The talented Iron Mirage completed a hat-trick of wins and the talented grey Seize The Grey shed his maiden status in style on the eve of the Zavaray Poonawalla Bangalore Derby. The former won the Coromandel Gromor Million in effortless fashion, while Seize The Grey needed to stretch every sinew to come up trumps in the Soli Merwan Cama Music And Production Million.run over sprint. 

The Soli Merwan Cama Music Million attracted a big field of dozen runners and in this quality juvenile field, the John-trained Heimirich garnered the maximum support on the strength of his suggestive effort on his debut. The public choice partnered by Ashhad Asbar gained a favourable position despite jumping out from draw (11) early on in the race, but when the race came on a boil, the John trainee found the Joseph Awale schooled grey too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. Second in demand at the betting ring, Osaka, who had finished second thrice from his three earlier runs this season slipped one step down the ladder, while the Shazaan Shah-trained Golden Hues, who was sweetly fancied in place, it was clear needed this run and it will pay to keep an eye on her early in the Pune season. 

Soli Merwan Cama, who had sponsored a Million couple of weeks ago delighted with the response to the event on Saturday revealed that he was happy to promote and support the sport. "I'm sponsoring another big event later this month and I intend to make that a much bigger spectacle," said Soli pleased with his association with the game and the Bangalore Turf Club. The public rage Iron Mirage had no opposition worthy of mention in the Coromandel Gromor Million and it was proved the moment, the short-priced favourite (40/100) hit the front and bolted in nice and easy in the hands of Akshay Kumar to record his third straight success this summer season. Twice winner from his three earlier starts, Shining Ways piloted by leading pro Suraj Narredu followed the winner home ahead of last start winner Rampage. Iron Mirage appears to be in a class of his own and his attempt over a mile long trip which he should be able to negotiate will evoke considerable interest among the racing buffs. 

Akshay, earlier booted home the four to one shot Elysium to a fine win in the DM Shivaswamy Memorial Trophy run over a mile. The winner, who had let down large following in his last essay, shockingly going down to Crosswater, came into his own over the extended trip and comfortably pegged back the challenge of the second in demand at the betting ring, Ice Of Fire to the delight of the Sulaiman camp. In line for his fourth straight success, the in-form Prince Of Wales from leading trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard found the first two, tough to handle and finished a tame third. 

Sulaiman later led in another lesser fancied winner, Corinthian piloted by leading saddle artiste Sandesh, powering home in the concluding event, the lower division of the Chennai Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs. A smart last start winner Mister Brown from the stables of Pradeep Annaiah was fancied most, but he found the winner too good on this day. Storm Shadow was fancied strongly in place by the Prasanna camp and he in the hands of Neeraj Rawal managed to edge out Mystikos by a `head' to the joy of his supporters.

The upper division of the event was claimed by the five to one shot Felisa from Irfan Ghatala's yard, who hit the front from the word go and just kept increasing the lead before sailing home in resplendent style. All credit to jockey Arvind Kumar, who boldly took the five-year-old mare to the front and happily kept pushing to maintain the advantage before putting the issue beyond doubt, a furlong from home. 

Adhirajsingh Jodha schooled Avener, who made a smashing debut provided an encore, outclassing his 10 rivals in the Delhi Cup run over a mile. Sandesh didn't really need to flex his muscles on this talented colt, who is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. Regal Aristocracy, who had finished a game second in her last start again met a tartar in Avener and hopefully it will prove to be third time lucky for this James McKeown ward. 

A winner in debut, Ravishing Queen from the stables of James McKeown and the Lokanath Gowda-trained Lots Of Luck topped the betting board in the Mysore Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs. The latter piloted in determined fashion by Ashad Asbar gained the day, snuffing out the challenge of rank outsider Solara close home. Ravishing Queen despite Suraj going flat out lacked the gas in the tank to match stride with the first two. 

In the opening event, the Halebeedu Stakes run over a sprint, the Satish Narredu-trained Gloriousness piloted by Suraj was strongly fancied on the strength of her good showing in her last effort, second behind the speedy Encino last week. But the favourite broke her blood vessels during the race and eventually finished fourth. The five to one shot Perfect Attitude from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard  confidently piloted by Antony Raj came up tops zipping past the runaway leader Flaming Sword while Pole Star only managed  to save money in place.