Enceladus

Aurora Aurealis was just not herself. She did not dash for the early lead which is her wont and in the straight, simply did not quicken and failed to make any worthwhile impact on the race. Enceladus, was the one to show a lot of alacrity from the start and managed to lead the pack. Ekhabinskya was cautious and only tracked alongside Enceladus rather than go for a substantial lead, as she is known to do in the past.
 
Enceladus (Black Cash – Selerina Song) drove home the advantage in the straight and fought courageously until the very end. Ekhabinskya, the only challenger to Enceladus, put up a tough fight but just could not get that extra bit to pass the winner. The duo was off the gates together and stuck it out all the way to the finish, Enceladus maintaining a slender lead all the way. For trainer Ms Nazak Chinoy, this was a memorable first victory on the Pune turf. Jockey Dashrath Singh did a good job atop Enceladus and can take the credit of doing his bit in the success.
 
Feona (Hymn – Fabulous Fiorella) impressed in her first outing and went past the more fancied Moon Flower soon on turning for home. Chasing Moon Flower from early on, Feona moved readily ahead when alerted to the task and established a winning lead early in the straight. River Rule disappointed and will need to be sharpened up and this may take a couple of runs. Noble Salute had to be coxed to find his rhythm for long after the start but when he got into the galloping mode, he covered good ground to claim the runner up berth forn Moon Flower. Nobel Salute and Chanakya to an extent did well off the beaten lot, the latter coming form behind to make it to the judges frame. Great White was another disappointment.

The Atomic Prince Plate, was won by the trainer of Atomic Prince Mansoor Shah. Golden Grace was the public fancy who went on a successful start to finish mission. Forest Native was quick to take the jump but was quickly passed by Golden Grace and Up North. Golden Grace (Ontario – Arctic Show) galloped at a comfortable pace and was closely followed by Up North and Forest Native. Once in the straight, jockey Rajendra pressed the button and Golden Grace sped further. Forest Native tried hard to make a fight of it but made little impression on the winner. Up North ended a decent third.

Sea Treasure (Warrshan – Aerodynamic) won by the skin of his teeth as stablemate Sea Queen threatened to pull a huge upset. The money back favorite had his share of worry all right when after taking over from front-runner Alaska, Sea Treasure built a 2-length lead in the straight but Sea Queen was clearly gaining on him briskly. Jockey Imran Chisty had to do all he could to ensure the timing of the bob of the head was spot on. Jockey S Sameer could have been better and will regret the missed chance, or would he? The finish however was too close for the piping hot favorite and the odds for the photo finish result, if there was one, would have been a lot higher than the pre-race win odds offered on the favorite. El Bunduq improved a couple of notches to end third. Barbara, who veered left at the start and ran wide off the rails all through, did well to figure in the frame and merits consideration over a longer distance. Barbara looked very fit in the paddock.

Phosphor (Trans Island – Inventive) from Imtiaz’s yard received tremendous support. Classic Ruler drifted in the betting at race time. Classic Ruler was unfortunate to receive a bad check soon after the start when a chain reaction caught him on the inside tightened by Knight of Windsor and this check was bad enough to put him out of the reckoning. Phosphor gained ground rapidly and was in the lead at the turn. Once into the straight, Phosphor built a decisive lead and all Highland Music could do was to shorten the margin of victory. Phosphor won decisively and looked in great heart. Sail Thru, who got a flying start held on to earn place money ahead of the fast finishing Devilitto.

Black Falcon reared up awkwardly in the gates and was withdrawn. Jockey Srinath hurt himself in the process and could not fulfill his riding engagements for the rest of the day. As the gates flung open, Rufuse To Bend was planted and jumped out late losing all his chances.

Lyrical Lass slipped into the lead and kept going very well all the way to post a comfortable victory. Cloud Cover Secret Agenda and Step By Step were in close vicinity but none could come up with any worthwhile challenge. Step By Step was the one to finish on well and take the runner’s up berth. Secret Agenda did his best, but could only settle for the third. Cloud Cover got a dream rail run but just could not quicken but managed to stay in view at the winning post.

Cameo (Major Impact – Lovely Fantasy) ran a copy book race, everything going well for the Faisal Abbas ward ridden by DK Ashish. Sitting well up with the front runners Cameo tore through the close huddled quartet 300 m from the winning post. Favorite Flaming Arrow was well poised at the turn but was clearly outpaced. He clearly looked rusty and in no shape to force his way up. Cameo surged ahead nicely and warded a strong challenge posted by Highland Bounty who never let Cameo get too far, but never could pass Cameo either. Sierra Vista finished on well and considering that the filly took the turn wide and had quite a number in front of her, her effort to finish in the money was noteworthy.

Chotee Begum disappointed a large following and the top weight made no impact whatsoever in the last race of the day. King’s Troop led the field with Tromos in close attendance, Chotee Begum was not too far behind, with La Joie De Vie and Tyumen. Tromos took charge early in the straight and galloped on to stride away from the rest. Tymen came in peg back La Joie De Vie. Solor was the one to finish on fastest to end up in the frame.