Zuccaro, the six-year-old son of Kingda Ka trained by Pesi Shroff, kept his tryst with destiny when he cruised home to win the Zavaray Poonawalla Indian Turf Invitation Cup here on Sunday.

Jockey Vivek G. settled him nicely in mid-bunch and, after straightening for home, pressed the button. In an explosion of raw acceleration and power, the likes of which the historic Mysore Race Club track has never seen, Zuccaro left the opposition trailing to be hailed the ‘Champion of Champions’. For the Khushroo Dhunjibhoy silks, it was a Grade 1 double, with Dyf having won the Zavaray Poonawalla Stayers’ Cup a day earlier.

Trainer Pesi Shroff has done an incredible job of keeping this champion going and nursing him back from an untimely injury that forced him to miss this race in 2025. It took Shroff almost a year to get Zuccaro back to his best and ‘produce’ him in March 2026, but the horse hasn’t looked back since, reeling off six wins in a row. He certainly ranks among the all-time greats of Indian racing.

The Major P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile witnessed drama even before the race began, with two fancied runners — Alfonsine and Once You Go Black — being withdrawn. The field was reduced to five, but the contest turned out to be an absolute thriller.

Echoes Of Time, a son of Planetaire trained by Arvind Ganapathy and ridden by A. Ashhad Asbar, turned in a courageous performance to peg back Pride’s Prince in a battle that lasted all the way down the straight. The victory was an emotional one for owner S. Ganapathy, who has trained many Grade 1 winners, as the horse was owned by him and trained by his son Arvind.

Jockey Akshay Kumar had a weekend to remember, as did jockey-turned-trainer S. John. Akshay rode four winners, including two Grade 1 victories on Saturday and a Grade 2 triumph the following day. John saddled the winners of the Zavaray Poonawalla Sprinters’ Cup and the Suresh Mahindra Multi Million. Both sported the colours of Arun Kumar. It might well have been another Grade 1 success for the same connections had Alfonsine not been withdrawn just before the start of the Super Mile.

The results:

1. KARNATAKA RACE HORSE OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION MILLION (1,200m): SPOTLIGHT (Trevor) 1, Marzgovel (C.A. Brisson) 2, Silent Achiever (Inayat) 3 and Cynosure (Neeraj) 4. Not run: Idi Minnal and Gordon. 5-1/2, 1/2 and 1-3/4. 1m, 12.84s. ₹24 (w), 14, 73 and 44 (p), SHP: 131, THP: 84, FP: 1,777, Q: 790, Trinella: 14,394/6,169, Exacta: 25,586 (c/o). Favourite: Spotlight. Owners: Mr. Avinash S Gadkar, Mrs. Ayesha A Hussain, Mr.Anil Saraf & Mr.Aziz A Virani. Trainer: Aman Hussain.

2. ROYAL WESTERN INDIA TURF CLUB MILLION (1,800m): MAANA (Trevor) 1, Moon Oracle (Akshay K) 2, Magnus (Antony) 3 and Moon Star (Suraj) 4. 6, 4-3/4 and 1. 1m, 53.11s. ₹58 (w), 10, 11 and 13 (p), SHP: 27, THP: 30, FP: 63, Q: 18, Trinella: 170/197, Exacta: 276/75. Favourite: Moon Oracle. Owners: Dr. Ameeta Mehra, Capt. Jamshed J Appoo & Mr. Atul N Amersey rep. So Blest Trading Co. Pvt Ltd. Trainer: Darius Byramji.

3. JAPAN CUP (1,400m): KISS OF GREY (Md. Talib) 1, Your Sri Shakthi (S. Sachin) 2, Shamsheer (S.F. Ansari) 3 and Agrador (Antony) 4. Not run: Jade Mountain and The One and Only. 2, Nk and 1-3/4. 1m, 28.01s. ₹117 (w), 20, 15 and 33 (p), SHP: 38, THP: 114, FP: 691, Q: 177, Trinella: 3,493/3,742, Exacta: 54,860(c/o)/23,511. Favourite: Your Sri Shakthi. Owners: Mr. Rajendran rep. Rapar’s Galloping Stars LLP, Mr. B.P. Devaraja, Mr. Teja Gollapudi & Mr. S. Narredu. Trainer: S. Narredu.

