Royal Legacy answered the stamina question in emphatic fashion, outstaying favourite Starzella to land the Gr 3 Zavaray S Poonawalla Mysore 1000 Guineas and give James McKeown a Classic triumph. While the favourite threatened briefly, Royal Legacy had more left in reserve when it mattered. The rest of the card produced a mixture of expected winners, market reversals, close finishes and one or two surprises.

James McKeown-trained Royal Legacy produced the defining performance of Friday’s Mysore card, building on her impressive last-out victory to maintain her winning momentum and stave off the challenge of favourite Starzella in the Gr 3 Zavaray S Poonawalla Mysore 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the season.

Starzella looked every inch a fit and ready favourite, but there was one nagging question: was seven furlongs her happy hunting ground, while a mile in a competitive Classic might prove a furlong too far? She had won over the distance at Bangalore in smart time, but a Classic is rarely a Sunday picnic.

The answer came emphatically in the final furlong.

Shutterfly showed the way, with Royal Legacy tracking her and Starzella settled in fourth. Akshay Kumar pressed the button on Royal Legacy as they turned for home, while Trevor Patel was already asking questions of Starzella.

For a brief moment, Starzella threatened to live up to the market’s confidence and overhaul the leader. But when the race turned into a stamina examination, Royal Legacy had the better answers. The favourite began to feel the pressure while Royal Legacy found that extra gear and pulled away to land a well-deserved Classic victory for McKeown. The mile, in the end, belonged to the filly who had more petrol left in the tank.

Akshay Kumar got virtually everything right on Royal Legacy, but his fortunes changed dramatically in the 1200 metres R M Puttanna Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Favourite Night Raider was poorly placed early and was forced to make up a mountain of ground in the straight. He came flying late and got within striking distance of Pilot Officer, but the bird had already flown.

Saqlain, whose appearances in the saddle have become something of a collector’s item, drove Pilot Officer with plenty of determination and managed to scrape home narrowly for trainer Saddam Iqbal. Selma and Night Raider had to settle for the minor honours.

Saqlain began his career with considerable promise but has never quite been able to sustain the momentum. On Friday, however, he reminded everyone that the old riding skills have not entirely disappeared from the cupboard.

Neil Devaney appears to have found the winning formula with Brave Heart, who followed up her previous victory in the 1400 metres Eclipse Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45.

The three-year-old filly, ridden confidently by apprentice Sachin, obliged again at nourishing odds. Brave Heart made the running and, despite coming under pressure late, refused to surrender.

First-timer Knightsbridge grabbed second by the narrowest of margins from heavily backed Gifted Falcon, who had promised plenty in the straight but mysteriously left the fighting spirit in the paddock.

Habibti was the firm favourite for the 1200 metres Panchgani Plate (Div I), but the betting ring produced enough twists to keep everyone busy.

There was strong support for The Grey Geranium, though that confidence appeared to evaporate towards the close as the odds drifted alarmingly. Then Mr Karnataka attracted a major plunge, only to spoil the party by being withdrawn at the gates.

That left Habibti as the favourite, albeit at a shorter price. But racing, as usual, had other plans.

Rafique took The Grey Geranium straight to the front and the filly stayed there comfortably, producing a result that did little to flatter the market experts. Golf Fame finished second, with Habibti third. The favourite had enjoyed a good position but, when the time came to produce the final burst, the extra gear appeared to be missing.

The lower division produced the biggest upset of the day. Golden Bird, trained by Helleal Moses, swooped down the final furlong in style to upset favourite Jasmine and Secret Shadow in a thrilling three-way finish. The market may have been looking elsewhere, but Golden Bird clearly wasn't reading the betting boards.

Desert Shield, another Neil Devaney-trained runner, was the strong fancy for the 1400 metres Sidapur Plate (Div I) and duly delivered.

Apprentice Sachin kept the favourite safely ahead of the opposition, giving the trainer-jockey combination a double for the afternoon. Side Please held on for second, with well-supported Carter having to settle for the minor money.

The lower division was an altogether more straightforward affair. Major Saab, trained by Bobby, was heavily backed and justified every rupee of the confidence.

Apprentice Aleemuddin had little difficulty steering the favourite to a runaway victory. The real contest was for second, where Double Scot narrowly got the better of Gentleman’s Word.