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Adhiraj Singh Jodha trained Pure Zinc prevailed in the Gr 3 S A Poonawalla Million, a terms race for three-year-olds, the feature event of Sunday`s Pune races. The race which used to serve as a pointer to the forthcoming Pune Derby failed to attract a quality field this time out and among the five that lined up to face the starter, none could be considered as classic prospects.
The contestants were well matched in terms of their ability and the level of performance in their previous outings. Bateleur broke free to lead the field within the first furlong from Pure Zinc, Caprisca, Summer Rays and Selfie Star. After Bateleur led the field well into the straight, Pure Zinc gathered steam and overhauled the front-runner after a brief resistance and then stormed clear for a comfortable win. Bateleur stayed on to take the second position ahead of Selfie Star who was unable to bridge the lead and make any impression after two promising back to back wins. Caprisca disappointed finishing fourth.
Karthik Ganapathy trained Gallant Knight won the day`s other attraction, the 1200 metres Villoo C Poonawalla Million, a terms race for three-year-old maidens. Backed spiritedly to win, Gallant Knight did not disappoint, sweeping around the field at the turn to make a strong bid in the final furlong. Gallant Knight got stronger in the closing stages of the race to beat a battling Victoriana and Take Five who made no impression sticking to the third position and unable to find anything extra.
Another Malesh Narredu horse to disappoint was Kramer who had won his last outing quite well and looked capable of an encore in the 1000 metres Serum Institute of India Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86 but the horse made no improvement and ran poorly. Narendra Lagad`s God`s Own maintained the winning form and recorded the third straight win of the season by gutsily staving off the strong challenge of Allora. Kramer failed to change gears as it were at a critical stage of the race and had to be content with the third position.
Pesi Shroff trained Carnival had showed out in her last effort when she finished second and that run was encouraging enough to make her the favourite in the 2400 metres Access All Areas Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. She had a good chance to score but the short price odds grossly exaggerated her merit. In the event, Swiftness who had the first run on her opponents, fought on resolutely in the homestretch and managed to keep herself elusive despite an all-out effort on the part of the favourite. Lady Be Good did not show any improvement over her winning effort and was poorly off in the third place.
M K Jadhav trained Uncle Scrooge had been struggling to find winning form but since he had come down in scales, he had a good chance to win the 1400 metres Rao Saheb Kedari Gold Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. The progeny of Epsom Derby winner Authorized, Uncle Scrooge hadn`t won for 539 days but that wasn`t a deterrent for punters to back him with some confidence. Jockey Sandesh brought him with a brilliant run from way off the pace in the homestretch and Uncle Scrooge swept past the opposition to win going away by a margin of over three lengths. Hedwig who had reportedly suffered a setback after some promising efforts at Bangalore ran a fair second ahead of Sensex.
S S Shah trained Lady Sergeant was an emphatic winner of the 1200 metres Cardinal Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Last start winner Powerhaus made a strong bid by shooting ahead with 300 metres left in the race but was soon caught up and overhauled by Lady Sergeant who powered her way to victory. Airlift showed some spark while finishing third ahead of late finishing Voulez Vous.
Lagad`s stable is on fire this season as the trainer has been enjoying success more so in lower class races where he seems to be having a free run. Harmony improved on her second of the previous outing by nosing out Royal Éclair in the final stride of the race to win the 1600 metres Proteus Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Sir Song was third.
M P Jodha trained My Blessings who was well placed to score the 1000 metres Neona Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, did not disappoint as she came up with a flourishing run down the final furlong to get the better of front-running Silk Baby to win with a measure of comfort. Rock In Rio too showed good resolution but narrowly failed to get the better of Silk Baby in the quest for the runner-up berth.
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Harmony (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Proteus Plate
Swiftness (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Access All Areas Plate
God`s Own (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Serum Institute Of India Trophy
Uncle Scrooge (A Sandesh up) winner of the Rao Saheb Kedari Gold Trophy
Gallant Knight (A Sandesh up) winner of the Villoo C. Poonawalla Million
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