Prasanna Kumar`s Rock Bank returned to the Mysore track after a 50-day “holiday” and promptly reminded punters why he is considered a fixed deposit that actually pays interest. Backed as if defeat was not even a theoretical possibility, the gelding waltzed away with the 1600 metres Rajakumari Leelavathi Devi Memorial Trophy — Thursday`s feature for the 80-plus rated brigade — without so much as breaking a sweat.

Sent out on a start-to-finish mission by jockey Neeraj Rawal, Rock Bank had Magnetic, Santarino, and the nostalgia act Touch of Grey for company. (Yes, the same Touch of Grey who once won the Mysore Derby two years ago — and has since been living on reputation).

When Touch of Grey came storming from the back in a nostalgic attempt to turn back the clock, Rock Bank barely blinked — he shifted gears, drew away, and left the old Derby winner looking… well, just grey. Magnetic, after huffing and puffing in vain pursuit, ran out of charge and settled for third, while Santarino found this company far too hot, trailing home a distant spectator.

The curtain-raiser at Thursday`s Mysore races, the 1600 metres Shimsha Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category, looked less like a horse race and more like a bar menu mixed with a Marvel script — Free To Win, Sling Shot, Shock And Awe, Striking Eyes, Double Scotch, and for some reason, Eco System.

And then came the comedy twist: Shock And Awe, who had achieved precisely nothing to earn punters` affection, suddenly got hammered in the betting ring into on-money favouritism. Nobody knows why. Perhaps the horse whispered sweet nothings to the bookmakers, or maybe punters mistook the odds board for a clearance sale. Predictably, Shock And Awe lived up only to the first half of her name — shocked at the avalanche of cash and awed by her own inability to run straight, she promptly drifted backward and sideways, doing everything and almost wandering onto the sand track.

Free To Win briefly entertained the idea of actually living up to the name by galloping several lengths ahead, with Sling Shot playing the sidekick in pursuit. But the punchline belonged to Ranjeet Shinde`s Eco System, who swooped in late to restore the balance of nature — and the bookmakers` profits — with a smart win at a tasty price. Sling Shot managed second, Striking Eyes followed (still waiting for those eyes to strike something other than disappointment), and the punters, as usual in Mysore, were left playing blindfold chess.

Arjun Mangalorkar`s Winfield went into the 1800 metres Ranga Family Cup carrying the hopes of punters who, for once, decided to ignore everyone else in the race. And the favourite obliged without fuss.

Mystikos played the role of pace-setter, with Winfield shadowing her so closely it looked like they were on a tandem ride, while Small Dreams lived up to its name by dreaming small and achieving even less. At the turn, Winfield finally remembered he was the hotshot, swatted Mystikos aside like an annoying fly, and cantered home with ridiculous ease. Mystikos clung to second, fending off Whirlwind, who was far too late to justify the name.

Silicon Star, who famously “planted” in the gates 60 days ago when sent out favourite under the now-suspended Warren Singh, resurfaced under new trainer Lokanath looking like a reprogrammed model. Backed as though there was no Plan B in the 1400 metres Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Sports Club Cup (Div I), the gelding tracked Knotty Affair into the straight before finally switching on. With jockey Ramu — ironically the same rider for the gate fiasco — guiding him, Silicon Star redeemed himself with a smooth win. Selma followed in third, playing a background role.

The lower division was where the drama unfolded. Eclipse Pulse ticked every box as the obvious favourite, but punters being punters, someone decided Sandal King deserved a flood of money — perhaps imagining a sandalwood-scented miracle. Apprentice Aasirvatham wasted no time, hurled Eclipse Pulse to the front, and even though the horse wandered, he still won handsomely. Totally Epic lived up to half its name by running late but not epic enough, while Sandal King managed a polite appearance on the board, finishing third.

The day ended the way it began — with a jolt. Jockey Ramu, who seems to alternate between stranding horses and springing them out like jack-in-the-boxes, produced both versions in one afternoon. After guiding Silicon Star to redemption earlier, he turned statue again in the last race, the 1100 metres Indradhanush Plate.

The Lady Emporio, inexplicably backed as though punters had selective amnesia (despite finishing 13 lengths behind last time), never left the gates. Ramu stayed put, horse stayed put, and the avalanche of money drowned right there at the start.

While punters cursed the market trend, trainer H Moses`s Felicita had things her way — led from the off and cruised home comfortably, with Furious Fun and Break Away in tow. As for the second favourite Knotty In Blue, he lived up to his name — knotty to back, knotty to trust.