The happenings at Mysore Race Club could put any soap opera to shame. There was no significant rain during the first three races on Thursday, but apparently, that didn’t stop the jockeys from staging a protest, claiming the kickback from the track was so bad they couldn’t ride. After three races went off without a hitch (if you don't count the punters tearing up their tickets), the authorities had an epiphany: “Oh wait, it had rained earlier, and maybe the track isn’t exactly race-worthy.” So, they decided to cancel the remaining three races. Classic case of locking the gate after the horse has bolted, wouldn't you say?

The decision has understandably cast doubt on whether the officials have any idea how to run this sport. One would think that, with the relentless rain over the last few days, they might have checked the track conditions before letting races proceed. Instead, they let punters throw their money at horses with some form (and hope), only to be left watching one upset after another, as if orchestrated by a mischievous deity.

Finally, the jockeys decided enough was enough and went on strike, forcing the authorities to pull the plug on the day’s remaining races. Honestly, it’s a pity they didn’t come to this conclusion sooner; it would have saved punters their hard-earned cash and spared the horses and jockeys a headache. And if three races could run without disaster, can we really blame the kickback? After all, it’s just part of the game—horses gallop, dirt flies, and life goes on.

Santosh Rao-trained Square Cut finally redeemed himself after his flop show as the even-money favourite, strolling home under apprentice Faiz in the 1400 meters Chirapunji Plate—a race for horses scraping the bottom of the barrel. After the trainer's previous complaints about jockey Naveen’s ride, it’s amusing how Square Cut reappeared at better odds and, surprise, put on an effortless display of dominance against Double Vision. What the Stipes made of this sudden turnaround is anyone's guess, but given Mysore's style of "oversight," it’s no shock if they simply shrugged it off. Mysore's racing supervision feels about as present as a ghost in broad daylight—races practically run themselves, and, honestly, who needs scrutiny when everything's “just fine,” right?

The race saw Stone House setting the early pace, with Square Cut lurking in third. As they rounded for home, Square Cut swept up on the outside, cruising past his rivals to claim an easy victory, leaving Double Vision to pick up the pieces for second while Stone House, after all his early enthusiasm, faded to third. Quite the contrast from his last effort when Square Cut deflated like a balloon despite running up with the field.

In the 1200 meters Autumn Blue Plate for horses rated 0 to 25, long-shot Just Blues, ridden by Aravind Kumar, pulled off a wire-to-wire win, leaving the favourites and their backers scratching their heads. The betting ring resembled a circus, with favourites flipping faster than a coin toss, as no horse in the field had credentials that were even mildly impressive—unless “mediocre” counts. G T Surender’s Just Blues led confidently, with Epsom Downs trailing. But Epsom Downs drifted off course in the final furlong, kissing his chances goodbye. Dhurandar, still hunting for his first career win, tried to give chase but was left in the dust as the leader hit the wire unbothered. Epsom Downs managed to reclaim a bit of ground to finish third, but honestly, it was a race only the bravest (or most foolhardy) punters would have touched.

Meanwhile, Tejaswi-trained Perfect Perfecto delivered another curveball to punters in the 1200 meters K Thammanna Gowda Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. The crowd had their sights set on NRI Ace, Heroism, and Sira, all hoping one of them would deliver. But Perfect Perfecto, winless for over 600 days and paired with five-kg claimer Mohammed Mushraf, had different plans. He tracked Smart Cadillac until the bend and then seized the moment when the leader drifted wide, taking over and cruising home as if on a leisurely Sunday stroll—no urging needed.

Despite being a seven-year-old veteran, he still had enough in the tank to fend off the late bids of Heroism and Sira. As for NRI Ace, the supposed favourite and beacon of hope, he raced up in second until the final turn before disappearing like a magician's vanishing act, finishing a dismal last. It’s anyone’s guess what went wrong, but for those who put their faith (and money) in him, it was like watching their tickets dissolve into thin air.