Saturday’s races at Pune unfolded on expected lines as fancied horses dominated the nine-race card. Two individuals, Mr Vijay Shirke and jockey A Sandesh reaped a rich haul. Mr Shirke had the pleasure of leading in four winners while Sandesh went one better booting home five. For trainer Altamash Ahmed, it was another memorable day as his top horse, An Acquired Taste (Strong Contender – G Waitin On O), yet again proved his class winning the Idar Gold Trophy (Gr3) in a gripping finish.   

The Idar Gold Trophy (Gr3) was the feature event of the day. Run over the Derby distance, this race was touted as a straight fight – An Acquired Taste Vs Ocean And Beyond. True to predictions, the race was confined to the two giants in the fray and they fought and how!

Both settled beautifully as Spearhead took off at a steady pace and Angel Crown followed the leader a couple of lengths away. An Acquired Taste and Ocean And Beyond were quick to find their rhythm and were advancing smoothly with Rodeo and Manyatta behind them.

An Acquired Taste made the move first as Sandesh stepped up the pace around the home-turn and shot past Spearhead to take charge. Suraj Narredu, who was constantly keeping an eye on the favourite, advanced to the second spot soon on turning for home. An Acquired Taste had a slight upper hand and when Sandesh asked for the drive, the gelding responded with a game gallop. Ocean And Beyond started to close in at the distance post and it was evident that the challenger was going to stretch the favourite. Sandesh was forceful and he rode out An Acquired Taste. Suraj too was getting all he could out of Ocean And Beyond. Both the jockeys were in their elements and Ocean And Beyond rallied gamely to pose a stiff challenge. However, An Acquired Taste stood firm and stayed the trip well to ward off Ocean And Beyond and win by a narrow margin. Ocean And Beyond fought gallantly and gave his best, yet had to return second best in a gripping finish. For the spectators, this was a treat to watch and since both the horses enjoyed large following, the decibels in the stands went soaring high.

The day certainly belonged to owner Mr Vijay Shirke and jockey A Sandesh. While the famous silks  - Green and red sash was prominent in four races, Sandesh bettered his own personal mark by one as he rode out five winners in a single day.

Sandesh started off on a winning note guiding Veena’s Star (Razeen – Veena’s Pet) to victory in the opening event. Sitting in a striking third position behind Stella and Money Strike, Veena’s Star improved to second soon on straightening up for home. Stella kicked on to make a race of it, but Sandesh got Veena’s Star to double up and egged the Todywalla ward on to surge past Stella and score a comfortable victory. This was Veena’s Star’s maiden victory which came in her seventh start.

Vijay Shrikes’ Port Blair (Noverre – Shanley) received strong support and the Shroff trained chestnut provided a lot to cheer for to his large number of followers as he tackled a stiff challenge from Emerging Star in the final furlong.  At the start, Rule Forever and So True were in front, Port Blair along the rails with Dreamliner and Emerging Star running the widest.

Emerging Star was quick to improve positions and was right alongside leader Rule Forever entering the homestretch. Port Blair had to shift out and create room to make his run. Imran Chisty confidently made his moves and poked through the gap as Emerging Star sped ahead to establish a narrow lead. Once he saw daylight, Port Blair surged forward and although Emerging Star resisted, it was a matter of time before Port Blair would get past and score. He did that in the final 100 meters and looked good winning his first start this season and thereby also compiling a three in a row after his back to back double in his earlier two starts in Mumbai.

Belvedere (Authorized – Dutch Auction) in the lowest class seemed the odd one out. He proved that he had no business being there in the first place. Sent out at cramped odds (6/10), Belvedere completely outclassed her opponents needless to say – effortlessly.

Romantic Beauty set a moderate pace and led comfortably with Ashwa Yodhaa and Yodha Shakti in tow, a couple of lengths away was Demonic and Belvedere in fifth.

Belvedere improved positions approaching the final turn and was one behind Romantic Beauty when they straightened up for the final run. Romantic Beauty had no answer when Belvedere ambled alongside and galloped smoothly ahead to notch up her maiden victory in an impressive fashion. Distance is evidently Belvedere’s forte and the filly is all set for sterner tests ahead.      

Clinton (Razeen – Veena’s Pet) ridden by Imran Chisty put in a spirited run to provide the third success for the Shirkes. The favourite Scarlet Pimpernel was slowly off but recovered gradually to not let that to be the reason for his failure. Okawango and Invictus were at the helm with Blue Ace being worked upon as they turned for home. Clinton improved from the fifth spot and soon surged past Invictus to take charge approaching the distance post. Blue Ace, Cent Per Cent and Scarlet Pimpernel were vying hard to get close to Clinton, however, Imran Chisty had sped away with Clinton to gallop out of reach in the latter half of the home stretch. Blue Ace worked hard to clinch the runner-up berth from Cent Per Cent who ended short-head ahead of the favourite.

Novak (Ace – Premier Collection) snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat nearly as Sandesh was persistent all through the final 400 meters. Adams Spirit guided the field homeward and soon Monteray surged ahead to gain the early upper hand. He soon built a handy lead and was galloping well when Novak started to warm up. Sandesh atop Novak had considerable ground to cover and with Monteray not showing signs of slowing down, the onus was on Novak to make a race of it.

Both Novak and Sandesh deserve credit to pull off a sensational victory close home. Novak started to inch closer to Monteray in the final furlong and the determined effort bore fruit when Novak quickened remarkably in the final fifty. He just managed to peg back Monteray and score his second victory this season and provide the Shirkes their fourth success of the day.

Rosie Sunshine (Lawman – Fresh Bread) notched yet another win following her emphatic last start victory.  She was quick at start and sped away to lead the field and had Stiletto, Cosmic Dancer and Fontainebleau chasing her closely until the turn. Once into the straight, Rosie Sunshine tore away with an impressive gallop stretching away from the rest. CS Jodha had little to do as Rosie Sunshine knew her script well and stormed home clocking an impressive 1:10:38 for the six-furlong sprint. Stiletto impressed too for a first run and she too managed to clock under 1:11 to run a noteworthy second.     

The most impressive winner of the day was Knight Of Ke (Noverre – Sweet Affair). With a decent run behind him Knight Of Ke looked a lot fitter and tuned in the paddock. The odds dwindled on Knight Of Ke and his paddock looks would surely have been one of the reasons for this sharp fall in price.

Jockey Joy Chinoy was calm, eased the favourite into the mid-bunch, and gradually improved to third behind Su o Moto and Noble Reward approaching the turn. He then sailed into the lead and once in the straight, he sped away, lengthening his strides to romp home in style. Such a fashionable victory in only his second career start augurs well for a promising career ahead for Knight of Ke.   

Zoraavar (Ace – Lecce) was the highest priced winner of the day. Sandesh settled Zoraavar behind Capri with Que Sera Sera in close attendance and Amara hovering thereabouts. Protector of Paris never found his rhythm and was not prominent at any stage.

Capri stubbornly held on to the lead and Zoraavar had to fight briefly to shake her off. He did that inside the final furlong and soon piled up a winning lead. Amara took his time warming up but when he did, he covered some ground to end chasing him winner. Capri held on to the third spot implying that over a shorter sprint, she would do well.

For the professionals, Sandesh led the way with five winners. Trainers P Shroff saddle three winners while Dallas Todywalla scored a double. Imran Chisty too chipped in with two winners for the day.