The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (Gr1) day lived up to the expectations and panned out to be a highly entertaining day, both on and off the race track. The festive atmosphere all around saw a large crowd spoilt for choice as there was a list of assorted entertainment on offer.  However, the spotlight was on the emerging juvenile star in Forest Flame (Leitir Mor – Memory Boy, Poonawalla Stud) and the Bangalore based filly made a grand entry in the final furlong to thrill her connections and thousands of her quickly-accumulated admires alike.

Forest Flame, trained by SS Attaollahi, had attracted a sizable fan-following when she decimated the opposition on her first assignment on the Mahalaxmi track and not without reason. The sheer power she displayed in that run was too good for a juvenile filly out only on her second outing and on a new turf at that. Understandably, she was quoted at miserly odds and that underscores the universal stamp of approval from all quarters that she was indeed special. She did set the hearts thumping when David Allan had Golden Oaks well in front approaching the distance post, but David Egan played his part astutely to ensure that at the business end of it, Forest Flame would rule!

Each of the eleven contenders behaved themselves at the gates and the start was an exemplary one. The raider from Hyderabad – Lombardy showed good early speed to dart into the lead with Golden Oaks quickly settling close behind the leader. Forest Flame was not too far behind, flanked by Air Blast and Violin. The rest were following close behind, but none from the rear could muster well enough to raise any hope.

Lombardy entered the homestretch with Golden Oaks inching closer with the stride. David Egan got around Golden Oaks to wriggle out for a clear run. Air Blast galloped on to stay interested, while Violin slipped back. Golden Oaks looked good as he collared Lombardy and surged into the lead going at a good clip. The crowd was impatient and were expecting Forest Flame to unleash her lethal finishing gallop; however, the filly was taking a while to pick up speed. She also drifted out and then in again with Jockey David Egan having to transfer the whip from left to right with just over 200 meters to go and that with Golden Oaks still a couple of lengths ahead going in full flight. Golden Oaks, although at much longer odds, was after all the second most fancied runner. The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million was heading for an exciting climax!

David Egan looked in control the moment Forest Flame started to gain on Golden Oaks. The filly picked up top speed and joined Golden Oaks with about 100 meters from the winning post and then surged ahead to draw away in the final few strides to win by a clear length and quarter margin. David Egan did celebrate by raising his fist past the post. David Allan and Golden Oaks did add pep to the finish while ending a gallant second. Lombardy did well too and took the third spot thereby providing the Poonawalla family the top three positions, a befitting reward for the magnanimous sponsors. Forest Flame is owned by M/s Zavaray Poonawalla and family in partnership with M/s Mukul Sonawala, DR Thacker and Chaduranga Kanthraj Urs.

David Egan was the star pro of the day scoring two other victories and both were hard earned wins that went all the way to the wire. Silver Flames (Leitir Mor – First And Only One, Poonawalla Stud) benefitted from the skilful guidance of jockey David Egan who rode out persistently to ward off a stiff challenge from Gazino. Silver Flames jumped out well but settled down behind Texas Gold. La Magnifique and Excellent Gold, with Gazino alongside.

Texas Gold stayed in front a little longer than expected, but soon Silver Flames made headway to chase the leader down. Gazino too moved up and got past La Magnifique and Excellent Gold to make steady progress. Silver Flames seemed to be going well on his way, but Gazino started to claw his way closer. With 100m to go, Gazino was getting to close for comfort and putting up a serious challenge, but David kept pushing the Altaf Hussain gelding all the way to hit the wire by a very narrow margin. Silver Flames and David Egan got a loud roar of appreciation from the stands as he was the overwhelming favourite to score his third victory on the trot, while clinching the Kumar Dalal Gold Trophy. It was too close a call and Gazino deserves all praise for fighting all the way despite a chunk of weight he was giving his younger rival.

David Egan next partnered trainer Imtiaz Sait’s ward Free Gold (Arazan – Free Radical, Poonawalla Stud) to another closely fought win, this time coming from way behind to topple the front-runners.

