Prasanna Kumar-trained Iron Mirage recorded his fourth successive win in smashing fashion, landing the Group 3 Y Shanker Rao Memorial Deccan Colts Championship, the second classic of the season at Malakpet on Sunday. There is plenty of Iron in his legs, though the Mirage part of his name is beginning to look increasingly misleading. There was nothing imaginary about this horse.

Iron Mirage had looked a cut above the opposition in each of his three previous victories, all accomplished in emphatic start-to-finish fashion, and stepping up to a mile for the first time did little to alter his habits. He jumped out, took charge and simply carried on with the job. By the time the others got around, he had crossed the winner post.

Iron Mirage won by a comfortable four-plus lengths in 1 minute 37.5 seconds, a time fractionally slower than the course record. The only qualification is that he was effectively running his own race, with neither an ace nor a serious challenger willing to make him work for his money. Garfunkle was the best of the beaten brigade in second, ahead of Buddy, while Asterion, who had been expected to finish considerably closer, was left looking rather flat-footed.

The son of Dreamfield has now built a reputation that suggests he could make his presence felt even when the opposition gets considerably tougher. Jockey Akshay Kumar, the champion rider, gave him a ride of serene confidence, the sort that comes naturally when success has become almost a habit.

A Day When Favourites Could Do No Wrong

Saturday was the sort of racing day punters would happily frame and hang on the wall. All seven races went the way of the favourites. There was no revolt from the opposition, no dramatic upset and precious little interest in upsetting the established order. The favourites, quite simply, had the field under a collective spell.

Sequeira-trained Wolf Creek justified favouritism, though not without making his supporters sweat. Krystallos stole a march in the final furlong and appeared to have done enough, forcing Akshay Kumar to extract every ounce from Wolf Creek. The favourite had more than five lengths to make up in the closing furlong and somehow managed to get there in the dying strides. Life's Journey was third. This was the only race of the day where favourites faced some challenge.

Satheesh-trained Love All recorded an encore in the 1400 metres Nice Fella Plate for horses rated 20 to 45. Jockey R S Jodha had the awkward outside draw to contend with, but he was not prepared to let it become an excuse. Love All was hustled into position within the first furlong, after which she dictated terms at her own pace. Once she had established her rhythm, the race was effectively over. Love All sailed away to win comfortably from the late-rallying Excalibur, with Advait third.

Darius Byramji-trained Pledge had developed an unfortunate habit of disappointing as favourite at Bangalore, doing so three times. Perhaps the change of scenery helped. At Malakpet, the short-priced favourite finally decided that obedience was a better option and obliged in the 1800 metres Mega Top Plate.

Antony Raj enjoyed what could best be described as an armchair ride as Pledge drew away to win by four widening lengths from One Nation, with the rest finishing a considerable distance behind. Pledge had clearly decided that three strikes at Bangalore were enough.

Bharath Singh-trained Yali was strongly supported in the 1100 metres Mount Pleasant Plate for maiden three-year-olds, while Srinivas Reddy-trained debutant Champion Reef also attracted substantial support. But when the real business began, Yali showed that market confidence was not misplaced.

Trevor Patel kept Yali close to the pace before pressing the button inside the final two furlongs. The response was immediate. Yali bounced clear and left the opposition stranded, winning by a widening four lengths. Bella's Touch was second, ahead of Champion Reef. The debutant may have plenty to offer in the future, but on this occasion Yali was not interested in introductions.

Even the 1200 metres Tiger Tops Plate, a basement-class affair where favourites are often known to develop selective hearing, produced another success for the market leader. Imran Khan-trained Aos Si had little difficulty disposing of Iconic Star and won as a short-priced favourite.

There was, at least, some entertainment behind the winner. Iconic Star finished second ahead of Sugriva, with nearly half a dozen horses charging for the minor placings in a cluster finish. The race for second was considerably more competitive than the race for first.

Prasad Raju-trained Equine Power completed the favourite's procession in the 1200 metres Hyperion Plate for horses rated 20 to 45. Jockey Sai Kumar brought the favourite into contention inside the final furlong and Equine Power promptly bounced clear to win by more than three lengths. Farsiris was the best of the beaten brigade, while the remainder appeared content to fulfil the basic contractual obligation of turning up.

For once, the favourites did not merely live up to their billing. They behaved as though the betting market had been handed the race card in advance. Seven races, seven favourites and barely a dissenting voice. Punters could hardly have asked for a more agreeable Saturday, though bookmakers may have a rather different version of the weekend.