- Xisca (China Visit – Altimara), the filly from Pesi Shroff`s yard who had remained a maiden after three starts, finally graduated from the maiden ranks with a scintillating victory in the Vandrevala Foundation Multi-Million. Interestingly, the Richard Hughes ridden Xisca won more stakes than what the group one winners Palazzio`s Sun and Maseeha got through the Sprinters` Cup and the Stayers` Cup respectively!

Regardless, Lionwoods was being hailed as a winner close when he was still in charge of the running but Xisca was powered by Hughes and the filly swooped down on the former opposite the grand stands. However, en route to victory, Xisca went across Malesh Narredu driven Applaud, who was initially denied an opening through the inner rails by Lionwoods. Xisca eventually romped home leaving the runner-up spot for Lionwoods. Applaud was pipped for the third place by the Kolkata challenger Record Breaker. Malesh expectedly lodged an objection against the winner and the runner-up but it didn`t find favour with the Stewards`, who even felt that Applaud had lost because of bad riding!

	Xisca (R Hughes up), winner of the Vandrevala Foundation Multi-Million, being led in by Mr & Mrs K. N. Dhunjibhoy (left)

Angelo (Razeen – Alix) was the first winner for the day led in by Pesi. The chestnut gelding ridden by Chris Hayes was never headed over the mile journey once he assumed control of the running from the barriers. Oh Calcutta looked menacing nearer home but couldn`t overpower Angelo. Deep Purple ended a fair third and was followed home by Sea Sparrow.

Attila (China Visit – Al Dente) avenged his defeat at the hands of Sea Star when C. Ruzaan didn`t allow the presence of Hughes astride his main rival when he ranged along side. Both horses went hammer and tong towards the wire but for once an Indian rider proved superior. Harmonica raised hopes in the straight but failed to quicken and ended a game third ahead of Ecstatica.

Nosher Cama schooled Lakhadema (Greensmith – Crepusculaire) made amends for her poor performance last time and gave substitute jockey Richard Hughes an armchair ride to victory. The winning mare sorted out the no-hopers who lead the field earlier and burst past them for a convincing victory over Alaska who was hard-ridden to nose out Silver Soul from second spot. McQueen, showed some zest for racing when finishing in the frame.

The only thing that probably worried Silvestre De Sousa atop Serenity in the concluding event was the draw from which she had to jump out. But the Mansingh Jadhav nurtured filly by Diffident out of Scenic Royale packed enough speed into her well-built frame and once she took the rails, she left her rivals fighting for the crumbs. Ocean Wish, Titleist and Zaracha ended up in a blanket finish for the minor places where the camera separated them in the above order.

A change in habitat proved fruitful for Prime Time (Senure – Mystique Smile) who had languished in the maiden ranks with Altaf Hussain. Saddled for the first time by Dallas Todywalla, Prime Time gave James Doyle one of his few winners of the season. The bay gelding went surging into the lead once Dancing Money and Candy Floss had finished futile front-running act and won quite comfortably over Socaroro, Silver Screen and Distinguished. Mohabbi was never interested in the proceedings at any stage of the race and her run is better taken with a pinch of salt.