The Sunshine Millions stakes series is run at two tracks in America. One is Gulfstream Park in Florida and the other is Santa Anita in California. These two States are blessed with abundant sunshine. The races in the ‘Millions Series’ are run over different distances.

In The Sunshine Distaff run at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Ginger Punch, recently crowned the champion older female in 2007 and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner at Monmouth Park, came away a winner. The margin was six and three quarter lengths. The race was over 1,800 metres on the dirt and the winning time was 1 49.14 seconds. Eleven ran. The purse was $500,000.

Rafael Bejarano held Ginger Punch up and asked for a move on entering the final turn. The race became a formality in a matter of moments. Ginger Punch hit the front and the last 200 metres found the margin widening. Ginger Punch is now 8-5-1 from 15 starts for earnings in excess of $2.2 million. Ginger Punch was the 10 to 3 on favourite. Awesome Again is Ginger Punch’s sire. Nappelon, a Bold Revenue mare, is the dam.

At Santa Anita, Quiet A Bride beat the heavily favoured Nashoba’s Key in the Sunshine filly-mare turf. The race over 1,800 metres was run in 1 49.98 seconds. Garrett Gomez rode the Bill Mott-trained Quiet A Bride, a Stormy Atlantic mare. The winning margin was one and three quarter lengths. Eight ran and a $2.00 ticket on Quiet A Bride fetched $6.40.

Bill Mott had two more winners in the Sunshine Series. Garrett Gomez steered Go Between to a clever win in the Classic at Santa Anita. War Monger kept the Mott flag flying high in Gulfstream Park’s $500,000 Turf. The sun was shining in Bill Mott’s training establishment.

Edgar Prado found Benny The Bull in a winning mood in the Sunshine Sprint at Gulfstream Park. The time was 1.08.48 for the 1200-metre dash. Benny The Bull found room along the fence and ran away for a four and one half length victory. Benny The Bull was the even money favourite.

William Hill has shortened Johnny Murtagh to 4-6 favouritism to be Ballydoyle’s stable jockey by April 1. This has been done despite Kieren Fallon’s bullish statement to the press. Fallon said, “It is a little setback. It is not a tragedy. Far from it. No doubt I will bounce back. It is very silly of people to talk of retirement. I’m young at heart and have many years left. I will use the ban to get back stronger, mentally and physically.”

It is a relief that racing will resume in Bangalore. I did not make it to Bangalore as I was forewarned. It may be the missing link in my India itinerary.

I am in Mumbai awaiting the Derby weekend.