Malesh Narredu trained Colombiana had no hiccups enroute to a smashing win in the Gr 3 Armed Forces Trophy, a terms race for three-year-olds and over, the feature event Sunday`s Pune races. After a sensational performance last time out when Colombiana came from an impossible position and lost by a whisker over seven furlongs, it was evident that the progeny of Noverre would be hard to toss against horses whom he had beaten in the past. The terms of the race too were favourable to Colombiana.

Kandinsky was pushed to take over the running after the field traversed the first furlong, followed by Apache, Zachary, Persian Prince, Colombiana, Jefferson, Melinda and Jack Frost. Approaching the final turn, Colombiana covered places on the front-runner with hardly any perceptible effort. In the homestretch, Colombiana bounced clear to win by a widening margin of over four lengths. Jefferson went in earnest chase of the favourite but found Colombiana too strong for comfort. Melinda nosed out Apache in the final moments of the race to get the third place.

In a thrilling three-horse finish, Pesi Shroff trained Temerity finished powerfully to snatch the verdict from Eternal Sunshine and late rallying In My Dream. The last named who was the favourite had finished second behind to three good horses in the past but this time out, was pushed to the third place. After Good Thing set a fast pace and led till the final furlong, Temerity showed up prominently while Eternal Sunshine rallied along the rails while In My Dream was goaded for a strong effort on the outside of these two horses. Eternal Sunshine had the edge till the closing strides of the race but Temerity fought back gallantly to wrest the issue, sparing half a length at the finish. In My Dream was third, a short head behind the runner up.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Greek Goddess recorded an encore in the hands of apprentice jockey H Zeeshan in the 1000 metres Col Kaikkhushroo Maneckji Bharucha Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 0 to 46. Backed strongly to repeat along with another last start winner Art Deco, Greek Goddess was kept in a handy third positon as Art Deco made the pace with Espada threatening to spoil the party. However, Greek Goddess responded well to the urgings of the jockey and overhauled Espada with a measure of comfort. Art Deco weakened after leading the field into the straight to finish a tame third.

H Daji trained Critics Choice who had recorded a smashing win at Mumbai, had suffered a setback in training but had recovered remarkably to merit strong support in the 1200 metres Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw Memorial Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Trevor Patel had no problem in getting the favourite to get the better of Stardom Calling in the final furlong. Critics` Choice was travelling so well at the finish that he expanded the lead over her adversary to a stretchable two lengths. Squash who had recorded a hat-trick at Mumbai, was third and should be better off for this effort. Imtiaz Sait trained Sparkling Eyes had the tag of being a firm favourite in the lower division of the race but the favourite failed to quicken well in the straight after leading the field till overhauled by Hidden Soul. The latter stormed clear in the final furlong to win as he pleased from Frankest who headed Sparkling Eyes to get the runner up berth.

The quietly fancied Bounty Queen from the stables of A Jodha raced a handy third into the straight before slipping away from her companions to establish what turned to be a winning lead in the 1400 metres Algeciras Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. Favourite Divine Magic had to cover plenty of leeway on the eventual winner and though the three-year-old finished with a powerful effort, he fell short in the end. Tomahawk saved placed money by rallying well to finish third. Cooji Katrak trained Artisitc scooted for home immediately on taking the final turn and by the time Trevor Patel could bring favourite Angel Bell with a strong effort, the former had established what turned out to be a winning lead in the lower division of the race. All that Angel Bell could do was to shorten the lead of the winner at the finish.

Imitation Game was nicely poised to score over a modest lot of opponents in the 2400 metres Party Whip Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 on the basis of the eye-catching effort of the Vishal Gaikwad trainee. Jockey N S Parmar had no hesitation in taking the big made Imitation Game to the front and the progeny of Whatthescript enjoyed his foray in front by finishing comfortably clear of June to win the race in fine fashion. Sanam ran on from behind to edge past Unico Corazon to save place investments.

Strongly backed to win, Sanjay Kolse trained Dibaba travelled in a handy position well into the straight before sailing clear of the rest to win the 1600 metres Supreme Star Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class, in fine fashion to provide jockey Sandesh a double for the day. Sir Song came up with a spirited rally in the final furlong but had to settle for the second spot ahead of Samurai who necked out the lesser fancied Avakraz.