Ganapathy trained Bold Command fought valiantly and staved off a defeat that was staring in the face to win the Gr 3 Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Cup Mysore 2000 Guineas, the second classic of the season on Friday at Mysore. Bold Command thus earned a slice of history having been the unprecedented 600th classic success for Turf Baron Dr M A M Ramaswamy. Trevor Patel rode like one possessed to help the favourite neck out an unexpected challenge that came from Brilliant Cut.

Bold Command had earned the tag of being the best horse not only at Bangalore but possibly all over India after his exploits during the summer season. His smashing manner of victory in the summer million over a mile had earned him the status of being an invincible horse for his campaign during the Mysore season. Since he was taking on relatively inexperienced horses, he was quoted at cramped odds as the race was expected to be a walk in the park. But in keeping with the unpredictable performance of the horses sporting these colours, Bold Command ran way below expectations and the final furlong saw the favourite very nearly succumbing to the onslaught of Brilliant Cut. Only Trevor’s amazing luck and perseverance helped the favourite to see off the threat.

In a slow run race, New Prince set the pace with Garuda not far behind while Trevor struggled to settle Bold Command in about the fourth position as the progeny of Arazan raced with his mouth wide open, not relishing the pace of the race. Garuda, Mogadishu, Brilliant Cut and Blazing Faith raced in close proximity behind the pace setter. Trevor had Bold Command take over the running inside the final two furlongs but the expected brilliance did not come from the favourite who struggled for speed as Brilliant Cut joined issue with him on his outside. Bold Command who had established a few lengths lead by the time Brilliant Cut moved with raking strides, thus had the advantage going into the final furlong which held him in good stead as the lead was fast evaporating even as the winning post was sighted. A long neck saved the day for the favourite. Mogadishu ran on from behind to take the third place.

Bold Command did not show the spark of brilliance and his final furlong effort suggested that the favourite was not enjoying the race as something seemed to be bothering him. The slow nature of the race and the below par performance of Bold Command which resulted in Brilliant Cut running way above expectations may encourage the connections to go for the Derby though it remains to be seen if the progeny of Burden of Proof is as good as this run indicated or whether Bold Command had some niggling issues which prevented him from performing to the exalted level that should have characterised this win.

Bobby trained Madame Bovary had seen better class than the one she was taking on in the 1400 metres Margrove Estate Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65 and as such, the sudden spurt of money that she attracted in the betting ring was indicative of the fact that the five year old mare could be seen in serious business. All Proof who had run a brilliant second in his last effort however cornered big betting to go to the post as an overwhelming favourite. Madame Bovary who shot into the lead in the final furlong, held on gallantly and held off the patented late rally of favourite All Proof to bring off a good touch. Flame’s Fury was some lengths behind in third place. Madame Sultana who had won against the run of expectations against some quality three year olds during the summer season at Bangalore, won the lower division of the race at nourishing odds. The Nikhil Punna trained four year old filly fought out resolutely with Sheer Elation and got strong close home to win quite easily in the hands of jockey Shiva Kumar. Southern Fantasy was third. There was big betting on Secret Dimension but the favourite flopped miserably, finishing a poor fifth.

The hunger for success and the lack of the same in others is perhaps helping jockey Trevor get more than his share of success. Once again he was at his best on favourite Satellite who had the first run on her challengers and lasted out to win from Naval Glory and Speed Hawk in a tight finish, the 1600 metres Nargis Darashah Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and above. Satellite thus recorded back to back wins on the local track.

Jersey Bride who had been relocated to Mysore, straightaway had success coming her way in the 1100 metres M K Srinivas Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Jersey Bride had to be driven out by jockey B Harish to see off the threat of Friends Forever whose valiant effort could fetch her only the runner up berth.

Neeraj Rawal drove out Aravind Ganapathy trained Striking View to a narrow win in the 2000 metres Justice P Medappa Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Striking View moved swiftly from about the fourth position at the final bend to quickly grab the initiative in the run in for home. Favourite Turf Tactics had some leeway to cover on Striking View going into the final furlong as the four year old gelding made progress from the rear. Though Turf Tactics closed with a rush, Striking View narrowly held on to the lead to win by a neck. Jockey Yash Narredu who had wins coming his way in a big way in the first last one year, has been struggling but the young jockey is sure to iron out his defects and hog the limelight very soon.

Long shot Vroom Vroom produced a powerful gallop down the final furlong to bring off an upset in the 1200 metres Lokapavani Plate, a race for lowest rated horses. There was a cluster finish more than four lengths behind with favourite Napolean Dynamite getting the runner up from Namrattaazz and Supreme Strength.