Pesi Shroff appears to have so much ammunition for the Classics that he could probably field a second team and still frighten the opposition. After Margaretta had already waved her credentials like a royal decree earlier in the season, D’Artagnan arrived on Sunday and announced himself with the subtlety of a cannon blast. The colt produced a devastating performance in the 1400 metres Bangalore Turf Club Karnataka Juvenile Million, a terms race for three year olds run in soft going, leaving rivals pedestrian.

D’Artagnan, a progeny of Deauville, improved dramatically from his Mumbai run, giving weight all around and still treating the opposition with disdain. Buckingham, who had beaten him in Mumbai, raced as though someone had switched him to airplane mode, eventually trailing home more than ten lengths behind the winner. That earlier Mumbai form now looks about as reliable as a weather forecast during monsoon season.

Jockey Vivek kept D’Artagnan relaxed in fourth while Rambo set the pace with Buckingham stalking nearby, perhaps under the impression that this was still a contest. But turning for home, D’Artagnan exploded clear with breathtaking acceleration and the race instantly turned into a public service announcement about superiority. He sauntered away by six widening lengths from Siege Storm, with Buckingham lumbering in further behind. Once D’Artagnan hit the front, the result became a mere formality. The colt should now open favourite for the Colts Championship Stakes unless the bookmakers decide to seek counselling first.

Pradeep Annaiah trained Alfonsine laughed at the handicapper’s penalty and treated it as a polite suggestion while winning the 1400 metres S G Madhukar Memorial Trophy for horses rated 40 to 65. Aashad Akbar had Alfonsine tracking Invincible into the straight before pressing the ignition button. The response was immediate and brutal as Alfonsine powered away to win by eight widening lengths over favourite Zayyan, whose supporters were left studying the horizon in disbelief. Sunshine ran on for third without ever threatening the winner.

Long shot Bartolino produced the afternoon’s betting apocalypse in the 1600 metres Endorsement Plate for maiden three year olds. The market had fallen hopelessly in love with Ashwa New York and Digital Empress, as punters once again demonstrated their remarkable ability to donate money voluntarily. Asterion led from the start and battled bravely into the straight while Ashwa New York briefly threatened before discovering that Bartolino had other plans. Responding gamely to jockey Pavan, Bartolino stormed through to ambush the market leaders and send bookmakers into spontaneous celebrations. Digital Empress arrived late with a strong finish to snatch second ahead of Ashwa New York, while Asterion faded to fourth after doing all the hard labour.

Sulaiman Attaollahi trained Valiant Stream had disappointed badly last time out and with the stable favourites this season often treating punters like charitable institutions, there was understandable nervousness in the air. Thankfully for battered wallets and fragile emotions, Valiant Stream remembered he was actually a racehorse this time. Jockey Akshay Kumar took over from Agrador at the top of the straight and the gelding surged clear for an emphatic win in the 1300 metres World No Tobacco Day Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Darrington finished on late for second ahead of the long time leader.

In the lower division, Irfan Ghatala trained Night Raider made every post a winning one under apprentice jockey Pavan. Vibrant Queen was second ahead of Steely Challenge while favourite Assurances lived up to the modern interpretation of the word, plenty promised and nothing delivered.

Pradeep Annaiah trained Steffen justified favouritism with a start to finish victory in the 1200 metres Aureole Time Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 0 to 25. Apprentice jockey Stephen sent the filly to the front and opened up such a huge lead that the rest looked like they were participating in a separate event. Though Steffen began slowing late, the advantage proved more than sufficient. Dasadyu finished second ahead of Carter.

Rajesh Babu trained Mericle Beauty proved far too good in the lower division, winning comfortably in the hands of Kiran Rai from favourite Khazana, who held fort until the final furlong before collapsing like a political alliance after election results. Mega Success flew home from the rear to finish third.