Pesi Shroff trained Wordsmith showed quantum improvement when winning the Gr 3 1400 metres F D Wadia Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Saturday`s Pune races. The combination of Pesi Shroff and jockey Pradeep Chouhan had a treble. Jockey Trevor Patel who is riding at his best, booted home three winners. All the races of the day were claimed by fancied runners making it a rare profitable day for punters.

The F D Wadia Trophy traditionally served as a pointer to the Pune Derby because such was the quality of the horses that used to participate in the race. Over the years either because too many such races being framed or due to the concentration of good horses in a few stables has resulted in the dilution of the quality of the contestants. Pesi Shroff holds the whip hand in most races and as such, most others rarely venture to take him on in the big races.

Just four runners were in the fray and among them, Altaf Hussain trained Snowfall who had won her last outing at Mumbai was the strong favourite. Wordsmith was next in demand. Wordsmith had run twice at Mumbai, the second behind Imperial Power being an eye-catching one. Lady Cadet had an impressive win to her credit while Liam just made up the number.

Trevor Patel took Snowfall on a start-to-finish mission followed by Lady Cadet, Liam and Wordsmith. Chouhan on Wordsmith chose to play a waiting game, confident in the manner in which the got-abroad colt was travelling. Approaching the clubhouse turn, Chouhan made his move and the progeny of Fiero quickly covered the leeway to come into striking position. It was clear at the top of the straight that Snowfall would be unable to carry the lead to the post. Wordsmith moved with raking strides, overhauled the favourite with ease and went away to win by a widening margin of three lengths. Snowfall was second more than six lengths ahead of Liam. Wordsmith`s win was impressive but since the field was a mediocre one, it is difficult to assess the quality of the win.

With Pesi Shroff and Chouhan having won three races, Distinction too was made the favourite to win the 1200 metres Sea Ruler Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Mozelle had finished ahead of Distinction when these two ran together but since the former was set to concede weight, the latter was considered to have a better chance. However, Pesi Shorff`s pre-race interview where he said that Distinction was inclined to run out and he had put on an eye patch and expressed the apprehension that the horse could win only if she ran straight. This perhaps made more people plump for Mozelle who became a close second favourite. Those who changed their mind because of the lack of confidence that Pesi showed about his ward, stood to gain as Mozelle left the field stranded, winning by a huge margin of eight lengths the 1200 metres Sea Ruler Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Magnanimous was second ahead of Goldiva who despite a slow start, rallied to finish third. Distinction was yet again inclined to run out and finished down the field.

Northern Lights treated the opposition with disdain in the 2000 metres Marinsky Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. Northern Lights who had won three races in a row at Mumbai maintained that imposing form. The expectations of the public also matched this perception as they made this got abroad as a strong favourite ahead of Caprisca who was expected to bounce back to winning form. After Victorious Sermon led from the start and brought the field into the homestretch, Northern Lights smoothly cruised past the front runner for a facile win. Victorious Sermon stayed on to take the second position ahead of Truly Epic while Caprisca ran disappointingly. Dual classic winner Faith of Success appears to be a pale shadow of her former self being sluggish from the gates and staying put in the last position.

Adhirajsingh Jodha has been enjoying a good run. Dyf who had been working consistently appeared ready to win the 1880 metres Mayor`s Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Though Dyf was making his debut, those who had the benefit of a race run hadn`t done anything noteworthy to be considered seriously. After Arrow Point led the field and weakened approaching the final bend, Trevor Patel pushed Dyf to take over the running. The favourite steadily gained control of the race and went storming clear in the straight to win by a widening margin of seven lengths over Dianne and Jerusalem.

Shiraz Sunderji trained Great Guns came in for one-sided support to win the 1600 metres Evatina Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Rightly so as Great Guns had beaten Pleroma at Hyderabad convincingly and the latter had gone on to win two races back-to-back. Jockey Ajinkya kept Great Guns a handy third as Mysterious Girl did the pace setting with the fancied Sinner in the second position. Rounding the final turn, Great Guns smoothly moved up and after a brief tussle, overwhelmed Sinner who led the field into the straight. Great Guns asserted his supremacy to win by a comfortable margin of over three lengths. Sinner was second ahead of last start winner Sandman.

Dallas Todywalla trained Raffaello readily justified the expectations in the 1400 metres Waves of Glory Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, Raffaello who raced in about the fifth or sixth position as Desert Fire set the pace, the favourite covered ground approaching the final bend. Sandesh had no problem in pushing Raffaello to take over the running inside the final 300 metres and won with a measure of comfort from last start winner Baby Bazooka who made a late rally. Desert Fire who led all the way surrendered the runner-up berth to late rallying Baby Bazooka.

Lord And Master who had the benefit of a forward run simply trounced the opposition in the lower division of the Waves of Glory Plate. Bred as full brother to the prolific winner Multitude, Lord And Master lived up to his name. Pradeep Chouhan could relax with him in any about the fourth position as Soup And Sandwich set the pace. Rounding the final turn, Lord And Master had covered the leeway on the front-runner with smooth acceleration and bounced clear in the stretch to win by a widening margin of seven lengths. Soup And Sandwich barely managed to keep the runner-up berth from last start winner Majestic Warrior. Flaming Fire did not live up to expectations of even offering a token challenge.

Nazak Chenoy trained Commandment came in for big support to win the 1200 metres Secret Romeo Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Tristar too received solid support. Trevor Patel got busy on Commandment well before the final turn, alerting the horse to pick up momentum and he got the desired response as the favourite pounced on those in front and sped away for a comfortable win over late-finishing Finch and Remy Red. Tristar raced up front but faded out when the race came to a boil.