Aashay Doctor-trained Meropi apparently decided that Thursday`s Gr 2 Mysore Dasara Sprint Championship was more of a personal workout than a race. The country`s top sprinter took one look at the opposition and probably wondered if they`d turned up by mistake. Sent off at suffocatingly short odds, the Western Aristocrat progeny barely broke a sweat as she sauntered home three lengths clear under Trevor Patel — who, truth be told, spent more effort holding her back than urging her forward.

The script was simple: Pure For Sure and Decacorn played the part of early pacemakers, Imperial Blue followed with mild optimism, and Meropi cruised along in fourth like a queen awaiting her cue. The moment they straightened up, Trevor loosened the reins, and that was that — Meropi left the rest rehearsing for the consolation prize. Imperial Blue took second by default, Pure For Sure managed third, and Aldgate, touted to be a danger, apparently forgot to get his act right.

The five-year-old mare clearly has a long season ahead — assuming she finds someone capable of keeping up. As for her articulate trainer, Aashay Doctor, he continues to produce winners with clinical precision in Kolkata. Perhaps soon, his brigade will step out to test the so-called national heavyweights and surely Meropi will be nursed to run in the Gr 1 Sprinters Cup at the same venue next March.

In the Urs Kar Trophy (Div I), True Punch didn`t just win — he floored the field. Jockey Anthony Raj, currently on a purple patch (and probably checking his watch mid-race), led from start to finish and won by a lazy four lengths. The punters who backed Little Minister for a ‘big coup` must be nursing their wallets — the “little” part lived up to its billing as he huffed into second, with Sir Calculus doing the math for third.

The lower division saw Silicon Star — Lokanath`s mare who decided one good run wasn`t enough — scoring her second straight victory in a one-horse contest. Anthony Raj, again, just pointed her in the right direction. Unfortunately, she bled during the race — a pity, because she looked like she could`ve kept winning till next month.

First Day, First Blunder — Trainer`s Debut Turns Into a Farce

It was first day, first show for newly licensed trainer Majid Khan, and what a blockbuster debut it turned out to be — minus the happy ending. The H H Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Cup delivered its drama not on the turf, but behind the scenes, where Majid apparently decided to test out “creative training methods.” Two of his horses — Sienna Princess and She`s So Beautiful — were unceremoniously withdrawn after the vigilant veterinary officer discovered that their saddles had been swapped.

Perhaps Majid assumed identical-looking horses come with interchangeable accessories. To make matters worse, Sienna Princess was the ante-post favourite — meaning, had the mix-up gone unnoticed, punters would`ve been cheering for the wrong horse altogether. Word has it, even during track work the wrong saddle clothes were merrily paraded.

The fiasco naturally went viral, leaving the Stewards suitably crimson-faced for licensing such “innovation.”

Note to the authorities: Just because someone once held a saddle doesn`t mean they`re qualified to train with one. A provisional license should come with a mandatory test — “Can you tell your horses apart?”

The race itself went to Vinesh V Naik trained Isabelle, who pulled off a Houdini act in the final furlong to pip the tiring Polar Wind, with My Life My Rules obeying no one in third.

Mansoor Khan trained Natural Tornado, piloted by Ankit Pal, breezed through the Original Vel Racing Trophy (Div I) with the calm efficiency of someone ticking off a to-do list. After sitting pretty in fifth, she stormed past Kenna and others to win with plenty in hand. Court Jester and Aurele filled up the frame, while O Manchali, despite the hype, finished second last — perhaps confused which way the wind was blowing.

The lower division was a stroll for Bipin Salvi trained Sea of Adventure, who gave jockey Sai Kiran a relaxed ride as favourite Serai found herself stuck in neutral. Sheeba picked up the crumbs in third.

The day opened with Darius Byramni trained She Rules making a triumphant comeback after 244 days off the scene — clearly well-rested and in no mood for subtlety. Apprentice Laxman Singh guided her to an emphatic win, while Shock And Awe and Turkoman played supporting roles. The favourite Southernaristocrat, meanwhile, seemed too aristocratic to hurry and ended up fourth — perhaps saving face, if not grace.