Adhiraj Jodha meticulously prepared Time And Tide, based in Kolkata, with the prestigious Gr 1 Sprinters Cup as the ultimate target. The team`s efforts bore fruit as Time And Tide dominated the Gr 1 Zavaray S Poonawalla Million competition, a terms race for four-year-olds and over on Saturday. his race marked the first of the four Invitation races on the Kolkata track for the weekend. It was a day to savour for Adhiraj as he also saddled the winner of the Gr 1 Stayers Cup through Dyf, achieving a splendid double that should significantly elevate his profile.

Jockey Pradeep Chouhan displayed remarkable synergy with the horse, strategically positioning Time And Tide behind the pace-setting Joaquin before seizing the lead at the top of the stretch. With a powerful surge, Time And Tide swiftly distanced himself from the pack run-in for home, securing victory a long way from home. Bred at Mukteshwar Stud, Time And Tide`s triumph provided significant acclaim for the new stallion Dali which has been siring quality sprinters. In a close contest for second place, Magileto narrowly edged out Siege Courageous.

The Sprinters Cup, historically, has been unpredictable, often defying expectations unless featuring extraordinary contenders. This year lacked such standout competitors, rendering the race wide open for any well-prepared entrant. Despite a recent defeat in its lead-up race, Time And Tide, under the seasoned guidance of jockey Pradeep Chouhan, executed a more calculated strategy, maintaining a steady pace and conserving energy before making the decisive move in the home stretch. Time And Tide, a seasoned performer with victories against some of the top horses, including the esteemed Knotty Charmer, possessed all the essential attributes for success.

Meticulous preparation, favourable positioning, and the ability to accelerate when needed all played in Time And Tide`s favour. Meanwhile, Magileto, hindered by an unfavourable outside draw, failed to secure an advantageous position early on, diminishing his chances of overtaking the frontrunners. Despite a valiant effort by Suraj Narredu aboard the favoured Siege Courageous, Magileto ultimately clinched the runner-up position in a tightly contested finish. Another highly fancied runner Ascoval stayed in touch with the front-runners till turning for home but faded out of reckoning without a fight.

Adhiraj Jodha experienced the pinnacle of his career when, in the subsequent race, he saddled another Group 1 winner in the prestigious Gr 1 Dr M A M Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Memorial Stayers` Cup. Dyf, boasting impressive credentials after a close race with Juliette in Mumbai and a previous Group I win in the Gr 1 South India Derby, faced competition from horses lacking classic wins but showing promise in other races. Despite high expectations for Pesi Shroff-trained Chamonix, who had claimed three consecutive wins and was well-bred for stamina, disappointment ensued as Chamonix failed to contend.

Jockey Trevor Patel`s unwavering confidence was evident as he calmly positioned himself at the rear while Ruling Dynasty led the pack, later relinquishing the lead to Pissaro before reclaiming it. Chamonix trailed in third place, with Dyf at the back. Despite initial doubts about Dyf`s comfort on the track, Trevor patiently allowed the horse to settle before accelerating around the final bend. Dyf surged past Ruling Dynasty in the last 100 meters, securing a comfortable victory. Meanwhile, Ruling Dynasty valiantly fended off Third Avenue`s challenge to clinch second place, leaving Chamonix trailing in third by a significant margin.

Adhiraj expressed his elation over his two Group I victories but said in a lighter vein that Trevor didn`t adhere to instructions. Nevertheless, he was pleased with the outcome, attributing any challenges to the horse`s dislike of the track conditions. Trevor confirmed the horse`s discomfort and explained his strategy of allowing Dyf to find his rhythm before urging him forward.

Except for Time And Tide, which had attractive odds, the remaining seven races were all won by strongly backed favourites at short odds. This underscored the dominance of these horses, who appeared superior based on their current form and class compared to the other contenders who made up the numbers.