The Topmost Cup is traditionally the first well-endowed race for 2 year olds in the winter season at the Bangalore Turf Club. The winner of this race is normally a classy type who goes on in its career and attains great heights. It was a pleasure to see bay colt Mark of Gibraltar (Salt Lake-Madame Equis) in the paddock. He is a wonderful specimen, and though looking a little soft like all first timers, was on his toes as Colm O’Donoghue trotted him to the starting gates. Trainer Ganapathy had contributed five runners in this field of 11 starters. Byramji-trained Safari had run a good second in its maiden appearance, and was accordingly a well-supported second favourite at 6/4 behind the even money offered on Mark of Gibraltar.

Appu took On a Roll on a start to finish mission with Safari and Royal Player in close attendance. The favourite was seen cantering a couple of lengths behind the leaders. The rest seemed to be outpaced at this stage. On straightening up, Colgan took Safari to the front while O'Donoghue was seen asking his mount to quicken on the wide outside. The response was immediate and Mark of Gibraltar, like a true champion, was seen striding away from Safari, On a Roll and a late finishing Own Voice. The last named, a stablemate of the winner, can be earmarked for an early success. Mark of Gibraltar's style of running indicated that he will relish a longer trip, and this augers well for his proud joint owners Ms Simone Poonawalla and Dr MAM Ramaswamy. Incidentally, his timing was better than the timing of the class I race run earlier in the afternoon, even though he was carrying more weight on his back than the winner of that race. There is no doubt that this youngster is a champion in the making.

The supporting event in the day’s card was The Shantiniketan Trophy, a sprint event for horses in class I. In a small field of six runners, last outing winner 3 year-old Pastiche was the rage and was available at unbackable odds. You could write your own card on the other five. O'Donoghue and Pastiche were expected to romp home easily, but that was not the way it eventually happened. He was taken to the front in his customary style but was fully extended under the whip to hold Diamond Hunter at bay. Armament came from the tail end to finish a good third.

Even though there was a single day’s racing this weekend at this centre, the club could frame only seven races. One of the events was declared void due to paucity of acceptors. The trainers are not entering their wards, as a result of which the owners are losing precious stake money. It is very funny to see the same trainers demanding higher stakes and extra race meetings at the end of the season from the authorities at the BTC.

A sprint event in class III attracted many well-performed horses out of which River Island, Sporting Master,Milford and Andronicus were well-supported. Outsiders Lush Foliage and Dock of Bay were also quietly fancied. River Blush set a very fast pace and led Sporting Master, Dock of Bay and Milford into the straight. Even while Sporting Master was being hailed a winner, De Souza goaded Lush Foliage to produce a superb gallop and she responded beautifully to go away from Sporting Master. River Island was flat out to finish third and will be suited by this outing to do well in her next engagement. Now that she seems to be back to her best, Lush Foliage can extend her winning ways and start going up in the ratings.

A king size gamble was landed by trainer Dominic on Hidden Pleasures. It was at the expense of Indian Arcelor who was well supported all morning. Jockey Tauseef kept Hidden Pleasures in handy third position as no-hopers Dark Horse and Auchinlech led the field into the straight. Tauseef took the filly to the front thereafter, and to the delight of her followers had no problems in annexing this event. Indian Arcelor was seen struggling to hold second place and eventually lost it to Compton Star who came from dead last position to finish an impressive runner up.

The handicapping at Bangalore is very tight, as a result of which many trainers use apprentice jockeys claiming allowances to enhance the chances of their wards. There was abundant evidence of this fact when the patrons saw trainer Prithviraj entrust his ward Proud as a Peacock to 5kg claimer Ravi and then support it with confidence. This confidence was not misplaced as we saw this gelding romping home in great style. It was a similar story with Irfan Ghatala and 5kg claimer Vinod Shinde. Though Bastian Bay was running after a long gap, it was well supported and backed down to on-money favouritism. He gave his apprentice an armchair ride to victory.

The racing during the afternoon was kind to the punters as many well-supported horses won their respective races. The professional honours were shared by the combination of trainer Ganapathy and Jockey O'Donoghue who saw their ward Mark of Gibraltar stamp his authority on the day’s proceedings.