The SA Poonawalla Multi-Million day wore a festive look and the crowds were enjoying themselves in large numbers. The list of grand prizes in a free contest of skill, innovated by the Poonawallas decades ago, still attracts a huge following. The Maruti Car winner was cheered loudly despite the rains playing spoilsport and the presentation carried out within the confines of the weighing room. Mrs Villoo C Poonawalla picked the lucky draw and handed the winners the attractive prizes. The last two races of the day too were put off to the coming Saturday as the Stewards decided that the track was not conducive to racing following a sharp burst of rainfall.

Although it was a small field that went to post for the prestigious SA Poonawalla Multi-Million (Gr 2), the finish bore testimony of the high quality competitiveness that ensued as the gates flung open. Mighty Crusader went to the front and opened up a yawning gap. He was followed by Native Knight, Harmonica raced alongside Sea Ruler and Cabriolet was well of the pace behind Duke of Windsor.
 
It was a crawling pace initially and picked up only past the 800. At the turn, Malesh improved his position galloping along the rails and although it was a small field he ran into traffic problems at a crucial juncture. By then, Harmonica was already in charge and was fighting hard to stave off the menacing challenge from Sea River, who was gaining with every stride. Cabriolet just couldn’t wriggle out quickly enough and a frantic Malesh could do little to salvage the situation. Sea Ruler, despite carrying the top weight of 60, gave it his best shot in the final few metres and got Harmonica on the wire. Sea Ruler’s burst was tremendous and he will be a live force in Mumbai as well.
 
Bee Quick (Elnadim – Eubee), owned by the Ruias, posted an awesome victory in a strong bunch of 15 runners. The victory was clean as a whistle and the Nosher Cama trainee looked a cut above the rest in the decisive manner he decimated the tough opposition. To make a top-class set of sprinters look pedestrian is some task and that is exactly what Bee Quick did to the opposition. Leading all the way, Bee Quick had the speedy Angels Glory for company until the turn and the rest breathing down their neck.
 
On turning for home, Angels Glory was huffing to keep pace as Bee Quick shifted gears and surged ahead. None from behind could even get close to the winner and Bee Quick won drawing away and clocking under 1:10 without being ridden out. Neeraj Rawal was very confident and he even ventured to peep over his shoulder at the distance post. What he saw would have only boosted his confidence further and he won easing up.
 
Ares (Celtic Swing – Glowing Sands) shot like an arrow early in the homestretch and the lead that we had worked up came in decisively handy. Ares was able to thwart the late onslaught from Blue Ray who finished on impressively missing out by a narrow margin. Ares moved to a close fourth at the turn and the moment he got a slight opening on the rails he sped past Wild Torronaado leaving behind Highland Flame as well. At the distance post, Ares was looking good though the rider kept punishing Ares until the very end. Blue Ray, who raced in the mid-bunch, wove through horses and once he got a clear run Blue Ray devoured ground briskly. Had the winning post been a couple of strides further, one would probably see Parmar celebrating. However, that was not to be as jockey P Kamlesh made the right moves at the right times to clinch the Rao Saheb Kedari Gold Trophy.

Alize was the day’s biggest disappointment. Heavily supported at 6 to 10 on, Alize simply could not raise a significant gallop after entering the straight on a tight rein. Alize was expected to bound forward and romp home. That was not to be, as when asked for an effort the filly simply would not quicken. She even took a while to pass the front running Oh Calcutta! Golden Strides was let loose only in the final furlong by Prakash and he responded well to gallop past the favourite without difficulty.
 
Kiss Away (Major Impact – Kisses Due) won a thriller and would have caused a lot of anxiety to the followers of this favourite. Apprentice Shammi Khan could not have timed his run better and literally snatched the race on the deciding stride. Amberly was sent on a start-to-finish essay and nearly pulled it off. In the straight, there seemed no threat in sight at least until the distance post. Stefano was tiring, Ratnavali had faded out and Game of Power was not sighted. Kiss Away was steady along the rails but with Malesh having an upper hand in final furlong, Shammi had a difficult task on hand. Kiss Away responded well to his pushing and caught up with Amberly a stride before the post. Amberly was unlucky to lose while old timer Amaranza ran well to earn the place money.
 
Lightening Cavalry (Storm Trooper – Kojagiri) showed tremendous improvement over his last run and smashed the opposition to submission in the 2,400 m race. Moving nicely on and going hard held for most part of the journey, jockey CS Jodha surged into the lead soon on straightening up. Once ahead, Lightening Cavalry sped further and further, giving no chance to any other contender. Lightening Cavalry ended comfortably ahead of Saarah. Brezhnev held to the third.
 
Tequila (Alnasr Alwasheek – Bay of Angels) stormed home to register an impressive win in the Icarus Plate and with some dazzle surely. Leading from the start, Tequila countered no opposition as she gained ground rapidly in the straight. Black rainbow tried hard to catch up but Tequila proved too good on the day. Tequila showed good speed clocking under the minute for the five-furlong scurry.