The Mysore Race Club raised the bar on Saturday afternoon as it showcased three Grade 1 Races, each of which was an absolute thriller. A slow track meant there were no records broken, but racing was definitely the winner under cloudy conditions.

Royal Legacy, the three-year-old daughter of Leitir Mor gave jockey Akshay Kumar his second Grade 1 success of the day when she waltzed away with the Zavaray S Poonawalla Mysore Derby. For trainer Mckeown it was a classic double as she had won the Mysore 1000 Guineas earlier in the season. More than that, it must have rekindled memories of winning the Invitation in Mysuru six years ago with Adjudicate.

Earlier, Rieko, the five-year-old son of Phoenix Tower, trained by S. John and ridden superbly by Akshay, pulled off a huge upset to land the spoils in the Zavaray Poonawalla Sprinters’ Cup. It was in many ways a re-enactment of what transpired six years ago. The fancied duo in 2020 were Multifaceted and Iron Age but both failed to deliver. This time around it was between Moneybags and Time And Tide and both fell by the wayside as Rieko pulled off his greatest victory.

Dyf, the seven-year-old son of Cougar Mountain, rose to the occasion to win the Zavaray Poonawalla Stayers’ Cup. Ridden by jockey Yash Narredu, Dyf picked up his second Stayers’ Cup in three years and gave trainer Adhiraj Singh Jodha some consolation from missing out on the Sprinters’ Cup by a nostril.

The results:

1. MADRAS RACE CLUB MILLION (1,600m): DESERT SHIELD (S. Sachin) 1, Wanganui (Antony) 2, Golden Sabre (Neeraj) 3 and Valor Queen (Trevor) 4. Nose, 1-1/2 and Snk. 1m, 40.76s. ₹40 (w), 10, 15 and 36 (p), SHP: 27, THP: 130, FP: 211, Q: 128, Trinella: 2,069/1,576, Exacta: 13,740/3,533. Favourite: Sensuous. Onwer: Mrs. Deepa Devaney. Trainer: Neil Devaney.

2. COROMANDEL GROMOR JUVENILE MILLION (1,200m): GARZIAN (Jagadeesh) 1, Osaka (Yash) 2, Astraeus (G. Vivek) 3 and Crazy Love (Neeraj) 3. 3/4, Lnk and dead-heat. 1m, 14.09s. ₹75 (w), 20, 16 and 10 & 17 (p), SHP: 71, THP: 27/46, FP: 1,060, Q: 758, Trinella: 2,804/874, Exacta: 71,376 (c/o). Favourite: Astraeus. Owners: Mr. Rakesh Kumar & Mr. B. Vijay. Trainer: V. Lokanath.

3. MYSORE MILLION (1,200m): STAR SYMPHONY (B.R. Kumar) 1, Major Saab (Aleemuddin) 2, Satin Lass (Rafique S.K) 3 and My Solitaire (Antony) 4. 4-1/4, Nose and Shd. 1m, 14.44s. ₹53 (w), 16, 22 and 22 (p), SHP: 35, THP: 69, FP: 322, Q: 109, Trinella: 832/462, Exacta: 7,429/2,729. Favourite: Major Saab. Owner: Mr. K.V. Prabhu Dev. Trainer: Pradeep Annaiah.

4. ZAVARAY POONAWALLA SPRINTERS’ CUP (1,200m): RIEKO (Phoenix Tower-Little Treasure) Akshay K 1, Encino (Gusto-Choice House) Suraj 2, Money Bags (Leitir Mor-Maleficent) Trevor 3 and Black Eagle (Excellent Art-Classic Sky) Gaurav S 4. Nose, 1-3/4 and 1-1/4. 1m, 12. 21s. ₹60 (w), 34, 10 and 10 (p), SHP: 36, THP: 53, FP: 1,625, Q: 386, Trinella: 1,540/303, Exacta: 29,322. Favourite: Money Bags. Owner: Mr. P. Arun Kumar. Trainer: S. John.