Tailing the field right from the start, it looked an uphill task for Free Gold from the very beginning. The chances seemed even lesser when the well-backed Properly Posh made an impactful forward surge and freewheeled past leader Highland Lass midway up the straight. Just when it looked like Properly Posh would hold the sway, Free Gold arrived with a big run from the wide outside. Favourite Gods Plan got entangled between runners on entering the homestretch and had to be pulled out. He did so right on time and joined Free Gold in tackling Properly Posh. The duo fought hard going stride for stride leaving Properly Posh behind and on the post, it was Free Gold who held on to win by a neck from Gods Plan. Properly Posh ended a well-beaten third. Gods Plan would rue the crucial break of stride and having to switch lanes but for which, the close finish could have gone either way.   

Trainer SK Sunderji saddled a lucrative double starting with the well-backed Fanfare (China Visit – Veena’s Pet, Usha Stud) in the second race of the day, The Mystical Cup. Fanfare picked up momentum soon on turning for home and although early leader Rogue One ruled until well into the straight, Fanfare outpaced him in the final furlong to score by three lengths. Rogue One did well to take the runner up spot.

Joaquin (Saamidd – Phoenix, Hazara Stud) improved over his debut third to pull off a memorable maiden win. It would not be out of turn to state that Joaquin was fortune on two counts; one, hot favourite El Capitan, who had beaten him by four lengths the last time they met, jumped out awkwardly falling back towards the rear and could not recover from the blemish and two, His only threat Market King was wayward for most part inside the homestretch which made it easier for Joaquin, taking no credit away from the Shahzaan Shah trainee. Joaquin was electric at the start and galloped away fluently making it a neat start to finish victory in the end. He never looked in trouble as he entered the straight with a handy lead and accelerated smoothly to stay well ahead of Market King. The latter started drifting out past the 400 and then was most erratic and never could maintain a straight course. Market King did pick up speed in the final 100 meters, but that was too little too late as Joaquin had gotten away by then. Market King finished second, just one and half lengths behind Joaquin. Circle of Love progressed in the straight and did well to finish in the money after trailing the field all the way into the homestretch.

Sunderji’s second win was with long-shot Makhtoob (Speaking of Which – Adara, Usha Stud) in the fifth race, the Florrie & Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy. My Precious led them into the straight and then faded away. Sunrise Ruby took charge and galloped ahead to establish a handy lead. Golden Hind started to close in on Sunrise Ruby approaching the distance post. With both Rainbow Trout and Sultan Suleiman not getting anywhere, it appeared Sunrise Ruby would get there; however, Makhtoob produced a fiery gallop to snatch victory on the last stride with Sunrise Ruby and Golden Hind involved in a three way photo finish.

Regal Shot (Mull of Kintyre – Six Stars, Sohna Stud) had his galloping shoes on alright and the seven year old did commendable well to score only his second victory from 27 outings. Moving up to be second behind Tough Cop, Regal Shot got going on entering the straight. Tough Cop stuck by Regal Shot but not for long. Jockey PS Chouhan sped away from the field to win with surprising ease. None could catch up and the Karthik trainee pulled off a convincing victory. White River ran on to take the second spot, while Nightfall improved to finish in the money.

Éclair (Arazan – Yesteryear, Poonawalla Stud) saddled by Dallas Todywalla ran on expected lines to notch up her maiden win on her sixth start. Jockey David Allan settled the filly nicely in third as Grand Passage and Principessa occupied the two top positions until into the straight. Éclair soon made quick headway to zip ahead of the two in front and once in the lead, she soon amassed a handy lead. She galloped on gamely all through and even a late effort from honourable Eyes was nothing to worry about. The on-money favourite won comfortably in the end. Honourable Eyes did bridge the gap to finish a decent second, well ahead of Highland Lass.

The day drew to a conclusion and one lucky lady returned home with the grand bumper prise of an Amaze car for predicting the first four places in the right order for the PBMM race.

For the professionals, jockey David Egan scored a treble, while trainer SK Sunderji saddled a double.