- Arts (Ontario – Shanley), co-owned and bred by Sultan Singh of Delhi-based Sohna Stud Farms, bounced back to form with a larger than life run in the Panchshil Million on Sunday. Arts’ preceding two runs didn’t bear any fruits and in fact he ran disappointingly against Weizhou earlier this month forcing the Stewards to open an enquiry which is still inconclusive.

On Sunday, C. D. Katrak trained Arts was backed to the exclusion of his rivals and the Ontario progeny unleashed a brilliant run just a furlong short of the winning post. Forever Young was in command after Estevez had lost pace and the horse who looked threatening at that stage was Smokin Aces. But it was Arts who catapulted into the lead the moment Y. S. Srinath decided to switch lanes and launch his assault. Smokin Aces lacked the killer instinct, probably because this was his maiden foray this season, and ended third behind Forever Young. The Faisal Abbas trainee should benefit immensely from this outing. Alize ended a tame fourth by pegging back Estevez.

Jockey Imran Chisty stole the limelight by riding four winners from as many engagements in the day. Chisty showed nerves of steel atop Shiraz Sunderji schooled Imperio (Senure – Worthwhile) who made all the running over the nine-furlong race till the field reach the grand stands. Malesh Narredu brought Thanda with a powerful burst and showed out for a brief moment before Chisty rekindled the fire in Imperio’s belly. The gelding, it seemed, had saved his best for the last moments of the race when responding gallantly to his saddle-partner’s call and pouring water over the hopes of Thanda. Noble Salute didn’t make any remarkable headway though he ended a close third while Go Guzzi Go retired to be fourth.

Chisty also inspired a scintillating run from Zadmal Singh’s candidate Spitz (Warrshan – Aquatic Wonder) and the bay colt’s final burst sealed the fate of favourite Star Impact, who had all but won the race. Monopoly yet again sprinted to the front but shortened her strides in the final stages of the race allowing both Star Impact and Spitz to overpower her. Schnell ran finish without much of a serious effort.

Sea Queen (Placerville – Stately Home) got quickly off the blocks and was never headed at any stage of the sprint which gave Chisty his third straight winner of the day. Saba unexpectedly received more support than one would have expected and she ranged along side the winner nearer home but failed to match strides with her. She is reported to have lost the grip over her bit when throwing her challenge at Sea Queen. Hymns To Freedom rallied on to take runner-up berth ahead of Swept Away and Encouragement while Saba faded out to run fifth. The rest of the field was out for an airing.

River Star (Warrshan – Precieux Act) from Sunderji’s yard gave no anxious moments either to the punters or Chisty and had the race firmly under control once he shot into the lead from the gates. Roaming Fame, Devilitto and Master Craft chased the winner in vain.

Both the divisions of the El Bravo Plate were annexed by Magansingh Jodha’s horses and were both piloted by C. S. Jodha. Manege (Hymn – Radiance) registered an overdue success and won unopposed all the way in the curtain raiser. Secret Magic showed some zest for racing when finishing on to end second ahead of Secret Affair.

Honey Bee (Hymn – Able Princess) devoured good ground after racing in the mid bunch till entering the home stretch and easily measured the favourite Step By Step and River Tern. Step By Step flattered to deceive after taking over the running from Brave Gun and succumbed meekly in the end.

Punters had witnessed another on-money favourite biting the dust when Narendra Lagad trained Sparkling Spirit missed the jump and then lost in a blanket finish to Mariposa (Alnasr Alwasheek – Marmalade), who came with a dazzling run to collar Wells Fargo, Sparkling Spirit and Royal Gesture. The Stewards, in their wisdom, decided to refund all the bets but decided not to tinker with the judges’ placings. Stephane Breux, who rode Sparkling Spirit, found himself courting trouble as Lagad smelled something fishy in the French professional’s effort. The owner of the favourite too asked the RWITC authorities to investigate as they were unhappy with Stephane’s riding. The Stewards decided, belatedly, to suspend Stephane pending enquiry.

Neeraj Rawal ridden and Rehanullah Khan saddled filly Glory of Love (Glory of Dancer – First Love) turned the handicap to her advantage and registered her maiden victory in the concluding race. Glory of Love slipped into the lead when Ashwa Prahar called it a day and then stretched out well to ward off the threat of Seen It All who, surprisingly, chose to race from behind on this occasion. Little Princess and Anamika filled the frame. Addiction cornered the majority of the betting but showed no sprinting abilities and finished off the board despite labouring hard.