The Saarrathi Maiden Million, sponsored by Siddhart Properties – Satin Hills had an impressive line up of 14 three-year-olds matching strides, along with an impressive prize money, a winning bracket for themselves for the first time in their careers.

Fire Streak (Major Impact – Sunshiner) won her maiden win and certainly did so in style. Settling in the mid-bunch and biding her time, Fire Streak made steady progress from the 800-metre mark to be in striking position at the turn. Alize made the initial pace and brought with her Salute The Star, Dictator, Gloria, Sea Warrior and Royal Companion. Salute The Star was the first to challenge Alize early in the straight. Approaching the distance post Fire Streak came up with a powerful burst to snatch the lead and draw away from the rest. The minor placing was a real scramble with Alize just managing to hold on to the runner’s up berth from Salute The Star. Mighty Crusader came from a long way back to figure in the frame. Tora Bora was not too quick out of the gates but finished on well although he finished well off the frame.

River Knight (Razeen - Set Aside) was watched with keen interest being a full brother to the famed filly Set Alight, and the bay gelding did not disappoint. Settling well soon on start, River Knight stayed close to the front-runners Balas Pet and Angelo, Treasure Isle and Brief Encounter raced in the front bunch. Angelo grabbed the lead from balas Pet soon on entering the straight, but found the challenge too hot coming from River Knight almost immediately. River Knight came under pressure but galloped on under some fierce riding from Imran Chisty. River Knight put up a gutsy show and eventually warded off a late challenge from Treasure Isle. It is early days to make any forecast on River knight, but I certainly liked what he had to display. He is bound to improve and has all the potential to develop into a top-class prospect.

Telstar (Placerville – Tiney Toast) won the Squanderer Trophy after a brief fight with Go Guzzi Go in the homestretch. Go Guzzi Go passed Telstar to hit the front soon on start and Telstar chased the never let the leader go too far ahead. The hot favorite Weizhou came next with Indian Summer, Cavaradosi and Chotee Begum not lagging too far back. At the turn, Go Guzzi Go was in charge but Telstar was mounting a serious challenge. Weizhou tried to match strides but failed to make any impression on the front pair. Past the distance post, Telstar went passed Go Guzzi Go who tried hard to stay in contention, but Telstar finished on better to win comfortably in the end. Go Guzzi Go would perhaps do better over a mile.

Wings Of Angels (Diffident – Moot) scored an encore and again had a large following, which she fully justified. Dutch Art led them all and had Nymph chasing, Wings Of Angels was racing in third. At the turn, Dutch Art and Nymph were ahead of Wings of Angels and apprentice DS Rathore nearly went for the old trap along the rails. Fortunately, he was quick to realize and patiently bided his time and made his move soon on straightening up. Dutch Art put in a tough fight but Wings of Angels got into a better rhythm and finished on strongly to post a narrow win. Resilience finished on well to earn the place money.

Shodaan let down a large following yet again. However, this time the loss was a lot closer home. Racing in the front behind Secret Talk, Shodaan went into the lead on straightening up. The first challenge came from Step By Step and soon Fluent Victory started to gain on them at a brisk pace. All the three were engaged in a grim battle particularly in the final furlong. Fluent Victory was the strongest at the finish and earned a hard fought victory close home literally on the last stride. Step By Step ended just behind Shodaan in a three-horse finish.

Graces flopped badly to take a lot of money down the drain. Ran Banka looked far superior and made a successful start to finish bid. Hitting the front as they settled down, Ran Banka (Case Law – Imperial Call) went from strength to strength and never gave a semblance of a chance to Graces or any other contender for that matter. In the straight, Ran Banka increased the tempo and with it the lead and was out of reach midway up the straight. Ran Banka looked in complete command and jockey CS Jodha sure had it easy. Graces retained the second spot but was found wanting when it mattered most. Ran Banka looked in good touch and there is no reason why he should not carry this good form in his next assignment as well.

Jockey P Kamlesh rode Classic Star (Flitch – Romantic Memories) confidently to victory. He nursed the bay gelding well reserving his best for the last. Sitting well off the initial pace Classic Star was alerted only when the race got hotter with Catalyst grabbing the lead from a tiring Here Comes The Don. Three Of Arts soon fancied his chances and appeared on the scene to have his say. In the final 100 meters, Classic Star came up with a forceful gallop and surged ahead to register a convincing victory. Adallia improved towards the end to figure in the frame.

River Blitz (Ikhtyar – Eubee) won the last race of the day with a charged up finish to wrestle past Lyrical Lass without much trouble. Any Time Money led the field home and Lyrical Lass soon took over. River Blitz started to warm up nearing the 300m and soon caught up. Past the distance post, the duo fought it out but it was clear that River Blitz was travelling the better of the two.

Trainer SK Sunderji was the lone professional to saddle a double.