Eight-year old Successor has not lost his zest for racing despite a longish career during which he has made his presence felt at several centres and run 35 times for an amazing tally of 15 wins, won the 1200 metres Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup with a late flourish on the opening day of the Bangalore Summer Season on Saturday. Though this was the opening day of the season, the track was hard and the timings recorded were above par. Successor clocked a smart time of one minute 12.58 seconds.

Lack of rains had definitely been a concern till last week`s spell helped significantly. However, one had not seen the penetrometer reading of 4 cms for the opening day of the season. The heavy rains late on Saturday should ensure that the track will be on the softer side for Sunday`s races.

Jersey Girl was the favourite on the basis of her remarkable two wins in winter including in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas but she looked poor in the paddock parade resulting in her odds drifting out. Secret Punch was next in demand while the rest, including Successor whose several wins have come in the highest class, were at longer odds.

The speedy Cape Ferrat led the field and set a fast clip with Vijays Conquer and Jersey Girl racing in close proximity while Cecil, Successor and Secret Punch were spread out considerably behind. Cape Ferrat kicked on strongly on turning for home with Cecil joining issue while Successor who covered places from the rear group, come into strong contention from the deep. The trio were involved in the battle for supremacy in the final furlong with Successor gaining the upper hand in the closing strides of the race. Cape Ferrat held on for the second spot ahead of Cecil. Secret Punch picked up speed late and ran out of ground at the finish and finished fourth. Jersey Girl packed up like a pricked balloon to finish a dismal last.

Md Khan trained Turf Striker showed out in the paddock parade and though he had finished a close fourth in the Juvenile Million despite a bumpy ride, was completely ignored in the betting ring as Mumbai challenger Archie received strong support based more on hype and the fact that he had finished second with a late flourish on the concluding of the season on April 28. Though he looked fit, he was out of depth and was poorly placed throughout the race and eventually was a poor fourth. Perfect Soul was also in for strong support ahead of Striking who was conceding chunks of weight to her adversaries.

	Successor (Y S Srinath up) winner of the Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup, being led in by Ms. S. Rohini Iyengar & trainer Neil Darashah

Striking looked very fit but was not enthusiastically supported. Turf Striker raced handy third into the straight and smoothly strode clear of the field with Striking looming large on his outside. Striking looked like she was going to put up stiff resistance but Turf Striker skipped away to win by a
widening margin of four lengths over Striking with Perfect Soul making a late rally to finish third ahead of a well beaten Archie.

Padmanabhan trained Imperial Verse won the 1400 metres Littleover Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45, against the run of expectations and returned fancy dividend on the tote. The progeny of Noverre weaved his way from behind and shot ahead along the rails in the final 50 metres and won from Firelight and Allianz who warmed up late. Supreme was not far behind. Divine Deliverance led into the final furlong but weakened to finish fifth. Favourite Sumitomo was never in the hunt. Dance of General was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the lower division of the rest and the Dashmesh Stud Farm bred four year old won readily from first timer Wind Force who was gathering momentum in the closing stages of the race. Wind Force looked far from ready and on the basis of this run, he is too good to miss next time out.

Charlatan received one sided support in the1400 metres Esquire Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds but the horse played up at the gates and was withdrawn from the fray. Bronzino appeared the next best horse in fray but he was not positioned well and was not in the hunt. The speedy Triumphant led and held sway till the final furlong but was easily overhauled by the lesser fancied runner from Arjun Mangalorkar`s yard, Stimulate who went on to record an easy win. Beauty Is Truth finished on well and managed to nose out Triumphant for the runner up berth.

Magical Spell looked outstanding against the modest opposition he was taking on in the 1100 metres and the daughter of first season stallion Phoenix Tower had no problem in leaving the field stranded to record a handsome win over Cash My Way. Amazon Bay ran on from behind to finish third.

Trainer Prithviraj had a back to back double through Nice And Noble and Triple Victory. Nice And Noble easily held off the desperate attempt made by favourite Aztec Star and won the opening race of the season at nourishing odds. Triple Victory received one sided support in the race meant for the lowest rated horses and she brooked no opposition as she led all the way and checked in well clear of Icecream. Both the winners were ridden by jockey Jagadeesh.