The eagerly awaited fight for supremacy between Zervan and Sandesh was not as electric as one expected. Both had a list of engagements lined up for the day, but could only draw level at the end of the day with a solitary victory each. Zervan thus goes into the final day with the comfort of being two ahead in the tally and is firmly on course to win the jockeys’ championship title.

Dallas Todywalla trained War Horse (Raven – Margarita Rita) showed tremendous potential and promise while scoring his maiden victory over a scurry, clocking a nippy 58:74 over the five-furlong race for maidens. The manner of victory too was aggressive and War Horse dominated his way to his first career win with a promise that more would follow.

Rajsamman, another bright prospect, slipped into the early lead with an alert start and headed the field galloping at a crisp pace. War Horse settled just behind him and the duo did not allow any to get past them. Both Rajsamman and War Horse kept the others at bay as the soon surged ahead once into the homestretch. Rajsamman quickened well initially and had a slight upper hand in the first half of the straight. Trevor alerted War Horse approaching the distance post and War Horse responded with a tremendous forward surge. Trevor didn’t have to do mush after that. War Horse galloped ahead trouncing Rajsamman and company to log his first winning bracket in style. He surely has the potential to mature well and is one of the promising three-year-olds to watch out for in Pune. Wasabi, the other contender with a substantial following did little of note. Sansani kicked on to beat Wasabi for the third spot.

Trevor later scored again in the day’s concluding race partnering Sunderji’s Dreams R Mine (Hurricane State – Just Amazing) to his second victory on the trot, this time beating favourite Gates of Heaven close home, coming in late with a blinding run.

Dreams R Mine was nowhere in sight as Gottawearshades led the field with Gates of Heaven in strong contention right behind. Windmill Lady looked good when she made progress and there seemed no other threat to the trio in front.  Gottawearshades was fighting on bravely and causing apprehensions to Gates of Heaven who was not passing the leader as he was expected to.  Windmill Lady too was constantly asking questions with the winning post in sight. In a sudden swoosh, Trevor got Dreams R Mine bursting on the scene and snatched the race away with telling strides. Gates of Heaven saved face by nosing out Windmill Lady and Gottawearshades in a fighting finish for the minor placing.

Port Blair (Noverre – Shanley) scored with an electrifying run in the final part of the race. Zervan seemed confident even as Port Blair was not in the best of positions entering the straight. Celsius, Twilight, Mountain Song and Astromia were in the front grappling for the lead. Past 300, Celsius and Twilight were slightly ahead of Mountain Song making her bid through the inner rails. The trio was battling hard when Port Blair produced a singeing run from the wider outside. Mountain Song had barely taken over from the fighting duo when Port Blair appeared all guns blazing to seal the issue meters from the winning post. Port Blair too clocked an impressive timing of 58:89 to score his second victory on the trot this season. Mountain Song missed out narrowly for the second time after conceding by half a length to Martinique the last time out. Celsius was consistent yet again and was not too far behind while earning place money. Classic Ruler too made rapid ground to finish taking a slot in the frame.

Polynesia (Razeen – Pearls of Thought) duly compiled an impressive hat-trick and indiarace.com nominated ‘day’s best’ won handsomely at nourishing odds. Racing in the mid-bunch, Polynesia caught up with the front-runners soon after they turned for home. Tell Me More retired soon after and it was Il Moran who poked through to head Jen’s Glory and Zoltan. Polynesia picked up crisp momentum and soon went sailing clear to post another impressive victory. Jockey Ashhad Asbar eased the Sanjay Kolse trained filly past IL Moran to trounce them all and gallop away to a facile victory despite the weight she was giving her rivals. Il Moran and Zoltan ran on to take the minor placing.

Ashhad had, in the earlier race, guided Impressive Touch to a victory with widening margin. The Imtiaz Sait ward won from start to finish without encountering any resistance at all. Impressive Touch led soon on the jump and the rest followed in close order until the turn. Once in the straight, Impressive Touch quickened nicely to dismiss the opposition flying away to a runaway victory. This was indeed a one horse race as none in the fray measured up to the dominance of Impressive Touch. Perfect Strength fought out with Equinox to take the runner-up slot almost 6 lengths behind the winner.  

Moon Shadow (Noverre – Racy Description) was another one who piled on an undisputed victory. Taking over the running soon on settling down, Moon Shadow found a good rhythm going and entered the straight with a sizable lead. ON turning for home, Moon Shadow looked completely in command and soon amassed a winning lead. He looked the winner long way from home and he galloped on majestically past the grand stands to come off all alone. Calypso Queen improved a couple of positions to run second while Queens Kiss emerged from the rear bunch to end in the money. Zoe too was far too late on the scene and could only do enough to find a place in the frame.

Colossus disappointed yet again and the on-money favourite was squarely beaten by Honest Pleasure (Ikhtyar – Charlize) over the same distance they ran over last time out. Honest Pleasure timed his run to perfection this time as he raced closer to the rear for most of the nine furlong journey, Neeraj keeping a watchful eye on Colossus until they turned for home.

Eclipsed brought the field home with Savage Garden trying hard to keep pace. Colossus too was within vicinity with Honest Pleasure ready to pounce along the inside. Honest Pleasure did not waste any time once they straightened up for the final run and was quick to grab the upper hand going into the final furlong. Neeraj rode out Honest Pleasure and soon built a handy lead. Colossus tried hard to catch up with less than 100 to go, but Honest Pleasure stood up to the challenge and the Rehanullah Khan trainee kicked on gamely to stay well ahead at the wire.

Barringo (Alnasr Alwasheek – Maria T) put in a spirited gallop to spoil the party for Step Up who looked pretty good to last out the final furlong. Step Up progressed well from initial fourth to lay second on straightening up. Sandesh looked set to narrow the deficit to Zervan’s tally as he sailed ahead with Step Up with less than 300 to go. Step Up had a two something lead when Barringo warmed up inside the last 150 meters. Barringo shot ahead and streaked past Step Up with a telling gallop to win with a lot to spare.

Prince Arius (Tirol – Canadian Fame) found his touch and produced a timely run to beat fancied Twittillator in the final furlong. Twittillator slipped into to the lead soon on turning for home as he got past leader Always Smile. Twittillator looked good until the final furlong. Prince Arius was in the middle of a thick bunch and once he found his way out of the cluster, Prince Arius forged ahead and easily got past Twittillator to post a comfortable victory.  

For the professionals, jockeys P Trevor and Ashhad Asbar scored a double each.