Malesh Narredu schooled filly New Dimension (Multidimensional – Victoria Falls) was the best prepared horse amongst the eight contestants vying for the Gracias Saldhana Memorial Million, the rich purse of which made the event the highlight of the day’s card. New Dimension was off to a smooth start from the gates and once Suraj Narredu eased her into the lead, the bay filly called a merry tune to Irish Gold, Miranda and Portofino Bay all the way home. Miranda raced keen in the early stages but PS Chouhan couldn’t get her into her stride. New Dimension meanwhile stretched out to make a winning debut. Portofino Bay improved in the closing stages of the five furlong scurry to take the runner up berth. Irish Gold ended third while Miranda ran fourth.

The chestnut four-year-old filly Dragoness (Starspangledbanner – China Creek), who is bred as half-sister to Pune Derby winner King’s Ransom, was a classic hopeful last winter before her temperamental gate behaviour put paid to her connections’ hopes. The Mansingh Jadhav nurtured filly, who was backed to the exclusion of her eleven rivals, was lethargic when the starter’s flag came down but she made the lost ground swiftly. Nikhil Parmar-ridden Dragoness progressed steadily to draw level with Dilbar at the top of the straight and breezed past her to finally enter the winner’s enclosure. Dragoness checked in well clear of Dilbar who just about managed to cling to the second spot with Hela a neck behind.

The A Campbell Trophy evoked much interest due to the participation of the two classic hopefuls, Supernatural and Mojito. Aditya Jadhav saddled Mojito was the centre of attraction in the betting ring with Supernatural the second fancy of most punters. The duo however was upstaged by the 15 to 1 longshot Son Of A Gun (Top Class – Indian Serenade), a failed favourite in his previous essay at Pune, who made every post of the seven furlong journey a winning one. Narendra Lagad schooled Son Of A Gun hit the front as is his wont and responded well to jockey CS Jodha’s call to go beyond the reach of his well-fancied rivals. Supernatural and Mojito were clearly outpaced and had to settle for the minor places behind the winner. Raffaello ran true to form to end a close fourth in a three-way finish. Despite this failure, both Supernatural and Mojito will be better off with this run under their belts and should give an improved performance in the Indian 2000 Guineas.

The outcome of the day’s first race, which was claimed by HJ Antia saddled Flashing Famous (Kingda Ka – La Tonnarella), started the punters’ rout. Flashing Famous, who had finished off the judge’s board in all her four starts at Pune, was settled behind Champagne Smile and Moon Belle by SG Prasad till the last furlong. The bay filly put in a resolute run when alerted by her rider and soon measured the leader Champagne Smile. Flashing Famous then kicked on to keep the Dragonlord at bay with Champagne Smile finishing in the money ahead of Golden Lioness. Favourite Nostalgic found the six furlong trip too sharp for her liking and finished fifth. The Pesi Shroff trainee will be a better prospect over a longer distance.

Karthik Ganapathy nurtured filly Kimiko (Win Legend – Hauhaiwunai) relished the long Mahalaxmi stretch as she came charging down to record her maiden win in the hands of CS Jodha. Kimiko was nowhere in sight as Hagibis took over from leader Midsummer Star at the 400m-marker and it appeared that another Antia trained horse would floor the punters. But Kimiko unleashed a brilliant on the wide outside and came just in the nick of time of pip both Hagibis and Finch on the post. Sweet Emotion, who was in with a chance till Finch arrived on the scene, ran a close fourth. Finch’s gallant effort was marred by the weight he was conceding to his younger rivals. Kings Best ended a close fifth but without raising any hopes for his supporters.

Soon after New Dimension had obliged the punters, Dallas Todywalla trained Twelfth Earl (Phoenix Tower – Meydana) registered an upset win. The five-year-old gelding, steered confidently by apprentice P Vinod, galloped resolutely in the straight to wear down Willy Wonka who had just about managed to grab the lead from Shadows, who led all the way and gave up reluctantly in the last furlong. There were four-five horses in a line before Willy Wonka tried to assert himself as the winning post drew near. But it was Twelfth Earl’s day as he went on to achieve his maiden win. Mysterious Girl raised some hopes in the straight but failed to quicken and ended third ahead of favourite Eleos, who ran disappointingly.

Trainer S Waheed missed a chance to lead in Willy Wonka earlier but that loss was compensated by the victory of Dalasan (Sedgefield – Sarvagnya), who didn’t lose much ground at the start on this occasion.. Amyn Merchant drove Dalasan vigorously in the straight and the gelding made steady progress to catch Reciprocity opposite the grand stands. Dalasan then kicked on to win from Ame. Periwinkle and Dagger’s Strike, though prominent behind leader Reciprocity in the straight, failed to accelerate and finished third and fourth respectively.