Bharath Singh trained Castlebridge who narrowly failed to win the Kingfisher Ultra Derby had no problem in steamrolling the opposition in a common canter in the 1400 metres M W Chinnappa Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65, one of the highlights of races held on Friday at Mysore. The presence of Castleridge had heightened the interest in this race not because the favourite was expected to have any semblance of a fight. The interest was only in the quality of win that he would record.

Jockey Suraj Narredu took Castlebridge to the front from the start and the progeny of Burden of Proof had a break of four lengths which expanded to more than seven lengths by the time the champion passed the winning post. The jockey was not required to move a muscle while the horse did everything by himself which looked like easier than the morning track work. Castleridge has furnished nicely and it is highly unlikely that anyone in the country will be able to beat him over a mile-long trip in the form that he is in. Speed Hawk edged out Korol to get the second spot in what was only an academic interest about the minor placings.

The day`s feature event, the 1600 metres H H Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 75 and above, had an open look about it as the best performers had seen better days and the younger ones had not measured up. The choice of jockey for Shivalik Star in Mudassar Nazar was surprising because the stable jockey S John chose to partner Downtown Abbey which eventually became a favourite by default. Shivalik Star has always been a consistent performer, occasionally picking up a race when his turn came. He has never faltered on the Mysore track for every regular season, he has managed to squeeze out a win. Topspot did the front running with Goldberg, Shivalik Star and Flying Show in close attendance. Inside the final furlong, Shivalik Star managed to put his neck in front. Though he was strongly threatened by Flying Show and the late rallying Sea Fairey, Shivalik Star managed to spare a long neck at the finish. Sea Fairey has shown some spark after a long time and it is possible that he could pick up a race before long.

Padmanabhan trained Aaron The Baron was another good type of a youngster who won the 1600 metres Police Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65 in impressive fashion. The progeny of Excellent Art out of Oaks winning mare Rain Splasher raced in a handy striking position behind Markus Sittikus who held the lead going into the final furlong. A little bit of goading by jockey Sandesh saw the favourite pick up steam and sail the past front-runner for an easy win by four lengths over Siddhi who managed to edge past the long-time leader Markus Sittikus for the runner-up berth. Aaron The Baron should progress well enough during the season to make his mark over the longer trips in graded races. Grand Empire came up with a miserable performance though this got abroad was widely believed capable of winning in this company.

Vishal Yadav trained Nikka won the 1200 metres B A Nanaiah Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45 from Mistress of Spice. Jockey Arshad Alam was unable to ride Nikka in a straight line as the horse was inclined to run out despite the jockey using the whip on the left. Nikka came in the way of Mistress of Spice but that did not materially hurt her chances. As such, the objection by Ryan Ahmed who rode the runner up against Arshad Alam who was on the winner for interference was overruled, with the Stewards not wasting much time. Warren Singh trained Glittering Gold who was slightly mulish at the time of being loaded into the gates, however, was focused on the job at hand in the lower division of the race. Jockey Suraj Narredu had the favourite call the shots in front and Glittering Gold proved that she was infinitely superior to the opposition winning by a margin of over seven lengths. Spot Light who was sluggish at the start, ran on well towards the close to take the second position ahead of Cullinan.

Feroz M Khan trained Queen was a runaway winner of the 1400 metres Monsoon Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Queen burst clear of the pack in the final furlong and won the race as she pleased from Kir Royale and Flash Time. Arshad Alam was not required to exert even a bit on the winner.

Porrnachandra Tejaswi trained Amazing Beauty held off the late flourish of Dhanyavaad in the 1200 metres Yelahanka Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Amazing Beauty in the hands of apprentice jockey Waseemuddin established a good cushion in the final furlong which helped the filly prevail by a neck. Iroko was a well beaten third.

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Castlebridge (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the M.W.Chinnappa Memorial Trophy

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Amazing Beauty (Syed Waseemuddin up) winner of the Yelahanka Plate

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Glittering Gold (Suraj Narredu up) winner of the B.A.Nanaiah Memorial Trophy (Div-II)

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Nikka (Arshad Alam up) winner of the B.A.Nanaiah Memorial Trophy (Div-I)

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Aaron The Baron (A Sandesh up) winner of the Police Trophy

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Shivalik Star (Mudassar Nazar up) winner of the H.H.Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy

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