The Zavaray Poonawalla Evening Racing day that featured the Audi Multi-Million proved profitable for the followers of favourites, despite two hot favourites – Magnificence and Chef D’Ouevre falling in the earlier races. The rest of the races were either claimed by first favourites or fancied horses. The main event however, was marred by a terrible mishap that knocked down three of the five contenders for the big race. Barring One Aim there was no other casualty. One Aim stumbled and fell just behind Serenity well before the bend and that caused a collision between three runners, resulting in jockeys Sandesh, S John and CS Jodha getting dislodged. Fortunately all of them escaped unhurt. Suraj Narredu showed electric reflexes as he managed to veer outward avoiding a collision with One Aim. His presence of mind and quick reflexes were commendable and Whomakestherules too showed remarkable character to focus on the task at hand.

Out in front, Serenity galloped freely with Whomakestherules in pursuit. When they turned for home, it appeared that Serenity would kick away and looked on course to her second career win. Whomakestherules was putting in a lot of effort in trying to keep pace with Serenity. Even approaching the final furlong, Serenity seemed to have an upper hand, but it all melted away in the last 100 meters when jockey Suraj Narredu set alight Whomakestherules (Multidimensional – Pricewise, Usha Stud). The Malesh Narredu trained colt responded with a crisp gallop at the finish. What was reduced to a two-horse race was indeed a tight contest between the two. At the wire, or maybe half a stride to go, Whomakestherules pushed hard and snatched a thrilling victory in a photo-finish.

After having done brilliantly well atop Whomakestherules, Suraj Narredu partnered hot favourite Ancient Glory (Noverre – Golda Seek, Sohna Stud) to a fluent victory in the concluding race of the day. Sitting pretty in third behind Mind of Madness and Imperial Princess, Suraj worked his way up to the front soon on turning for home.

Ancient Glory quickened gradually with Suraj easing him into acceleration. Turf Dancer tried to challenge him but Ancient Glory was travelling too well. Ancient Glory defied the penalty imposed on him for his last facile victory and won again with stunning ease. Turf Dancer ran on to finish second well ahead of the rest. It was a good outing for debutante Almost Magical. He did well to improve towards the end and finish in the money, just ahead of Relentless Pursuit.

Mansoor had earlier saddled a well-backed Squash (Noverre – Impassion, Sohna Stud) to a gallant victory. Squash, ably ridden by apprentice jockey SA Amit, settled in the mid-bunch and waited until they turned for home to make his move. Bay of Love guided the field homewards, with Samurai and Diablo in chase. Squash made rapid progress to get past the bunch and once in the lead, he sailed away out of reach. Squash was right on the money and drew away in the final furlong, looking the winner long way from home. Bay of Love kicked on to stay in second, while Nigella fought it out with Diablo for the third place. With trainer Mansoor Shah tuning his horses as well as he is doing at the moment, an encore is very much possible for Squash.

Jockey A Sandesh registered a good double before falling off in the main race. Although he started off with a big loss astride red hot favourite Magnificence in the very first race, Sandesh struck with Phenomenal Memory to clinch a narrow verdict to claim the Radha Sigtia Trophy. Jigsaw was sent out on a start-to-finish essay which all but came off. Jigsaw maintained a healthy lead all through to the homestretch, with Chef D’Oeuvre in chase, Phenomenal Memory raced in third with the other two not too far down the line.

Chef D’Oeuvre, who saw a hug drift in odds, going up to 2/1 from on money ante-post, failed to improve once they turned for home. Jigsaw was going well and showed no signs of relenting. Phenomenal Memory (Glory of Dancer – Phenomenale, Nanoli Stud) started to cover ground briskly once past the 400m mark, but had to cover some distance to get to Jigsaw. Sandesh rode out the Dallas Todywalla charge and wore down Jigsaw to tilt the scales on the final stride. Chef D’Oeuvre ended a tame third. After her good showing in the Indian Oaks, this was a disappointing run.

Sandesh won again in the very next race astride Minilla Gold (Gaswar – Mizillablack, Sahgal Stud). The Altaf Hussain ward was backed with conviction and she obliged her supporters. She was quick at start but settled in second behind Big Bro, who led them all the way into the straight.

Mizilla Gold improved steadily to take charge past the 400 and soon Sandesh had her sprinting ahead. Speedo improved positions and set about in chase, but Mizilla Gold galloped on gamely to pull off her maiden success. Speedo ended second close behind, while Ame improved well to earn the place money.

Batman (Rebuttal – Well Rehearsed, Hazara Stud) put up stiff resistance to ward off 4/10 on favourite Magnificence in the day’s opener. Magnificence made up lost ground at the start and was in striking position on turning for home. Batman, ridden by Neeraj Rawal, wouldn’t give in as he galloped on right through. Magnificence tried hard to get past, but batman showed fantastic resolve and held his ground to compile his second win this season. Magnificnece looked out of sorts and could not add any punch to his finish, ending second best in the four-horse field.

Bulldozer (Arazan – Shalaya, Poona Stud) was impressive in bringing about his maiden victory. Waiting in second behind leader Elektra King until the turn, Bulldozer made his move soon on straightening up for home. H snatched lead readily and then accelerated fluently to steal a march approaching the distance post. Lucky Strike was close behind but could not find that extra bit. IN the final 100, Bulldozer skipped away and posted a facile win. Commitment finished fast only to pip Lucky Strike for the second spot.

Exodus (Arazan – Strawberry Fields, Poonawalla Stud) showed returned to form and scored a fighting win, his second from four starts. After a good jump, apprentice Santosh G settled Exodus in second behind Locarno with the rest of the big field huddled close together.

Exodus got past Locarno soon on turning for home and had Pink Panther offering a stiff challenge. The duo battled hard and long with Streetjammer looming large. They fought to the wire and jockey Santosh and Exodus stood up to the challenge and managed to nose out Pink Panther in a thrilling finish. Streetjammer ended a good third close behind.

For the professionals, trainers Mansoor Shah and Faisal Abbas saddled a double each, while jockeys Sandesh and Suraj Narredu too scored a double each.