The Stayers Trial Stakes is a well endowed event, the result of which decides the Bangalore contingent for the Stayers Cup held over the Invitation weekend. A very moderate set of six four year olds along with an out of form Fairytaleending decided to accept in the feature event of Saturday's race card. Wonder Smile was making her appearance after having won the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks earlier in the season and was accordingly installed as the odds-on favourite. Her main rival was expected to be the Mysore Derby winner Splendid Surprise, who was quoted at 3/1, while the rest were back able at 10's and over. With a few doubts over the fitness of Splendid Surprise, the price on the favourite started to shorten even further.

The early pace was not very hot, with Aggasiz doing her normal front-running and being followed by Arabian Knight, Wonder Smile and Splendid Surprise. They entered the straight in almost the same order before Chris Hayes decided to take charge and pushed Arabian Knight into the lead. Prakash brought Wonder Smile on the outside and the two of them fought out a thrilling battle before the favourite put her neck in front at the winning post. Mother's Pride came with a long stretch run to get the better of Aggasiz and occupied the third place.

In the very next race Mahesh trained Raider's Sun was making his seasonal debut, and based on is earlier performances was installed as a piping hot favourite. According to the odds in the ring, Allonia was his nearest challenger. There was a lot of spirited betting on Allonia at race time which resulted in an increase in the odds against Raider's Sun. From the betting ring, it seemed like a two horse race. There was a murmur around the course as both the fancied runners, Raider's Sun and Allonia, were slow out of the starting gates. Andronicus and Bastian Bay were in the van before Strong Minded in the hands of Vinod Shinde swooped on the front runners and sped away for an easy victory. Allonia came from way behind to occupy the second slot ahead of a tiring Bastian Bay. Raider's Sun ran a poor race and should be given time before his next reappearance. Allonia reportedly burst her blood vessels during the race.

Saturday was a day that young apprentice Vinod Shinde shall not forget during his lifetime. This talented son of the legendery jockey Vasant Shinde, started riding a few months ago. He completed riding ten winners last week and was permitted the use of a whip for the first time in his career. In a great exhibition of youthful enthusiasm, agility and never-say-die attitude, this young man proudly rode four winners during the afternoon. He started the day with a 20/1 outsider when he brought Dhariwal trained Act Smart from the rear of the field in a race for horses in the lowest class. This was immediately followed by a carefully timed challenge on Karan Singh's Pacific Pride. A Run To Remember had stolen a march over her rivals and seemed to be holding on, before Vinod Shinde gave a couple of backhanders to Pacific Pride and the two of them got up in the last few strides to win on the post. He rode the next two winners for his master Irfan Ghatala. Starting with the above mentioned Strong Minded, he signed off for the day on Ever So Clever which also happened to be the shortest priced favourite of the day. He showed great maturity while riding this horse. When he sat an unperturbed fourth when Appu ridden Paint Me Red brought the field into view. He gave a tap or two to Ever So Clever and thereafter rode her hands and heels to lift the Chamundi Hills Trophy ahead of a late finishing Mystic Star and Good Companion.

Another race which evoked a lot of interest was a sprint race for horses in class II. In The Zone was heavily supported and was backed down to even money. Ocean Crest, Stylish Bay, Cimmaron and Olivia Valere were also fancied by their camps. Aadesh Kumar took In The Zone to the front and seemed to be holding on before De Souza brought Ocean Crest with a flourish and sailed away for a stylish victory. Cimmaron finished a fair third. Jockey Aadesh Kumar lodged a frivolous objection against the winner which was rightly thrown out within a matter of minutes.

The race for maidens was split into two divisions. Darius trained Rimpuche was a very impressive winner of the upper division when she stormed away from Noble View and On A Roll. This was the second time that Noble View took down a lot of punters money and should be left alone till she reaches handicap company. The lower division was won by Padmanabhan's Hill of Grace, who despite looking gross in the paddock, responded well to the urgings of Rajendra and beat the odds-on Adamaris. Anna's Quest finished a fair third.
Padmanabhan completed his double for the day with Perfect Rhythm who gave Ryan Marshall an armchair ride to victory. Dickey legged Attain ran all over the place while finishing second ahead of Asiaticus and Tina's Triumph.

Padmanabhan was joined by Dhariwal, Irfan Ghatala and jockey De Souza in the list of professionals associated with doubles for the day, but it was the stellar performance of young Vinod Shinde which stood out and caught the eye of all present at the BTC. It is hoped that he will follow in his father's footsteps.