Michael Eshwer trained Fjord just about lasted out to win by a whisker over Korol in the 1200 metres S M Attaollahi Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above, the feature event of the opening day`s races of the Mysore Winter Season on Thursday. The day`s racing went totally against the run of expectations, with punters at their wits end to fathom what was happening on the track as race after race saw long shots rule the roost. Trainer Freoz Khan had a treble for the day.

The feature event was expected to be confined to Bangalore based horses Zafran and Attorney General. However, both these horses let down badly as they were not in with a serious chance at any stage of the race. Fjord went on a start to finish mission and though the filly was faltering close home, she had enough cushion to pull off a thrilling win over fast-finishing Korol. Attorney General was a well-beaten third while Flamboyance who was running over a sprint possibly looking for a preparatory run, finished on purposefully to be a notable fourth. Zafran was not sighted.

Eshwer had a double for the day when on money favourite Tigris asserted her supremacy in the 1400 metres Sharavathi Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Tigris came into strong contention in the final furlong and was not hard-pressed to score in the hands of jockey Prashanth Dhebe who ended up with a double, his earlier winner coming on Fjord. Castlebar held off Markus Sittikus to get the runner-up berth.

The 1200 metres Lt Col C Rudrappa Memorial Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, saw the odds-on ante-post favourite Precious Script expanding as King Smile came in for spirited betting. The betting was cornered by King Smile and Six Ace Red who had both finished behind each other with a short head separating them on the last occasion. In the event, both these horses ran like duds and were not spotted to have any chance. Precious Script assumed command in the hands of Trevor Patel in the final furlong and went away for an easy win over Clovis and Poets Song.

Trainer Feroz Khan who trained Precious Script, had earlier in the day won the 1200 metres Dharwad Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65, through long shot Zidaan. Favourite Enthralling appeared to be on course when she had a good lead going into the final furlong. However, she began to distress signals in sight of the post and Zidaan closed with a big rush to grab the lead close home and brought off the biggest upset of the day. Excelonce was third. Skyjet who was in the betting, disappeared after staying in touch till entering the homestretch.

The day belonged to Feroz Khan as he had one more winner through Queen who gave a bold show in the 1400 metres Gadag Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Golden Steps led the way into the straight before Queen came up with big strides to assume command of the race with a furlong left in the race and bounced clear. In a cluster finish for minor placings, Premier Ace got the second position ahead of Sufficient Proof and favourite Amazing. After favourite Trevelyan led the field into the final furlong and tired out, Gracious showed up with a flourishing run and went storming clear in the final 100 metres and won quite comfortably the lower division of the race from Intrepid Warrior who showed intent but lacked the depth. Joey was a late-rallying third.

Surender trained Senator won the 1200 metres B R Hills Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category at long odds after about 348 days. Apprentice jockey Manish took Senator on a start to finish mission and the five-year-old gelding stayed put in that position to win from late finishing Croziet who was poorly positioned to make a mark. Sheer Luck was third. M R Singh trained Emancipation came up with a patented last burst of speed to collar Master of War who had grabbed the lead in the final furlong in the shadow of the post to win at nourishing odds, the lower division of the race. Zip Code necked out favourite Incitatus to get the third position.

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