Victorious March (Diffident – Roman Eagle) owned by M/s Vinod Agarwal and Sunil Anand in partnership with the trainer set off on a start to finish mission and galloped away to score an impressive victory in the BK Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million. The Rehanullah Khan trained three-year-old colt, who had finished a close second on debut last time out, returned one better on Derby day.

Victorious March took off promptly from the gates and shot ahead working a good pace and with it a handy lead early on. Blue Ace led the others in a close bunch with Incentio, Edwina, Austerity and Belmont huddled together, Naserian, Sikandar and Alecto were not too far away, while Snow Cannon Gates of Heaven and Su O Moto raced in the rear as they turned for home.   

Victorious March increased the tempo on turning for home and gathered momentum to increase the margin. Blue Ace began the chase and was ridden hard to stay in contention, but Victorious March simply stretched out impressively to sew up the race long way from home, giving his trainer Rehanullah Khan the Multi-Million which was overdue. The fancied Naserian made little impact in the first half of the race, but came in when all was over to end third behind Blue Ace. Su O Moto, who was last to turn for home was the one to cover maximum ground in the straight and did well to end on the frame.

Dear Henry a temperamental gelding from veteran trainer SS Shah’s yard owned by the Rattonseys along with Mrs Sahiba Rayani, offered stiff resistance and held his ground to the end showing super courage and grit. He started off in fine fashion working up a lively pace and as he entered the straight, surged even further opening up a sizable lead. This lead proved decisive in the end as Harlamoff and Onassis started to eat up on the lead and caught up with Dear Henry in the final furlong. The trio were engaged in a pitched battle and it looked anybody’s race inside the final furlong. Dear Henry produced that extra effort to hold on bravely to win by half a length. S A De Souza played his part well and contributed to the victory substantially with his riding acumen coming to the fore.

Silk Cut (Diffident – Sensuality) laboured hard but bore the fruit in an action packed finish. At the Start, Vibgyor whipped around and Scarface did a Scarface and both made no serious impact in the race. Batista brought the field into the straight and was travelling well. Soon Silk Cut improved to join him on the outside. Batista was not going to give up easily and hung on as Silk Cut was finding it tough to shake him off. Both fought out through the long stretch.

Meanwhile, Scarlet Pimpernel along with Royal Highness made a sudden charge towards the fighting duo. Incognito, who was not in the picture, also came with a flourishing finish and suddenly there was a crowd at the winning post. Silk Cut owned by Tarita Shankar & Chetan Wakalkar of the Sahan Group and trained by Bezan Chenoy did enough to ensure a narrow victory under the guidance of Imran Chisty.    

Clinton (Razeen – Veena’s Pet) carried 60 kilos over the Derby distance yet managed to sail past a determined Sheriff to score a facile win. Sheriff galloped on well after entering the straight and when Clinton made his move, he found Sheriff reluctant to surrender. A brief tussle and jockey Prakash settled the matter as he surged away in the final furlong to bring home the McDowell’s No 1 Premium Trophy for the Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke.Apache Indianwho was up with the pace, ended third. 

Mansoor Shah trained Apocalypse (Royal Kingdom – Al Asifa) flew out of the gates and David Allan capitalized on the flying start, keeping the Haresh Mehta gelding way out in front till the wire. Helen who chased the winner all the way ended doing so only marginally closing in towards the finish. Distant Promise was slowly off and ended down the field. Apocalypse who placed twice in Pune was slightly backward in his two runs this season, but trainer Mansoor Shah obviously did things right with him and pulled off a lucrative coup that came off without anxiety. Belle Brise was third all the way and earned the place money.

Red Baron (Ad Velorem – Kon Tiki) sporting the famous Gold-and-Brown silks of Dr MAM Ramaswamy spoiled the party for the favourite Sun Salutation in a sensational finish getting the latter literally on the post. After the early leader Sheer Romance guided the field homewards, Sun Salutation gathered speed and took off past the leader. He had barely got ahead when Chir Hayes got Red Baron going with a sustained bid. He joined Sun Salutation insdie the final furlong and the duo matched stride for stride leading to an interesting dual. Both Srinath atop Sun Salutation and Hayes on Red Baron went hell for leather and hit the wire together, Red Baron managing to win by a speck of dot in a grand photo finish. Capital Attraction just couldn’t match the brilliance and despite being close behind them, let them stretch away, biding her time to fight another day.      

Coccinella (Alnasr Alwasheek – Palazzio) compiled a fine hat-trick slipping in through the rails and rattling up her third victory in a row this season. She had to work hard for her victory though and Zervan was spot on with his judgement and showed astute manoeuvring skills. The mega-bunch was rubbing shoulders and this certainly was a scramble for glory, as crowded as it can get.

Rein In Spain showed alacrity at the gates and jumped into the lead and kept a steady momentum going. He was the first to enter the straight, but had a full pack snapping at his tail and spreading out wider.

 Coccinella and Zervan stuck to the rails and their patience paid off nearing the distance post. Rein In Spain gave way just a bit and that was enough for Zervan to squeeze through. He then accelerated smoothly to get past Rein In Spain but had Hidden Goddess coming alive with a spirited challenge. Coccinella showed positive resolve and held off Hidden Goddess by a narrow margin. Rein In Spain did well to retain the third spot ahead of Sugar Loaf.

Mr Sudhir Chauhan’s Laurus Pride (Royal Gladiator – Coco Beach), trained by Subhag Singh, pulled off a surprise victory as he extended his early rule until the very end. Starting off well and sailing into the lead, Laurus Pride maintained a firm grip on the race keeping a handy lead all through. He entered the straight with a good momentum going as Celsius began to mount his challenge. Jockey Rajendra put in his might behind Celsius, but just couldn’t counter the fluent gallop of Laurus Pride and had to settle for the second slot. Athos improved late and earned the place money ahead of Rising Asset.