Narendra trained Glorious Light readily justified huge public expectations with an emphatic victory in the 1400 metres Grey Gaston Cup which featured the first day`s racing of Mysore Summer Season on Tuesday. Last week`s races had been cancelled due to unsatisfactory conditions and this race day was in lieu of the race day that could not be held. Fancied runners ruled the roost which was a welcome departure from the topsy-turvy results that one has come to associate racing in Mysore.

The feature event had many formidable performers who seem to have left their best days behind. As such, it was an improving horse like Glorious Light which had the best chance to have a bold show. South African jockey K Steyn, who had made Mysore his base, brought the favourite to the rails within the first furlong from the wide outside draw. Glorious Light steadily improved places and by the time the runners straightened for the run in for home, the Manjri Stud Farm produce looked menacing. Glorious Light went ahead with minimum of fuss and by the final furlong had an unassailable lead. Spiritual Blue showed intent when finishing second with a late dash. Gran Turismo put in some useful effort closer home and finished third.

The trainer-jockey combination of Rakesh and Madhu Babu were associated with a lucrative treble. Silent Trust who had the benefit of two race runs, showed amazing improvement when swamping the opposition in the 1100 metres Kushalnagar Stakes, a race for maiden three year olds. Silent Trust had control of the proceedings when she showed up at the top of the straight and in a trice distanced herself from the rest to record an impressive win by a widening margin of seven lengths. Silver Prince managed to edge out Diamond Attraction to take the runner up berth. This was win number one for the successful combination of the day.

The duo was successful in both the divisions of the Bandipur Plate, a sprint race for horses rated 20 to 45. After tracking Dark William into the straight, Mother Ewa smoothly cruised into the lead and appeared to be travelling so well that if many believed that she would win pulling up, they could not be faulted. However, Mother Ewa seemed to be idling in front or halting in her strides when Secret Touch came up with a powerful burst of speed.

However, Mother Ewa escaped to victory. Lesser fancied Ice Sprint was another successful ride for Madhu Babu. Final Countdown led from the start with Ice Sprint in hot pursuit. The front runner put up dogged resistance but was overwhelmed inside the final 100 metres as Ice Sprint shot ahead. Favourite Starsonboard made a late rally which looked good enough to get her the second spot but Final Countdown determinedly held on to stay put in second position.

The biggest upset of the day came through Esoterical in the 1400 metres Melkote Stakes, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Wilderness was the strong favourite but was withdrawn at the gates because of her tantrums. In such a scenario, when a favourite of this nature is pulled out from the fray, the majority are not quite prepared for a big show especially since these days the emphasis is on gambling. Upsets are par for such a situation. The default favourite was Sufficient Proof who lost all her chances at the gate itself by a lethargic beginning. Esoterical was loitering in the rear group. Campeon led on sufferance and was hard pressed to retain his initiative but he was floored by the late rush of Esoterical. Campeon weakened to eventually finish third behind Grand Celebration.

When horses from Mumbai migrate to Mysore, they invariably do well because these horses are rarely exploited to the full due to the fact that trainers there are hesitant to take them on a vertical graph. Flash Drive was one such who had been relocated to Mysore and promptly made a winning appearance, trouncing the field in the 1600 metres Bombay Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Murcilago showed flourish to go ahead of Flashing Drive in the straight but once the latter got into his stride, there was no stopping the five year old who went on to win by as big a margin as four and quarter lengths. Rocketeer ran on from behind to take the third place.

Pratap Kamath however had a fancied winner through favourite Azure Fire in the 1200 metres Azure Fire who was driven out by jockey Sandeep to contain the challenge of front running Flying Tricolour. The front runner put up a game resistance but went down fighting in the dying moments of the race.

The well prepared ward of trainer Dinesh Pujar readily justified the expectations in the 1100 metres Red Satin Stakes, a race for lowest rated horses. Fellowship hit the front from the jump out and did not come under pressure from any of the contestants. Though the four year old came off the rails, he proved immensely superior with Fantasy Living ending second best. Windsor Park was faraway third.