Monnappa trained Script Writer came good in the competitive 1600 metres Mysore Race Club Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Wednesday`s Mysore races. The progeny of Whatthescript who had been consistently finding one better in as many as four outings, broke the jinx in her sixth run when coming from way off the pace to measure the front running favourite Anantara to land richly endowed race. The fancied duo of Anantara and Rafa let down expectations.

Anantara who had won her last outing on the local track was backed strongly to win the Million though she had won the Fillies Championship by beating a horse which hadn`t come out of the maidens ranks. Rafa who had more experience was the second favourite though by virtue of his having run second to Aster Rose in one of his outings in Bangalore, he should have been better supported. But in hindsight, the price quoted on him suggested that something was amiss and this was confirmed when the progeny of Mathematician finished a dismal last against some mediocre horses. One is not sure what went wrong but such topsy-turvy results are common for horses of the stable from which Rafa hails from.

Jockey John had Rafa take over the running from the start with Anantara in a handy second position followed by Smart N Noble, Gusty Wind, Pikachu, Script Writer and Eon who was tailed off last. Rafa looked beat even before taking the final turn and Anantara shot ahead on straightening for home. However, the filly was not quickening the way as anticipated and was plodding in front and was leading on sufferance. Script Writer who enjoyed a pull in weights, picked up acceleration tremendously in the final furlong and easily sailed past the favourite to record a handsome win. Pikachu was third. The victory was a welcome one for Monnappa who has been enjoying a good run and this success does a world of good to the confidence of Mysore based trainers as they get red to take on their counterparts from Bangalore during the main season that starts on August 25.

Sharavanan trained New World rallied well in the straight to get the better of Kaguya Himei to win the 2000 metres Shivanasamudra Plate, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Extra Spark was more strongly supported than the rest to maintain his winning form. New World did not have a great start as he took a fly jump and trailed the field well into the straight. Kaguya Himei was taken on a start to finish mission and appeared to have a healthy cushion going into the final furlong as the others who were in close proximity were going nowhere. New World put paid to the hopes of the front runner as he galloped resolutely in the hands of apprentice Lalit and managed to surge ahead in the final moments of the race. Extra Spark was a tame third.

Veteran trainer Darashah`s ward Alps had the best chance to win the 1400 metres Narmada Plate (Div I), a race for lowest rated horses after her forward run where she had finished second best to Felix Legion. Zervan had Alps racing in front and the progeny of Phoenix Tower enjoyed an uncontested lead which stretched to 10 lengths by the time she went past the winning post. Alps eventually won by a widening margin of 10 lengths over Jump In The Red and New Sunrise. The lower division of the race was won by long shot Everlasting Memory who had no trouble in winning start to finish in the hands of jockey Sahanawaz. The rest of the runners didn`t look the part. Blackwind ran on from behind to take the second place ahead of Vrajanandan.

The runaway victory of Alps served to highlight the fact that Felix Legion who had beaten the former quite easily in his last outing, had a great chance to score in the 1600 metres Kengeri Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Though Felix Legion drifted out of a straight course in the final furlong, he proved too good for the rest by checking in more than six lengths ahead of Ice Brown and favourite Alecia.

Michael Eshwer trained Michaela was expected to record an encore in the 1400 metres Koramangala Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65 and was accordingly backed to odds on favouritism. Though the well backed daughter of Roderic O`Connor obliged in the hand, she had to survive a scare from Tremendous who put immense pressure on the favourite but failed by a whisker in the end. Queen was faraway third.

Favourite Sea Lagoon was ridden out to contain the challenge of Strengthandwonder to win the 1600 metres Golden Fantasy Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. John went on a start to finish mission on the favourite. Strengthandwonder went in chase but took a long time to warm up. Invincible Wish came to essay a strong challenge in the final furlong but in the end weakened to fade out of contention. Strengthandwonder picked up momentum even as Sea Lagoon was tiring and finished with a strong effort but the favourite lasted out to win by a neck.

M P Kamath saddled a brace of winners as apart from Felix Legion, he had the winner in the first race of the day, the 1200 metres Capt Nabi Khan Memorial Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class. Ayahuasca was not tested by any of the runners as he won the race with great deal of ease from Friends Forever and Saratoga Spring.