Pune: Freely available at 3 to 1, Germanicus posted a thrilling victory in the grade 3, S A Poonawalla Multi-Million from the fast-finishing Silken Eyes to whom he spared a long neck at the wire. Germanicus was ridden by A Sandesh and trained by Vishal Gaikwad. The three-year-old son of Whatsthescript out of Phenomenale won a glittering trophy and a purse of Rs 12 lakh for owners Mr & Mrs Vijay Shirke, KN Dhunjibhoy and Farouq Rattonsey.

Arak, carrying the same silks as Germanicus, set a moderate pace for her five rivals before throwing in the towel; and an alert A Sandesh was quick to bid for the lead on turning for home. Sandesh gave a masterly riding display when he vigorously pushed Germanicus to establish what in the end turned out to be the winning lead. By contrast, Neeraj Rawal astride the Cooji Katrak-trained Silken Eyes took his time to put the filly into the top gear before challenging the leader, and though she finally managed to go dangerously close to the winner, it was clear Sandesh and Germanicus were not going to be collared.