B Prakash trained Sentosa Cova had a favourable draw and the luck of the race to prevail in the 2000 metres PRA Independence Million, a richly endowed event for horses rated 20 to 46, which featured the races on the Independence Day at Pune on Monday. The coveted race which offered the winner prize money of over seven lakhs had an unwieldy field in fray but Sentosa Cove who was drawn well, held a forward position, quickened for home at the top of the straight and held off the strong bid of Atalya and fast-finishing Palatial.

Sentosa Cova was one of the horses to be in the betting even if at liberal odds of 5 to 1. It was difficult to spot the winner as the race had a history of providing upsets all these years, barring an odd exception. The luck of the race was bound to play a role and it did so with Palatial who was not too brisk at the start and was last for most part of the journey before finding his way through a crowded field and narrowly failing to emerge as a long shot winner. Zervan had Sentosa Cove race in about the fourth or fifth position as Vitesse set the pace. Sentosa Cove was pushed to take over the running at the top of the straight and the progeny of Teofilio quickened well to establish what turned out to be a winning lead. Atalya moved up strongly from the mid-group and came home with a big effort only to find Sentosa Cove who had the first run on his opponents, reach the safety of the winning post. Atalya was second and Palatial was not far behind. Joss looked like making things hot for the eventual winner when he showed up on the wide outside but did not quicken enough and had to settle for the fourth slot, not far from the winner.

Pesi Shroff-trained Commodore recorded his third straight win when easily accounting for the opposition in the 1800 metres Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Quoted at cramped odds to have a strong say in the race, Commodore raced in a handy third or fourth position till turning for home and stormed ahead inside the final 300 metres. Severus went in earnest chase of the favourite but bound Commodore too good and had to reconcile to the second position. Cha Cha Cha was third. Helping Hand returned in distress.

Malesh Narredu trained Shivalik Shine maintained her winning form when winning the 1200 metres Nawab & Begum Faiyaz Husain Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66 with an aggressive start to finish tactic. Young jockey Yash Narredu who enjoyed a fruitful day booting home three winners, had Shivalik Shine take charge from the start and the progeny of Rebuttal expanded the lead in the straight without having to spend too much of her energy. Shivalik Shine won pulling up from Charging Tigress. Final Encounter who was in forward position stayed on to take the third slot. The odds expanded on Rehanullah Khan trained Champagne which perhaps put a doubt in the minds of punters who looked for a winner elsewhere only to curse themselves when the race unfolded in the lower division of the race. Yash had Champagne dictate the pace from the jump out and was in no danger of being caught up with by any of the runners as she bounced well clear in the homestretch. Last start winner Rosella was in futile chase of Champagne. Eternal Royalty who ended up as the favourite could only finish third on a day when jockey Sandesh drew a blank.

Dazzling Dancer had finished a noteworthy third to Shivalik Shine in her last effort and this encouraged punters to plump for the five-year-old mare in the 1200 metres True Elegance Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, as there was encouraging whispers about the chances of the favourite. However, there was a twist to the tale as My Freedom, in the hands of Yash, shot off like a scalded cat and it was evident well before the final furlong that Dazzling Dancer would let down her supporters. In My Life came up with a late flourish to edge out the favourite to get the runner-up berth.

Cooji Katrak trained Pristina was the recipient of sustained support in the 1200 metres Brunello Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class, thereby indicating that a big touch was attempted on the daughter of Arazan. Pristina was little sluggish at the start but jockey J Chinoy did not panic and managed to drag his horse horizontally within the first furlong to get a forward positon. Luckily, he did not interfere with the others in the act of doing this. Rising Concert led from the start with Zion in a striking position with Pristina improving places all the time. Zion was cruising behind Rising Concert and took charge immediately on turning for home and shaped like a winner. However, Pristina covered ground under a relentless effort by Chinoy and managed to overhaul the front runner comfortably in the end. Possibly because of the fact that Zion is bred to get longer, she was beaten for speed in the end. Majestic Honey who did not get a good start, was full of running when finishing third.

Zadmal Singh trained Adeline was well backed to win the 1200 metres Eau De Vie Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. The filly had to be ridden out by Pradeep Chouhan to get the better of Shogun who was the medium of a gamble. Shogun had the first run on his opponents and had a healthy cushion when Adeline began to make her assault but faltered under pressure. Espresso was faraway third. Caielin was backed to the exclusion of the rest in the lower division of the race but the favourite failed to get a forward position early on and was a beaten cause long before the race was on the boil. Long shot El Tycoon, from the stables of Kasbekar, was the biggest upsetter of the day in the lower division of the race. El Tycoon tracked Flight of Phoenix into the straight and spurted away from the rest to record a facile win over late finishing Milwalkee and Golden Eclipse. Caielin was lost in the crowd.

Karanjawalla trained Zanzibaar was another of the long shots to oblige during the course of the day`s action. Book Thief was strongly preferred to win the 1600 metres Enlightenment Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Eiger`s Tiger set a fast pace even as Zanzibaar was settled in a handy third position. Rounding the final turn, Zanzibaar steadily moved up and took over the running inside the final two furlongs and sped away for an easy win over On Fleek. Book Thief struggled for speed and was a tame third.