The Pune Derby Eve racing on Saturday unfolded with all the enthusiasm of a rain-soaked picnic. For what’s supposed to be a glittering prelude to the Derby, the card was shockingly thin, the energy flatter than the turf itself. One expects flair and competition on such a weekend, but the club seemed to have misplaced both—offering instead a dreary lineup that left punters wondering if the real Derby spirit had taken the day off.

Having covered the Kentucky Derby, where the entire city of Louisville seems to transform into one giant celebration, this was more like a midweek power cut — long, dull, and without backup. While the Americans plan a month-long carnival, Pune could barely muster a six-race card for Derby Eve. One half expected the seventh race to be cancelled for lack of enthusiasm.

The feature on Saturday, the 3200 metres Suresh Mahindra Trophy, looked more like a survival test than a sporting contest. It’s India’s longest race, yes — but unfortunately, it has long outlived its purpose. With modern racing obsessed with sprinters, this marathon feels like a leftover relic from another century. There were three entries (which already sounded generous), but fate clearly thought that was one too many. Queen of Kings bolted off before the gates even opened, leaving two brave souls — Evaldo, who hadn’t raced in 188 days, and Golden Kingdom, who had won over a mile 219 days ago to keep the crowd awake.

Trevor Patel tried to coax Evaldo into enjoying himself, but the horse looked about as enthusiastic as the punters. Anthony Raj and Golden Kingdom soon took charge in the straight after Evaldo expended himself running in front and galloped past the weary rival, and ended the drama — if one could call it that — long before the finish.

The Panchshil Million (1000m), a race for maiden three-year-olds, was billed as the other highlight, was a duel between All For Love and Foxy, the latter going start-to-finish under Sandesh, who had yet another profitable day at an otherwise unprofitable meet. All For Love tried hard but ran out of script. Don Julio, wearing blinkers and reportedly running out of patience, finished third — and is now being gelded after all other motivational methods failed.

The Millennium Force, trained by Pradeep Chouhan, continued his winning streak in the N K Padumjee Salver (1600m), reminding everyone that at least one horse came to work. The favourite obliged without breaking a sweat, leaving Christofle to rediscover some long-lost form in second, while Kimiko made a late appearance for third.

The Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy (1800m) looked wide open — and that’s usually a polite way of saying nobody knew who’d bother trying. Dreamer, from M K Jadhav’s yard, woke up at just the right time, sprinting away under N S Parmar for an easy win. Little John ran on to be second, while Dedication, after a 188-day holiday, showed up briefly before remembering he wasn’t ready for all this effort.

There was at least some entertainment in the Pissarro Plate (1000m), when Goddess of Dawn delivered the day’s big upset. Elusive Art, the favourite, drifted in the odds faster than a monsoon umbrella in a storm, and the result followed the trend. Mukesh Kumar guided Goddess of Dawn to victory while Lord Eric came flying too late. Elusive Art, fittingly, lived up to his name after leading into the final furlong.

The day began as predictably as it ended — with Magical Star in the Severus Plate (1400m), a race for horses in the lowest category, winning as per script, and Taabir and Exotic Star filling the frame. Lord Murphy, abandoned by both punters and luck, performed accordingly.