Laxman Singh trained Chase Your Dreams held off resolutely to thwart the late bid of Autocratic to win the Gr 3 Darley Arabian Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of races held on Monday at Malakpet. The victory of Chase Your Dreams gave a boost to first season stallion Excellent Art, standing at the famed Poonawalla Stud Farm. The progeny of Excellent Art are striking it rich and the success of Chase Your Dreams was in keeping with the performance profile of the progeny in their first season.

Bangalore challenger Autocratic was widely expected to pull it off but unlike in the past, the support was not one-sided. For once, local challengers Kangra and Chase Your Dreams were also well backed. Autocratic played up a lot en route to the starting gates. Jockey Srinath took Chase The Dreams on a start to finish mission with Kangra and Turf War in close proximity with Autocratic in a close fourth position. Rounding the final turn, Chase Your Dreams shook off Kangra and marched ahead. Autocratic made a strong bid in the final furlong and the battle lasted to the wire. Srinath’s persevering efforts ensured that Chase Your Dreams managed to keep the thin lead right past the winning post. Chase Your Dreams prevailed by a neck over Autocratic while another Bangalore challenger Turf War was third. Kangra weakened to finish fourth.

The 1200 metres Naloma Plate, another terms race for three-year-olds, also saw an exciting finish, with lesser fancied On The Fire just about lasting out to win the race from Hope Is Eternal. On The Fire stole a march over his opponents with a furlong left in the race. Hope Is Eternal found rhythm late and came home with a powerful effort. However, the front-runner managed to reach the safety of the winning post, a head in front of his challenger. Creator too finished on well to take the third spot ahead of favourite Desert Moon who failed to change gears as it were and plodded home to be a poor fourth.

Suraj Narredu drove out favourite Ashwa Raftar to win the 1400 metres Mysore Race Club Cup, a race for horses rated 66 to 90. Ashwa Raftar got the better of Numinous midway in the homestretch and marched ahead to record a comfortable win over O Ms Akilah. The latter managed to stay ahead of Mangalyaan who was full of running at the finish. The jockeys were not allowed to carry their whip in this race. Numinous disappointed by fading out of contention under pressure.

Zoheb Shaikh trained Wonder Star had last won nearly a year ago, almost in the same category. The fact that the five-year-old mare was putting in good workouts, got the desired sharpness for the horse who was quietly backed in the 1100 metres Nelston Plate, a race for horses rated up to 30. The five-year-old mare also was sporting aluminium shoes this time out. Wonder Star raced in a handy position till turning for home. Jockey Tograllu pushed Wonder Star to take the gap along the rails and the progeny of Verenar shot through to establish a winning lead. Wonder Star was strongly pressed by favourite Cruiser close home but the front-runner had enough cushion to last out. Racing Ruler ran on to finish third.

Elysian was backed strongly to win the 2000 metres Attractress Plate, a race for horses rated 46 to 70. Suraj had Elysian take charge in the final furlong and the favourite appeared to be on the course having established a good cushion over his only nearest pursuer Coruba. However, the favourite began to falter close home. Coruba closed the gap with a big effort and managed to snatch the race in the closing strides of the race. Elysian managed to head Limitation to retain the runner-up berth.

Srinath was at his persevering best on favourite Secret Art in the 1100 metres Pleasure Hunt Plate, a race for horses rated 26 to 50. Secret Art led from the start and enjoyed the edge right throughout the race though War Cry put a valiant effort but found the front-runner unrelenting in front. Secret Art prevailed by a shade less than a length. Mountain of Light saved place money.

Anupam Sharma trained Al Sadr stormed into the lead with a furlong left in the race overhauling Pentagon and recorded a comfortable win in the 2000 metres Makalu Cup, a race for horses rated 26 to 50. Pentagon could not sustain his lead as Al Sadr warmed up to the task and produced a powerful effort in the final furlong. Cannon Grey edged past long-time leader Own Battle to get the third spot.