Champion trainer Pesi Shroff continued his remarkable dominance of Indian racing when the highly-rated D`Artagnan captured the Gr 1 Zavaray S. Poonawalla Colts Championship, the second classic of the Bangalore Summer Season on Sunday. While D`Artagnan justified his superior credentials with an authoritative display, debut winner Stud Poker emerged with considerable credit after mounting a spirited challenge before yielding to class. The performance stamped D`Artagnan as a leading Derby prospect.

If Indian racing had a loyalty programme for classics, Pesi Shroff would have redeemed enough points by now to own the catalogue. The champion trainer added another prized trophy to his bulging cabinet when D`Artagnan justified his superior ratings to annex the Gr 1 Zavaray S. Poonawalla Colts Championship, the second classic of the Bangalore Summer season on Sunday.

The race, however, was far from a solo performance. Prasanna Kumar-trained Stud Poker, who had made a smashing debut in the style of a colt blessed with immense potential, had many admirers believing that the expected improvement from his first outing would bridge the experience gap. But on strict ratings, D`Artagnan stood head and shoulders above the field.

Zayan dictated the pace with Seige Storm and Stud Poker in close attendance, followed by Knotty Emperor, D`Artagnan and the two outsiders, who were mere passengers in a race travelling at express speed. Turning for home, Suraj Narredu sent Knotty Emperor to the front while Stud Poker launched his challenge with purpose. Meanwhile, D`Artagnan was travelling ominously well and, when asked for an effort, quickly ranged alongside.



For a fleeting moment, Stud Poker and D`Artagnan locked horns in an absorbing duel. But class eventually prevailed. D`Artagnan found more under pressure, quickened away and won with a measure of comfort, confirming his status as the best colt in the field and handing Pesi Shroff yet another classic success. By now, the champion trainer`s rivals must feel like actors repeatedly auditioning for roles in a film where Shroff already owns the script, directs the action and invariably takes the final bow.

Stud Poker lost little in defeat. The manner in which he fought after making only his second appearance suggested that richer rewards await him. With careful placement during the monsoon season, he should win his share of the plums. The Derby next month, however, may come a shade too soon for him to reverse the verdict on D`Artagnan and, more significantly, tackle the exceptional filly Margaretta, who looms large over the forthcoming classic.

As for Pesi Shroff, Indian racing has almost become accustomed to his extraordinary feats. Such is the depth of his arsenal that one champion barely exits stage left before another takes centre stage. Rivals continue to dream, owners continue to flock to his stable and racegoers have almost made a habit of beginning every classic with the same question: “Which horse has Pesi got?” More often than not, the answer proves to be the winning one.

Prasanna Kumar-trained Prokofiev was allowed the luxury of establishing a sizeable uncontested lead and duly made every yard count in the 2000 metres Civil Service Cup, a race for horses rated 60 to 85. Jockey Akshay Kumar let Prokofiev stride out freely in front and with the others content to race at their own pace, the front runner was gifted an unchallenged advantage. Armed with plenty in reserve, Prokofiev had enough left to repel the late challenge of favourite Caccini, who was left with impossible fractions to bridge and had to settle for second. Ice Of Fire was a disappointing third.

Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Rizz brooked no opposition in the 1200 metres International Yoga Day Plate, a race for maiden three-year-olds. Racing in a handy second till the final bend, Rizz quickly settled the issue on entering the straight and left the field standing with a devastating burst of speed. Favourite Osaka failed to find an extra gear and had to be content with second, the margin between the two widening to five lengths at the finish. Astrid finished third.

S. John-trained Stefan made every post a winning one in the 1100 metres Bergamo Plate (Division I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Apprentice jockey Vishal Shivhare sent the filly straight to the front and Stefan never looked in danger thereafter, winning comfortably. The heavily backed Hushed found the leader too quick and finished second, leaving his supporters nursing shattered hopes. Supreme Success filled the third spot.

A quiet touch was successfully landed on M.R. Singh-trained Amazing Storm in the lower division. Sent to the front, Amazing Storm maintained a relentless gallop and had enough left to stave off the challenge of the heavily-supported Anzac Parade, who faced a desperate task in pursuit and had to settle for second. Dr Colchester finished third.

As many as four horses came in for strong support in the 1100 metres Bergamo Plate (Division II), another contest for horses rated 20 to 45. Mystical Queen attempted runaway tactics and held sway till the final furlong before weakening. Estafania then took charge, only to be overwhelmed late by Shobhan Babu-trained My Solitaire. Fourth horse in serious betting Legendary Impact came up with a wet sail but raced extremely wide and that proved costly as she fell short by a narrow margin. The lower division was won by Lokanath-trained Majestic Persona, who justified the avalanche of support by romping home ahead of ante-post favourite Aphelion. Super Kind finished third. Both divisions witnessed massive betting plunges, suggesting that hidden virtues attract more money than exposed form and, more often than not, with good reason.

Bharath Singh-trained Dardanus came up with a well-timed run to capture the 1800 metres Noble Princess Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Oxytocin set a suicidal pace in front and remarkably held sway deep into the straight before paying the price for her early exertions. Dardanus swooped late to score from Stentorian and Mandate, while the brave but exhausted Oxytocin faded to finish fourth.