Ganapathy trained Eternal Flame produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to edge past favourite Costa Del Sol to win the Gr 3 Kunigal Stud Breeders` Produce Stakes, a rich terms race for three-year olds, the feature event of Saturday`s races. Punters bore the brunt of the onslaught launched by lesser fancied runners.

All the four contestants of the richly endowed race were all winners of a race. The majority of punters chose to ignore the fact that Bangalore challenger Eternal Flame had won a sprint race back home in an excellent timing which is normally achieved by seasoned performers. Costa Del Sol was backed to the exclusion of the rest with odds on Eternal Flame expanding significantly indicating the lack of faith.

Polished Chrome who had the distinction of winning the first race for first season runners at Pune in October went on an energy sapping start to finish effort with Ostwind in chase ahead of Costa Del Sol while Eternal Flame was settled behind these runners. Irish jockey Colm O`Donoghe perhaps hurried the favourite to take over the running at the top of the straight. Though Costa De Sol opened up a useful lead, he was found wanting when Eternal Flame came with a powerful run under a spirited ride from David Allan. After a brief duel, Eternal Flame asserted herself and won with a measure of comfort. The victory of Eternal Flame was a good advertisement for Poonawalla`s new stallion Arazan.

There was a big upset in the 1200 metres Black Dog Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above where on money favourite Maisha suffered an unexpected reverse. Maximus who had not run for 783 days made good a poor ride given to the favourite by jockey Ashish. It is not that Maximus is an ordinary horse. He had beaten Machivellianism in the Golconda 2000 Guineas two years ago and the latter had gone on to win the Indian 2000 Guineas. Maximus had subsequently suffered a setback and had not been seen on the race track. As such it was difficult to envisage an upset by him running after such a long break. Ashish compounded his problems by failing to take a good position. He kept Maisha too far behind, brought her very wide into the straight and gave the too much of leeway to cover on the eventual winner. Horses can give weight but not distance is something everyone is aware of. Under such circumstances the failure of Maisha was only to be expected. There is need for critical scrutiny of this unenterprising ride. For the record, Maximus who slipped into the lead from a forward position at the top of the straight held on to win in the hands of apprentice jockey G Santhosh. One Kept Secret ran on from behind to finish third.

Jockey Kishore Kadam allowed Merchantofvenice to run too freely in front that the lesser fancied runner ran out of reserves in the dying moments of the Bagpiper Championship (div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Egyptiana finished strongly to edge past the front runner to land a touch at big odds. Cha Cha Cha finished well to be a close third. Ashish on favourite Bon Vivant did not distinguish himself. Trevor Patel drove out last outing winner Beach Game to win the lower division of the race from longtime leader Shygirl and late rallying Lucky Charm. Favourite Bullion Express put up a miserable performance.

There was a horrific fall in the Antiquity Rare Cup (Div), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Ancient Treasure led by several lengths but half way through the race, the horse stumbled, causing the jockey to fall right in front of the field. With the entire big field behind him, it was inevitable that the jockey was exposed to serious danger. One could not get a clear idea whether he bore the brunt of horses trampling him. But he was nevertheless injured seriously. His condition was stated to be critical. Eduardo who was drawn the widest, unleashed a powerful run in the final furlong to get past the front runners to win with ease. Lancelot finished second ahead of Tempest and fancied Eternal Royalty. The lower division of the race was won by long shot Komandant under the day`s most successful jockey Trevor Patel.

Anita trained Extreme Love won the McDowell Signature Premier Trophy (Div), a race for horses rated 20 to 46, at lucrative odds in a tight finish. Extreme Love held off Chase The Ace narrowly in the five furlong scurry. Lesser fancied Nicanor went on a start to finish mission in the lower division of the race and managed to quell a strong challenge from favourite Belgian Blue.

Debutant Hidden Soul produced a powerful run down the final furlong to land the spoils in the MCDowell`s No 1 Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. Nobrara led in earnest but had no answer when the eventual winner swooped on him in the final furlong. Mister Majestic who was the strongly backed favourite put up a dismal show.