Adhirajsingh Jodha scored a quick but lucrative back-to-back-double to reap rich rewards on Saturday. His ward, Gold Bag (Sedgefield – Blue Jay, Jai Govind Stud) stretched his winning streak to four with his second win in Pune this season. Jockey Suraj Narredu was quick on the start and had Gold Bag right up close third alongside Tap Dance and Egyptiana. Favourite Ageless, who saw a steady upward drift in odds at race time, was a victim of a sluggish start and was never prominent.

Tap Dance packed up at the turn and Egyptiana tried to surge forward into the lead. However, Gold Bag produced a blazing run and shot past Egyptiana in a trice leaving no chance for even a contest. Gold Bag sailed ahead and sustained his gallop all the way. Providence was the pick of the beaten lot as he covered considerable ground to pip Egyptiana and Jimbo for the runner up slot. Ageless could never recover from the early setback and this run is best ignored.

Stand And Dance (Sedgefield – Saffron, Jai Govind Stud) showed vast improvement to land the spoils and notch up his first career win in style. Stand And Dance with J Chinoy in the saddle, produced a scorching run in the straight to draw away past the distance post. Holy Smoke looked prominent at the turn, but failed to accelerate and his finish was ordinary. Tonteria was completely listless and would need time to strike. Silvano got going in the straight and did well to nearly catch up with the winner. Victorio too ended a good third.

Lord Jim (Iffraaj – Irish Lover, Capricorn Stud) justified the faith reposed on him and cruised to a facile victory, showing no signs of any layoff syndrome. He galloped smoothly and improved positions to gallop past the front runners and storm ahead in the homestretch. He was a picture of fitness and he romped home fashionably. Trevor had little to do as trainer Pesi Shroff’s Lord Jim looked the winner the moment they turned for home. He has bounced back remarkably well and should repeat. Zana like last time, ended chasing the winner.

Favourite Scarlet of Hope (Alnasr Alwasheek – Arabian Lady, Poonawalla Stud) set the tone for the day with a pleasing start to finish win. The Altaf Hussain ward sailed into the lead and kept a safe distance right through.  Jockey SJ Sunil did everything right and although Scarlet of Hope drift out slightly, he was very much in command. Mr Morrison tried hard to match strides but could not sustain too long. In the final furlong, Scarlet of Hope was well clear.

Imtiaz Sait trained Jager Bomb (Razeen – Grand Passion, Mehra Stud) carved out a narrow win to make this outing count. Sitting in fourth until the turn, Jager Bomb had to counter a spirited challenge from Roxelana. Striking Story was off the bridle at the turn and soon Roxelana took charge. Jager Bomb was put in top gear approaching distance post and he battled with Roxelana in the final furlong to edge forward in the last 100m. Roxelana, it was later announced, broke a blood vessel.

Bullion Express narrowly failed to deliver after and promising start that saw him lead them all well into the straight. He looked like cracking it until into the final furlong, where he had to counter a dual challenge from winner Soul Centric and The Way I Am. Both the challengers arrived late and Soul Centric finished on with an electrifying run. The Way I Am was ridden out right from the turn, went wide yet came with a flying finish only to fall short by a short head. Soul Centric timed her finish to perfection with jockey TS Jodha excelling in the saddle.

Alderley Edge (Oath – X Factor, Pratap Stud) was the bolt from the blue. The 20 to 1 shot was neglected in the betting despite a good second last time out. He got off to a quick start and led them all the way. Bay of Secrets and the rest chased him into the straight.

Once into the straight, jockey J Chinoy went hard at it and a few cracks set Alderley Edge going. He soon established a decisive lead and in the last 100 meters, Chinoy put the whip away and egged the Waheed trainee on to win comfortably. Bay of Secret did not allow any other horse get past. Affirmation did well to earn place money.

Sail Past (Tariq – Dancing Colors) was another one that pulled off a successful start to finish victory. He jumped out smartly and held the early advantage. Favourite Simply Shining was off slowly and that cost him and his supporters dearly as he could never recover.

Sail Past entered the straight with apprentice Raghuveer Singh in the saddle and marched on ahead to steer clear of the rest. Ensign chased the winner through out and ran a fair second. The Other Song ran on to take the third spot.

For the professionals, trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha saddled a double, while jockeys P Trevor and J Chinoy scored a double each.