Knight Of Ke, (Noverre - Sweet Affair, Sohna Stud), from trainer Pesi Shroff’s stables, scored an admirable third victory in a row, this time lifting the Nirmal Ruia Gold Trophy downing close rival Silver Streak by a length. Knight of Ke was coming into this race with back-to-back wins and was confronting a much tougher bunch than he did in the previous two outings this season. He jumped out smartly and settled close behind favourite Silver Streak, the latter on his usual start to finish mission.

Silver Streak sailed smoothly into the lead maintaining about two lengths over Knight of Ke, who had Papakura for company. Supreme Star and Heatwave came next with Trance and Déjà vu at the tail end.

Silver Streak entered the straight held, with Zervan starting to brush up on the outside. These two then went all out and were clear of the rest. Knight of Ke stretched out nicely and looked the winner a furlong from home even as Silver Streak was sticking alongside fighting all the way. In the final furlong, Knight of Ke had it all in control and surged ahead to score by a length. Supreme Star improved in the finishing stages to end another length away from Silver Streak. Heatwave edged out Trance to claim a place in the frame.

It was a landmark day for young apprentice jockey Yash Narredu. He achieved the ‘forty winners’ mark to shed his allowance claiming status and is now a full-fledged jockey. Yash, all of 17 years of age, started his career earlier this year towards the fag end of the Mumbai season. His first winner was astride Scarlet O'Hara in Bangalore. He never looked back ever since. He went on to share the champion jockey of the season title with cousin Suraj Narredu both tied at 23 winners each. Yash continued his good showing on the Pune track as well and has to date ridden 17 winners and figures in the top three on the jockey’s tally this season. He rode Sun Hot to a comfortable win in the first race to compile his 40th win.

“It is a delightful moment for me,” said Yash. “I was inspired by my dad (Malesh), my uncle (Satish) and cousin (Suraj) who are accomplished jockeys. My Bangalore stint proved crucial for me. Uncle Satish along with Suraj and Rajesh used to give me inputs and we discussed racing all day. They even walked the track with me explaining the importance of gauging the rising ground and how a jockey should hone his skills over different tracks. The Bangalore race track is a difficult track and they helped me learn the art of coping with its various points, the rising ground, the sharp bends and the climb coming into the homestretch. I am thankful to them all for the efforts they put in and the enthusiasm with which they educated me and I lapped up all my lessons with great interest and awe. My dad too is always at hand for any questions I have and believe me I have so many of them. Now with my allowance gone, the challenge will be tougher. I am learning every day and one of the things I have learnt is to gear up for a challenge. I am prepared to ride on in my new start to riding without the weight advantage anymore.”

Beyond Horizons (Ace – Blue Horizon, Poonawalla Stud) won the Phoenix Residences Turf Challenge with an impressive start to finish essay, warding off hot favourite Tap Dance quite tamely. Jockey CS Jodha hit the front soon on start and maintained a healthy lead coming into the straight. Favourite Tap Dance improved to third at the bend and got one behind the leader on straightening for home. CS Jodha cleverly kept his mount a little away from the rails and Zervan was caught in an spell of indecision whether to tackle the leader from the outside or go for the rail run. He tried to do both but neither affected the free striding filly from Sanjay Kolse’s yard. Beyod Horizons kicked on to win with a measure of comfort, keeping Tap Dance at bay. Brown Dynamite showed good spark and is readying to strike soon, specially over a shorter sprint.

The lower division of the race saw rank outsider Essence of Love (Royal Kingdom – Calorescence, Equus Stud) surprise his opponents and the punters alike by dishing out a facile win. Chase the Ace guided the field into the straight once early leader Clouds of Glory packed up. Soon Essence of Love arrived with a telling run. He galloped on with giant strides to surge into the lead soon on turning for home. Jockey SP Ranjane urged the Hormuz Antia gelding on and Essence of Love soon sailed away to score by two and half lengths. Roublesha warmed up far too late, but did well enough to peg back Discourse for the runner-up slot.

Sheer Class (Shamardal – Ripple of Pride, Kunigal Stud) justified the cramped odds and won end to end untroubled. She took off in a flash and led the field comfortably all through. Once into the straight, jockey Trevor gave her a couple of reminders and the filly surged even further away from the rest. Fortune Hunter tried to make a fight of it, but simply could not match with Sheer Class. Desert Wings, who was at the tail end, improve in the straight to finish close behind the runner up.

Top Trainer (Multidimensional – Serrafina,Usha Stud) made an impressive debut, outclassing his rivals with complete disdain. He jumped out smartly and sped ahead to dictate the terms soon on start. Once into the straight, jockey Suraj Narredu had little to do but guide the first timer homewards. Top Trainer got going, unleashing a fiery turn of foot leaving his rivals far behind. Melinda showed some spark towards the end to improve to second, beating Act of Valour to third. Remarkables once again rose from the rear to end up in the frame. 

Moussaeif (Alnasr Alwasheek  - Flaming Glory, Exhilaration Stud) scored a smooth victory over arch rival Hawker. Divine Solitaire took the lead away from initial leader Cactus Cash with Moussaeif and Hawker close behind. Hawker was fighting to break lose and never really settled with the rather slow pace.

Mousaaeif took charge coming into the straight and once in front, she surged further away and looked home and dry in the final furlong. Supreme Minstrel warmed up midway in the straight and closed in on the winner. All he could do was marginally reduce the deficit. Moussaeif never looked in danger with Supreme Minstrels late charge.

Sombrero (Ace – Caractere, Poonawalla Stud) made ample amends winning this one handsomely after falling dejectedly short last time. Polar Zone led the field into the straight and soon Sombrero arrived with a strong gallop. Trevor found torque power in the Sunderji trainee and the big made gelding easily carried top weight(61 kgs) to score a facile win. Burgundy Rose got going in the straight, but found the winner too good.

Praelector (Tariq – Oh So Romantic, Equus Stud) survived a late but serious threat from Blend of Elegance and won in a photo finish. Praelector was up in front sharing the lead with Sail Past most of the way. Once they turned for home, Praelector assumed command and built himself a handy lead. Flanker moved to second and for a brief moment appeared to have it in him to challenge the leader. Blend of Elegance took a while to get on even kneel as Dashrath Singh was seen grappling to get the filly to focus on her finish. Praelector had a little more than a length leeway coming inside the final furlong and looked on course to notch up his maiden win comfortably. However, Blend of Elegance rushed in towards the winning post with a fiery finish and almost got Praelector on the post. A photo verdict showed that the winning post had arrived in the nick of time for Praelector!