The 2010 edition of The Maharaja's Cup witnessed one of the closest finishes in recent years, when half the participants came charging down the straight and ended within a length of each other. In a stunning reversal of form, Dhariwal-trained Arabian Prince found an extra gear and the nice looking chestnut managed to get the better of Onassis, Becket and Spark Of Gold. The followers of form greeted this result with disbelief, as most of them had refused to look beyond Becket while making their choice.

The shortest priced favourite in the history of this race had run below all known form, and those who had been brave to back him at 40/100, were disheartened by the result. Becket lacked his usual sparkle today. He wilted under pressure and looked quite "ordinary" in the final stages of this race on Sunday. The favourite came into this race with impeccable credentials. His second to Jacqueline in The Indian Derby prior to beating the champion filly in The Indian Turf Invitation Cup were inspiring performances. Becket was rested after he failed narrowly in his efforts to tackle the extra 400 metres of the Indian St Leger.

Trainer Padmanabhan wanted to give him a mock race before his seasonal debut in The Chief Justice's Cup. The heavy showers and the resultant underfoot conditions forced the trainer to abandon his plans. Becket lived up to his reputation by justifying the short odds in that race. He beat Spark Of Gold and Onassis with a measure of comfort. Since he was racing against a similar group of horses in The Maharaja's Cup, and considering the fact that he had already had a run this season, it was difficult to see him getting beaten today.

Not many had taken the trouble to look deeper into the winter records. Those who had unravelled Arabian Prince's run behind Becket at Mahalaksmi were rewarded for their efforts. At level weights, Arabian Prince had ended close to five lengths behind Becket. The four kilos that he was set to receive today could prove decisive. The eight-horse field took off to a level start. Becket's stablemate Western Command was hustled to the front and showed the way to Echoes Of Light and Spearhead. It was unusual to see Becket racing prominently.

The favourite occupied the fourth spot and was marginally ahead of Arabian Prince and Onassis, while Imran Chisty and Spark Of Gold had already dropped back to the rear. The runners travelled in the same order for the first half of this gruelling trip of 2,200 metres. The scene began to alter thereafter. Sampson and Spearhead were the first to make their move and the pair of them took over the running.

Suraj brought Becket into contention, while Prakash allowed Onassis to improve on the wide outside. Not many noticed Ryan Marshall's move at this stage. He had allowed Arabian Prince to track Becket for most of the way, and was always within striking distance of the leaders. Spearhead shot his bolt in the straight, and a roar greeted Becket's acceleration as the runners entered the final furlong of The Maharaja's Cup.

He led narrowly from Onassis and Arabian Prince. His supporters expected him to kick away from his pursuers, but that did not happen. He was soon struggling, and was finding it difficult to keep Onassis at bay. Onassis managed to get the better of Becket, but had no answers for the final onslaught of Arabian Prince. Ryan Marshall had got his mount into a good rhythm, and the two of them were "flying" at the finish.

Arabian Prince managed to beat Onassis by a long neck. Becket and Spark Of Gold were separated by a mere short head and the two of them were within a length of the winner. Ryan Marshall rode one of the best races of his career, and deserved all the accolades that he received on his return to the unsaddling enclosure. Although Suraj was disappointed with Becket's run in the day's feature, he had plenty of reasons to smile this afternoon.

The champion jockey scored a treble and continued his march towards the magical number of "1000 Winners”. He is well within sight of this target, and considering the speed at which he is moving, it may not be long before he establishes a new benchmark in Indian Racing. The free-lancing rider rode for four different stables and scored for three of them. His productive partnership with Irfan Ghatala continued to roll.

Montedoro gave Suraj his first winner of the day. The speedy horse was taken to the front and he turned out to be much too good for his rivals. Suraj looked back repeatedly in the straight before easing his mount. Emerald and Plaka had to be satisfied with the minor slots. The next win astride Neil Darashah's Native Talent brought a smile to his face. The four year-old was a bit sluggish at the start and was seen gracing the wrong end of the field.

Suraj allowed him to remain there and decided to take his chances in the straight. The leading pair of Lush Lashes and Modern Art had cut pace with each other and was almost a distance clear of the others. The nine-furlong trip began to take its toll on the leaders and they were unable to sustain their efforts. At almost the same juncture, Suraj put his horse under pressure and found immediate response from him. Making free use of his whalebone, he enabled Native Talent to devour ground on the wide outside and come close to the front runners.

Native Talent got up on the last few strides to score a victory that looked "impossible" at the top of the straight. Neil was delighted with his own decision of having entrusted his horse to this brilliant jockey. Lush Lashes ran a forward race after a fairly long time and gave an impression that she may be able to score in the near future. Suraj's treble was completed with a win for his father. After three successive efforts in recent weeks, wherein the horse had been getting beaten in close finishes, they were successful on Sunday.

Despite his wide draw, Flaming Lamborgini improved nicely and was travelling a handy fourth for most of the way. Realizing the fact that he was conceding weight to his rivals, Suraj waited before making his final move. The horse produced his short burst of speed in the last furlong and got the better of Dream Park and Chintz. Both the beaten horses ran good races and were a bit unfortunate to have run into somebody better today. Dream Park and Chintz are the ones for the notebook, as they are capable of winning in their next starts. Irfan was the only other professional to score more than once today.

After Montedoro, it was seven year-old Mac who produced an astounding gallop in the straight, and finished ahead of Royal Player and Youre Wonderful. The last named was backed to the exclusion of his rivals as he was considered to be superior to them. It is learnt that he felt his tendon in the straight and was unable to quicken. On the other hand, PS Chouhan rode a power-packed finish on the winner. He roused the horse to produce the sort of acceleration that surprised most racegoers.

Even in his younger days, Mac had never run like he ran today. Another seven year-old named Stone Of Destiny came out and won a sprint race for horses in Class II. Warren Singh's Lads Gladiator was the fancied runner from the stable. All of them were making a bid to get the better of the Suraj ridden Classic Charge. Classic Charge had beaten Bhagirathi in his last start, and given the fact that Bhagirathi had won twice after that day, was the reason why many decided to go nap on him. Classic Charge was able to take control of the proceedings near the home bend and had little trouble in keeping his pursuers at bay. However, he had no answers to the final onslaught of Stone Of Destiny.

This moody horse came from the rear and won near the final post. Well supported Ready To Mingle could do no better than finish a fair third. The two other races in the day's card ran kindly for the punters. Both Chantilly Jewel and Super Gold carried the hopes of their stables and had been supported vigorously in the betting rings. Amit Caddy's three year-old Chantilly Jewel was carrying a heavy burden in a sprint for horses in Class V.

The stable felt that she was too good for these horses in the lowest Class at Bangalore. The filly had to work really hard to get the better of Another Voice and Inspirator. Ladjadj Stephane made free use of his whip to keep her going. The most impressive runner in this race was Intizara. The filly jumped outwards and was seen running detached from the others. The fact that she made up acres of ground in the straight and managed to finish within a respectable distance of the winner was definitely creditable.

Nityanand can place her to win this season. Mumbai-based J Pradeep was able to please his camp with a professional effort astride Super Gold. This filly was slammed down to odds-on favouritism. She had run a couple of forward races in Maiden Company and looked better than her Class IV opposition. Super Gold put up a speedy display by winning from pillar to post.

Pradeep was immensely confident about his mount, as he had her on a tight leash for most of the way. She toyed with Admiranda in the final furlong and gave signs of her capabilities. The rest of the runners were totally outclassed in this race. Super Gold is in wonderful health and trainer Inayathulla can definitely place her to win on promotion.