5. ROYAL CALCUTTA TURF CLUB MILLION (1,200m): FLIGHT ON (Akshay K) 1, Vibrant Queen (A. Hangal) 2, Eagle Eye (A. Asbar) 3 and Sicyon (Trevor) 4. Not run: Art Collector. 3/4, 3 and 1-1/2. 1m, 12.52s. ₹69 (w), 17, 24 and 16 (p), SHP: 95, THP: 54, FP: 685, Q: 366, Trinella: 4,894/1,398, Exacta: 15,198/6,513. Favourite: Sicyon. Owners: Mr. Rajendran rep. Rapar’s Galloping Stars LLP, Mr. Ashok Ranpise & Mr. K. Kaliyaperumal. Trainer: Prasanna Kumar.

6. ZAVARAY S POONAWALLA MYSORE DERBY 2026 (2,000m): ROYAL LEGACY (Leitir Mor-Balmoral Castle) Akshay K 1, Mahogany (Phoenix Tower-Maisha) G. Vivek 2, Stud Poker (Kameko-Cat’s Claw) Suraj 3 and Garfunkle (Plumatic-Scarborough) Mukesh K 4. 1-1/2, Nose and 3/4. 2m, 08.06s. ₹62 (w), 16, 10 and 11 (p), SHP: 31, THP: 47, FP: 199, Q: 109, Trinella: 982/337, Exacta: 12,045. Favourite: Stud Poker. Owners: Mr. P.J. Vazifdar, Mrs. P.J. Vazifdar, Mr. M. Rishad, Mr. K. Kaliyaperumal, Mr. D R Thacker rep. DT Racing & Breeders LLP & Mr. S.R. Sanas. Trainer: James Mckeown.

7. ZAVARAY POONAWALLA STAYERS’ CUP (3,000m): DYF (Cougar Mountain-Soak) Yash 1, Red Bishop (Kingda Ka-Solar Midnight) G. Vivek 2, Dream Alliance (Planetaire-Shaktiroop) Akshay K 3 and Victor Hugo (Ampere-Edith Piaf) L.A. Rozario 4. Not run: Ramiel. 1, 5 and Shd. 3m, 35.79s. ₹13 (w), 10 and 13 (p), SHP: 21, THP: 23, FP; 22, Q: 13, Trinella: 37/26, Exacta: 37/24. Favourite: Dyf. Owners: Mr. K.N. Dhunjibhoy and Mr. Z.K. Dhunjibhoy rep. Five Stars Shipping Co Pvt Ltd, Ms. Anosha Meyers, Mr. Jiyaji Bhosale, Mr. Rishikesh Maloji Bhosale & Mr. Rama Seshu Eyunni. Trainer: Adhiraj S Jodha.

8. HYDERABAD RACE CLUB MILLION (1,400m): REFINED AGGRESSION (Trevor) 1, Shining Ways (Suraj) 2, Money Fair (R. Pradeep) 3 and Seize The Grey (N.S. Parmar) 4. Not run: Badshaah and Hazel. 5, 5-1/4 and 1-3/4. 1m, 26.14s. ₹44 (w), 19, 21 and 35 (p), SHP: 28, THP: 93, FP: 85, Q: 54, Trinella: 1,192/952, Exacta: 3,285/1,151. Favourite: Shining Ways. Owners: M/s. Blazing Saddles (PF), Mr. K. Manoj Kumar, Manjri Horse Breed Farm Pvt Ltd. Trainer: Prasanna Kumar.

Jackpot: ₹4,10,958; Runner-up: 11,008; Mini jackpot: 8,527; Treble (i): 2,593 (c/o); (ii): 5,737 (c/o); (ii): 959.

Zuccaro, who has won six races in a row, has the best credentials among the seven runners in the fray for the Zavaray Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup (2,400m), the stellar attraction of the races to be held here on Sunday (Oct 25). There will be no false rails.

