Pesi Shroff trained King`s Ransom benefitted from a quality ride offered by jockey Pradeep Chouhan as contrasted with a lack of tactical acumen on the part of jockey Akshay Kumar on Dyf in the Gr 1 Parimatch Indian St Leger, the last of the Indian classics at Pune on Sunday. The victory of King`s Ransom helped Pesi Shroff take his Indian Classic tally to 29, the same as that recorded by legendary trainer Rashid Byramji. It would be no exaggeration to say that Pesi is the Dr M A M of Indian trainers!

King`s Ransom had been beaten by Dyf on the last occasion and since the multi-classic winner was running on better terms, she was expected to bounce back. Dyf who had shown his class as well as the ability to stay longer trips with good felicity was next in demand. The Adhiraj Singh Jodha-trained Dyf would have maintained his supremacy over King`s Ransom but for the poor tactics adopted by the jockey which perhaps may be in keeping with the instructions. Horses can give weight but not distance is the time-tested adage and the defeat of Dyf emphasised this fact once again.

Last year`s Bangalore Derby winner Supernatural who lost his way midway through the Mumbai season, has been on the decline. And he was relegated to the job of being a pacemaker for the more successful King`s Ransom. Jockey Trevor Patel raced Supernatural freely in front, leading by more than eight lengths which effectively snuffed out whatever chances he had. One is not sure whether Trevor did that on purpose or if he was not able to restrain Supernatural from going on a suicidal mission.

Supernatural led by a massive margin with King`s Ransom in the second position. Dangerous was another five to six lengths adrift and Akshay Kumar kept Dyf another two lengths behind Dangerous. This is where Akshay Kumar lost the plot. Instead of keeping his horse within reach of the only danger in the race, he chose to put Dyf to sleep at the back. When the pace quickened at around the 800-metre marker, Akshay Kumar had to work on Dyf to pick up speed and catch up with the front-runners.

Supernatural brought the field into the straight. Pradeep Chouhan on King`s Ransom quickly alerted his filly who changed as it were and went storming ahead to open up a healthy lead by the final furlong. Though Dyf finished strongly and inched closer, King`s Ransom managed to escape to victory by a short head much to the chagrin of those who had put faith in the former. Dangerous was nearly 10 lengths adrift in the third position while Supernatural was further away in the fourth slot. The victory provided Usha Stud Farm with yet another Indian classic while what could have been the first Indian classic for Nanoli Stud Farm stallion Cougar Mountain narrowly slipped out. K N Dhunjibhoy who owned Dyf was also a partner in the winning horse.

The strength of Pesi Shroff`s stable was once again evident in the 2000 metres Caprisca Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, where three three-year-olds occupied the first three slots while the others in the fray were simply outclassed. Capitolium who had recorded an impressive win last time out was the favourite. Jockey Umesh kept Capitolium a handy second behind the pace-setting Aloysia till approaching the final turn. Capitolium then took over the running and was in no danger of being beaten by anyone coming from behind. Chagall ran above expectations with a late rally to finish second ahead of the fancied Alexandros. Jerusalem who lost his chances at the gate itself ran on to take the fourth spot.

Pesi Shroff had three winners for the day, the other success of the day coming through home-bred Nirvana who toyed with the opposition with a start-to-finish mission, easily claiming the 1400 metres Dr P K Sardeshmukh Maharaj Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Decacorn ran on late to take the second position ahead of Kinzhal.

Altaf Hussain trained Snowfall who found her bearings after being campaigned over the extended trip of seven furlongs, recorded an encore, with an easy win in the 1400 metres Warsaw Pact Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Snowfall quickly assumed command in the straight and was comfortably ahead of his challenger Buckley who flattered to deceive. Buckley reportedly burst his blood vessels during the race. Fortunate Son necked out Swift to save place money.

After the forward run of the last time out, Hosidar Daji trained Metzinger looked too good in the 1600 metres Jaidev Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest category. Trevor Patel took Metzinger to the front right from the word `go` and won untroubled. Dianne who in his debut had finished second to Dyf showed some improvement with the benefit of a race run and occupied the second position ahead of Precioso.

Nosher Cama trained Scaramanga was the medium of a good gamble. The progeny of Quasar came in for spirited support in the 1400-metre Col Kaikhushroo Maneckji Bharucha Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Despite not being well positioned at the top of the straight, Scaramanga made spaces in the middle of the track to come up with a winning effort down the final furlong to win the race easily from late rallying Dali Swirl. Lord Fencia was third.

Nazak Chenoy trained Sovereign Master brought off an upset win in the 1000-metre Amazing Grace Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Sovereign Master produced striking acceleration approaching the final furlong and went storming clear to win the race with a great deal of ease. Favourite Irish Gold ran on late and headed Jet Typhoon to take the runner-up berth.