Padmanabhan trained Knight Templar bounced back to his prime form when easily tackling the opposition in the 1600 metres Racing Patrons Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Bangalore races. A setback had kept the son of Multidimensional out of action for a long time but the systematic preparation and the benefit of a race run had sharpened him up which was evident in the easy win recorded by this Derby place horse.

Tenno Sho who had run Well Connected close in his last outing was the betting rage with Knight Templar next in demand. The other runners either had dropped form or were not in the best of shape for them to be considered as a threat to the two market fancies. Trevor Patel took Knight Templar on a start to finish mission and the second favourite enjoyed an uncontested lead in front. Approaching the final bend, Angelino joined issue with the front-runner but had no answer to the brilliance of Knight Templar who kicked clear in the final furlong to record an easy win. Only Roma Victor showed some intent with a late flourish from way off the pace to occupy the third slot. Tenno Sho was completely off-colour and gave a pathetic performance. Mystic Flame who finished a dismal last reportedly burst her blood vessels which surely impaired her performance.

Sulaiman Attaollahi trained Cuban Pete held off the strong challenge from Silver Dew to win the 1200 metres Garden City Trophy, a race for horses rated 45 to 65. Cuban Pete led from the start and though under pressure he shifted out, he had enough legs to stave off Silver Dew who made a big rally along the rails. Cuban Pete spared a neck at the finish. Zervan rode the winner. Knotty Oak ran on to take the third position ahead of Crack of Dawn. The last-named should be seen in a better light when she essays a longer trip.

Padmanabhan trained Amazing Blaze recorded an impressive win in the 1400 metres Adichunchanagiri Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Trevor kept Amazing Blaze a handy second behind Baroness till turning for home before pressing the accelerator. The daughter of Leitir Mor who had the benefit of a race run quickened well and had the race sewn up a long way from home. Welcome Surprise gave a futile chase but he was successful in keeping the runner-up berth by a whisker from First Impression who was warming up to the task. Silverita showed up early in the straight but failed to keep the aggression going. Morganite who was expected to figure at the finish was troublesome at the gates and was withdrawn from the fray.

Sriram Komandur trained Jokshan lived up to the promise of his last run when successfully thwarting the charge of Golden Vision and Watchmystars to win the 1200 metres Beloved Prince Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Impeccable did the pace-setting with Jokshan in a handy second position. Jockey Irvan Singh drove out Jokshan to take charge in the stretch and the lesser fancied runner got a useful lead and then hung on grimly to win from Golden Vision who put up a big fight. On money favourite, Watchmystars lacked the speed to take a forward position and her late charge went in vain. Surely Watchmystars would be better off with an extended trip.

The gamble of the day was brought off by trainer Narayan Gowda on Alexandre Dumas in the 1600 metres Becket Plate, a race for horses rated 30 to 50. Alexander Dumas hadn`t won for a very long time. On the last occasion, he was withdrawn at the gates because of his unruly behaviour. In his earlier run, he had dislodged the jockey soon after the start. As such, it surely took a lot of courage to slam this temperamental horse in the betting. Jockey Rayan Ahmed had Alexandre Dumas in about the third position as Venus Bay led freely in front before driving out the heavily supported favourite to an easy win. Venus Bay was second several lengths adrift while Mighty Red occupied the third slot. Marco Polo who had his share of supporters made no show.

Azhar Ali trained Lovely Sierra recorded an upset win in the 1400 metres Murdeshwar Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest class. The long-shot won with a start to finish mission effort in the hands of jockey Ashhad Asbar, lasting out by the skin of her teeth over Super Gladiator on whom apprentice jockey Arul was unlucky not to have pulled it off. Konichiwa was third. My Vision who came in for big support following the withdrawal of Indian Star was never in the hunt and finished a tame fourth. The victory of Lovely Sierra ensured that the jackpot pool was carried over. The lower division of the race saw a much bigger upset with Definitive winning in the hands of apprentice jockey Ankit Yadav at fancy odds for trainer Inayathulla. Glorious Days was a well-beaten third while favourite Barog was not seen to have any intention of even a fair performance.

The Response had run a suggestive second last time out to Galvarino and that effort ensured sustained support for the five-year-old gelding in the1200 metres Badami Plate, a race for horses rated 15 to 35. Apprentice jockey Naveen brought the Sharat Kumar trainee The Response into contention in the final furlong and the favourite had no problem in keeping the challenge of Azeemki Princess and San Bernardino at bay.

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Jokshan (Irvan Singh up) winner of the Beloved Prince Plate

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Definitive (Ankit Yadav up) winner of the Murudeshwar Plate (Div-II)

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The Response (Naveen M up) winner of the Badami Plate

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Amazing Blaze (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Adichunchanagiri Plate

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Cuban Pete (S Zervan up) winner of the Garden City Trophy

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Knight Templar (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Racing Patrons Trophy

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Alexandre Dumas (Rayan Ahmed R up) winner of the Becket Plate

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Lovely Sierra (A Ashhad Asbar up) winner of the Murudeshwar Plate (Div-I)

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