The action at the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) got underway with the Arktouros Million, a 1600-meter contest that drew the curtain-raiser spot at 4:45 PM on Saturday, April 5. With a lucrative prize purse of ₹15,00,000 up for grabs, the mile-long race attracted a competitive field, eager to stake their claim for a share of the pot. The winner was set to earn ₹7,05,000, while the runner-up would take home ₹3,75,000, making for a closely-watched opening affair.
The race belonged to NORTHBOUND, a promising contender who justified market support to deliver a smart performance under the guidance of jockey R Ajinkya. Trained by P S Chouhan, NORTHBOUND showed poise and a well-timed run in the straight, hitting the front when it mattered most and holding off late challengers to stop the clock at 1:39.660. Sent off at odds of 2.75, the winner looked composed throughout and displayed a decisive turn of foot when asked to quicken.
YULETIDE, under the riding of Mustakim Alam and trained by seasoned professional Narendra Lagad, ran a spirited race to finish second. Although unable to match the winner’s final dash, YULETIDE showed heart and determination, clocking 1:40.115 while going off at 6-to-1.
Finishing third was CRYSTAL CLEAR, a consistent sort saddled by Imtiaz A Sait and ridden by Neeraj Rawal. The filly remained in touch with the leaders throughout and stayed on steadily to complete the frame in 1:40.251, with starting odds of 5.
The well-fancied CONTINENTAL DRIFT was expected to make a strong impression as the tote favourite, but failed to fire on the day. Despite being well-positioned early, the gelding could not mount a meaningful challenge when the race reached its business end, leaving backers disappointed.
Conditions remained favorable throughout the race. The skies were clear, and the track rode well, with a penetrometer reading of 4.0 as per the Longchamp method, indicating a good racing surface.
The Arktouros Million offered a solid start to what promised to be a thrilling evening of racing, with the right mix of form horses and competitive odds setting the tone at Mahalaxmi.
