The Pune Racing Season is drawing to a close but the fight for the 'Championship Trainer’ title is far from over. With just two more race days to go, Pesi Shroff has managed to run the contest close and has come to within three strikes of Narendra Lagad. Lagad, in fact, had a staggering 17 runners on the day and if not an all-time record, it certainly is for this Pune season. I have just learnt that Lagad has entered 82 horses for the coming weekend's races and that definitely should be an all-time record! It will be interesting to note how many of them will eventually run, but one thing is certain - Narendra Lagad is not going to let go off his lead too easily and Shroff has his work cut out to topple the reigning Pune Champion Trainer.

Set Alight

Pesi closed in on Lagad with two brilliant winners he saddled on Sunday – Set Alight and Giannatassio. Set Alight (Razeen–Set Aside) only had to complete the formality of getting off the blokes and heading home which she did as if she was on her morning stroll. Her strides were fluent and Malesh Narredu did not hide the fact that he was toying with the opposition. Golden Symbol was sticking close to one of India's best fillies to grace the tracks and as they turned for home, Malesh was looking back as if he had vested interests in the 'second horse pool'! Set Alight clocked 1:25.94 and believe me I couldn't make out if she was going to the starting gates or returning. Such was her brilliance.

Giannatassio (Siphon–Puerto Plata), also making his debut on the Pune track late in the season, posted a handsome victory. Katania, Alaska and the favourite Highland Bounty were nearly abreast with Giannatassio following a couple of lengths away. In the straight, Katania kicked on even as Alaska and Highland Bounty applied pressure, Giannatassio joined the fight at the distance post. In the last 100 metres, Giannatassio, aided by Rajendra's power-packed finish, sped past them all to land the spoils. Katania stubbornly held on to the second spot while mention must be made of Classic Ruler who came from a long way back (he was second last at bend) to edge out both Highland Bounty and Alaska to claim the place money.

Rajendra then confidently rode Firefoot (Diffident–Cartier Million) to a fluent victory for a back-to-back double. Settled into the fourth position, Firefoot was well in touch with frontrunners Algo Mas, Wafadar and Spica. Into the straight, Algo Mas could not quicken and Firefoot was fast closing in. A little over 200 m to go, Firefoot burst on to the scene and drew away to stamp his authority. Premier Perception ran on well to finish ahead of Spica and Algo Mas. Firefoot, after a somewhat rusty beginning to the season has hit form and will be in the reckoning in Mumbai as well.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait also saddled a double and a lucrative one at that. He opened with a bang stumping all and sundry with a friendless Raging Star coming to the fore in the very first race of the day. Onus Probandi and Paper King were the most sought after 'jodi' and the others in the fray were not considered a threat to the lead pair. Onus Probandi took over the running close behind was Stefano, Sail Thru and Paper King, another couple of lengths behind was Raging Star (Ontario–Synergy). Onus Probandi still looked good enough nearing the distance post but soon after, both Paper King and Raging Star came at full throttle. Raging Star, who had taken the turn wide, got stronger towards the winning post and shocked the field in no uncertain terms. Paper King nosed out Onus Probandi for the second while Fidel Defensor came from behind to figure in the frame.

Nora (Placerville–Free Radical) was Imtiaz's second for the day and boy, did the filly fly!  Saltoro, who had a solid victory and a commendable 5th place in the SA Poonawalla Million to show, was the firm favourite, or was he? The odds drifted on Saltoro from on-money to 2/1 at race time. On the track, Saltoro was not a patch of his earlier self and was under pressure even at the half-way stage. Malesh had to urge him, push him and even give him a crack or two and they hadn't even turned the bend. Needless to say, Saltoro couldn't produce anything of note and faded away to be a poor fourth. Nora was the one who hogged the limelight. Sitting well off the pace, Nora made gradual progress and was prominent as they turned for home. Dancing Glory shot into the lead but his hope ended as Nora surged past in a trice and accelerated further to score a convincing victory. Dancing Glory had to be content with the second place while Blue Mountain ended a tame third. Saltoro was a poor fourth.

Rubidum (Royal Gladiator–Hypatia) created a flutter in the Starsky Trophy beating a fancied trio of debutant Devilitto, Blue jay and Centreofattention. Devilitto was quick to start and was followed by Blue Jay Golden Kingdom. Centreofattention and Rubidium followed close behind. Devilitto bowed out soon in the straight as Blue Jay took charge. Centreofattention was all out and trying hard to hang in there. Rubidium, despite taking the turn wide and shifting out further, came up with a sustained run and got past Blue Jay close home.

Solskjaer (Bee's Prospector–Silk Tapestry) finished on gamely getting past fancied Maverick in a gutsy manner. Maverick attempted to make it a start to finish effort and got it right till the distance post. Solskjaer stalking the leaders in fourth seized the opportunity when he got one early in the straight. He poked through horses and surfaced early in the straight to stride past Maverick after a brief tussle. Surmount did well to finish gaining place money and Queens Court came from a long way back to get on to the frame. Can Can also covered good ground to end just one off the frame.

Matata Pride saw Malesh in his elements and the gritty jockey rode out a brilliant race to wrest the once lost initiative back closer home. Matata Pride (Indictment–Zuni) was the firm favorite. Mercedes was next in demand. Sparrow Hawk brushed up to take over the running and led the field till the home turn. Matata Pride was close behind and Mercedes never let the favorite out of sight. At the turn Matata Pride easily surged past sparrow Hawk and soon Mercedes also came alongside. The pair pulled away from the rest and the fight was confined between the two. Mercedes put up a brave fight and it took a superlative effort from Malesh to drive home with power and Matata Pride too renewed his zest and produced that little extra in the last few strides to wrest back the initiative and spare half a length at the finish.