The ultimate thrill of racing was experienced by one and all who witnessed the chilling dash to the finish in the RK & Rukmini Golculdas Million, the feature race of Sunday at the Mahalaxmi. A four horse finish is a handicapper’s dream and the official handicapper of the RWITC, Mr Niranjan Singh Bhati surely must have been the most content man. A four-horse blanket finish was the sight to behold, as top class horses pounded the turf trying to squeeze their way up to the winning post.

Shivalik Storm led them into the straight with Dancing Prances ready to pounce on him. Maximus rallied along the inside railings, while prime fancy Your Royal Majesty (Multidimensional – You Are My Miracle, Usha Stud) made his bid from the outside. They were in a line at the distance post and it was pretty much evident that the winner was not going to have it easy. Dancing Prances (Ace – Dancing Greens, Poonawalla Stud) poked through to take that ever-so-sender lead with Your Royal Majesty looking threatening on his outside. Shivalik Storm was showing no signs of letting it go and was fighting fiercely all the way. Maximus show his chance when he got the opening along the rails and shot through to be in line with the trio. This quartet was flying, firing on all cylinders, making a hasty dash for the winning post. The battle was so fierce that even commentator Deepak Rajpal could not help admitting on record screaming “I don’t know who the winner is…” before leaving it to the judge.

Well, the judges too had a tough time in separating the noses of the four involved. They took their time before announcing a dead-heat between the two top fancies Dancing Prances and Your Royal Majesty.

Christmas Eve (Rebuttal – Badraan, Hazara Stud) was the shortest priced runner at 35/100. She just about managed to pull off a maiden win, holding on from a late but competitive bid from debutante Magnificence.

Desert Lily led them into the straight, with Christmas Eve chasing her all the way. Once into the straight, the hot favorite surged past the leader easily and assumed command. Arakawah tried hard to work up a challenge, but failed to make an impact on the Christmas Eve. Magnificence had moved to third by then and was just beginning to warm up. Trevor set Magnificence alive in the final furlong and the gelding responded with a sudden burst of speed. He covered ground rapidly but didn’t have enough time to peg back the winner. That burst was eye-catching and this run should get him going sooner than later.

Ravello (Ace – Charedi’s Peak, Villoo’s Greenfield Stud) lifted his game notch higher and earned another start to finish victory and he did it with finesse. He led them in cutting a good pace right through and then smothered the challenge posted by favorite Jimbo. Beforememoryfades, the ante-post favourite, saw an alarming drift in odds, and although she was in it in the early half of the straight, she went down tamely. The long layoff did her in. Jimbo fought hard and even looked set to wrest the initiative from Ravello. However, Revello resisted the attempt and jockey Sandesh managed to get that extra bit out of him to snatch back the lead and storm home to score a well-earned victory. Pepe Senior finished on fastest making up a lot of ground and ended a commendable third.

El Camino (Rebuttal – Empress Jessie, Hazara Stud) didn’t show any signs of rustiness and the layoff didn’t come in his way as he galloped on resolutely to down Shivalik View to keep his win record straight. He now has two from two, his first coming during the Pune season.

Shivalik View eased into the lead with El Camino on her tail all the way into the straight. Once in, the duo battled hard for the lead. Both were under pressure and jostled with each other approaching the distance post. Native Force took his time getting into top gear and failed to make any impression on the two in front. Lancelot too was not quickening and fell back. Attraction was always in the rear and travelled wide at the turn losing all his chances rather too early.

It was battle of the duo up in front and in the final furlong, El Camino held his nerve and Trevor contributed his bit in getting the Shroff trainee to go the full course and return victorious. He later survived an objection as the stewards rightly thought the bumping reported was accidental and that it was not El Camino alone that caused the jostle. Shivalik View too had drifted out that bit and El Camino travelled that much better to pull off the victory.

Danse Debonaire (Royal Gladiator – Danseuse, Pratap Stud) has been consistent this season and he reaped his reward for another prolific display. He held on over the 2000m distance scoring an admirable start to finish win.

He came into the straight with a handy two-length lead and galloped on relentlessly through the long Mumbai straight. He had his testing moments when the fancied duo of Hoshiyaar and Authority got to his haunches and challenged him. Authority was the first to fall back, but Hoshiyaar kept the pressure up all the way. The pair battled the entire furlong and Dashrat Singh managed to keep Trevor ridden Hoshiyaar at bay, etching out a narrow victory.

Brown Dynamite (Home Affairs – All First, Mebajeona Stud) produced a determined run to knock out several more fancied runners to clinch his second victory this season. He started well breaking into the lead and was well ahead turning for home.

Con Man had started well and was alongside Queen of Venus and Brown Dynamite at the start, but got squeezed for space and lost considerable position, in fact to be almost last within no time. However, he was resurfacing later and finished on really well and this run of his had an effect of misfortune.

Brown Dynamite though did most things right and capitalized on his good start. He galloped on resolutely to build on his lead and that held him in good stead. Alectar tried his best to catch up with Brown Dynamite and although he gained on the winner, he never looked like halting Brown Dynamite’s progress. Shaughnessy did get a check in the straight, but when he got a clear run, he failed to raise a gallop that would have got him a higher slot.

Lhotse (Tejano – So Perfect, Kunigal Stud) proved his backers right and carried a lot of betting money, backed down to 14/10 at race time. He swung into action mode early in the straight and galloped powerfully at the finish. None even came close to the winner and Ibis was the one to make remarkable progress to take the runner-up berth. Nigella too improved to end third.

Beyond Horizon (Ace – Blue horizon, Poona Stud) put in a strong stretch-run to outpace and outfox her rivals as she drew away to score a solid victory. She entered the straight behind leader Padmakosa and soon sailed ahead to take charge. Once in the lead, Beyond Horizon worked up a gritty pace and was out of bounds for the rest. Jockey CS Jodha rode out in a clinical fashion leaving no chance of any reversal, guiding the Sanjay Kolse ward to a clear victory. Staying Alive ran on from the centre of the track to take the second spot, while Wish Upon a Star ended third.

For the professionals, jockey A Sandesh & Trevor scored a treble.