Champion colt Quasar (Seeking the dia – Belle Jour, Hazara Stud) yet again pulled his might and this time went a notch further to create his own record timing for the 2000m distance, clocking 2:00:06 displacing Costa Del Sol’s recent 2:00:66 set in the RR Ruia Gold on January 3rd this year.

In a fast run race, Baracchus and Shivalik Storm were going at a good clip, with Booker Jones a couple of lengths away in third, jockey Yash Narredu had Quasar a further four lengths of so behind, with Caesars Star and Al Shamsheer putting up no show.

Baracchus bowed out at the turn and Shivalik Showers led them into the straight, Booker Jones and Quasar were up alongside the leader soon on turning for home. With 400 to go, the three were abreast, Quasar then started to surge ahead. Shvialik Showers got hemmed in between the inner rails and Booker Jones. Quasar made steady progress and was a length ahead past the distance post. Booker Jones stuck along and tried his best to make a race of it. In the end, Quasar held on by 3/4 L to take his win tally to 15 wins from 20 starts.

While many felt Quasar was stretched by Booker Jones, trainer Malesh Narredu said he was confident even when the challenger was fighting on.

 “Quasar had a longish gap coming into this race of nearly 50 days. He had put on weight, 12 kilos to be precise, over his last run and weighed 510 kilos this time despite running a mock race. Ideally he should go on a diet,” said Malesh in a lighter vein. “You see, it was a fairly fast run race and Quasar, versatile as he is, does what is required in any given situation. This was a sort of different pattern of racing for him and he probably would have liked to sit and wait a trifle more before unleashing his turn of foot. Also he was carrying top weight and giving weight all around. But he broke the course record, didn’t he? He is a champion horse really and champions do tend to win from any situation. Booker Jones ran a terrific race too, but I for one, felt Quasar had the measure of his rival aright through the straight,” said trainer Malesh Narredu.

Devoted Eyes (Multidimensional – Ave Maria, Usha Stud) improved levels to avenge her defeat to Accolade in their first encounter to win the prestigious and rich Asian Racing Federation Trophy. At the start, Star Councillor did well to come from the outside draw and sail into the lead. Accolade too progressed well to stay close behind the leader with Sand royal on his inside, Devoted Eyes stuck to the rails and the others followed in a closely huddled bunch.

Accolade readily got past Star Councillor and stormed into the lead. Soon Devoted Eyes started to make his move from the outside. Accolade was leading coming into the final furlong but when Devoted Eyes arrived with a spirited run, Accolade was found wanting. Devoted Eyes with Suraj Narredu in the saddle tore away in the last 100 meters to score a scorching win, notching up his second on the trot in three outings. Accolade ended a tame second, but well ahead of Star Councillor who hung on for place money from stable mate Bold March.

Trainer SK Sunderji’s debutante Serenita (Whatsthescript – Serenity, Nakul Stud) showed plenty of speed and a bit of maturity to succeed first time out. Lady Danehill was up in front and had Honey Dew and Serenita following closely. Cataleya didn’t quite settle down initially and paid the price as over the scurry you don’t get too much time. In the straight, Lady Danehill galloped on and was also shaping well approaching the distance post. Honey Dew was the first to challenge the leader. Jockey Dashrath Singh had Serenita right behind Lady Danehill, switched out and took the gap between Lady Danehill and Honey Dew. Once she saw day light, Serenita surged past the duo to win the Gool S Poonawalla Million (Gr2) and reap rich rewards on her debut. Honey Dew edged out lady Danehill for the runner-up berth.

Nothing excites more than a photo-finish and the TRM Multi-Million Sprint Cup saw a most thrilling Dead-heat between trainer Neil Darashah’s Goldberg (West Virginia – Shades of Beauty, Nakul Stud) and Brahmachari (Chevalier – Avec Plaisir, Ruia Stud). Favourite Maleficent was never in the hunt, as she could not produce the spark of her record setting run last time out.

Goldberg had the upper hand most of the way in the homestretch as he galloped strongly all the way through. Brahmachari warmed up midway in the straight and started to mount his challenge. The pair fought stride for stride in the last furlong and dashed past the wire together. The judge’s called for a photo finish, a rarity in recent times and yet could not separate the two. Super Sunshine finished on the beat Maleficent comfortably.

Your Royal Majesty (Multidimensional – You Are My Miracle, Usha Stud) made ample amends winning the At The Races Championship Stakes in a close finish. Patriotic brought the field homewards and was galloping away. Shivalik storm started to move in steadily and Your royal Majesty too started to gain on them. Patriotic fought hard before losing out to the challengers. Just when Shivalik Storm got ahead of Patriotic, Your Royal Majesty quickened to crane her neck in front at the winning post to win in a close three-way finish.

Holy Smoke (Phoenix Tower – Little Treasure, Manjri Stud) compiled a fine hat-trick and is improving with every run while produing a fluent gallop to bad the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Multi-Million in style. Colm O’Donoghue spurted ahead with the Faisal Abbas trained Holy Smoke soon on start and they never looked back. ON turning for home, Holy Smoke kicked on gamely and added distance between himself and his opponents at a brisk rate. Favorite Persian Prince found himself in the rear and could never mount a serious challenge. Governor General followed Holy Smoke all the way without threatening the winner. Persian Prince managed to stage some recovery and took the third post eventually.

Pearl Secret (Rebuttal – Treimhse – Tirim, Hazara Stud) finally shook off her maiden status after finishing runner up or close to the winner on several occasions. Sandesh had her in fifth or sixth position at the turn.

Phoenix Knight and Paramour were disputing the lead when Sandesh moved up with Pearl Secret galloping with giant strides. They soon stole a march, sailing well ahead past the distance post. Turf Dancer finished on well but found the winner too good. Pearl Secret kicked on to score a gallant victory and pocket The AM Tote International Handicap Million well ahead of Turf Dancer and Paramour.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff saddled a double, while jockey PS Chouhan scored a double as well.