Veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait recorded his second success in the Gr 1 Poonawalla Breeders` Multi-Million, the richest race for juveniles, when Dexa stunned the field beating the three strong market fancies in an exciting finish at the Mahalakshmi Race Course on Sunday. Emerging jockey Anthony Raj rode a peach of a race, timing his challenge to a nicety even as the fancied runners were struggling to assert their supremacy in the way it was envisaged.

Imtiaz Sait had won this race a long ago on Ponta Delgado. Dexa had run an eye-catching second behind Emperor Rodrigo on the Indian Derby Day in the first week of February. That run over six furlongs was suggestive of the fact that the son of Planetaire had the potential to be a strong challenger over the extended trip of seven furlongs. The hype as also the performance of Supernatural, Imperial Power and Ahead of My Time masked the performance capability of Dexa who went to the post at long odds. Racingpulse had suggested that if anyone was looking for a long shot, they could trust Dexa.

Coming back to the contestants, Pesi Shroff trained Supernatural had recorded back-to-back wins. On the last occasion, the son of Multidimensional and full brother to last year`s Indian Derby winner Immortality had won but it looked a laboured effort apart from giving the feeling that the seven-furlong trip could prove sharp in a truly contested race. Ahead of My Time whose two siblings had won this race in the earlier years, had recorded a smashing win and hence was accorded the status of a favourite. Bangalore challenger Imperial Power had made an impressive start to his career and was widely reckoned to be good enough to beat the local opposition. In the event, Dexa, ridden by Bangalore based Anthony Raj, managed to stave off the challenge of Imperial Power to land the rich spoils. Ahead of My Time necked out Supernatural to keep the third position.

The dedicated pace-maker ironically named Dedicated Boy set a fast pace followed by Ahead of My Time while the other two major fancies Imperial Power and Supernatural were settled in the rear group. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan had a problem in restraining Supernatural and in the act of doing so, had to lose the advantage drawn one. Dexa raced in the fourth position. Ahead of My Time grabbed the lead approaching the 300-metre marker and surged ahead even as Dexa made a smooth run to come within reach of the front-runner. Imperial Power made a strong bid while Supernatural was brought the widest. The manner in which Dexa was striding, it was clear that he would be there at the busy end. Inside the final 100 metres, Dexa surged ahead and had no problem in holding off Imperial Power who made a valiant effort. Ahead of My Time weakened to finish third while Supernatural failed to cover the leeway and had to settle for the fourth slot.

Pesi Shroff trained King`s Ransom made a smashing debut in the 1200 metres Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds only. King`s Ransom was expected to make a winning debut and the filly did not disappoint the expectations. King`s Ransom showed a good turn of foot when coming from way off the pace and swamping the opposition for a win by a widening margin of three lengths. Stablemates Wordsmith and Thunberg occupied the next slots indicating the power of strength that the stable commands.

Jockey Trevor Patel`s poor judgment saw favourite Botero miss the chance of winning the 2400 metres Kumar R Dalal Cup, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 by a whisker. Animous set a modest space followed by The Bawaji about five lengths adrift while the other runners head by Aah Bella, Mandeville and Botero kept themselves behind several lengths adrift. Jockey Neeraj Rawal pushed The Bawaji to take charge approaching the final bend and breaking into what turned out to be a winning lead. Trevor made his move rather late in the day as Sandesh did on Juliette in the Invitation Cup. Botero covered ground in the straight but fell short by a whisker. Botero was a good thing beat because of the lack of intent by the jockey. Mandeville was third. All the first three placed horses belonged to the same stable. The same trainer running three formidable horses with good jockeys is a recipe for disaster for the punters.

The well-bred Chamonix who appears to belong to the highest class, recorded her record straight win, swamping the field with a powerful run down the final furlong to win the 1600 metres Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Treasure Gold held off Aira and Alfayiz in a tight finish in the battle for minor berths. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan had an arm-chair ride to victory.

Suraj Narredu drove out Altaf Hussain trained Exclusive to a resolute win in the 1200 metres Florrie & Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The well-bred Exclusive took charge of the proceedings down the final furlong and comfortably stayed in front. My Treasure was impressive with a late challenge, occupying the second spot ahead of the fancied Agostino Carracci.

Pesi Shroff trained Lord And Master made a late rally to get the better of Cold Pursuit to win the 1400 metres Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 4 to 30. Favourite Dali Swirl made no impression while finishing a tame third. The well-backed Lex Luthor from the stables of trainer Hoshidar Daji had no problem in keeping the challenge of favourite Sinner at bay in the lower division of the race. Shae was third.

Narendra Lagad trained On Va Danser finally made it to the winner`s enclosure staving off the challenge of last start winner Kardashian. Power of Neath was third. Between Friends who had a fair share of supporters in the betting ring made no show. Rehanullah Khan trained Sufiyah broke off well from the gates and had no problem in winning the lower division of the race in the hands of apprentice jockey A Prakash. Dowsabel and Smart Choice took the next two slots.