Money Bags once again stamped his authority on the older horse division with an effortless victory in the Group II BTC Anniversary Cup, the highlight among the supporting events on Bangalore Derby Day. The Prasanna Kumar-trained star notched up his fourth win of the season with a start-to-finish exhibition that left his rivals chasing shadows. Masato, Asterion and Starzella also scored impressive victories, while Aravind Ganapathy celebrated a training double.

The Capt. Jamshed J. Appoo-owned Money Bags continues to make a mockery of the opposition. Already boasting three victories this season, the Prasanna Kumar-trained champion showed that the well is nowhere near dry, cantering away with the Group II 1400 metres BTC Anniversary Cup, one of the principal attractions of Derby Day on Sunday.

Jockey Vivek could hardly have asked for an easier afternoon. Allowed to dictate from the moment the gates opened, Money Bags had the field in trouble long before the home turn. The son of Leitir Mor travelled with effortless authority, kept a healthy advantage throughout and, by the time the others realised the race had started, the winner was already counting another trophy. Last year`s Indian Derby winner Ranquelino stayed on for second, while the evergreen Once You Go Black once again proved that age is merely a statistic, swooping late to snatch third from Galahad.



Money Bags` victory merely reinforced what has become increasingly obvious. Whether the journey is a sprint or a middle-distance contest, the rest are racing among themselves while the winner is operating in a different postcode.

The 1200 metres Mumbai Cup for horses rated 80 and above went to the John-trained Masato, who justified strong support at rewarding odds. Racing within striking distance before unleashing a telling burst inside the final furlong, Masato held off the late thrust of the fancied Echoes of Time, whose lack of race fitness after a lengthy absence, following a setback after last year`s Mysore Guineas triumph, probably made the difference. Star Glory finished on for third, while favourite Regal Equity was swallowed by the field so completely that even a search party would have struggled to locate her.

Karthik Ganapathy-trained Asterion confirmed that his previous effort was no flash in the pan by annexing the 1600 metres Five Stars Shipping Million for maiden three-year-olds. Always travelling sweetly, Asterion tightened his grip inside the final furlong and comfortably held the spirited challenge of Royal Legacy. Sensuous was third, while Old Fashioned, after doing all the donkey work in front, discovered that early enthusiasm sometimes comes with a hefty invoice.

The 1400 metres Hyderabad Silver Salver for horses rated 40 to 65 was little more than a public workout for the Prasanna Kumar-trained Starzella. Once she swept to the front entering the straight, the issue was settled beyond argument. Sicyon arrived with a customary late flourish to finish second without ever looking like overhauling the winner, while Valiant Stream faded into a well-beaten third.

Aravind Ganapathy landed a delightful upset in Division I of the 1200 metres Indian Pattern Committee Trophy as Idi Minnal, ridden with confidence by apprentice Md. Ashraf Reza, made every post a winning one. Favourite A Great Buzz lived up to only half his name, generating plenty of buzz after the race but too little during it, finishing second ahead of the game Waitara.

Ganapathy was not done yet. He completed a memorable double when Lasya caused another upset in Division II, lowering the colours of Agrador and Supreme Success. Favourite Lena never threatened and left her supporters wondering whether they had backed the right horse.

Division III restored order as favourite Power of Sea made virtually every yard of the running and just held the fast-finishing Big B. Sd Good Sam completed the frame, but by then the winner had already signed off on another successful day`s work.