Czar of Romance who had placed in classics but lost winning opportunities on several occasions by not jumping out of the gates smartly bounced back to win the 1600 metres H H Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of inaugural day`s Mysore Racing Season on Thursday. Czar of Romance who won after a long wait of 443 days, jumped out well from the gates and thereafter there was little doubt about the well performed four year old trouncing an inexperienced opposition.

The only question mark against Czar of Romance was his being lethargic at the gates. Because of this reason, Czar of Romance and Sovereign Rule enjoyed equal support in the betting ring. Ethophian led for a while before Sovereign Rule took over the running and increased the pace of the race. Czar of Romance was placed in striking position behind the front runner. IM Different who was expected to be in thick of action was indifferent and lost all his chances at the gate itself and eventually finished a poor fourth. Czar of Romance who chased Sovereign Rule into the straight had no problem in tackling the front runner and then left him stranded to win by a widening margin of four lengths. Alcazaba ran on from behind to finish third.

Neil Darashah trained Ancient Title looked overwhelmingly superior to the opposition in the 1200 metres B K Krishnadevaraj Urs Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Ancient Title was taking on modest lot of local based performers and as such, the Bangalore challenger was quoted at very cramped odds. Jockey T S Jodha had Ancient Title dictate the pace from the start with Secret Plan keeping company till the final furlong. Thereafter Ancient Title shook off his rival to win as he pleased. Galaxy Queen was third. The well backed Assiduous won the lower division of the race in a three way battle. The front running Arch Duchess and Sweet And Smart were battling it out but both had no answer when Assiduous swooped on them with a powerful burst of speed. Arch Duchess held off Sweet And Smart narrowly for the runner up berth.

Satish Narredu`s Son of Stars who was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Bright Hanovar Plate, a race for maiden three year olds, took a long while in the straight to measure the front running Country`s Pride before storming clear in the final moments of the race. Speed Hawk came up with a late charge but narrowly failed to overhaul the long time leader for the second place.

Czar Rule was another short priced horse to win from trainer Neil Darashah`s yard. Czar Rule warmed up to the task in the final 300 metres and steadily bridged the lead that Rewarding Desire had established and then broke clear to win by a widening margin of seven lengths in the 1600 metres Somanathpur Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Noble Princess looked like collaring Rewarding Desire for the second spot but the latter just about held on grimly.

Favourite Pamushana had made it a habit of letting down as a fancied runner. Installed again as a favourite to win the 1400 metres Rangas Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45, Pamushana was lethargic from the start and graced the wrong end of the field. Last start winner Pepper King who raced up with the field went ahead at the top of the straight and was not really pressed to carry the lead to the winning post. Chandini finished second ahead of Hard To Pin Down. Lesser fancied First Lady got the better of front running Charm And Dream inside the final 300 metres and then stretched away to record an easy win in the lower division of the race. Natural Nine came from a long way back to occupy the third position.

Bipin Salvi`s Zizi won the opening race of the season easily overtaking Samajdaar in the straight and won the 1200 metres Viraja Plate, a race for horses rated in the lowest category with ease. Demand Draft left himself too much leeway to cover but nevertheless finished with a good run to be a suggestive second ahead of Stone Warrior.