Zadmal Singh trained Providence (Alnasr Alwasheek – Dancing Image, Exhilaration Stud) produced a nippy final surge to win the Jay-Vijay Fiat Trophy, a sprint for Class II horses. Tap Dance led the closely huddled bunch until the turn.

Into the straight, Joshua nudged out Tap Dance to take charge and soon surged head to compile a handy lead. Joshua looked good enough to carry on until the last 100 meters which is when Providence with Dashrath Singh astride started to wear him down. Egyptiana too made brisk progress from the last position to be in the reckoning, but Providence finished on the best to poke between Joshua and Egyptiana to score in a close finish.

Dashrath Singh has shown a sudden brilliance after a rather quiet beginning this season. He started the day with a credible ride on favourite Reality (Mull of Kintyre – Forgotten Dreams, Pratap Stud), urging the Narendra Lagad filly on to carve out a narrow win. Reality was sent on a start to finish mission and had a healthy lead entering the straight. Moroccan started to inch closer and in the final furlong, Siddhi and Sanam started to close in as well. However, Dashrath rode on persistently to ward off the challengers. Siddhi ended a close second with Moroccan and Sanam breathing down her neck.

Multiglory (Multidimensional – Reflected Glory, Usha Stud) had shown signs of running into form in his last run. That reading proved spot on as Multiglory galloped full of steam at the business end of the 1800 m race. Danse Debonaire faded out after leading them into the straight. Savage Garden surged ahead and kicked on even as Jager Bomb came to challenge. With a little over a furlong to go, Multiglory warmed up and arrived with a terrific burst to streak ahead past the Grand Stands and notch up a comfortable victory. Jager Bomb bet Savage Garden for the runner-up slot.

In-form jockey Trevor Patel had to use all his skills to ward off a late challenge. Trevor had sent Marcus Aurelius (Phoenix Tower – Salawati, Manjri Stud) into the lead early on straightening up past Swaraj and had built up a slender lead. Another Ace was always asking questions and was on the haunches of Marcus Aurelius. Naumee warmed up a wee bit too late, but when she did, she came at the fight duo in front with a serious challenge. The winning post came to the rescue of the winner. With the speed at which Naumee covered ground, another stride would have got her to pip Marcus Aurelius. Naumee is one for the notebooks.

Trevor then played his part in getting B Fifty Two (Phoenix Tower – Baileys on Line, Manjri Stud) his maiden win on his sixth start. The Imtiaz Sait ward raced in the mid bunch until the turn. Holy Smoke had shot ahead and had a small cushion of about two lengths coming into the final furlong. Pearl Secret was not quickening as required and was no threat to Holy Smoke. B Fifty Two arrived with a speedy finish just enough to peg back Holy Smoke by half a length.

Narendra Lagad trained Spirit of Trium (Diffident – Queen of Hearts, Yerawada Stud) was the upset of the day at longer odds. Taking off from the inside draw, Spear of Trium raced on the rails as Song of Africa led them early. Song of Africa ran wide and lost the advantage doing so at the turn.

Spear of Trium and Clouds of Glory fought hard for the lead. Abbey had to counter some jostling and that hampered her at a crucial stage. Blue Flame progressed along the rails with Passion Prince too throwing his hat in for the final battle. Jockey J Chinoy was right up to it and rode hard to keep Spirit of Trium going to emerge victorious in a narrow finish. Blue Flame also failed to capitalize on a lovely rail run, but managed beat the rest. Passion Prince ended in the money and Song of Africa would rue his shoddy run which proved costly.

Indian Serenade (Sedgefield – Blue Jay, Jai Govinf Stud) was tuned to the ‘T’ and showed no sign of the lay-off. She was at her best for her first start in Pune. Grand Gibraltar and Palace Girl entered the straight together and just as Palace Girl started to make her forward surge, Indian Serenade whizzed past her to storm ahead with jockey CS Jodha driving her in top gear. Indian Serenade, trained by AM Jadhav, looked the fittest and duly brought about her second win after a sensational dead-heat on debut in Mumbai. Rock the Turf arrived with a late blitz to take the second spot ahead of Palace Girl.

Star of Babylon (Oath – Arthi, Pratap Stud) in the hands of the reliable TS Jodha won the concluding race of the day, with a fair measure of comfort. He was in the mid-bunch but never too far from the front runners. Fortune Hunter led until the turn and soon Affirmation and Domingo got past him. Star of Babylon started to quicken and made his run from the outside.

At the distance post, Domingo and Affirmation were fighting it out. Once Star of Babylon arrived on the scene, it was all over. Star of Babylon, trained by veteran SS Shah finished on fastest to take the race in style. Domingo is getting into his groove after some ordinary performances and it would be worth watching out for him. Affirmation did well to take the third place from Beyong Horizons. Favourite Samba Warrior was never in the hunt and ended one off the frame.

For the professionals, trainer Narendra Lagad was the lone trainer to saddle a double. Dashrath Singh scored a fine treble and Trevor rode out a double.