Smashing Blue (Win Legend – Twice Over) outpaced her three rivals and pocketed the Darley Arabian Million (Gr3) without dropping sweat. Smashing Blue was all at ease in the hands of jockey David Allan, as she cruised into the lead soon on start and then galloped at a leisurely pace until the straight. Once in, the Sequeira trained filly went about her task in what could be described best as a fast canter and that was enough for her to stretch her winning streak to four wins from as many starts to maintain a clean slate. Bedford never could keep pace with the winner and ended a tame second, while Exponent beat La Lady. Smashing Blue was impressive to say the least and this victory was a mere formality, just going about the motions and picking up a million in the easiest of ways.

Dandy Man (Air Support – Dancer’s Fan) ran a tough race and galloped fierce in the closing stages to snatch a narrow victory in a scramble for the finish that was very crowded at the wire. Favourite Balius shaped well as she seemed on course in her start to finish effort. However, it looked shaky for the mare as a bunch of horses was right on her heels with less than a furlong to go. The hot pursuers comprised of Destined Dynamite, Top Contender, NRI Heights, Dandy Man, Meka’s Lockhart among a couple others. Jockey Suraj Narredu went for the gap along the inner side just at the right time and had Dandy Man ready to explode. The others had spread out across the width of the turf while Balius was battling hard to hold on to her lead. Suraj timed his run to perfection as he got Dandy Man to swoop down on Balius and hit the wire in the nick of time to snatch a ‘neck’ verdict literally on the post. Destined Dynamite added more woes on Balius as he managed to pip the favourite for the runner up berth. The rest filled in with the following seven runners finishing within a length! 

Srinivas Reddy trained Ashwa Bravo (Leitir Mor – Shadow Roll) made an impressive start to his career winning with a big margin on debut, thereby justifying the cramped odds he carried. Jockey Suraj Narredu had Ashwa Bravo in third as Royal Valentine and Amyra raced in front of him until into the straight.

Amyra tried to pull away in the straight but all his hopes were quickly dashed as Ashwa Bravo zipped past at a good clip to simply tear away from the field. The first timer was no match for the rest, as he stretched clear within strides to win by a massive five-lengths-plus margin.  Amyra ran on to take the runner up berth, while NRI Touch improved positions to end a faraway third. 

Laxman Singh trained Siyabonga (Kingda Ka – Carousel) bounced back to winning ways this time scoring as fluently as we have seen him do not too long ago. He went smoothly into the lead on the jump and held sway all the way into the straight. Shiloh was close behind when they entered the homestretch but could make no impression whatsoever as Siyabonga quickened well in the final two furlongs. He kept a handy lead right through and when NRI Vision arrived at a good clip, Siyabonga had enough in the bank to kick on safely past the post sparing a length and half at the finish. NRI Vision did well to beat the rest, but found the winner too good. Shiloh held on narrowly to finish in the money. 

Mahashakti (Speaking of Which – Allaire) was another one to win by a widening margin. The Srinivas Reddy trained filly changed gears soon after Glendale led them into the homestretch. She took off past the 400 m and stretched out fluently to draw away from them all. Jockey Ashhad Asbar eased the filly well before the winning post yet won by five lengths! Glendale held on narrowly to finish second from the fast finishing pair of Ice Warrior and Minnelli.

Bisate (Western Aristocrat – Verbier) was another successful debutante to impress on the day. The Laxman Singh trainee displayed fierce fighting qualities in his first outing and put in a determined finish to land the knockout punch to long-time leader Mark My Day, literally on the last stride. 

Mark My Day led them into the straight with Queen Daenerys and these two more experienced runners were about two lengths ahead of Bisate with about 400 to go.  Queen Daenerys improved slightly to draw alongside Mark My Day, but just couldn’t get past as the latter fought hard to stay ahead. It was in the last 100 meters that Bisate picked up momentum and arrived with a scorching finish and she covered ground at an alarming rate to pip Mark My Day on the post for glory. One felt for Mark My Day who too fought equally hard just to see it blow away by a short head on the last stride. Queen Daenerys finished less than a length behind to save place money. 

Somerset (Steinbeck – Royal Confidence) trained by L D’Silva lifted his game after a spate of ordinary performances to create a flutter while scoring a convincing victory at longer odds. Diesis Dream entered the straight with a handy lead and kicked on leaving the rest to chase her down. Somerset, who was racing in the mid-bunch all along, closer to the rear than to Diesis Dream up in front, warmed up nicely past the 400 to come into view, galloping at a good clip. Diesis Dream was looking desperately for the winning post, but when Somerset arrived, she was a goner. Somerset whizzed past her in a trice and won by a healthy margin. Ajmal Birju also finished on well to beat Diesis Dream for the second spot. Fancied Rutilant was languishing closer to the rear end of the field until into the straight, but improved positions and ended well to finish in the frame.