The Solaris Group Turf Club Trophy (Gr.3)

In recent times we have heard of hurricane Gustav, Ike & Josephine; but while these were making their presence felt across the Atlantic, The Hurricane (Senure - Untold Story) was kicking up a storm closer to home at the Pune track. He started his career in a promising way, notching up four victories before facing the starter in the 1400m race, having already matched strides with the some of the best of his age group. However, there was a bit of a lull after his last victory where he beat Avec Plaisir. After his sojourn in Hyderabad, he was shifted to the care of Cooji Katrak and under his tutelage this Manjri Stud bred gelding put up a great show in The Solaris Group Turf Club Trophy (Gr.3), where he faced a tough field of 14 runners while receiving sufficient support to emerge the favourite.

The F. D. Wadia Trophy (Gr.2)

Taking on a field of eight runners in the F. D. Wadia Trophy (Gr.2) over 1400m the Vinayak trained-Aurora Aurealis, the daughter of Indictment out of Indiscretion, sprinted ahead in a start to finish mission, taking on the challenge to the wire. This Nanoli Stud bred-filly took on the likes of the favourite - Antonios, Flaming Ace and Divine to hog the limelight in this group race, with a clear eye on the forthcoming classics.

The Ape Truk Eve Champion Trophy (Gr.3)

A bit of controversy and a long delay is what marked the start of the Ape Truk Eve Champion Trophy (Gr.3) run over 2000m. There was intense drama as a stewards’ meeting was called for at the request of co-owner Jaydev Mody, who demanded a replacement for the originally declared rider of Yana (Razeen – Zaya) P. Kamlesh and it was finally K. P. G. Appu who was the beneficiary who rode Yana to a record-breaking win where she set a new course record for the 10 furlong trip, stopping the clock at 2 min 01.45 sec.

The General Rajendrasinhji Trophy (Gr.3)

The fact that Antonios (Glory of Dancer – Twin Star) and Dancing Dynamite (Glory of Dancer – Double Wish) were geared to fight for honours in the General Rajendrasinhji Trophy (Gr.3) over 1800m, indicated a thriller of a race. Dancing Dynamite continued his winning streak to four in a row, but this time ’round had to force the issue of victory in the stewards’ room. Luck doesn’t seem to be favouring P. Kamlesh, as he was earlier not allowed to partner Yana and now he was not allowed to keep the race he won astride Antonios.

The Goel Ganga Developments Million

Bee Quick (Elnadim – Eubee) defied the normal theory by winning on her first outing in Pune and chose to do it stylishly in the Goel Ganga Developments Million over 1200m. She proved to be far superior for IL Divo and the rest of the opposition. Drawn on the wide outside it made no difference to this speedy filly who toyed with the opposition and outclassed her rivals being ridden hands-n-heels with a mere precautionary rap which was not really needed.

The Southern Command Gold Trophy (Gr.3)

The storm started brewing up again and by the time the eleven runners came under the starter’s orders, The Hurricane settled as favourite for the Southern Command Gold Trophy (Gr.3) to be run over a mile. Diego Rivera (Diffident – Rahy’s Serenade) was the highest rated horse in this field of star performers which included a few group winners. This son of Diffident was perfectly turned out for the race and his spectacular victory left the opposition totally outclassed. This creditable performance was noteworthy as a new record was set when Diego Rivera crossed the finish line in 1:36.82 secs.

The S. A. Poonawalla Million (Gr.2)

Will he? Won’t he? That was the question long before the race as to whether Autonomy would run the final lead-up to the Pune Derby, and when he did, he paraded the paddock as favourite in the race. It was definitely a sensationally run race with Autonomy (Razeen–All Heart) and Flaming Ace (China Visit–Prevalence) fighting hard and strong the length of the straight to an incredible finish that to the naked eye seemed almost akin to a dead heat. The evidence provided by the advanced digital photo-finish camera was quick to provide the verdict in favour of Flaming  Ace.

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