The Poonawalla brothers have always been excellent hosts and whatever they do has a stamp of class on it. The Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (Gr1) day, therefore, is among the top race for juveniles in terms of the rich purse on offer, quality of contenders which has been a thriller more often than not! The masses throng the famed Mahalaxmi racecourse and this race has gained in popularity right since its inception way back 1990.

Imtiaz Sait trained Dexa (Planetaire - My Pension, Sohna Stud) owned by Mr Kishore Dingra in partnership with Mr Sultan Singh rep Sohna Stud Farm, trumped the three ‘Aces' in the fray to score a sensational victory and pocket the rich stakes of Rs 90, 00,000/- out of the Rs 1.5 Crore total stakes, in addition to an exquisite trophies to the winning connections. Dexa was quoted at around 15/1 as Ahead of my Time, Supernatural and Imperial Power hogged all the betting stakes.

Dedicated Boy led the field soon on start with Ahead of My time close behind, Coeur De Lion came next with Dexa in fourth. Imperial Power and Supernatural were next with Arthur and Daianne in the rear.

Dexa made a quick headway after they turned for home, just when Ahead of My Time had gotten past Dedicated Boy to grab the lead. His lead did not last more than a couple of strides as jockey Anthony Raj decided to unleash Dexa to chase down the new leader. Dexa accelerated instantly and shot past Ahead of My Time. The latter hung on trying to stay in contention. Imperial Power shaped well and looked the one who might take on Dexa as he inched closer. Dexa continued to gallop strongly and put pressure on Imperial Power to produce that extra bit. Supernatural warmed up far too late, but he too drew closer to the trio in front and that is all he could do. Dexa warded off the three fancied runners breathing down his neck with a measure of comfort, as the top four finished in a heap, with just a little over a length covering them.

“I am delighted, but not really surprised,” said Mr Kishore Dingra. I recall Mr Sultan telling me that Dexa was among the best of his crop and I should go for it blindly. I trust Mr Sultan's opinion always and it has paid off. I was super excited in the last 100 meters and the way he was kicking on, I secretly felt confident that he would reach the post safely. However, the last few strides were pulsating to say the least. Anthony rode an excellent race. The PBMM is always the highest milestone for a juvenile and after so many years, I have had the opportunity to take the landmark trophy home. I am ecstatic really, no words can explain my feeling,” said Mr Dingra.

“Yes Dexa won well and never gave up. He is surprisingly mature and has the temperament. I was fancying his win on his debut run too, but I thought last time the jockey (CS Jodha) went for the whip a bit too soon just when Dexa was getting into his stride. This time the boy rode splendidly and Dexa showed improvement over his last effort too,” said trainer Imtiaz Sait.

Ace trainer Pesi Shroff had another profitable day leading-in four winners. His roll started with Lord And Master (Multidimensional - Haedi, Usha Stud) etching out a hard-fought covering a lot of ground to snatch a narrow verdict close home.

Zacapa and Percivale gave way to Cold Pursuit soon on turning for home with Dali Swirl making headway and bracing for his final run. Cold Pursuit raced further ahead and was shaping well when Lord and Master started to warm up and unleash a strong finishing run. Jockey PS Chouhan seemed to have timed his finish to near-perfection as Lord and Master collared Cold Pursuit a couple of strides from the winning post to post his maiden win by half a length. Cold Pursuit ran a good race too, fighting all the way to finish a deserving runner-up. Dali Swirl fell back but held on to finish well ahead of Royal Crown.

Pesi won the very next race with Chamonix (Dunaden - Beacon Lady, Manju Stud) following up on her debut win with another good effort, this time beating a more experienced lot with ease. Here again Chouhan stayed well off the pace in the second last position all the way until into the straight. Ayra had a good lead coming into the homestretch. Hella slipped through the rails, while Toussaint bowed out sooner than expected. She's On Fire too couldn't muster, while Alfayiz, Treasure Gold and Chamonix started to push the throttle at the same juncture. While Alfayiz laboured hard, Treasure Gold and Chamonix closed to gap to Ayra briskly. Chamonix fired away in the final fifty to win, drawing away from Treasure Gold and Ayra to win handsomely by over two lengths. Treasure Gold did well to peg back Ayra for the second slot.

