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Imtiaz Sait trained Carbonara was driven out for a resolute win in the 1400 metres S R Captain Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of Friday`s Pune races. Bangalore based jockey Prashant Dhebe who is in his first season in Pune has been making remarkable strides after graduating as a full jockey last year. Trainer Imtiaz Sait had a rewarding day with a treble.
Jockey Trevor Patel is going through a lean patch. There was a time when people could back Patel`s horses with confidence and they were not disappointed as he struck quite consistently. However, of late he has been seen riding in most races but rarely finding winners. The quality of his riding has also suffered as a result. In his hurry to complete 1000 winners before he goes for a three-month stint at Australia, Patel appears to be taking too many rides and this may end up hurting his confidence and the esteem of the people as well. He was astride the strongly fancied Pugnacious who failed to live up to his name by giving a timid performance. Ladislaus attempted to win the race with a start to finish mission but could not sustain it closer home. Carbonara was presented with a brilliant opening at the final bend as the horses in front of him went wide. Dhebe pushed Carbonara to take the gap and the progeny of China Visit quickened well, challenged the leader, got the lead and comfortably held off the late rally of Valentino who came from the back of the field to gain the runner-up position. Ladislaus was third.
Summer Ray was the other winner of the day for Dhebe which was also saddled by veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait. Summer Rays came into strong contention at the final turn and quickly grabbed the lead and burst clear of the rest for an easy win in the 1200 metres Cacophony Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Goldie`s Pet had no answer to the superior ability of Summer Ray and had to settle for the second place. Sassy Lass was far away third while Rishab`s Pet ran a disappointing race.
Trainer Narender Lagad who spent a busy season at Mumbai by getting his wards to drop down scales, has been reaping the rewards during the Pune season. Dashrath Singh confidently took the lesser fancied Indian Serenade on a start to finish mission with Rider On The Storm in chase. Indian Serenade quickened well in the final furlong to go beyond the reach of her pursuer. Magnum Opus came from way off the pace to finish third. There was inspired betting on Locarno but it seemed to be a false alarm as the Mansoor ward ran like a dud. The odds drift on Rosella also was a revelation for the punters looking for the trend in the betting ring.
Malesh Narredu trained Odessa was backed down to favouritism in the 1200 metres Brunello Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 despite M Ayyar who has only a few wins to his credit being astride in a big unwieldy field. Ayyar seemed to have lost the plot as he failed to get a favourable position but the four-year-old gelding was a cut above the rest as he came to the rescue of the jockey. Despite travelling wide all the way, he proved too good for the opposition by winning with something to spare. Odessa surely has more wins in store for him. Grand Paridiso was second ahead of Allegria. Airlift and Ridgewood Star were in the betting but the money put on them went down the drain as they seemed to be out for an airing.
The only winner for Trevor Patel over the two days of racing came through favourite Selfie Star who proved formidable in the 1400 metres Antonios Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Trevor settled Selfie Star in third position as Wild Fire went at a good clip in front. Selfie Star steadily bridged the gap and inside the final 300 metres, had drawn clear of the rest. Sweet Music showed some aggressive intent while finishing a suggestive second ahead of Man of Word.
Nelson`s Blood won the 1600 metres Gaea Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 with a start to finish mission. On money favourite Frivolous lay unconcerned in the last position, improved places along the rails and finished a good second. Frivolous had run in identical fashion when he had lost the previous year on the same track with a similar effort which had been a subject matter of enquiry. The lack of aggressive intent on the favourite had many questioning the quality of the ride. Glorious Opinion held off Sussex Pride for the third place.
Imtiaz Sait trained Drogo recorded a smashing win in the 1800 metres Enlightenment Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. After Wildhorn and Harmony expended their energy running way ahead of the pack, J Chinoy on Drogo made his move midway through the race and was in striking position at the final bend. The progeny of Rebuttal quickly got into rhythm and went away for an easy win by a widening margin of four lengths over Olly Boy and favourite Respect who made no show.
Cooji Katrak trained Generous Lady was offered at big odds and the progeny of Verenar proved too superior to the rest in the 1000 metres Agni Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. She was in serious business on straightening for home and went storming clear to win the race as she pleased. Super Icon ran on from behind to edge past Rich N Rare to grab the second spot.
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Carbonara (Prashant P Dhebe up) winner of the Dr S R Captain Trophy
Generous Lady (Neeraj Rawal up) winner of the Agni Plate
Drogo (J Chinoy up) winner of the Enlightenment Plate
Nelsons Blood (A Sandesh up) winner of the Gaea Plate
Selfie Star (Trevor Patel up) winner of the Antonios Trophy
Summer Rays (Prashant P Dhebe up) winner of the Cacophony Plate
Indian Serenade (Dashrath Singh up) winner of the Zahra Plate
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