Malesh Narredu trained Pioneer ran way above expectations to bring off a big surprise in the Gr 1 Pune Derby, the star event of the Pune Racing Season held on Sunday. The race was developing on expected lines with two outstation challengers Desperado and Knotty Ash fighting it out along with local hope Excellent when Pioneer found wings along the rails to pip these horses at the post.

A poor quality of seven runners was in the fray and among the contestants, Desperado who had won thrice in impressive fashion was considered as the best. If one probed the pedigree of the contestants, almost all of them were suspect stayers as they appeared to be more suitable for a mile-long trip. Big races are generally won by big jockeys because temperament is a crucial factor and the connections of Desperado perhaps erred in having the inexperienced Arshad Alam to guide the fortunes of the favourite. Desperado came close to winning but a stronger and more experienced jockey could have turned things in favour of the favourite. The Derby was yet another lost opportunity for trainer Neil Darashah who for the second successive time lost a Derby in a tight finish.

Excellent was another brilliant miler being asked to stay longer which was to test him to the hilt. The trainer of Knotty Ash, Prasanna Kumar had his ward as a final entry and this reflected his confidence in the progeny of Gusto. His move very nearly paid off but for the surprise improvement shown by Pioneer who incidentally was the most experienced horse in the fray but had failed to build on his juvenile form. There was every reason to believe that the race could prove tricky under the circumstances and it lived up to the billing. The pity though is that the winner took home just Rs 24 lakhs, the lowest for any Derby winner in recent history.

As the horses settled down for the mile and quarter trip, Cavarozzi showed eagerness to take charge ahead of Knotty Ash. Desperado was third followed by Excellent, Truly Epic, Pioneer and Bushtops. Knotty Ash took over the running on turning for home with Desperado and Excellent joining the issue. The battle was confined to Knotty Ash and Desperado for the length of the final furlong with Excellent weakening. Pioneer in the meanwhile was looking for ground along the rails and there was enough room as the battling duo in front were racing three horses away from the rails. Pioneer took time to warm up but when he began to gain ground, it was clear that the fancied runners would be put to test to retain their lead. Under a forceful ride from Trevor Patel, Pioneer responded well and produced a powerful gallop along the rails to clinch the verdict in the waning yards of the race. Knotty Ash held off Desperado by a whisker. One was not sure why Arshad Alam could not use the whip in the closing stages of the race after changing the whip hand from left to right.

Dallas Todywalla trained Ruffina came up with a scintillating performance in the Gr 3 Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million, a terms race for four-year-olds and over and broke the long-standing course record by clocking an amazing one minute 07.93 seconds by clipping nearly one second from the old record. The success of Ruffina was taken for granted despite the filly conceding weight to her adversaries. The bookmakers offered miserly odds on her success while the rest were available at 10 to 1 and over. Jockey Neeraj Rawal brought Ruffina with a well-timed run through the middle of the course and she measured the front-running Lincoln with a minimum of fuss to storm clear for an outstanding win. Governor General ran on strongly to edge past Lincoln to get the runner-up berth. Ruffina won by four lengths. The race was run at a furious pace in firm going and even the first four finishers bettered the old record by fractions. The progeny of Excellent Art, Ruffina is in a league of her own.

M K Jadhav trained Till End of Time recorded an encore when winning the 1600 metres Pune Police Commissioner`s Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, in amazing fashion. Jockey Sandesh sat last on the fancied runner and made his move only approaching the final bend. The last start winner improved places on the bridle and overhauled the front-running Star Comrade with the jockey not moving a muscle. The way Till End of Time won is suggestive of the fact that the horse has touched peak form and should be backed till beaten. Favourite Star Bright was a tame third.

The Jimmy Umrigar Trophy has been the preserve of trainer Pesi Shroff. Yet again, Stormy Atlantic from his stables swamped the opposition in the 1200 metres Jimmy Umrigar Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds with an aggressive performance. Hitting the front from the word `go`, Stormy Atlantic checked in well clear of the battling duo of Chosen One and favourite Jetfire.

Despite being marginally held up while making his move, Pesi Shroff-trained Arabesque managed to nose out stablemate Seventh Mile in the1000 metres Prudential Champ Trophy, a race for maiden two-year-olds. Ahearn was third while favourite Astounding Bay made no show. This was the first race for two-year-olds held in the country. Last year these races went void.

Bezan Chenoy trained Lord Commander pulled off a thrilling win over Loire in the 1000 metres Vinayk Trophy (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan was suspended for his ride on Lord Commander on the previous occasion. His ride was universally thought to be due to lackadaisical. The jockey had been suspended for long and the matter reached the courts. Chouhan is riding on a stay obtained in the court. Lord Commander was running after that controversial run but was widely expected to make amends for the failure as a favourite. Loire very nearly stole the race, but jockey Trevor Patel`s persevering efforts ensured that Lord Commander pulled off an improbable win. Chouhan was suspended for not riding out the horse to its merit and perhaps Trevor`s riding vindicated the belief of the Stewards. Smart Choice was third. The well-backed Sky Surfer from the stables of Narendra Lagad won the lower division of the race from late-finishing Divine Power. The latter came in for big betting close to race time but the apprentice jockey Raghuveer Singh could not deliver the goods.

Jockey Sandesh produced M K Jadhav trained Brazos with a well-timed run and the fancied runner kept the favourite Lucky Luciano at bay to land the spoils in the 2400 metres Secret Memory Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Dazzle N Daze led all the way before being overhauled by the market fancies close home.

For one who watched the fluctuation in the betting ring, it was easy to spot Narendra Lagad trained Brave as a strong contender for the 1000 metres Beyond Tomorrow Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest category. The odds on Brave shortened from a higher quote and true to market expectations, Brave produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to win easily from Komado Dragon and Art Deco.