Despite a small field of five runners facing the starter in the second edition of the Chamundi Million a terms race for horses 4 years old and over, it turned out to be an entertaining one for the grand stand with the top two market fancies taking the fight to the wire. S.S.Attaollahi trained Cameron (Admiralofthefleet-Camarioca / Kunigal Stud) held on by a reducing margin from Let The Lion Roar.

Cameron and Let The Lion Roar had made their trip to Mysore after finishing one-two in that order in the Golconda St.Leger at Hyderabad. The margin between them in that race was a length and the winning filly was expected to have it easy in the ‘Million’ and was sent off as the on-money favourite for the 2000 metres trip. Ancient Title, the winner of the opening edition of the race set off into the lead followed by Cameron, Let The Lion Roar, Storming Home and New World. The order was more or less the same till the last 400 metres. Approaching the last 200 metres Cameron and Let The Lion Roar got busy and headed past Ancient Title. The two fought a grim battle till the finish and Cameron ridden by Trevor held on by a neck at the finish. Ancient Title stayed on in third while Storming Home filled the frame.    

B.K.Narendra trained Class Is Class (First Samurai-Special Tapestry / Jai Govind Stud) proved its worth in the Dr.M.N.Doreswamy Memorial Trophy. Apprentice R.Ajay Kumar pulled off a stunning upset on the top weight in a close finish over the mile trip for horses rated 60 and above with the first four places covered within a length. The bottom weighted Kaguya Himei brought the field into the straight and held forte till the last 150 metres with Ontime hard at work. Class Is Class came up with a resolute gallop from the wide outside and flashed past to push back Ontime to the second position. Momotaro covered plenty of ground from the rear close to the rails to finish a close third beating stable mate Kaguya Himei.

Ajay Kumar had earlier scored on the lesser fancied Skyjet (Glory Of Dancer-Desert Sky / Manju Meadows Stud) from trainer P.C.Tejaswi’s stable in the lower division of the Brig.C.D.Mohan Memorial Plate. Dare The Don led from the start and came in first on the straight. Skyjet who was racing in close attendance grabbed the lead with 300 metres left and opened a gap of over two lengths. Aliboxer started to cover ground from the outside but stable companion Skyjet kicked on to spare a length at the finish. Veni Vidi Vici rallied on to take the third spot ahead of Dhanyavaad. Malkia was a non-starter in the race.  

J.Saravanan trained Abderus (Ace-Cilldara / Exhiliration Stud) won the higher division in a smart timing and by a lengthening margin. Chasing the leader Country’s Princess till showing up on the straight Abderus took charge without any fuss and broke away from the pack to win by 6 ½ lengths. In a cluster for the minor places Amorate, Secret Touch and Bandito finished in that order. Beyond Thankful and Champion Star were withdrawn on veterinary grounds. 

Michael Eshwer trained Poet (Arabian Gulf-Meydana / Manjri Stud) that had not raced for over eight months after its debut run outclassed the opposition in the Planters Plate. Racing handily in about third or fourth till the top of the straight Poet slipped into the lead effortlessly and pulled away from the field. Eloika beat the rest of them to finish second. Happy Victory finished third ahead of Al Dorado.

Md.Sajid Qureshi schooled Velvet Rose (Pinson-Swift Success / Nakul Stud) pulled it off in the Avalanche Star Plate. The filly was the smartest out of the gates and got to lead the pack. The favourite Brave Admiral was quickly in second followed by the rest. On entering the home stretch Velvet Rose continued to keep a straight course close to the rails and the favourite Brave Admiral came under pressure when asked to quicken. Running a bit green Brave Admiral reduced the lead of Velvet Rose but fell short by a head at the finish. Admiral Act finished on in third followed by Deodar. Akimbo was withdrawn before the race.

Rustic Sunrise (Mull Of Kintyre-Whispering Shadows / Pratap Stud) pulled off a surprise in the Kandla Plate. The 5 years old gelding trained by C.D.Monnappa had come down considerably in rating after its last win early this year. Ireland shot to the front early but settled in second when Gracious grabbed the early lead. Ireland regained the lead approaching the 700 metres and came in first on the straight. Sivanta soon took over the running and looked to pull it off but Rustic Sunrise galloped resolutely from the extreme outside and swooped on them all to get there first. Sivanta stayed on in second followed by Carisa and Grace And Glory.

Trainer Feroz M Khan pulled off surprises in both the divisions of the Mangalagangotri Plate. Delilah (Oath-Titania / Pratap Stud) had not won a race for 2 ½ years and had come down considerably in handicap. The 7 years old mare fought gamely with Lovely Micmel and emerged the winner in the higher division. Al Dahma went to the front in its usual fashion and brought the field into view on the straight. As the leader began to shorten the strides Lovely Micmel and Delilah who were in close attendance made their move at the same juncture and surged ahead. The two fought the last 100 metres and Delilah travelled the better from the outside to cross the winning post half a length ahead. The favourite Getafix could only manage to finish third in front of Al Dahma.

 Country’s Charm (Roi Maudit-Charmed Creek / Country Stud) who was winless from 14 starts finally came good to lift the lower division. Roi Junior showed some early speed to rush to the front to lead. Khodals Princess raced a close second followed by Stride To Success and the rest. Inside the last 400 metres Roi Junior started to drift out and Khodals Princess who was just on the outside was hampered for a clear run. Country’s Charm picked up speed in the centre of the track and surged ahead to pull it off while Stride To Success stayed on in second. Roi Junior just edged out New Sunrise for the third place.