Narendra Lagad trained Coeur De Lion was bang on target in the 1600 metres Times of India Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of Saturday`s Pune races. The RWITC, in a welcome gesture, had a race named after all the media publications which give extensive coverage of horse racing which was a good gesture on the part of the authorities. The media is critical in promoting the sport especially at a time when the footfalls are falling dramatically. RWITC is always a pioneer in doing things and is always a step ahead of the other turf clubs in India in most respects despite several constraints.

Coeur De Lion had been knocking on the doors of success by his consistency. He had been steadily prepared, with gradual step up in distance. On the last occasion, he went down fighting close home to Flaming Lamborgini and this time out, he appeared to be well on course to hit the target. He would have gone to the post as a favourite but for Pesi Shroff trained Chopin breaking the trend of listless performance with a splendid win over a mile in record timing. Chopin was expected to record an encore going by the quality of the win recorded. Apprentice jockey Mustakim Alam who has struck a fine partnership with Coeur De Lion, was helped by the fact that he could lead in front without anyone challenging which helped the fancied runner to set his own pace instead of competing to hold his position. Chopin raced in the second position followed by In Contention and the rest. In the homestretch, Chopin came home with menacing run and even headed for a while in the final furlong but Coeur De Lion fought back to record a comfortable win in the end. In Contention ran on to finish third.

Imtiaz Sait trained temperamental horse Supreme Spirit was at her best behaviour when producing a winning run down the final furlong to win the 1200 metres Racingpulse.in Cup, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. There was a flood of money on Shiraz Sunderji trained Nelson River who was backed down from a higher quote to become a favourite in what appeared an open competitive race. In the event, Nelson River lost his chances by a lethargic beginning and this ruined whatever chances he had as the jockeys were not allowed to carry whips in the race. Nelson River finished in the heap in the end but the leeway was too difficult to cover under the circumstances. Jockey Umesh brought Supreme Spirit into contention in the final furlong and the progeny of Dali was able to put her head in front in a cluster finish with Zukor, Divine Intuition and She`s A Teaser all finishing in close order behind the winner.

On a day when favourites played truant, Adhiraj Jodha trained Kanya Rashi who was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the 1200 metres Hindu Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, also let down huge expectations. Long shot Goddes of Dawn who had a good break over the rest in the stretch run, held on to win by a diminishing margin of a neck over the favourite who, despite an all-out effort by jockey Srinath, just failed to collar the front-runner. Neeraj Rawal rode the winner. Collateral was a close third and should be seen in better light next time out.

Adhiraj Jodha trained Time And Tide obliged expectations racing ahead of the pack and having enough comfort to win the 1200 metres Indiarace.com Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Emperor Roderic who was the favourite, found foot when the cause had been lost and his late dash could only fetch him the second spot ahead of Gazino.

Narendra Lagad trained Mighty Thunder had been running forward races over shorter trips. The progeny of Ampere appreciated the step up in distance as he came home with a powerful burst of speed to collar the front-running Gimme in the closing strides of the race in the capable hands of jockey C S Jodha. High Spirit was third. There was solid support for Shezaan Shah trained Lord Murphy to oblige but the favourite was never in the hunt as he had no form to be the favourite having finished more than 16 lengths adrift of the winner on the last occasion, the distance of both the races being different notwithstanding.

The 1200 metres Mid-Day Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, saw favourite Nazak Chenoy trained Attained oblige expectations in the hands of jockey Trevor Patel who these days is finding winners hard to come by. Attained chased Bellagio into the straight before taking charge midway in the straight to win the race from Adamas with a measure of comfort. Adamas who was bidding for a hat-trick had shot off the gates like a scalded cat last time out but this time, apprentice Gagandeep Mann could not induce such a flourish from the fancied runner. Adamas covered plenty of ground but the front-runner was safe past the post. Jetfire ran on to take the third spot ahead of Northern Singh who was prominent till overhauled.

Malesh Narredu trained Amber Knight won the 2000 metres Free Press Journal Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest class, by swamping the opposition. Jockey Saqlain had Amber Knight take charge by the final furlong. The progeny of Multidimensional who is bred to stay, took a commanding lead in the stretch to eventually win by a widening margin of seven lengths over Lion King. Spiritual Rock was third. Mastery who came in for big support was never in the hunt and plodded home to be a poor fourth.