Monday’s racing was a true spectacle—if you’re into guessing games, that is. The race card was so poorly framed, it felt like someone had picked horses based on a blindfolded dart throw. The day’s lineup featured a selection of equines who, frankly, hadn’t done much of anything noteworthy all season. Finding a winner was like finding a needle in a haystack—except the haystack was on fire, and you were wearing mittens.

The entire card seemed designed to guarantee that some random donkey would eventually stumble over the finish line, purely because, well, somebody had to win, right? Trying to figure out who might win based on merit was a fool’s errand. Punters who confidently backed favourites—presumably thinking that money talks—were left empty-handed when these “favourites” failed to deliver. It’s almost as if the weight of cash doesn’t magically make a horse run faster. Who knew?

The authorities could have at least sandwiched these "surprise packages" between races that had a hint of form and order, giving punters a fighting chance. But no, chaos reigned. If this trend of framing race cards like a game of roulette continues, racing might just lose its audience faster than you can say “where’s my money?”

This season has been one long exercise in unpredictability. Form fluctuations and baffling results have turned racing into a test of patience—or masochism. In the past, there was at least a semblance of order, but it’s becoming clear that the people in charge might be losing their grip. Not that they’ll ever admit it, of course. Maybe one day, they’ll realize that framing a race card with at least a few sensible, methodical races could save us all from this nonsense.

Trainer Satheesh strikes mostly as long shots as his horses go in front at break neck speed and some of them stay put to bring off upsets. Lights On who stole the march at the top of the straight in the lower division of the Nirmal Plate shook off the strong challenge of strongly backed Windsor by a shade less than a length in the hands of apprentice jockey Md Ekram Alam. The heavily backed Arthisha could no better than finish a neck behind the runner-up.

In the day’s highlight, the 1600 metres Mirza Zunnur Ahmed Memorial Cup for horses rated 40 to 65, jockey Likith Appu managed to steer Oliver’s Mount to a dramatic nose victory over Brooklyn Beauty. Toffee, the race favourite, found herself undone by its own stablemate Rolls Royce, who blasted off like a rocket and fizzled out just as fast. Toffee, in hot pursuit, ended up burning her own energy reserves, leaving the door wide open for Oliver’s Mount to take charge in the final furlong. Brooklyn Beauty, with jockey Naresh pushing hard, made a desperate bid but missed the mark by a whisker, while Role Model—having used up its fuel before the real action began—settled for a disappointing third.

In the 1100 metres Nawab Mehdi Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup, also for horses rated 40 to 65, Divine Connection came in as the punters’ choice, but it seems the only divine intervention was a complete no-show. Despite the hype, Divine Connection was never even in the race. Instead, it was the long shot Dyanoosh, from trainer Mir Faiyaz Ali Khan’s stable, who necked out Mark My Day for the win. The 20-1 shot Crimson Rose came in third, leaving backers of The Inheritor wondering if they’d put their faith (and money) in the wrong hands.

In the lowest category of the day, the Nirmal Plate (Div I) for horses rated 20 to 45, Sreekant-trained Planet Super defied expectations. Despite being written off as a long shot, and with only two past wins in the lowest rated category, Planet Super pulled off a stunning start-to-finish win. Apprentice jockey Ajay Kumar made it look easy, especially as favourite NRI Dheera decided to go off-script, veering violently onto the outer track and effectively handing over any chance of victory. Queen Empress, another favourite, finished a dismal fourth behind Quality Warrior, who claimed third.

Trainer Satheesh, known for his knack for pulling off long shot upsets, worked his magic again in the lower division of the Nirmal Plate. His charge, Lights On, shot to the front at the top of the straight and held off a strong challenge from the heavily backed Windsor, winning by less than a length. Arthisha, another favourite, could only manage a close third, leaving punters scratching their heads once more.

Money poured in like a monsoon for Nilesh Rawal-trained Bold Beauty in the 1200 metres Loyal Manzar Plate (Div I) for horses rated 20 to 45. But in classic racing fashion, it was the lesser-fancied Ashwa Yashvir who took charge at the top of the straight, holding his position like a dog with a bone. Despite Bold Beauty’s late challenge, Ashwa Yashvir refused to budge, crossing the line first while Bold Beauty settled for second. The punters ended up getting drenched. Nkalanzinzi was a faraway third.

In the lower division, Anant Vatsalya’s Sweet Dancer delivered a surprise win at long odds, much to the delight of those who love a good underdog story. Sweet Dancer edged out stablemate Sucker Punch, who managed to pip Aos Si at the post. Punters had placed their faith (and money) on Aos Si, confident she’d do better than her previous distant finish, but that trust was wildly misplaced. Aos Si spent most of the race lingering at the back, finishing a disappointing third, dragging down wallets and hopes with her lacklustre performance.