Prasanna Kumar`s Siege Courageous turned the 1600 metres Supreme Pune City Gold Cup into a glorified track workout. Pesi Shroff`s horses usually carry an aura of menace, but here Jade`s status as the “firm favourite” was more belief than conviction. The so-called contest fizzled into a one-horse gallop, Siege Courageous waltzing past a helpless Jade before casually widening away by four lengths. Snowfall, who had once beaten him, looked like she was on vacation and trotted in a disinterested third, many lengths in arrears.

In the 1400 metres Aakriti Art Gallery Trophy, Pesi Shroff`s Celestial decided to play the late hero. Trevor Patel had Ataash into what looked like a winnable lead, only for Vivek G to spoil the frame. Celestial finished so easily that it almost felt like Ataash had been asked politely to step aside. Behind them, Singer Sargent and Mr Brainwash battled for bronze in a subplot nobody was watching.

The Uttam Singh Trophy (1800m) wasn`t a race. Nirad Karanjawala`s Arrived didn`t just win, he turned the opposition into spectators. With jockey Sandesh aboard, the horse stretched clear by over seven lengths, while the others appeared to be simply fulfilling contractual obligations to “complete the process.” Treat and Zarak got minor placings for being present. Mansa Musa, meanwhile, opted out of galloping entirely, making it clear he had better things to do.

The 2000 metres Colombiana Plate offered more theatre—if you consider the kind of theatre where one actor hogs the spotlight while the rest stand around as stage props. Looking Like a Wow was exactly that, making the race a formality in the hands of apprentice Ramswarup. Dianne and Silver Braid were reduced to chasing shadows, finishing dutifully behind at intervals.

As for the 2000 metres Fourth Estate Trophy—Golden Dancer didn`t just win, she obliterated the opposition, coasting home by a jaw-dropping 17 lengths. That`s not a race; that`s a declaration of species superiority. Solidarity and Dexterity provided names on the result card,

Imtiaz Sait`s Azure salvaged some tension in the 1000 metres Conrad Hotels Trophy (Div I)—at least briefly. Storm Cloud promised resistance before caving in, and Mojo nearly stole second but managed only a head short. In the lower division, an outsider from Pradeep Chouhan`s yard upset the odds while favourite Zephyr anchored the rear, leaving House of Lords and Abhicandra to fill the spots far, far behind.

Closing out the day, Substantial in the La Rondine Plate did the decent thing—he justified the favourite tag without fuss. Sandesh collected yet another winner, while Wind Dancer offered token resistance and Come September once again confirmed that promises of progress are best left undelivered… proving that when it comes to racing, September never comes.