Vittal Deshmukh trained Arcana emerged as a horse of immense potential when the progeny of Roderic O`Connor made a smashing debut in the Gr 3 1400 metres Alcock Arabian Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of concluding day`s races of the Hyderabad Winter Season. Though the season has officially ended, the Hyderabad Race Club will be conducting three extra day`s racing in March. Jockey Akshay Kumar retained his championship while Shiraz Sunderji pipped Hilton Sequeira by one point to win the champion title for trainers in his first season at Hyderabad.

Arcana had been blazing the track and had the benefit of a mock race. He went to the post as a strong favourite ahead of the others who had the benefit of a race run. Suraj Narredu took Arcana to the front as the colt showed lot of speed. Though the colt raced keen, the jockey was able to restrain it to a great extent. The colt gradually settled down and came into the straight several lengths clear, which he expanded to a widening margin of eight lengths at the finish. Kaitan who had the benefit of a good race run was totally outclassed when finishing second best ahead of Speaking of Love.

Arcana is easily the best three-year-old that one has seen on the local track. He is sure to be a force to reckon with as he progresses in his career. Suraj Narredu said that Arcana was an immensely talented horse and he will progress further as he matures with experience.

The stranglehold that Sequeira had on the trainers` championship all these years was under threat as his challenger Shiraz Sunderji was tied with him at 22 points with just two races left to go. Sunderji clearly was the favourite as he had the hat-trick seeking In Contention running in the 1600 metres Raja Bahadur Venkatram Reddy Memorial Cup, a race for horses rated 60 to 85. Sequeira had an outside chance in the form of Kesariya Balam who had run a good second to Scramjet in his last outing. However, In Contention proved too good for the field as jockey Trevor Patel drove out the short-priced favourite to a decisive win by four lengths over Saffron Art. The latter nosed out Kesariya Balam by a whisker to snatch the runner-up berth.

Akshay Kumar who retained the jockeys` championship quite easily had a winner for the day through Vittal Deshmukh trained Dunkirk who proved strong for the field in the 1600 metres Crown Treasure Plate (Div II), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Dunkirk assumed command approaching the final furlong and spurted into a decisive lead. Though Sacred Lamp showed up on the wide outside with a powerful run, the front-runner could not be overhauled. The late burst of Sacred Lamp enabled the six-year-old mare to neck out Sun Dancer for the second spot.

Long shot Carlisle from the stables of trainer Leo D`Silva won the 1200 metres Olympic Flame Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds despite some rough riding by jockey Umesh who completely knocked out whatever chances that Superimpose by drifting in badly and giving a solid bump and a check inside the final furlong and dangerously squeezing out the favourite. Carlisle went on to win by two lengths over Crimson Rose and Yaletown with Superimpose finishing fourth.

Despite taking the final bend wide and drifting in under pressure and looking vulnerable all the way in the stretch, Call of the Blue produced that bit extra to stave off the late bid of Fly To The Stars to win the 1600 metres Flirting Vision Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest category at nourishing odds. Apprentice jockey Gaurav Singh rode the winner. Astronaut was third. Magan Singh Parmar trained I Am Superman flew home on the wide outside to contain the challenge of Royal Avenger close to home to win the lower division of the race. Starwalt was third.

The consistent Miss Little Angel from the stables of Shashikanth found her bearings in the 1200 metres Charon Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45, taking control of the proceedings inside the final furlong and spurting away for an impressive win by a widening margin of five lengths. Sally held off the favourite Narakamicie to get the runner up berth.

In what appeared an open affair, Satheesh trained Grand Duke came from way off the pace to win the 2400 metres Pocharam Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, in impressive fashion. It was difficult to pick a winner as most runners did not have strong credentials. However, Grand Duke was the more preferred one. The progeny of Multidimensional finally broke the maiden`s ranks in his 12th outing. Winning Streak was second ahead of Forever Bond.