Altaf Hussain trained Dancing Prances bounced back to win after 209 days in his happy hunting ground, the Pune race course, by staving off the unexpected challenge of Congressional and Adam in a tight finish of the Gr 2 Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature event of Saturday`s races. This was the 14th career win for the consistent performer. It was a dream day for trainer Altaf Hussain as he had a rich haul saddling four winners. Jockey Sandesh too was back in the limelight, booting home four winners.

Despite the field being a highly competitive one, Dancing Prances was backed with conviction to oblige even though the progeny of Ace had lost to a similar set of horses in the Sprinters Cup at Chennai. Zervan had Dancing Phoenix set a fast pace with Solomon hot on his heels and this energy-sapping effort in front perhaps undid the chances of the former who weakened in the straight to eventually finish fourth. Dancing Prances moved up strongly from about the fourth or fifth position at the final bend and took charge of the proceedings inside the final furlong. Adam put up a tremendous pressure but could not produce that bit extra while Congressional surprised everyone with a terrific performance, coming close to the winner over a trip which was not reckoned to be his forte. A half-length and short head separated the first three places horses namely Dancing Prances, Congressional and Adam. The rest of the runners in the fray did not have the speed nor the legs to match strides with those who placed on the frame.

There was a horrific accident in the sixth race of the day, the 1200 metres Rambus Plate (Div I), a race for three-year-olds. Approaching the final bend, Talon went down, causing a chain reaction, resulting in Ajinkya on Ricardus hitting the ground and Amyn Merchant who was tracking these horses on Point bearing the impact as he banged into the horse in front and had a bad fall. Amyn Merchant reportedly suffered a shoulder fracture while the other two jockeys escaped without any serious injury. In the straight, Chily Chily, under pressure veered out violently, causing Yash Narredu to be thrown off from the saddle. The jockey reportedly suffered a wrist fracture. For the record, favourite Shaoqing, trained by Altaf Hussain, got the better of Charming close home to justify strong favouritism. Monte Greco ran below expectations. The lower division of the race too proved eventful. Long shot Gregorian Chants came from way behind with a powerful run and jockey J Chinoy was unable to find a clear way and in the process of going ahead, dangerously interfered with Travieso before winning with ease from Dolphin and favourite Normandy who flopped miserably. There was a Stewards enquiry into the running of the race but there was no change in the order of placings. Jockey J Chinoy who rode the winner, has been suspended for six race days for dangerous riding.

Lesser fancied Riot of Colours from the stables of trainer Narendra Lagad, stormed into the lead from the start and won the 1000 metres Weizhou Plate (Div I), a race for horses in the lowest class, uncontested. Favourite Zion found the eventual winner too fast for comfort. Generous Lady managed to get the third place from Isinit who finished on strongly on the outer rail. Altaf Hussain`s Scarlet of Hope had dropped well below her last winning mark and was slammed to win the lower division of the race. The 378 days wait helped immensely as Scarlet of Hope, in the hands of five-kg claimer A Gaikwad, led all the way and won with ease by a widening margin of four lengths. Secret Oath held off Dust N Dawn and Secaucus in a tight finish for the second place.

Narendra Lagad trained Eiger`s Tiger left the field stranded with about 250 metres left in the race and stormed clear to win the 1800 metres Rosmini Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, easily from late rallying Olly Boy. Favourite Costa Smerlada who stayed in touch with the front runners, failed to quicken when the race warmed up and ended up a tame third, barely managing to save place money from Palatial. Artificial packed up without a trace after leading the field into the final turn.

Mansoor Shah trained Logano came in for strong support in the 1200 metres Gironde Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. There is always high expectation whenever the horses belonging to this stable comes in for big betting in the ring though quite often things go awry for punters as it is always difficult to know whether the right money is riding on the horse. Logano led in right earnest though it was clear at the top of the straight that the lead enjoyed by the five-year-old mare was only on sufferance. Logano who hasn`t won for 519 days, disappeared from contention in the final furlong. Alectar, from the stables of Altaf Hussain, came home with a strong run in the hands of jockey of the day Sandesh to win the race with ease from Sindbaad and Fast Future.

The winning sequence of Severus had been interrupted when he lost to Commodore earlier in the season after recording three wins at Mumbai. The Prakash trainee was back to his winning ways when he easily overhauled the front runners with about 100 metres left in the 2400 metres Macchupicchu Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Uncle Scrooge beat the challenge of Cha Cha Chah for the runner-up berth.