By Punters Mind
The Bangalore summer season finally delivered the thrill that racegoers were waiting for. On June 15, 2025, the crowd at the turf club witnessed a blend of exciting finishes, dominant performances, and some unexpected results. From classic contenders like Fynbos to rising stars such as Indian Brocade and Mandarino, the day had something for every racing enthusiast.
Here’s your full review of the day’s action.
Fynbos Makes a Statement in the Fillies Championship
The spotlight was firmly on Fynbos, trained by the ever-reliable Pesi Shroff, in the Fillies Championship Stakes, the first major classic of the summer. Coming in as the hot favourite, she lived up to expectations with a smart, well-judged ride by Trevor Patel.
Fynbos settled nicely through the early part of the mile-long race and made her move at the right moment, pulling ahead with ease in the final stretch. Her stablemate Bishop chased gamely but couldn’t match strides. Mountain Jewel came flying in the final 100 metres to claim third, while Northern Waves was edged out at the finish.
This win was special for Fynbos, especially after an interrupted run in her last outing. Now being aimed at the Bangalore Derby on July 13, she’ll face tougher male competition but looks up for the challenge.
Stewards Cup – Mandarino Upsets the Favourite
In one of the feature races of the day, the Stewards Cup, Mandarino stunned punters with a commanding victory over the better-fancied Positano.
Despite being outperformed by Positano in past classics, Mandarino reversed the form over 1400 metres. Jockey Sandesh timed the run perfectly, pushing Mandarino into the lead at the top of the straight and storming home unchallenged.
Positano, though well placed, offered little in response and continues to disappoint. Invincible finished a surprising third ahead of Stellantis, while Thundering Phoenix found the competition too strong.
Akitania and Indian Brocade Rule the Amokbash Million
The Amokbash Million, split into two divisions, saw smart winners emerge in both legs:
- In the upper division, Akitania, trained by James McKeown, produced an eye-catching run. After tracking the leaders early, she accelerated impressively to defeat Konkrah. Debutant Double Your Money showed promise to finish third, ahead of Mnemosyne.
- In the lower division, it was all about Indian Brocade. Making her maiden appearance, the Rajesh Narredu-trained youngster cruised ahead of Flight Of Fancy and drew away to win by six lengths. She looks a very promising sort and could become a star this season.
⚡ Vyasa and Knotty Scotty Deliver Back-to-Back Wins for Byramji
Trainer Darius Byramji had a memorable day with two of his wards — Vyasa and Knotty Scotty — scoring back-to-back wins.
In the Parsiana Plate, Vyasa, partnered by jockey G. Vivek, fought hard in the final 100 metres to edge past the favourite Victoria Doresaani. Star Concept finished third, while Aquamatic showed signs of being out of form.
In the day’s final race, the Richelieu Plate, favourite Knotty Scotty justified the support with a fluent win. Stablemate Sassy Sarah tried hard but couldn’t keep up. Thrill Of Blaze ran on well to take third and may be worth following.
Star Of India Dominates in Style
The day opened with a bang as Star Of India, trained by S. Padmanabhan, made light work of her rivals in the seven-furlong maiden race. After leading from the start, she pulled clear effortlessly under Neeraj Rawal and won by a big margin of seven lengths.
Despite late market drift, she delivered strongly. Recreator finished second, with Embosom and Verrazzano completing the frame.
Other Notable Moments
- Vegatha, who was expected to do well, lost all chances at the start after rearing up and was never in contention.
- Diablo pulled off a narrow win in the Justice Medappa Memorial Trophy, with Trevor Patel appearing to misjudge the pace on Don Carlos.
- Ebotse bounced back from a poor last run with a much-improved performance, catching the eye of punters.
Horses to Follow(For the Punters Notebook)
Based on their performances and future potential, here are the horses to keep an eye on:
- Fynbos – A true class act; major Derby contender.
- Bishop – A consistent runner likely to strike soon.
- Mountain Jewel – Strong finisher with scope for longer trips.
- Indian Brocade – Very promising youngster, likely to win again.
- Akitania – Smart filly with speed and temperament.
- Double Your Money – Good debut; more to come.
- Thrill Of Blaze – Closed well and ready to improve.
- Vyasa – In top form, chasing a four-timer next.
- Knotty Scotty – Reliable and consistent; can handle tougher tests.
Summary
While the overall summer racing calendar feels lighter and somewhat lacking in buzz, days like this offer a reminder of what makes Indian racing special. With emerging talent and a few seasoned stars rising to the occasion, fans have plenty to look forward to — especially with the Colts Championship Stakes and the Bangalore Derby just around the corner.
Stay tuned — the best of the season may still be ahead!
