Mysore races on Monday ran true to the general trend of punters receiving a drubbing as only two firm favorites came through in the long card of nine events. Trainers Monappa and Girinath were the two professionals who relished the proceedings most as they had a double each. The long face that the punters sported has been par for the summer season as results have mostly gone against the run of expectations.

M P Kamath trained Theworldismine was the first of the two favorites to oblige. Theworldismine, who had found one better on three occasions, finally broke the jinx and landed the spoils in the feature event, the Next Move Cup and thus shed his maiden status. The progeny of Brave Act led the field from the start and then had enough reserves to check in clear of Time For All. Time For All chased the winner all the way in the straight and the fact that she was lugging in did not aid her cause. Not that she would have made a difference to the verdict but she could have made the finish a close one. Skyfleet finished in the money placing third and bears watching.

Cheetah brought off the biggest upset of the day with an end to end mission. Cheetah’s last win had come a year ago when he had beaten a creditable field which included Associator and Super Woman. Cheetah and favourite Gold Grid fought for supremacy at the top of the field but the latter failed to sustain. Cheetah outstayed the rest as he skipped away to win comfortably from late rallying Amazing One who devoured ground from the rear position close home. Gold Grid ran on to be third.

Laguna Blue was another who plied on to the misery of the punters by winning the upper division of the Bagalkote Plate as an unfancied runner. Satin Slipper garnered inspired support in the ring to end up as a firm favourite. Laguna Blue led from the start, with favourite Satin Slipper holding third position, hugging the rails. Satin Slipper did not make any impression on the front runner who was not inclined to give up and went on to win for trainer Ravi Shankar and I A Khan who got a chance ride in place of P Krishna.

After a couple of easy outings, Hi Hennessy had the desired fitness to bring off a big gamble in the lower division of the Bagalkote Plate. Though Tantrik was lodged the firm favourite, he was not in a mood to oblige. He traveled in fourth position and found his bearings when the race had been sewn up by Hi Hennessy. Black Cat who came from behind along the rails and finished third did not appear to be in serious business.

Another horse who was readied for a coup but failed to oblige was Kangaroo Punch who was backed down spiritedly. Queen of Destiny led the field with Mr Magic and Kangaroo Punch racing behind each other. Though Mr Magic hung in, Gnaneshwar managed to drive out the second favourite to a comfortable win. Kangaroo Punch picked up momentum when the front-runner had reached the safety of the post. Queen of Destiny led for most part of the journey till overtaken by the eventual winner and finished third.

Demanding who was backed with conviction, bolted to the front in the upper division of the Weight In Gold Plate for horses rated 20 to 45 and built a sizeable lead only to run out of steam when the race came on the boil. Serious Warrior, who was well positioned to strike, overhauled the front runner with ease to record an emphatic victory. Noname who was also well fancied, fell back after receiving a check within the first 100 meters and was never in contention. Living Free scored an encore in the lower division of the race. Azazel showed improvement while finishing second after leading all the way while Anoosheek flopped.

Land Of Smiles and Bulbasaur won their respective races meant for lowest rated horses to provide trainer Girinath with a good priced double.