1. KARNATAKA RACE HORSE OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION MILLION (1,200m), rated 40 to 65, 5-y-o & over, 1-00 p.m.: 1. Cynosure (2) Neeraj 60.5, 2. Mandolin (9) S. Sachin 60, 3. Royal Deccan (3) Antony 60, 4. Spotlight (7) Trevor 58.5, 5. Knotty Flash (5) S.F. Ansari 57.5, 6. Mark One (11) Bharat Mal 57, 7. Densetsu (10) Akshay K 56, 8. Windborne (12) Md. Talib 55.5, 9. Idi Minnal (—) (—) 55, 10. Silent Achiever (8) Inayat 54.5, 11. Sunway Lagoon (14) Rafique S.K 54.5, 12. Small Dreams (6) Mukesh K 54, 13. Ladylion (13) Rushal G.A 53.5, 14. Gordon (—) (—) 53, 15. Marzgovel (1) C.A. Brisson 53 and 16. Agera (4) S.G. Prasad 52.5.

ROYAL DECCAN: A faraway fourth to Sicyon (1,200m); may upset. SPOTLIGHT: Winner of her last two starts impressively at Pune; may extend her winning streak. DENSETSU: Track movements eye catching. SMALL DREAMS: A consistent runner; working well.

1. SPOTLIGHT, 2. DENSETSU, 3. SMALL DREAMS

2. ROYAL WESTERN INDIA TURF CLUB MILLION (1,800m), rated 40 to 65, 1-30: 1. Bellavita (6) S. Sachin 62, 2. Kings Walk (8) A. Bandaal 59.5, 3. Magnus (1) Antony 59, 4. Iron King (7) A. Asbar 57, 5. Maana (3) Trevor 56.5, 6. Moon Star (5) Suraj 56, 7. Moon Oracle (2) Akshay K 53.5 and 8. Natural Warrior (4) Rajesh K 52.

MAGNUS: After a slow start finished fourth to Mister Brown (1,600m); shaping well in the trials. MAANA: A close second to Frederika over 1,800m in her last run; warrants another chance. MOON STAR: On board in her last two starts; working well. MOON ORACLE: A facile winner of her previous start; retains form.

1. MOON ORACLE, 2. MAANA, 3. MOON STAR

3. JAPAN CUP (1,400m), rated 20 to 45, 2-00: 1. Kiss Of Grey (12) Md. Talib 62, 2. Jade Mountain (3) Aleemuddin 61.5, 3. Your Sri Shakthi (6) S. Sachin 61.5, 4. Ravishing Queen (13) Yash 60.5, 5. Shamsheer (10) S.F. Ansari 60.5, 6. Jolie’s Star (9) Shreyas S 60, 7. Absolute Gorgeous (15) S. Imran 58, 8. Agrador (5) Antony 57.5, 9. Royal Vanguard (8) Trevor 56.5, 10. Flying Falcon (11) Afsar Khan 55.5, 11. Shahenshaah (14) Lave Kumar 55, 12. Teresa (2) A. Asbar 55, 13. The Sizable (7) Rafique S.K 54, 14. Nine Speed (16) Vinod Shinde 53.5, 15. Calculus (1) S. Saqlain 53 and 16. The One and Only (—) (—) 52.5.

JADE MOUNTAIN: Deserves following on his consistency. YOUR SRI SHAKTHI: Come out of maiden ranks in a facile manner; in fine nick. RAVISHING QUEEN: Track movements pleasing. ROYAL VANGUARD: Has improved since his second to Blazing Pearl (1,400m).

1. YOURS SRI SHAKTHI, 2. ROYAL VANGUARD, 3. RAVISHING QUEEN

4. SURESH MAHINDRA MULTI MILLION (1,400m), 4-y-o & over, (Terms), 2-30: 1. African Gold (1) G. Vivek 60, 2. Money Bags (5) Trevor 60, 3. Gachchhatu (2) Neeraj 54.5, 4. Frederika (3) Akshay K 54 and 5. Star Glory (4) Yash 54.