4. SURESH MAHINDRA MULTI MILLION (1,400m): FREDERIKA (Akshay K) 1, Money Bags (Trevor) 2, African Gold (G. Vivek) 3 and Gachchhatu (Neeraj) 4. 3/4, 2-1/2 and 2. 1m, 25.38s. ₹31 (w), 11 and 13 (p), SHP: 23, THP: 22, FP: 149, Q: 41, Trinella: 206/228, Exacta: 248/78. Favourite: Money Bags. Owner: Mr. P. Arun Kumar. Trainer: S. John.

5. SMT GAYATRI DEVI AND SARDAR K.B. RAMACHANDRARAJ URS MILLION (1,200m): GOLD KITE (Antony) 1, Tom Cruiser (S. Sachin) 2, Emphatic (Akshay K) 3 and Touch Of Grey (G. Praveen) 4. Lnk, 3/4 and 3. 1m, 13.08s. ₹97 (w), 25, 25 and 22 (p), SHP: 108, THP: 49, FP: 3,299, Q: 1,259, Trinella: 7,658/11,487, Exacta: 96,737 (c/o). Favourite: Excellent Lass. Owner: Mr. Kunal Natwarlal Sharma. Trainer: K. Aditya.

6. MAJ. P.K. MEHRA MEMORIAL SUPER MILE CUP (1,600m): ECHOES OF TIME (A. Asbar) 1, Pride’s Prince (Antony) 2, Shamrock (Suraj) 3 and Prokofiev (Sandesh) 4. Not run: Alfonsine and Once You Go Black. Lnk, 7-1/2 and 1-1/4. 1m, 38.33s. ₹69 (w), 10, 10 and 10 (p), SHP; 33, THP: 27, FP: 494, Q: 294, Trinella: 665/134, Exacta: 969/581. Favourite: Shamrock. Owner: Mr. S. Ganapathy. Trainer: Aravind Ganapathy.

7. ZAVARAY POONAWALLA INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP (2,400m): ZUCCARO (Kingda Ka-Mahali) Vivek G 1, Redefined (Phoenix Tower-Symi) Akshay K 2, Duke Of Tuscany (Cougar Mountain-Nicollini)) R. Ajinkya 3 and Sovereign King (Top Class-Starlet) Antony 4. 10-1/4, Lnk and 4-1/4. 2m, 34.99s. ₹13 (w), 11, 12 and 10 (p), SHP: 29, THP: 35, FP: 37, Q: 22, Trinella: 137/65, Exacta: 203/74. Favourite: Zuccaro. Owners: Mr. K.N. Dhunjibhoy and Mr. Z.K. Dhunjibhoy & Ms. Anosha Meyers rep. Five Stars Shipping Co Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Vispi R. Patel, Mr. A.S. Narielwala, Mr. Eruch Adi Mody & Mr & Mrs. D.P. Adenwalla. Trainer: P. Shroff.

8. BANGALORE TURF CLUB LTD MILLION (1,600m): ICE OF FIRE (A. Asbar) 1, Forseti (Lave Kumar) 2, Mind Games (Neeraj) 3 and Ultimate Blues (B. Dharshan) 4. Not run: Tolkien and Mahler. 2-1/4, 4-1/2 and 3/4. 1m, 40.07s. ₹15 (w), 10, 24 and 15 (p), SHP: 87, THP: 37, FP: 365, Q: 298, Trinella: 1,523/415, Exacta: 22,062. Favourite: Ice Of Fire. Owner: Mr. P. Arun Kumar. Trainer: Pradeep Annaiah.

Jackpot: ₹11,892; Runner-up: 2,482; Mini Jackpot: 1,429; Treble (i): 2,225; (ii): 2,289 (c/o); (iii): 234.

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.