The Royal Western India Turf Club deserves a well-earned pat on the back (or perhaps a standing ovation, if you`re feeling generous) for hosting a media day where race cups are named after publications that have been promoting the sport. RWITC has always been a pioneer in so many aspects—unlike some clubs that believe media recognition is as unnecessary as blinkers on a retired warhorse.

Not content with a one-off gesture, RWITC hosts this media day during both the Pune and Mumbai racing seasons, reinforcing the fact that the role of the media is not just to fill columns with numbers and names but to turn casual racegoers into informed enthusiasts. Granted, newspaper coverage of racing has shrunk faster than a jockey`s diet plan, but there`s still decent space dedicated to it, with the Derby hogging the maximum word count, as it rightfully should. Meanwhile, the two websites dedicated to racing continue to ensure that Indian racing isn`t just confined to our borders but is followed far and wide. And speaking as the Editor of Racingpulse—and having once been the founding Editor of the other notable racing site—I extend my thanks to the RWITC Managing Committee for this thoughtful gesture.

Now, on to the action!

Shazaan Shah-trained Credence has been in such irresistible form that even bookmakers were likely feeling a bit queasy about taking her on in the 1200-metre Hindu Trophy. She was bidding for a hat-trick, but given her previous two back-to-back wins, you could argue she was already on a five-timer. To further boost her chances, the trainer made the shrewd call of claiming a five-kilo allowance by putting apprentice Aditya Waydande in the saddle—just to ensure that Credence had every possible edge.

Waydande didn`t overcomplicate things. He shot Credence to the front, and from there, it was a case of “catch me if you can.” They couldn`t. She had a handy lead entering the final furlong, looking as uncatchable as a punter`s misplaced winning ticket. Fighton tried to live up to his name, but his late charge was more hopeful than threatening. In the end, Credence won with a degree of comfort, while Timeless Vision showed some late interest to take third ahead of the second-favourite Azrinaz, who clearly didn`t read the script.

With Credence in this kind of form, she may well continue to pick off races until she`s inevitably thrown into the deep end of graded company. But for now, she`s enjoying the winning habit, and connections will be keen to strike while the iron is hot.

M.K. Jadhav-trained Kavya was the shortest-priced runner of the day, and after narrowly losing to Giacomo last time out, punters clearly weren`t in the mood for another heartbreak. Backed as if defeat was out of the question in the 1200-metre Times of India Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, Kavya initially played it cool, settling in fourth while Wrangler set the pace. But once the field turned for home, it was all over bar the shouting. Kavya flicked the switch, bolted clear, and left the rest scrambling for minor placings in the hands of jockey N S Parmar.

Not that the opposition was totally hopeless—Money Fair at least made a respectable late effort to reduce the margin to something that didn`t look too embarrassing. Noorie, however, was eight lengths adrift in third, just managing to edge out longtime leader Wrangler, who must be wondering why races are never just 1000 metres long.

Meanwhile, veteran trainer Ivor Fernandes, who has had better days in the sun, managed to squeeze yet another win out of Alpha Gene, who already had four victories to his name. Despite this, there was considerable market support for Baleno in the 2000-metre Racingpulse.in Trophy, a race for horses in the lowest class. Hope, as they say, is a wonderful thing—until it meets cold, hard reality.

With jockey Trevor Patel in the saddle, Alpha Gene was always poised to strike, tracking Northbound, who set a solid pace while the others formed a procession behind. When the race entered the business end, Patel barely needed to ask—Alpha Gene swept past Northbound with ease and stormed home, the race long decided before the post arrived. Cascade finished well for second, while Baleno was a no-show when it mattered, trudging home fourth, proving once again that previous second behind Alpha Gene was not a guarantee to his going one better.

The 1200-metre Free Press Journal Trophy, a race for maiden three-year-olds, turned into a thriller—at least for those who enjoy watching favourites self-destruct. Charlie Brown was the overwhelming choice on paper, but someone forgot to tell jockey Neeraj Rawal that keeping a horse in a straight line is generally a good idea. As the favourite wandered outward like a lost tourist, Eastern Monarch, trained by Sanjay Kolse, made the most of his early lead and clung on for dear life at the finish, securing victory by the proverbial whisker in the hands of jockey Sandesh. Backers of Charlie Brown must have been pulling their hair out—what looked like a sure thing turned into an agonizing defeat, all thanks to an unplanned detour. Meanwhile, Charisse just managed to nose out Lightning McQueen for third place.

As for jockey Yash Narredu, he might have needed an alarm clock in his last outing after two of his mounts took long siestas at the gates. This time, however, he was wide awake aboard long-shot Eaton Square, a horse that usually throws away races with sluggish starts. But running in the colors of new owners, Eaton Square clearly decided it was time for a career makeover. He jumped smartly, led from the start, and sprinted clear in the final furlong to win by three lengths, leaving Kimiko and Black Thunder to battle for the minors. As for favourite Endurance—ironically, he didn`t show much of it when it mattered.

Altamash Ahmed-trained Chardikala had shown enough promise in her previous forward run to suggest that a win was on the horizon. And she didn`t disappoint. Taking no chances, jockey Trevor Patel sent Chardikala straight to the front in the 1400-metre Race Mirror Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, and from there, it was a one-act show.

With this victory, Patel pulled level with Sandesh at 25 wins in the battle for the jockeys` championship, ensuring that the title race remains as gripping as ever. Empower did his best to inject some late drama but only managed to cut the margin without ever really threatening. Pure also made up some ground from the rear to take third, while the rest of the field seemed to be there more for a morning canter than any serious competition.