The Suresh Mahindra Trophy, India`s only handicap race over 3200 meters for horses rated 80 and above, is more of an annual formality than a thrilling spectacle. With just three runners gracing the event this year—enough to make one question its continued existence in the racing calendar—Faisal Abbas-trained Magneeto effortlessly outclassed the tired duo of Ramiel and past victor Pissarro, winning by eight lengths at Pune on Saturday. Yes, eight lengths—because apparently, even when the competition is snoozing, Magneto still felt the need to put on a show.

Perhaps it`s time for the authorities to consider re-scheduling this snoozefest on some other weekend. While long-distance races are crucial for adding some diversity to the race program, India`s sprint-obsessed scene means we rarely see enough horses—or trainers patient enough—to handle the grueling marathon distance. Year after year, it`s the same tired cast, shuffling down the track like it`s Groundhog Day, with barely a flicker of competitive spirit. If the authorities insist on keeping this event, why not add some real stakes and incentives to make trainers and owners actually care? Right now, it feels like we`re all just ticking boxes.

In any case, three brave souls lined up for this year`s edition. Among them: Pissarro, a so-called ‘proven stayer` but rusty after a year on the sidelines; Ramiel, winless for a staggering 584 days; and our hero Magneeto, who hadn`t tasted victory in 223 days but still managed to arrive as the overwhelming favorite. Pissarro led the trio at a leisurely pace, with Magneeto and Ramiel trailing in formation. As they approached the final bend, jockey Sandesh gave Magneeto the green light, and the favorite breezed ahead, leaving his rivals in the dust—an eight-length dust cloud, to be precise. Ramiel eventually dragged himself across the finish line to claim second place, managing to edge out the seven-year-old Pissarro who, to no one`s surprise, was barely hanging on.

Meanwhile, the colours of owner Jaydev Mody shone brightly, as his horses delivered three wins out of seven races. It seems Mody wasn`t the only one cashing in—punters who stuck with his horses also pocketed some winnings, proving that loyalty sometimes pays off. Shezaan Shah trained Rambler, who had been winless for over 200 days and demoted a category, put in a flashy performance when Dream Seller stole the show. Despite her recent weight loss, Dallas Todywalla-trained Spanish Eyes was the firm favorite—though she clearly left her fighting spirit back in Hyderabad. Hovering behind Mother`s Grace until the final turn, she promptly faded when the action kicked in, taking a mountain of bets with her.

Rambler, lurking just off the pace, found his rhythm and sprinted past Mother`s Grace in the straight, securing a convincing win. Singer Sargent, usually in top form, must`ve been napping until the final stretch—only then did he decide to put in a burst of effort, closing the gap with remarkable speed but falling short as Rambler held on. Mother`s Grace clung to third, while Spanish Eyes vanished into thin air, continuing Dallas Todywalla`s streak of forgettable performances. One can only hope the trainer`s luck changes—or at least that he finds a new strategy other than ‘hope for the best.`

In the N K Padumjee Trophy, trainer Behram Cama`s Scaramouche made quite the debut in the 1000 metres race for maiden three-year-olds. Sporting the colors of Jayadev Mody, the impeccably bred colt lived up to expectations, strutting his stuff as the race favorite, ahead of Dallas Todywalla`s Dazzling Duchess, who had a few races under her belt but nothing spectacular to show. The Duchess took the lead early, with Scaramouche lurking like a polite shadow. But in the final furlong, jockey T S Jodha turned up the heat, and Scaramouche breezed past the front-runner to secure a comfortable win. As for Betsy, she was content with hovering around for a distant third.

Jayadev Mody was clearly having a good day, with another win through Spirit Bay, trained by Shezaan Shah. This horse had taken over 20 tries to break its maiden status. Backed with the same zeal, Spirit Bay, under apprentice jockey Bhosale, seized the lead and played the role of front-runner like it was a one-act show, holding off the late-charging Otello and Red Dust. The supposed favorite, Demetrius, had a bit of drama at the start when the blinds didn`t come off in time—talk about a false start. The stewards declared Demetrius who had finished fourth a non-starter and all bets made on him were refunded. It would have been better to him non-starter only for purpose of betting while allowing him to keep his fourth position which was hard-earned.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait had a field day with a double win. First up was Dexa in the 1000 metres Highlander Plate for horses rated 60 to 86. Although the race distance was supposedly too sharp, Dexa proved it wasn`t a problem, winning comfortably. The favorite, Soup And Sandwich, seemed to have lost her appetite, as jockey Sandesh`s cautious ride left her with no response when Dexa launched a late attack. Portofino Bay? Well, he just tagged along for third place, not wanting to strain himself too much.

Imtiaz`s second victory came via Pride Prince in the Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy (Div I). Jockey Anthony Raj placed him strategically, and by the time they rounded the final bend, Pride Prince had things well in hand. Trevor Patel`s attempt with Chagall was all too familiar: another rear-of-the-field dash that came up short. Seems like Trevor`s winning post radar is acting up lately. Axlord tried his best but settled for third, perhaps content with his forward showing.

Pesi Shroff didn`t have much luck with Chagall, but redemption came courtesy of Marcus in the lower division of the Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy. Gimme had everyone thinking he was home free, only to slacken just when it mattered. Marcus, seizing the moment, surged past to snatch the win in the final strides. Caliph finished third and showed enough promise to keep an eye on him in the future. Favorite Amadeus, who had been the center of attention, was dramatically withdrawn at the gates, thanks to a shoe issue coming off.