Satish Narredu trained Bourne Supreme reached the safety of the winning post before Atlantus could overhaul him in the 1400 metres F K Irani Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the main event of races held on Saturday.

Racing suffered from the irregularities practiced by the professionals who have been assured impunity if only they keep the voting members informed. The Stipes have been rendered ineffective. Sometimes one gets the feeling that it is not the professionals who are being pulled up but it is the Stipes who get hauled up by the Stewards if their favourites are put up before them for punitive action. Fining a trainer for improved performance is hotly debated when it is a case of straightforward decision. Racing has certainly slipped possibly beyond repair at this stage. The best lack conviction and the others are full of passionate betting intensity.

Bourne Supreme was backed to the exclusion of the rest because barring top-weighted Atlantus, the others did not have the class or the desired racing form to make a dent. Win Again led the field from the start with One for the Money in close attendance with Bourne Supreme racing handy in striking position while Atlantus as usual was in the rear group. Bourne Supreme steadily gained the upper hand in the straight and went into a decisive lead with a furlong out. Tomsk threw some semblance of a challenge before weakening. It was Atlantus essayed a strong challenge with a powerful run but fell short by a neck. Tomsk showed some semblance of returning to form while staying on to finish third.

The 1600 metres Kollur Plate, a race for horses rated 60 to 85, was a punter’s nightmare. Sunspirit had the best credentials but the drifting price certainly was an indication of shape of things to come. Aztec Gold came in for spirited betting when stablemate Native Talent appeared to have better credentials. Scarlette had her share of supporters while bottom weighted African Queen was better placed but ignored totally because the stable’s first jockey had opted for the former. In this confusing scenario, Native Talent got the measure of long shot Sun Control who overhauled the field from the rear to shape like a winner but was necked out at the finish. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan did not make serious effort either to improve the position of Sunspirit nor was he vigorous on the ante post favourite. His lacklustre effort was certainly shocking and Sunspirit dragged himself to finish fourth. The whip happy jockey used the equipment about two times. An enquiry has been ordered into the running and riding of Sunspirit but you can be rest assured that nothing much will come about it in the prevailing environment.

Lad Fury had twice let down in the hands of this centre’s leading jockeys. Now entrusted to apprentice Anjar Alam who had messed up on two other favourites, the lesser fancied runner bolted n front to win easily from Kripa and the heavily backed Celestial Son to win the B C Prabhakar Memorial Cup (Div I). Six Shooter was not in the fray. Arjun Mangalorkar trained Anna showed great improvement when slamming the opposition in the lower division of the race. Its My Party and Sparkling Cat occupied the next two slots.

Irfan Ghatala’s Hill Rising was heavily backed to win the 1400 metres Sivaganga Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 456 but the favourite shot her bolt long before the race came on the boil. Beau Sancy shaped to win but was surprised by the late charge of long shot Bernicia. Dominic trained Rise To Glory too came in for big support but ran like a dud.

Dhariwal’s Meghalaya just about managed to stave off the late bid of Speedy Girl in the 1100 metres Sriharikota Plate, a race for maiden three year olds. Impressive Bolt led the field into the final furlong but was overhauled at this stage by the eventual winner. Speedy Girl showed that she is ready to strike by finishing second without troubling the winner.

The withdrawal of Brownie resulted in Castro ending up as the tote favourite in the 2000 metres Vedavati Plate. Castro led all the way and shaped to win but Hilarious flew on the wide outside to get the nod in the closing strides of the race to win at nourishing odds.

Spark of Passion brought off an upset in the 1400 metres Jamuna Plate, a race for horses rated in the lowest category. Attaturk was backed to the exclusion of the rest but the favourite was floored by Spark of Passion who quickened brilliantly in the final furlong and went sailing clear. Attaturk could only finish third ahead of Augusta. Flip Your Destiny who led from the start to final furlong, weakened to finish fourth.