S. John may have been made to wait for his trainer’s licence by bureaucratic red tape, but he is wasting no time making headlines. Reiko provided the fledgling trainer with his second feature race success, holding off the Mumbai challenger Dream Seller in a gripping Chief Minister’s Cup. The afternoon also belonged to Pradeep Chouhan, whose Vegatha completed a hat-trick, while Preview, Steely Challenge, Imperador, River Deep and Michiko added their names to the winners’ roll.

If bureaucratic red tape thought it could slow down S. John, it clearly underestimated Reiko. Delayed in getting his trainer’s licence, John has wasted little time making up for lost ground, saddling his second feature race winner when the prolific Reiko dug deep to fend off the Mumbai challenger Dream Seller in the 1200 metres Chief Minister’s Cup, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the highlight of Sunday’s Bangalore races.

A winner of four of his previous six starts, Reiko once again proved he possessed more than just speed. Dream Seller, who had measured strides with quality sprinters in Mumbai, threw down a determined challenge but paid the price for returning from a break. Fitness may not show up on the race card, but it certainly clocked in during the last hundred metres.

Dream Seller attracted stronger support in the betting ring with Reiki next in demand while the remaining runners merely making up the attendance register. Jockey Neeraj Rawal executed his trademark front-running tactics aboard Reiko and, although Sandesh came charging through on Dream Seller along the rails, Reiko always had another gear tucked away. Crown Drive, after spending most of the race sightseeing at the rear, finished with a rattle to snatch third from Knotty Charmer. The close finish among the first four underlined just how competitive the contest was.

Pradeep Chouhan found consolation through Vegatha, who completed a hat-trick in the 1400 metres Karnataka Sub Area Cup for horses rated 40 to 65. Sent off a short-priced favourite, Vegatha looked vulnerable when Lux Aeterna refused to surrender the lead, but Anthony Raj persisted with relentless determination and got up almost in the shadow of the post. Victoria Doresaani finished on late for third.

James McKeown unveiled a smart youngster in Preview, who made a winning debut in the 1200 metres Littleover Plate for three-year-olds. Suraj Narredu dictated matters from the outset and the filly lengthened her stride with every furlong, leaving Calix chasing shadows. Sai Princess completed the frame.

The aptly named Steely Challenge, trained by Darius Byramji, lived up to his billing in the 1400 metres Richelieu Stakes for horses rated 20 to 45. Anthony Raj adopted the oldest tactic in racing, jump, lead and don’t wait for company. The opposition never received the invitation. Queen Don and Lightning Blitz followed him home in that order

Prasanna Kumar-trained Imperador finally rewarded his supporters after two disappointing failures as a fancied runner by making every post a winning one in the 1600 metres Desert Gold Plate for horses rated 20 to 45. Vishal Bunde, who does not often find himself in the Bangalore winners’ enclosure, ensured there were no anxious moments. Regal Aristocracy gave chase throughout but never seriously threatened. The well-backed pair, Pledge and Absolute Emperor, were spectators with the best seats in the house, finishing well behind the leading duo


Last-start winner River Deep confirmed that victory was no flash in the pan by completing an encore in the 1200 metres Tudor Jet Plate for horses rated 20 to 45. Producing a powerful burst over the final furlong, River Deep swept past Carat Love close home. Noble Cause, after showing the way for much of the journey, just held off Il Volo for third.

The heavily backed Michiko finally graduated from the maidens’ class in the 1600 metres Nagalakshmi Plate for basement-class horses. The avalanche of betting support was so one-sided it raised more eyebrows than the starter’s flag. Michiko justified every rupee invested, while Sea Diamond finished second ahead of Rising Form.

Silence That Spoke Volumes

Before the start of the first race on Sunday, the Bangalore Turf Club had an opportunity to pay a simple but meaningful tribute to legendary trainer S. S. Shah, who had passed away earlier that day. A minute’s silence was all it would have taken. Instead, the opportunity was allowed to pass, despite a reported request from the Chairman of the Royal Western India Turf Club that such a tribute be observed, a request that was allegedly declined by the BTC Chairman.

It is difficult to comprehend the mindset of those entrusted with running the club. S. S. Shah was a towering figure in Indian racing, a three-time Indian Derby-winning trainer whose achievements earned him a permanent place in the sport’s history. Honouring him was not a favour but an obligation.

Racing is built by its professionals: trainers, jockeys, owners, breeders, and stable staff. Administrators are merely custodians of the institution, not the reason for its existence. When they fail to show even the most basic respect to those who shaped the sport, they diminish the club far more than the memory of the departed. A minute’s silence would have reflected dignity, gratitude and respect. Its absence spoke volumes.