Malesh Narredu trained Staristocrat was back to winning ways on the same track he had won 384 days ago as he swamped the opposition to win by a widening margin of seven lengths, the 1400 metres Highland Rule Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of a small card of seven events that were gone through on Saturday at Pune.

In the small field of four runners, Staristocrat who had a good forward in his last outing, was the favourite. Few Dollars More who had put up a stiff fight to The Champ was a close second favourite while Ageless was reckoned to have no chance over the extended trip. To the misfortune of those who backed Few Dollars More, the filly lost all the chances at the gate itself. Thereafter it was clear that Staristocrat`s job would be a formality. Ageless set the pace and stayed there in front till turning for home. Staristocrat cruised along inside the final two furlongs and then skipped away to win by a handsome margin in the hands of jockey Yash Narredu. Ageless stayed on finish second ahead of Papakura. Few Dollars More never recovered from the poor start and finished a dismal last.

Bezan Chenoy trained Dramarama was another horse to win after a pretty long time. Dramarama`s last win had come on the same track, about 546 days ago. The talented son of Phoenix Tower has been plagued by injuries to his legs which had prevented him realising full potential. There was inspired support for Dramarama to win the 1200 metres J E Hughes Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86 as he was backed down from a higher quote. After Nature Boy brought the field into the homestretch, Dramarama who had overcome interference at the start, pounced on the front-runner and stormed clear in the final furlong. Merchantofvenice came up with a good effort but the winner proved to be too good in the end. An Jolie was third. Via Amoris was a dismal last.

Pesi Shroff-trained Frosty looked ready to win the 1600 metres September Handicap, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, after the filly had the benefit of a race run and looked considerably fit to have a bold show. The price offered on the well-bred filly was lucrative as last start winner Silken Eyes came in for good support. The filly was conceding eight kgs to Frosty and this in the end went against her chances. Trevor Patel had Frosty lead all the way and drove out the filly to stave off the spirited bid of Silken Eyes. Frosty drifted out under pressure but the jockey did well to keep her in. Though she slightly went on to Silken Eyes, the objection put up by Yash against Trevor was more in hope than with any real conviction. Kodiac Queen ran on to finish third.

Rainbow Dash was another horse from Pesi`s yard who was expected to benefit from the race run and win the 1600 metres K Raghunath Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. However, Rainbow Dash who led in earnest was beaten in the closing strides of the race by lesser fancied Night of Stars. Simon Says too looked menacing in the final furlong but failed to sustain the momentum but nevertheless finished a close third.

When trainer Mansoor Shah`s horses attract big money in the ring, they generally tend to oblige as they definitely belong to better class but held back in lower categories for a touch. Locarno was one such horse who came in for big support in the 1000 metres Esterelli Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Predictably, Locarno had no problem in storming clear in the final furlong to win with great ease from Zadora. Spear of Trium was third while Indus Prince who was in the betting, surprisingly finished last.

Sanjay Kolse trained Victorio brought off a big upset in the hands of apprentice Raghuveer Singh in the 1000 metres Radio One Run, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Serenita who was running among older horses for the first time was expected to win the race considering the quality of horses that she had run with. However, Serenita caught a tartar in the form of Victorio who left her stranded at the top of the straight to win with a measure of comfort. Champagne came from behind to nose out Be Cautious to claim the third place.

Royal Classic was backed down from a higher quote to end up as a firm favourite to win the 1400 metres Orient Dance Plate, a race for horses in the lowest class. Zabrok who was in a handy second position behind Allegiance till approaching the final turn skipped clear and despite being hard-pressed by Sansa, managed to save the day by the skin of his teeth. Royal Classic who was outpaced from the start, was left with no hope of making up the leeway and ended a tame third. Winning Girl who opened as the ante-post favourite, lost supporters in the ring close to race time and the run justifiably indicated the lack of confidence all round in the four-year-old filly delivering the goods.