Prasad Raju-trained Cherie Chevalier finally decided enough was enough and put his rivals in their place with a dominant performance in the 1200 metres N Nari Reddy Memorial Million, the feature event of Sunday`s races at Malakpet. The progeny of Leitir Mor had been playing the role of a gracious runner-up in his last two outings, but those near-misses had clearly toughened him up. This time, there was no charity—just a cold, calculated dismantling of the opposition.

Sure, Walking Thunder had beaten Cherie Chevalier in the past, but that was ancient history. While Cherie Chevalier had been sharpening his weapons, Walking Thunder had spent 77 days in hibernation, possibly nursing a niggle or just reminiscing about his maiden win. When it came down to business, experience trumped nostalgia, and Sai Kumar guided Cherie Chevalier to an emphatic victory.

The race itself wasn`t short on theatrics. Pacific Heights bolted out like he was late for an appointment, building a massive lead while Cherie Chevalier played it cool at the rear. Walking Thunder, possibly inspired by his own name, rumbled forward in the final furlong and momentarily gave the illusion of a challenge. But just when it seemed like an upset was brewing, Cherie Chevalier turned on the jets and breezed past, making Walking Thunder look like he was standing still. Turiya tried to make a late impact but had to settle for the minor placing.

Meanwhile, jockey K Mukesh Kumar had a day to forget, desperately chasing winners like a punter trying to recoup his losses—alas, the racing gods weren`t feeling generous. He had a ride in almost every race but ended up with a blank, his championship aspirations taking a rather inconvenient detour.

In a race where jockeys weren`t allowed to carry the whip, the 1600 metres MCEME Rolling Trophy saw Coming Home go to the post as the favourite. Armstrong and Quality Warrior charged into the homestretch before throwing in the towel, leaving Mukesh Kumar to push Coming Home ahead. For a moment, it looked like his drought would end, but China Town had other ideas. Ridden by Ajeet Kumar, China Town came flying from nowhere and snatched victory in the final 100 metres, leaving Coming Home wondering what just happened.

The win was another feather in the cap for trainer Anant Vatsalaya, a former cricketer (off-spinner, in case you were wondering) who has found his rhythm in racing. With a small but efficient stable, he has been spinning victories at will in the last two seasons. NRI Ultrapower took third without making much of a fuss.

After two consecutive runner-up finishes, Calistoga finally decided that silver medals were overrated and went all the way to claim the 1200 metres Shravan Kumar Memorial Cup (Div I) at Malakpet. Trained by Leo D`Silva, the apprentice-ridden gelding took matters into his own hands (or rather, hooves) and led from the front, making sure there was no debate about the winner. He kicked clear in the final furlong, leaving his rivals gasping for air.

High Heels, perhaps channelling some red-carpet resilience, edged out Knight Crusader for the second spot. As for Knight Crusader, the punters` darling who had won twice before and finished second last time, he barely showed up for work, looking well and truly beaten before the race even got serious. The form book said ‘contender,` but the track said otherwise.

In the lower division, the bookmakers had a quiet moment of despair as Born Brave, trained by Donald Netto, did exactly what the market expected—won with authority. Sent off at cramped odds, Born Brave was on a mission from the get-go, turning the 1200 metres Shravan Kumar Memorial Cup (Div II) into a one-horse affair.

Romantic Grey, dreaming of a hat-trick, gave chase but found herself in the role of an unsuccessful suitor, unable to keep up when the leader shifted gears. Mix The Magic plodded along for third, finishing a rather distant six lengths behind Romantic Grey, perhaps wondering where the ‘magic` had disappeared.

Both divisions of the Olympic Flame Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds, were a gambler`s nightmare. With not a shred of reliable form to guide them, punters were left clutching at straws—and, as it turned out, some very long odds.

In the upper division, Donald Netto added another notch to his belt as Her Ladyship, a 12-1 shot from his yard stunned the field, comfortably winning by over two lengths. The race had its fair share of believers in State Man, but in the end, the so-called favourite could only manage a well-beaten third, while La Fleuiere and Senti took the minor placings.

The lower division produced another upset, this time courtesy of Mexican Wave, a Satheesh-trained long shot who outlasted Pataluma in a gripping homestretch duel. Gusto`s Baby, the short-priced favourite, was never even in the conversation, finishing a distant third—proving yet again that odds mean nothing if the horse doesn`t get the memo.

Leo D`Silva-trained Miss Marvellous decided to make punters who backed her at nourishing odds feel like geniuses by scoring a comfortable victory in the 1400 metres Raja R J K Raja Rao Zamindar of Chikkavaram Memorial Trophy (Div I).

Kept wide into the straight, Miss Marvellous had no trouble swooping past Swiss Girl and favourite City Cruise, early in the straight. Once she took over, it was a no-contest, as the filly cantered home with ridiculous ease.

Meanwhile, Smart Boy lived up to half of his name—he was smart enough to run on and take second place but not quite clever enough to catch the winner. Char Ek Char finished third, narrowly behind Smart Boy.

In the lower division of the Chikkavaram Memorial Trophy, there were no such surprises. Blue Pantheress, trained by Shashikanth, did exactly what was expected, proving why she was the favourite. She unleashed a strong run down the final furlong, brushing aside Pancho`s challenge with the kind of authority that left no room for debate. Power Ranger plugged away for third.