Darius Byramji trained La Dona prevailed by a neck over Ice Glacier in the Gr 3 Karnataka Racehorse Owners` Association Mysore 1000 Guineas, the first classic of the season on Thursday. The progeny of Multidimensional went on a start to finish mission and held off the late flourish of Ice Glacier to win the classic as expected.

There were just four runners in the fray but in reality, only La Dona and Ice Glacier had any chance of winning as the other two lacked class. Sandesh took Ice Glacier on a start to finish mission, with John keeping Ice Glacier in a striking second position. What made the difference in the end was the fact that La Dona skipped ahead on turning for home and established a good cushion which held her in good stead when Ice Glacier began to devour ground. La Dona lasted out to win by a neck. Ice Glacier would have surely relished a stronger pace or a longer trip where her undoubted stamina would have come into play. Siobhan was more than seven lengths behind in third position while Fabulous Touch was fourth another nine lengths behind.

Michael Eshwer trained Sofast produced a stunning run from way behind to sail past the front-running favourite Royal Salute to win the 1400 metres F K Irani Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. Royal Salute took over the running inside the final running after measuring the front-runners and appeared to be on course. However, Sofast who was at the tail end of the field, came up with splendid acceleration on the wide outside and in a trice had whizzed past the favourite in the hands of jockey Kenan Steyn to record an emphatic win. Topspot held off Pentagram to take the third pace.

Arjun Mangalorkar had a double for the day through Storm and Mystic Music who had recently joined his stable after trainer Puttanna had retired at the fag end of the summer season. Storm led all the way and had no problem in staying put in front to claim the 1100 metres Civil Services Cup from Dagobert whose late rally was bound to prove futile. Harley Quinn was third while Queenofgoodtimes who came in for spirited betting, failed to make an impression.

Padmanabhan trained Feliciana led all the way and kept her rivals at bay in the 1400 metres M B Appayya Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Feliciana had an uncontested lead with Royal Defence in chase. The favourite burst clear in the final furlong even as Royal Defence struggled for speed. Real Steel came up with a late bid to take the second spot ahead of Royal Defence. Jockey John persisted on getting the run along the rails on Mystic Music and he was in danger of getting boxed by favourite Golden Diamond. However, Mystic Music showed a greater resolution to shoot ahead of a weakening Golden Diamond and managed to win the lower division of the race at the expense of Yellow Zone who came up with a patented late flourish as is her wont and finished second best like on innumerable occasions.

Inayathulla trained Papadokia successfully accomplished a start to finish mission in the 1200 metres Major Sardar L Mahadevaiah Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Brown Beauty made a menacing move in the final furlong only to find the front-runner escape to victory. Perfectebony was a close third. After Blazing Faith led deep into the final furlong, Cool Springs showed up strongly but the one to land the spoils was Colossal Moments who flew home to edge past Cool Springs to win at fancy odds, the lower division of the race. Blazing Faith stayed on to finish third. Another Inayathulla ward Export Quality had no problem in winning the Division III of the race. After chasing the fancied Legal Legacy into the straight Export Quality steadily gained ascendancy and stormed clear in the final furlong. Scorching came up with a good effort towards the finish to take the second place ahead of Legal Legacy who packed up like a pricked balloon when the eventual winner put pressure on the front-runner.

Apprentice jockey Prashant Dhebe drove out Golden Steps to a comfortable win from end to end in the 1400 metres Jaganmohana Palace Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Golden Steps was not troubled by any of the runners as he had a free run in the front. Sazae San finished on well to take the second place ahead of For Your Eyes Only who was sluggish at the start.