Narayana Gowda trained Mickey Mouse slammed the opposition in the Gr 3 Sprinters Trial Stakes, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Friday`s Bangalore races in a splendid timing of one minute 11.4 seconds. The seven-year-old Mickey Mouse who has been campaigned over varying trips at regular intervals showed that he is peaking now and could be a force to reckon with in the Sprinters Cup to be held in Bangalore on the first Saturday of March. Mickey Mouse established his credentials with this resounding win despite having run only last week and won over a mile. He seems to be more suited to the shorter version of the sprint.

Smile Stone had done exceedingly well this season but frequent runs have taken the edge off him. Despite enjoying favouritism in what appeared an open affair, Smile Stone, after a brisk start from the gates, fell back and had to so much to cover in a competitive field that he finished poorly. Solomon who had won the Sprinters Cup at Mumbai a couple of years ago, had been relocated to Chennai and the horse from that City which is seeing the resurgence of racing, led the field from the start and had the lead well into the straight. New Prince who chased him, could not cope with the speed and fell behind. Mickey Mouse who was initially in about the fifth position which is quite unlike his regular pattern when he has always been tried with start to finish tactics produced a stunning run in the final furlong and stormed clear close home to record an emphatic win. Solomon stayed on to take the second position ahead of Shivalik Star while the late rally by Satellite was not good enough to fetch the six-year-old mare more than the fourth position. Judging by the performance of horses which are likely to be nominated from Bangalore, Mickey Mouse appears the best. Mickey Mouse is an exception to the erratic form fluctuations of the stable.

Darius Byramji trained Botswana Colt had a forward run last time out and looked ready to win the 1400 metres Topmost Cup, a terms race for maiden three-year-olds. Jockey Srinath had no hesitation in taking the well-prepared son of Multidimensional to the front and the favourite stayed there without facing any resistance from the rest. Botswana Colt eventually won by a widening margin of five lengths over So Mi Dar and Shivalik Crown.

Prasanna Kumar trained I`ve Got Clout who had been consistent but finding the winning post elusive, finally made it in the 1400 metres Galloping Acres Stud Plate, a race for horses rated 45 to 65. Amazing Redd had the lead going into the final furlong and looked good enough to win but the late surge of I`ve Got Clout put paid to the hopes of the front-runner who finished second best for the third time in a row. War Envoy who was the favourite, found foot late but had an impossible task in the final furlong and had to settle for the third slot.

Irfan Ghatala trained Grecian Light had been showing a decent form to be considered as a strong contender for the 1200 metres Chamundi Hill Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 15 to 35. There was significant thrust on High Admiral. High Admiral was in the reckoning in the final furlong but closer home, Grecian Light came from way off the pace and easily collared the front-runner and recorded a comfortable win in the hands of jockey S John. Island Pearl held off Varsha to get the third place. There was significant support for Sandhu trained Iron Man in the lower division of the race. The paddock looks too were impressive and it came as no surprise when Iron Man who had an airing last time out, chased runaway leader Princess Holly into the straight before asserting his undoubted supremacy to win by a handsome margin. Blessed One made a late rally and succeeded in getting the second place ahead of Princess Holly.

Faraz Arshad trained Tuscano brought off an upset in the 1600 metres Ilkal Plate, a race for horses rated 30 to 50. Tuscano tracked Only Prince who was bidding for a hat-trick and measured the front-runner in the final furlong to win in a close finish from Proudprince and Only Prince. Frenemee who came in for spirited betting could have won with a more enterprising ride than the one given by Mukesh. Frenemee got a clear path to make his bid only in the final 100 metres. Though the eight-year-old Frenemee accelerated well, he fell short narrowly and finished fourth, three necks separating the first four placed horses.

Trainer Pradeep Annaiah and jockey Pradeep Chouhan found an elusive winner through Dancing Princess who won the 1400 metres Brahmaputra Plate, a race for horses rated 15 to 35. Dancing Princess produced striking acceleration with 200 metres left in the race to go storming clear and won the race easily from late rallying Summer Star and Freestyle.

Sandhu trained Thalassa was well backed to win the 1400 metres Murudeshwara Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Thalassa measured the front-running Slightly Blonde and surged ahead in the final 100 metres to record an easy win. Slightly Blonde saved the second position from Don`tworrymonday by a short neck.