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Nazak Chenoy trained Lucas recorded an encore with effortless ease in the 1400 metres Fourth Estate Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Pune races. The race turned out to be a one-sided contest with most runners in the fray looking jaded and well past their best and intent on weight reducing mission.
Celtic Prince who had a good Mumbai season, led the field with Lucas in close proximity along with Staristocrat and the rest. Celtic Prince held the lead deep into the final furlong but once Lucas began to make a serious effort, the writing was on the fall. Lucas overwhelmed the front-runner and recorded a comfortable win. Magnificence was third while Remember Me who was sluggish at the start, finished fourth. Staristocrat fell back in the straight and was a dismal last.
After letting down a couple of times, Malesh Narredu trained Frivolous finally obliged albeit at cramped odds in the 2400 metres Pegasus Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Pradeep Chouhan had Frivolous in a handy position before pushing the favourite to take charge at the top of the straight. The got-abroad gelding picked up speed and went clear and was in the safety zone when Othello began to cover ground. The latter ran green and posed no danger to the eventual winner though he ran on well towards the close to take the second position ahead of Jager Bomb.
The two runaway wins recorded by Wild Fire were so impressive that the three-year-old filly went to the post in the 1000 metres Yana Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 yet again as a strong favourite. This time out, Goldie`s Pet looked to have a great chance of toppling the favourite and true to expectations, the fancied runner pounced on Wild Fire in the final furlong and stormed clear to record a facile win. Wild Fire went down meekly without a fight to finish second ahead of late rallying Shaoqing.
Shiraz Sunderji trained Collegium had enough credentials to come out of the maidens ranks in the E D`Avoine Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, run over seven furlongs. Jockey C S Jodha pushed Collegium to take charge within the first furlong and the progeny of Verenar made merry in front to win easily from Khartoum who managed to edge out Cool Eyes and Aurelia to grab the second spot close home.
Bezan Chenoy trained Pacific Dunes had served notice of an imminent win and the full brother to Derby-winning Manifold lived up to that expectation with a powerful surge from way off the pace to record a facile win in the 1600 metres Racing Journalists Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. The favourite Admo who raced up with the field, disappeared without a trace in the homestretch to finish way down the field. Tomahawk made a strong rally to beat the long-time front-runner Rising Brave. Finest Moment flashed on the scene on the wide outside late to be a suggestive fourth.
Rajendra trained Priceless Girl was an upset winner of the 1000 metres Capriole Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest class. The long shot led from the start and broke clear of the rest to win by a margin of over two lengths. Grappa struggled for speed and had to settle for the second position. Adele ran on to get past Multistar to save place money. Lagad trained Warlock picked up tremendous acceleration to make the lower division of the race as a no contest. Be Quirky raced in front and appeared to be a force to reckon with in the final furlong. But once Warlock got into his rhythm, the race ceased to be a contest as the progeny of Verenar stormed clear. Richardus was third.
Malesh Narredu trained Quixotic won the 1000 metres D N Jodge Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 after a gap of a year over ownermate and favourite Double Nine who too hadn`t found the winning post for a year. Quixotic had the first run on his opponent and fought on resolutely to provide apprentice jockey Vishal Bunde with a win. Double Nine tried hard but had to settle for the second place. Naumee held off Speed of Sound to get the third place.
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Lucas (Santosh G up) winner of the Fourth Estate Trophy
Warlock (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Capriole Plate (Div-II)
Frivolous (P S Chouhan up) winner of the Pegasus Trophy
Goldie`s Pet (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Yana Plate
Collegium (C S Jodha up) winner of the E D`Avoine Trophy
Pricelessgirl (S J Sunil up) winner of the Capriole Plate (Div-I)
Pacific Dunes (Santosh G up) winner of the Pune Racing Journalists Trophy
Quixotic (Vishal N Bunde up) winner of the D N Zodge Plate
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