Mumbai races played out on the Pune track seems to have gathered momentum with a few interesting finishes in the competitive Sunday card. Wind Whistler (Kingda Ka – Alma Mater, Equus Stud) carved out a narrow win to earn his maiden winning bracket on his fourth start. Racing after the Derby Day, Wind Whistler was coming into the race with some decent preparation and his victory was not altogether surprising. Bold Legend enjoyed maximum support, but as he had done on his debut run in Mumbai, this time too, he flashed late on the scene and in the shorter Pune straight, it was too tough an ask.

Wind Whistler was up with the pace set by Fire N Ice, who had Streek for company all the way until the turn. Wind Whistler moved up well and joined the two in front just at the turn. Cabo Da Roca made steady progress emerging from the mid bunch to make his bid. Bold Legend also made progress but took the turn wide. Fire N Ice fought hard to stay in the lead, but could not sustain as Wind Whistler wore her down. Jockey A Sandesh rode out the Sunderji trainee vigorously all the way. Cabo Da Roca accelerated a tad too late but came on perilously close to snatching it away from Wind Whistler. Bold Legend too finished on strongly, however, Wind Whistler stayed on showing commendable determination to score narrowly in a three-way finish. Fire N Ice too ended a good fourth. Bold Legend would do well over a bit more ground.

Enid Blyton (Showcasing – Passing Hour, Equus Stud) benefitted with her jockey Neeraj Rawal making the right moves at the right time. Settling at the rear with just the slow starter Tudor Hall behind her. She made steady progress at the turn to zip ahead of the front runners soon on turning for home. The momentum gave her the upper hand as she surged ahead to build a handy lead, while those she got past were seemingly going nowhere. Tudor Hall was the only one who looked a threat emerging from behind, but the Altamash trained filly had enough legs to ward off the lone challenger and score by just under a length. Tudor Hall would strip fitter for the run and can be a force next time out. My Precious who had led from the start did well to hold on to the third spot.

Dallas Todywalla trained Hidden Gold Leitir Mor – Coccinella, Poonawalla Stud) came into his own and posted his third success from seven starts. He had to contend with Strom Breaker as the latter had taken charge from early leader Wild Flower soon on turning for home. Hidden Gold was stalking Storm Breaker and the moment he got the opportunity, jockey P Trevor pushed ahead to overhaul Storm Leader. Once in the lead, Hidden Gold powred his way forward to win by a narrow ¾ length from Storm Breaker who was giving the winner a fair chunk of weight. Namaqua improved in the straight to take third place.

Dallas had earlier saddled Highland Lass (Excellent Art – Balmoral Castle, Poonawalla Stud) to a well-fought victory. Godsword went at it from the word go and had a handy lead coming into the straight Sea Quest was close behind, but could not put in a fluent gallop at the business end. Soon Highland Lass started to break free and make a charge at the duo in front. Godsword never slowed down even as Sea Quest and Highland Lass started to inch closer. Sandesh got Highland Lass to pick up speed in the last 100 meters to clinch the race a couple of strides from the post. Godsword did well to keep Sea Quest at bay for the runner up berth.  

Malesh Narredu trained Speed Air (Kingda Ka – Victorian, Ruia Stud) registered his maiden win on his fifth start. He had it easy in the second half of the straight as Menilly got past early leader Twinspire on turning for home and then fought hard until the distance post. Speed Air picked up speed and after a brief tussle with Menilly, surged ahead to draw away from Menilly without encountering much resistance. Speed Air won with a healthy margin and should improve further. Menilly had a good outing too and can go one better before long. Princess Annabel was never in contention and ended a tame third.

Blazing Bay (Saamidd – Maria T, Hazara Stud) applied his usual start-to-finish tactics and this time galloped on gamely to return victorious, thus notching up his long-awaited maiden win on his 16th start. With a furlong less to travel this time, he managed to catch his rivals napping as he worked up the pace to his comfort until the turn and stole a march coming into the homestretch. That left the others desperate in trying to bridge the gap, while Blazing Bay just had to kick on towards the winning post. The Karthik ward did just that and won handsomely by close to three lengths. Principessa edged out Arabian Storm to take the runner up berth.

Trainer Adhiraj could not have asked for a better showing from his ward Storm Trigger (Ivory Touch – Skipperess, Jai Govind Stud). He jumped out well and led briefly before settling in third as both Maxine and fancied Live By Night got past him. Jockey S Jodha bided his time and waited until they turned for home before opening throttle. Live By Night looked good as he led them into the straight, but soon looked shaky as Storm Trigger arrived with a rush. White River too looked in contention, but when Storm Trigger picked up speed he easily looked the pick of the lot. He finished on fastest and pulled off an impressive win for a debut run. White River although nearly two lengths behind the winner, ran a promising second. Live By Night ended a tame third.

For the professionals, trainer Dallas Todywalla and jockey A Sandesh combined to score a double each.