Success in the lower division of the race. Satellite shot into the lead inside the final furlong and stretched away to win by over four lengths. Anfield ran on from behind to take the third place.

There was market buzz about the prospects of Cyclops in the 1600 metres Datta Jewellers Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45 but the five year old turned out to be a false favourite as he made no show. Viktor who was available at fancy odds, moved up on the wide outside before moving over to the rails passing the half way mark and travelled so well into the straight that he was hailed a winner long way from home. Always On Top who was in earnest chase of Viktor managed to keep the runner up berth thwarting the bid of Active Grey.

Srinivas trained Tempest was the recipient of sustained support in the 1400 metres Jog Falls Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45 for Mysore based horses. Tempest swiftly improved places approaching the final bend and easily overhauled the front running Rule Forever to assume command. Tempest won pulling up from Ireland who was hard ridden to claim the second spot ahead of Kaguya Himei.

In one of tightest finishes seen this season, Alecia just about held on to win from Romeo, German Guide and Mystic Music, the 1600 metres Yelahanka Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Suraj Narredu pushed Romeo to take over the running at the top of the straight with Alecia hot on his heels. The two broke away from the pack with German Guide too improving swiftly and being angled out to get a clear run. Mystic Music came up with a flourish from behind. It was difficult to predict who could be the possible winner as these four runners headed towards the finish. Alecia just about nosed out Romeo by a whisker by getting the nod in the bob of heads. Golden Guide was another half a length away and only a whisker ahead of Mystic Music. Favourite Sharp Witted was not spotted at the busy end.

One could not understand why there was exclusive betting on Ice Kingdom in the 1400 metres Lt Col D K Mistry Memorial Plate, a race for lowest rated horses. Ice Kingdom raced in the rear right from the start and punters had lost their precious money in the first furlong itself. There was quiet support for Sharat Kumar trained Musical Treasure who had won in the higher class about 280 days ago. Musical Treasure raced in about the fourth position into the straight and quickly progressed thereafter and had the race sewn up long way from home. Musical Treasure won pulling up by over five lengths with Brown Panther a well beaten second ahead of Amazing Striker.