Prasanna Kumar-trained Money Bags made it five wins in a row when landing the 1400 metres H H Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Friday’s Mysore races. His previous four victories had been exercises in runaway authority, but this time the money bags had to earn his name.

Taking on horses with considerably better credentials than those he had brushed aside previously, Money Bags was made to sweat before winning by a shade more than a length. Efficacy, perhaps suffering from an equipment malfunction, went charging to the front before Crown Drive took over and put up a brave fight. Money Bags was only getting serious in sight of the post, but that was serious enough.

Shamrock, who had been keeping his old spark under wraps for some time, suddenly remembered where he had left it. He finished with a flourish to neck out Crown Drive for second. Money Bags remains unbeaten, but Shamrock may have emerged as the more interesting horse from the race. The seven-year-old has always been particularly effective at Mysore and could be worth watching when he next comes out.

Pradeep Annaiah-trained Ice Of Fire had considerably less trouble in the 1400 metres Paddock Plate, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Aquastic took charge and carried the field deep into the straight before Trevor Patel sent Ice Of Fire after him. The favourite quickly settled the argument, collaring Aquastic and then comfortably holding off the late challenge of Excellent Lass. Aquastic was third.

The last three races went the way of the favourites, but that should not give the impression that the punters enjoyed a particularly peaceful afternoon. This was Mysore, after all, where the betting ring has a habit of adding a few chapters of its own to the form book.

Neil Devaneny-trained Brave Heart provided the day's most conspicuous example. His recent efforts at Bangalore had hardly suggested that a victory was imminent, yet the horse attracted significant support at long odds in the 1100 metres J H Foley Memorial Trophy. As it turned out, the people who knew were very much in the know.

Sindoor led the field, with Brave Heart sitting handily behind before taking command on turning for home. Sai Kiran then had the luxury of bringing Brave Heart home without having to consult the stopwatch too often. He won comfortably from Evermore and Mystic Dew.

The real drama, however, was happening behind the winner.

Rajesh Narredu-trained debutant Virtuous attracted the maximum betting and was expected to make a sparkling introduction. Instead, the filly never got a brisk start, showed remarkably little interest in the proceedings and finished a long way down the field. Her supporters were left with the uncomfortable feeling that they had backed a horse which had not been informed that it was supposed to run.

Mystic Dew, strongly backed along with Sindoor, managed third, but by then the money had already crossed the finishing line in another direction. Brave Heart had carried the confidence of the informed and, more importantly, carried it all the way home.

James McKeown-trained Royal Legacy, a serious contender for the classics, recorded her second straight victory in the 1600 metres Pune Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Royal Legacy had the support of the market along with Moon Star and wasted little time in justifying it.

Bold Show made the running and brought the field into the homestretch before Akshay Kumar asked Royal Legacy to stretch. She responded immediately, swept clear and won with considerable authority. Moon Star was second, perhaps beginning to feel the distance, while Maana was third, several lengths away.

Royal Legacy now looks likely to head for the Mysore 1000 Guineas as one of the leading contenders, with Starzella expected to provide serious opposition.

The brightest trainer of the afternoon was undoubtedly Adiya, who saddled the winners of the first three races. At nourishing odds too.

Misty Warrior and Feronia received almost equal support in the first race. Apprentice Mohd Talib settled Misty Warrior behind Fashionista before making his move in the straight. The fancied runner responded smartly, drawing clear in the final furlong to win comfortably. Feronia, who had plenty of ground to make up, managed to overhaul Fashionista for second.

The 1400 metres Somanathpur Plate produced another favourite who failed to read the script. Nazomi was well supported but, after briefly showing up at the top of the straight, was quickly swallowed up by Truth In Winde. Sai Kiran sent Truth In Winde sailing away for an easy victory, leaving Blazing Star and Teresa to fight for the minor placings.

Adiya had earlier won with Furious Fun in the 1100 metres Varada Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. In this case, the name was not merely decorative. Furious Fun produced a furious effort from the front under Dharshan Anthony and opened up decisively to win with plenty in hand. Arikattu necked out Royal Chivalry for second.

And so ended a day's racing which, on the track, occasionally struggled to generate much excitement. Fortunately, the betting ring was more obliging. There were failed favourites, long-priced winners, a couple of well-timed gambles and one debutant who appeared to regard the whole exercise as optional.

In other words, the horses provided the results, but the betting provided the entertainment. At Mysore, even when the racing itself refuses to put on a show, the money rarely forgets its lines.