MONEY BAGS: A game third to Rieko in Sprinters’ Cup on Saturday; should be given another chance. GACHCHHATU: Won five races in a row; runs with a upsetting chance. FREDERIKA: Unbeaten in his three starts; may extend his winning streak.

1. MONEY BAGS, 2. FREDERIKA

5. SMT GAYATRI DEVI AND SARDAR K.B. RAMACHANDRARAJ URS MILLION (1,200m), rated 80 & above, 3-10: 1. Gold Kite (2) S. Saqlain 61, 2. Czar (6) Aleemuddin 60, 3. Rise Again (10) Trevor 59, 4. Tom Cruiser (1) S. Sachin 55.5, 5. Touch Of Grey (4) G. Praveen 55.5, 6. Emphatic (5) Akshay K 54.5, 7. Decacorn (11) Mukesh K 53.5, 8. Excellent Lass (8) Yash 53.5, 9. Gold Ride (7) Neeraj 52.5, 10. Vandhiyathevan (9) H.M. Akshay 52.5 and 11. Aquastic (3) A. Asbar 50.

RISE AGAIN: A consistent runner; in good condition. EMPHATIC: Looks fit enough. EXCELLENT LASS: Has come on after her third to Masato (1,400m). AQUASTIC: Appeals on weight.

1. AQUASTIC, 2. EXCELLENT LASS, 3. RISE AGAIN

6. MAJ. P.K. MEHRA MEMORIAL SUPER MILE CUP (1,600m), 4-y-o & over, (Terms), 3-40: 1. Alfonsine (2) Akshay K 57, 2. Echoes Of Time (1) A. Asbar 57, 3. Nonpariel (4) Mukesh K 57, 4. Once You Go Black (7) Yash 57, 5. Pride’s Prince (3) Antony 57, 6. Prokofiev (5) Sandesh 57 and 7. Shamrock (6) Suraj 57.

ALFONSINE: Fit for the fray. PROKOFIEV: Ran 1-1/4 lengths to Shamrock (1,600m) in his last start; well tuned. SHAMROCK: Maintains form; may repeat.

1. PROKOFIEV, 2. SHAMROCK

7. ZAVARAY POONAWALLA INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP (2,400m), 4-y-o & over, (Terms), 4-20: 1. Duke Of Tuscany (4) R. Ajinkya 57, 2. Perception (7) Sandesh 57, 3. Redefined (2) Akshay K 57, 4. Sovereign King (3) Antony 57, 5. Zuccaro (1) G. Vivek 57, 6. Miracle Star (6) Trevor 55.5 and 7. Pyrite (5) Mukesh K 55.5.

DUKE OF TUSCANY: His last run is best ignored. SOVEREIGN KING: After winning two races finished third to Kavya over 1,600m at Pune; in fine trim. ZUCCARO: Unbeaten in his last six starts; may extend his winning streak.

1. ZUCCARO, 2. DUKE OF TUSCANY

8. BANGALORE TURF CLUB LTD MILLION (1,600m), rated 60 to 85, 5-00: 1. Mother’s Grace (9) Mukesh K 61.5, 2. Tolkien (—) (—) 59, 3. Ice Of Fire (3) A. Asbar 58.5, 4. Mahler (8) Jagadeesh 56.5, 5. Vishwas (7) Sandesh 55, 6. Mind Games (4) Neeraj 54.5, 7. Star Studded (2) Yash 54.5, 8. Ultimate Blues (5) B. Dharshan 52.5 and 9. Forseti (6) Lave Kumar 51.

ICE OF FIRE: Won her last start over 1,400m; may repeat. VISHWAS: A consistent runner; moving well in the morning trials. MIND GAMES: Runs with a upsetting chance. STAR STUDDED: Systematically prepared.

1. ICE OF FIRE, 2. STAR STUDDED, 3. VISHWAS

Day’s best: ZUCCARO

Double: SPOTLIGHT — MOON ORACLE

Jkt: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; Mini Jkt: 5, 6, 7 and 8; Tr (i): 1, 2 and 3; (ii): 3, 4 and 5; (iii): 6, 7 and 8.