The Bawaji (Dawn Approach - Caught on Camera, Equus Stud) had to stretch to the limit to pull off a close win in the Kumar Dalal Cup, providing Pesi Shroff a fine hattrick. The field of five was spread out with Animous the runaway leader and The Bawaji wisely in second until they approached the turn. Botero was too far back initially, but made gradual progress around the 800m mark. The Bawaji built a handy lead once into the straight and kicked on all the way leaving the rest to chase him down. Botero made up a lot of ground in the homestretch but failed to nail The Bawaji by a short-head. Mandeville ended a tame third.

Pesi's fourth winner came in the sixth race with Chouhan guiding debutante King's Ransom (Multidimensional - China Creek, Usha Stud) to a facile victory. Again coming from behind, Chouhan settled the filly well and early and was in no hurry at any given time.

Wordsmith led them into the straight with Magileto trying hard to stick by. Golden Lioness was not gaining either when King's Ransom started to pick up speed. She wove her way between horses and when she came up close to Wordsmith, Chouhan gave her a solitary crack and the filly simply bounded away leaving Wordsmith behind as she stretched out fluently to romp home a clear winner. Thunberg ran on to finish in the money, pushing Magileto to fourth.

Altaf Hussain trained Exclusive (Excellent Art - Skyelady, Poonawalla Stud) followed her debut win with another victory making it two in two. Jockey Suraj Narredu made his move just at the right time when Exclusive got a wide gap between Vikramaditya the early leader and Blazing Bay. Exclusive instantly picked up acceleration and stole a march approaching the distance post. Pepper tried hard to catch up but could not quicken too well. Agostino Carracci was picking up momentum but had too much to cover. My Treasure arrived with a scorching gallop from the widest out, but Exclusive had enough cushion to flash past the post with a length to spare to My Treasure and Agostino Carracci. Pepper ended a close fourth.

Hosidar Daji trained Lex Luthor (Tenth Star - Smoking Bell, Dashmesh Stud) coasted to a fine maiden victory on his fifth start and justified the strong support he enjoyed. Jockey K Nazil had it easy once he got past the early leaders past the 400m mark as Lex Luthor stormed ahead to build a sizable lead approaching the distance post.

Sinner improved positions but was way behind to make any impact on the winner. Lex Luthor won easily by three and half lengths to pull off his memorable first win. Sinner ran on to take the second slot well ahead of Shae.

Sufiyah (Arazan - Equine Lover, Poonawalla Stud) finally came good to open her account on her tenth start, winning the opening race of the day in style. The Rehanullah Khan trainee settled behind leader Suited Aces until well into the straight before taking off with a smooth gallop to score comfortably. She was all alone in front with no threat in sight as five kilo claimer Prakash drove her past the winning post winning by a margin of more than two lengths. Dowsabel improved positions to take the runner-up berth, while Smart Choice ‘nosed’ out Honourable Eyes to finish in the money.

Narendra Lagad trained On Va Danser (Varenar - Snowy Day in La, Equus Stud) won the concluding race of the day with a strong finishing run. Kardashian led them into the straight and galloped on to stay in the lead. Power of Neath put up a stiff challenge and joined Kardashian approaching the final furlong. This pair fought neck and neck with Kardashian holding a slight upper hand when On Va Danser, with jockey Aniket astride, arrived with a good burst of speed to surge ahead and win by a length. Kardashian warded off Power of Neath for second place.

For the professionals, trainer Pesi Shroff was the star performer of the day with four winners. Jockey PS Chouhan scored a treble.