Trainer Magan Singh Jodha and jockey Malesh Narredu shared the limelight on Sunday's races at Pune. Malesh won the FD Wadia Trophy (Gr 2), the plum event of the day, astride Aurora Aurealis (Indictment – Indiscretion) and followed that up with another well fought victory astride Hymns To Freedom. Magan saddled a fine treble with Sepia Tone, Hymns To Freedom and Radiating.

Aurora Aurealis (Indictment – Indiscretion) was offered at 2 1/2, slightly higher than the favourite Antonios. As the gates flung open, Aurora Aurealis hit the front with Feet Of Flames and Fire Within following close behind. Divine was a couple of lengths away alongside Antonios and Flaming Ace, the other two were never in the hunt. Malesh went at a steady gallop and got to serious work immediately on turning for home. Rajendra looked on the inside to find Divine making progress and generously moved out of the way as he was falling back. Fire Within was a spent force. Antonios and Flaming Ace were moving up but Aurora Aurealis had by then established a handy lead and was kicking on. Divine was the only one in sight and Appu was launching a worthy assault, inching closer with every stride. However, Malesh had judged the race to perfection and had enough left in Aurora Aurealis to hold by 3/4 of a length at the winning post. Divine was all out and the superior horse won. Antonios clearly needed this serious run as he could not reproduce his mock race performance. It would not be the wisest thing to write him off. Antonios will surely rise early.

Malesh stretched his good riding form when he helped Magan's charge Hymns To Freedom win the Governor's Trophy (Div 1) upsetting the favourite Roaming Fame. Hymns To Freedom (Hymn – Princess Riyahi) battled hard to score narrowly in the final furlong. Roaming Fame hit the front and led all the way into the straight. Pomme De Terre settled close behind the leader and Hymns To Freedom was a handy third till they turned. Once in the straight, Pomme De Terre galloped strongly and got the measure of an equally fighting Roaming Fame and nearing the distance post Malesh with some sustained riding got alongside the fighting duo. Pomme De Terre fought all the way and never gave up, but Hymns To Freedom responding well, although under punishment, stretched his neck well in front at the all important end.  Do not give up on Roaming Fame, he will be a worthy future prospect.

Magan had had an auspicious beginning to the day when hotly fancied Sepia Tone (Case Law – Pussy Cat) caused no anxiety while winning the first race unchallenged. Her customary start to finish style this time came in handy and none from behind even got close to her. Bu Attifel was rusty initially but warmed up late to run a good second despite taking the turn wide. He finished on very well and merits watching in his next run. The ever consistent ten year old Latest News once again earned place money to stubbornly hold Discover, another old timer (11 year old), sparing a neck at the post.

Magan ended the day on a winning note as well when the well backed Radiating (Senure – Radiant) romped home by a decent margin. As they jumped out, there was a rush for the early lead and Radiating sprinted ahead at 800 to go clearly ahead. Elementto Angel, Intimacy, Heifitz and Ring Bearer were in a bunch, but I would like to single out Premier Perception who was at that stage racing last of 10. The Imtiaz ward rose from the dead and although he did not figure on board he finished just off by a short head behind Elementto Angel. A noteworthy effort indeed! Keep an eye on this filly. Radiating meanwhile was oblivious to what was happening behind and with a "couldn't-care-less" attitude bounded away for a convincing victory to delight of her supporters and of course her beaming trainer who deserves all the praise for his tremendous success. Radiating can repeat depending on the set of opposition she next encounters. Ring Bearer impressed me more than the runner up Heifitz.

Secret Pilgrim (Alnasr Alwasheek – Star Spangled) duly scored an encore as professed by yours truly after her last start victory. He didn't have it as easy this time but won convincingly nonetheless. In mid bunch until they straightened up, Secret Pilgrim was spotted only at the 300 metre. Seillans had weakened after bringing the field homewards. Prince Lochinva soon took charge with Romantic Impact throwing in his challenge. The favourite, Gentle Knight could not quicken and was getting nowhere. At this point Secret Pilgrim burst on to the scene and sailed past the fighting trio to cruise to a comfortable victory. Prince Lochinva ended a good second while Romantic Impact and Gentle Knight would need to improve. Among the beaten brigade, Flashing Flame made good progress after being slowly off and losing ground at the start. Look for him over an extended trip.

