Suleiman Attaollahi trained Arta had no problem in disposing of the opposition in the 1200 metres Karnataka Sub-Area Cup, a race for horses rated 60 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s drab card of eight events. The performance of Arta was in keeping with expectations but the dismal run of Triumph whose form fluctuation this season is something that is not easy to explain.

Rashid Byramji trained Triumph was strongly backed to win as the four year old had recorded a runaway win last time out over Arta. Triumph had won twice during the winter season and his below par effort in his first run of the season was something that was digested without much critical scrutiny. However, based on his impressive win, he was made the strong favourite ahead of Arta. The drifting odds on Icelander told its own tale. Apprentice jockey Yash Narredu who is enjoying a tremendous start to his career had Arta dictate the pace from the start and though the daughter of Ikhtyar came away from the rails, she proved too good, winning the race with ease from long shot Amazing Desire. Hillsboro who has recently changed stables and raced under newly licensed trainer Gregory Sandhu ran wide all through but nevertheless managed to snatch the third slot form Smithsonite by a whisker. Triumph was not seen at the business end. For that matter Icelander who finished a dismal last.

Padmanabhan trained Scarlet Emperor had not translated the brilliance he shows in the morning workouts onto the race track. He had let down huge expectations on the last two occasions but there was still hope that he could fulfill the promise of turning out into a good performance given the fact that he had run against horses which are destined to move up places on the handicap scale. He went to the post in the 1200 metres Mount Everest Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds, at a good quote of over even money considering the fact that the rest in the field did not look like being serious contenders in the race. Jockey John had Scarlet Emperor racing behind forwardly placed speedster Style N Grace who carried the field into the straight. Scarlet Emperor then assumed command inside the final two furlongs and stretched away to win by a widening margin of six lengths over Hector and Scorching. Possibly Scarlet Emperor could prove a handful as he matures physically because he is showing lot of ability without being able to sustain it over a longer trip.

Satish Narredu hasn`t been enjoying a good season. His ward Little Love who had recently come to him from trainer Patrick Quinn was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1100 metres Confucious Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Little Love looked a winner right till the final furlong as he travelled well within himself after being pinched at the start by the speedy Stimulator who cut across, causing the horse to be checked. However, Little Love failed to produce that bit extra when challenged by Anfield who gradually measured the favourite and got stronger close home. Apprentice jockey Bhawani Singh who rode the winner, definitely has given promise of turning into a good jockey. The Pune season should see him get lot of opportunities as he will be value for the allowance that he will be claiming as the experience in Bangalore should hold him in good stead. Rubi Rey was far away third. Warren Singh trained Legal Legacy justified the tons of money that she attracted in the betting ring and recorded an emphatic win in the lower division of the race, taking a stranglehold of the race from the start and winning as she pleased from Summer Springs and the fancied Interactive.

Noshir Cama trained Beforememoryfades was the strong favourite to win the 1200 metres Manjri Stud Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65, though her career graph has been erratic. Grand Applause, despite his last start impressive win, had no takers in the betting ring. Grand Applause went on start to mission and successfully accomplished it. Beforememoryfades was well placed to strike but didn`t quicken enough to make a mark. Strombolite came from behind to get the runner up berth. There was support for Assiduous but the last start winner failed to get a good position from the wide outside draw and ran dismally.

Celtic Prince looked a good bet in the 1400 metres Buck Passer Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65 but the support for Soviet Union and lack of conviction about the former with the majority of punters resulted in the odds shooting up considerably. Celtic Prince proved immensely superior winning with great ease from Soviet Union who just about beat Coolmore and Lovely Lady for the second spot. Celtic Prince looks capable of an encore.

Sirajuddin trained Secret Touch was backed strongly to win the 1200 metres Meydan Plate (div I), a race for horses in the lowest class. There was also support for Tradition. Secret Touch showed out in the paddock parade, appeared much better class of horse than the ones that she was taking on and accordingly had the race sewn up long way from home. Thunder ran on to finish second ahead of a well beaten Tradition. The lower division of the race was won by Amit Cady`s Rock N Rolla who had the field stranded inside the final 300 metres to win in great style from Balance of Nature and Oriental Belle. It is difficult to imagine how horses like Rock N Rolla could not finish on board in as many as five efforts. Favourite Suezy Oh who walked out of the gate was never in contention.