Shiraz Sunderji trained Market King who had finished an impressive third behind Leopard Rock in the month of April proved overwhelmingly superior to the opposition in the 1200 metres Highland Rule Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Monday`s Pune races. Market King swept the others off their feet at the top of the straight in the hands of apprentice jockey Gagandeep Mann to establish a winning lead before Fast Rain could dent his chances with a late rally.

Market King was easily the pick of the horses in the fray and enjoyed favouritism. There was support for Fast Rain who had raced during the Bangalore Summer Season and hence was fitter than the rest. Fast Rain`s chances were undone as he had a sluggish beginning and despite covering ground in the straight, Market King had her win assured a long way from home. Mozelle set a fast pace chased by Market King. The latter sorted out the front-runner by the final bend. Market King quickly established a big lead and had enough cushion to reach the safety of the winning post. Fast Rain ran on late to get the second position ahead of Gazino who maintained the zest of his last effort.

Trainer Pesi Shroff is gifted with such a formidable string of horses that some of the races will have so many horses in the fray which can only confuse the punters. The 1800 metres Mayor`s Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, had a surfeit of runners from the champion`s stable. Capitolium who was the least fancied of the lot despite having run six lengths adrift of Believe in one of his efforts at Mumbai and was completely ignored in the betting ring. Glorious King for strange reasons was made the favourite ahead of El Greco. Capitolium who assumed command within the first furlong, had it easy as he ran all alone in front to win the race by a widening margin of three lengths over Exuma. Jockey Umesh was astride the winner. Glorious King ran on to finish third.

Antia trained Maysara had run a suggestive second behind Misty during the Mumbai season and had the benefit of a race run earlier in the season. Though Vijaya and Pure For Sure had more takers in the betting ring, Maysara was also well-backed by those in the know. Jockey C S Jodha took Maysara on a start-to-finish mission and the front-runner had no trouble in sailing past the post without facing any hiccups. Pure For Sure ran on late to clinch the second spot from Vijaya.

Karthik Ganapathy trained Justino who had some decent performances to his credit at Mumbai before running a listless race over a mile and a quarter distance, was backed spiritedly to win the 1400 metres Timeless Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Justino appeared to be in a spot of bother as he lacked early speed and had good ground on make-up on those in front. Superimpose who shot ahead in the final furlong was strongly challenged by Justino who covered the leeway in big strides. Under a strong ride by Trevor Patel, Justin managed to clinch the race in the closing strides of the race. Cipher ran on to finish third. The lower division of the race saw Malesh Narredu trained Enabler winning the race in thrilling fashion. Enabler had to be alerted early by jockey Yash Narredu to keep pace. The progeny of Ruler of The World lacked the early speed and graced the rear end of the field. In the stretch, Enable ran into a traffic jam but the horse manoeuvred his way from a tight spot to eventually win going away. Attained was second ahead of Remy Red. Yash Narredu`s riding appeared dangerous but luckily no untoward incident happened.

The forward run that Narendra Lagad trained Fidato had, stood the five-year-old gelding in good stead as the fancied runner led all the way to win the 1000 metres Starry Brook Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Fidato thus broke the maiden`s rank in his 14th attempt. Bubbly Boy ran on strongly to take the second spot ahead of favourite Queen`s Pride who gave a disappointing performance.

In a thrilling finish, Sanjay Kolse trained Toussaint was driven out by jockey Neeraj Rawal to win the 1200 metres Sentosa Cove Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Nairobi who led much part of the race shaped to win but lost the race in the dying moments. Between Friends too finished with a flourish to go past the post locked together with Nairobi and the result was a dead heat for the second position. Red Dust also finished in the heap.