Star Girl floored the opposition with a dazzling display of speed in the final furlong. Stellar Affair headed them homewards and in hot pursuit were Kiss Away, Daffodils, Blue Daffodils and Desert Sky. Star Girl (Diffident – Mizvicki) sneaked ahead through the rails and flashed pass them all at the distance post and they were all in futile chase once she drew ahead. The next three all ran well but found the winner too good. Little separates them and venturing to predict their fortunes next time round would be a mean task. Each of them will put up a brave fight -  that would be a safe conclusion! Still, if I were to throw caution to the winds, I am tempted to show a slight bias towards Desert Sky. This one is on pure intuition.

IL Divo (Orpen – Porto Elounda) finally earned a long due wining bracket. Battle scarred after his fighting performances in all his previous outings, the Shroff trainee finally delivered and how! Getting a flyer at the start had become a habit to this Shirke + Mehta gelding, but he never had stretched it past the winning post. However, in this maidens' set he was too good for his rivals and won as he liked clocking the fastest timing of the day. IL Divo was chased all the time by Centreofattention just a little over a length behind but once they turned for home, IL Divo put the contest beyond the rest and cruised to register an impressive win. Centreofattention could only watch the lead building up. Phosphor was the only one to make progress in the straight. From seventh at the bend, the Imtiaz filly enjoying her first outing ended up earning place money. IL Divo was emphatic in his maiden victory and would be in a hurry to add to the newly opened account. That Rajendra never had to use the whip even once and the manner of victory is suggestive that IL Divo is developing into a fiery sprinter.

Mysterious Heights attracted a lot of betting and was backed down to evens or even less at race time. Artistic Liason surprisingly drifted to the fours. The favourite started the proceedings and had a useful lead entering the straight. Marmaris and Artistic Liason (China Visit – Dangerous Liason) started to get closer. Mysterious Heights despite coming under severe punishment from the jockey faltered towards the finish when Artistic Liason, under some hard and determined riding from Srinath, collared him meters before the winning post. Both, the winner and the runner up were all out. The winner did cover a lot of ground but this victory was a laboured one and not convincing enough to enthuse confidence next time. Marmaris ran a decent third and Queens Court came from a long way back to figure in the frame.

Juventus (Glory Of Dancer – Flying Home) had a mock race behind him and was under the spotlight as much is expected from this impressive campaigner from Shah's yard. He had started his Mumbai campaign losing to Red Romeo at level weights and by the end of the season had beaten Red Romeo receiving 5 kilos. His first run in Pune therefore, generated a lot of interest and boy did he put up a great show!  Settling into the fifth, Juventus pounced on the pretenders and stormed past them all to batter the opposition to submission. He was simply class apart adding 8 lengths in no time! His run was such a blinder that one would have almost missed the spirited effort of Athena! The Shroff filly was languishing in the last position till the turn. In the straight, Athena literally flew past the rest and ended an impressive second. With this run behind her, Athena looks ready to strike over a similar sprint. Athena to me looks a certainty in her next outing.

Most racing enthusiasts expected the Sub-Area Commander's Trophy a toss up between Princess Ruby and Artistical. Last start winner Wild Torronaado (Juniper – Crystial Girl) was thus available at longer odds. Artistical put in a fighting performance while Princess Ruby was just not up to the task. Artistical made the running right from the start and led the field homewards. Wild Torronaado quickly moved in second and wasn't too far behind the leader. Princess Ruby came next and that's the order in which they came into view. Artistical and Wild Torronaado then began a duel which the latter conquered passing the favourite in front of the grand stands. Artistical resisted strongly but Wild Torronaado turned on the heat in the closing stages and prevailed in the end. Princess Ruby disappointed and a poor fourth. Golden Spurs did well to come into place money.

The day certainly belonged to trainer MP Jodha for his treble and jockey Malesh Narredu for his double. Juventus was the most impressive winner and Athena a worthy runner up.