Exactly a week after the running of the Byerly Turk Million won by the half-money favourite She Can, the Deccan Bookmakers Association sponsored Darley Arabian Million had a poor response as far as participation of horses was concerned with only four juveniles left in the fray. The odds quoted for LVR Deshmukh schooled High Command’s victory suggested that the day's prime event was going to be a one-horse race and the colt did not falter as he provided the day’s fourth winner to his master.

No-hoper Encore led the field of four after a tardy start and had the money-back favourite High Command (Leitir Mor - Heiress) in hot pursuit while Siddharth and N R I Skylab raced behind him. With two furlongs left for destination, Akshay Kumar gave High Command his head to grab the lead following which the favourite sailed away for a convincing over Siddharth, who struggled to catch the winner. Encore retired to be third and was followed home by N R I Skylab.

Most of the six riding engagements Akshay had in the seven-race card were in with a solid winning chance and the champion rider succeeded astride four including High Command. His first winner however came atop Cash Register against the fancied duo City Cruise and Queen Blossom in the day's curtain raiser. Same was the case with Deshmukh, who started the day on a winning note with Cash Register and led in another three winners.

Favourite City Cruise was taken on a start-to-finish mission by apprentice Ekram Alam and held the advantage till the field turned for home. Cash Register (Green Coast - Strides Of Glory), who was always in pursuit of the leader, soon joined him and it was Akshay's strong handling which enabled the Deshmukh saddled gelding to snuff out the favourite’s challenge. Akshay kept the pressure intact and helped Cash Register to extend his lead on the way to his maiden success. Sucker Punch edged out City Cruise for the runner up slot while Queen Blossom ended a neck away.

In what turned out to be the day’s best clash on the race-track, Akshay’s power-packed effort enabled Soloist to snatch the verdict from Shazam and Mark My Day in a three-way finish for the Gajasimha Rao Memorial Cup. Mark My Day, partnered by lesser known jockey Aneel, took over the running from Stunning Force after travelling a furlong from the barriers and appeared in no mood to give up his advantage. Shazam and Soloist, who were both ridden off the pace, started to improve as the field straightened for home.

N R I Sport faded out after chasing the leader in vain and made way for Shazam and Soloist to launch their assault. DS Deora ridden Shazam looked menacing as he joined the issue with Mark My Day even as Soloist took time to get into his stride. The supporters of the on-money favourite had their hearts in their mouth at this juncture but Soloist (Top Class - Allee Bleue), who was served best by the terms of the event, came with a tremendous burst to snatch victory from right under the noses of both Shazam and Mark My Day. They were separated by a short-head and nose each. Stunning Force ran a game fourth and should do well over a sprint.

Sequeira groomed Anab E Shahi, though lesser-fancied than Splendour On Grass, made a stylish winning debut. Akshay ridden Anab E Shahi (Leitir Mor - Tootsie Wootsie) lacked initial speed but joined the front-running pack headed by P Sai Kumar ridden hot favourite Splendour On Grass about two furlongs from the gates. The bay colt was full of running as the heads turned for home and he faced little or no resistance from Splendour On Grass, who appeared quite happy to let the spotlight be on Anab E Shahi. The second favourite then cruised away for an emphatic win while Splendour On Grass ended runner up ahead of the winner’s stable-mate, Brilliant Star. Pocket Rocket ran an easy fourth.

Like Anab E Shahi, Deshmukh’s candidate Francis Bacon too had an easy passage to victory in the Vegavathi Cup run over a mile and quarter where Alabama carried the public’s purse. The sparingly raced filly Alabama however caught a tartar in Francis Bacon. Though long in tooth, Francis Bacon still has the zest for racing as was witnessed when he made every post of the trip a winning one. Francis Bacon (Born To Sea – Look Over) was taken on a catch-me-if-you-can mission by apprentice Kuldeep Singh and he scampered home for his second success this season. Kiran Naidu-ridden Alabama showed some intent in the last furlong but failed to catch the winner. Princess Daka finished on to run a close third ahead of Wallop And Gallop.

Half an hour earlier, Kuldeep partnered mare Amalfitana went down by half-length to the heavily backed Team Player after the two horses dominated the race right from the word go. Afroz Khan-ridden Team Player swerved to his left shortly after the start and took Amalfitana with him before being steadied. Amalfitana then made all the running over the mile journey till Team Player challenged her with two furlongs left to go for home. The K Satheesh trained rig failed to race on an even keel and badly interfered with Amalfitana all along the way to the winning post. Before arriving at a decision, the stewards took some time to deliberate on trainer Deshmukh’s expected protest against the winner’s jockey. The stewards eventually upheld the objection and awarded the race to Amalfitana, which arguably was a right decision. Akshay ridden Hero Of The East raced behind the front-running duo all the way and had no heroics on display when finishing a tame third ahead of Sweet Whisper.

Anant Vatsalya trained China Town was the centre of attraction in the betting ring and the Ajeeth Kumar ridden gelding duly obliged. China Town was settled in the fourth position behind front-runners Ar Superior, Call Of The Blue and the ante post favourite Black Opal. The last named surged ahead soon after entering the straight but had China Town breathing down her neck. China Town (Chinese Whisper – Fury) wore down Black Opal after a brief tussle and gained the upper hand close home. The bay gelding went on to register his maiden win and had something in reserve when passing the winning post. Black Opal, Wot’s Up Joy and My Grandeur followed the winner home.