Malesh Narredu-schooled Enabler ran true to the form he struck earlier this season and his better fitness level as compared to that of Jamari helped the chestnut colt to lift the Mayor Baburao Sanas Pune Derby (Gr.1) here on Sunday. The calibre of the field that was competing for the juvenile derby was nowhere near what race-goers have seen in the past. That said, Pesi Shroff-trained Jamari went out as the overwhelming favourite on the basis of her credentials and that despite running after a gap of nearly three months. The lack of a crucial run and coming into the race after a setback following her Bangalore Summer Derby victory proved to be a drawback as she went down to Enabler.

Capitolium with C. Umesh in saddle embarked on a start to finish mission with Trevor Patel settling Jamari behind her stable-mate whilst Enabler was ridden off the pace by Yash Narredu. Capitolium brought the field into the home stretch but was soon tackled by Jamari inside the last furlong. The favourite took charge but Enabler, on whom Yash got busy after letting the colt run on his own till reaching the Turf Club House corner, ranged alongside. Enabler (Ruler of the World – Rozene) responded admirably to Yash’s call to collared Jamari in the last 100m and asserted his superiority on the day in the last few metres away from the post. Dream Alliance improved steadily after a lethargic start and ran on to peg back Capitolium for the third place. Enabler was foaled at the Sohna Stud Farm and is co-owned by Mrs. BE Saldhana, Messrs Sultan Singh, Vivek Jain, Balam Mohla and Anil Saraf.

The day for the punters started on a positive note as Hosidar Daji-trained Chat kept her date with success and, as it turned out to be, she was the only first favourite to oblige the punters during the day. Chat (Kingda Ka – Yellow Diamond) got straight down to business over the mile and half contest for the Vinayak Trophy and Trevor was not required to do anything exceptional astride the grey filly as she made every post a winning one and won as she liked. Chat’s stamina had taken the wind out of the sails of her opponents who were left struggling in the straight. Daianne ended second ahead of Mastery and Leo The Lion.

After three insipid runs this season, Altaf Hussain-saddled Divine Thoughts was relegated to Class IV where revealed her sprinting ability in no uncertain terms. Altaf entrusted the filly to 3.5kg-claimer Haridas Gore and he made no mistake in guiding her to an emphatic victory. Divine Thoughts (Roderic O’Connor – Thoughts of You) outpaced her rivals as she went wire to wire over the six-furlong journey for the Pune Police Commissioner’s Trophy. The three-year old duo Dream Seller and Athenian attracted much of the betting but they never raised the hopes of their followers at any stage of the race. Dream Seller once again veered out shortly after the start and then ran hopelessly though finishing fourth. Athenian also lost pace and finished off the board. Zukor and Adamas went in chase of Divine Thoughts from the word go and finished second and third respectively.

The 15 to 1 longshot Mighty Thunder also gave a shock treatment to the fancied trio – Sovereign Grey, Superimpose and New Dimension. Untitled brought the field of nine into the straight with Risteretto, Fiery Red and Sentinel in close attendance. Risteretto and Fiery Red made their exit as the heads turned for home whilst Untitled continued to enjoy an uncontested lead. Superimpose and Sovereign Grey got into their stride too late for comfort when essaying their challenge from the wide outside. Meanwhile, Mighty Thunder and New Dimension were the last two horses to enter the final run-in and before Superimpose or Sovereign Grey could catch Untitled, Might Thunder came with raking strides through the middle. The Narendra Lagad-nurtured Mighty Thunder (Ampere – To The Manor Born) was simply unstoppable as apprentice Mustakim Alam drove him past Untitled. Superimpose, Sovereign Grey and the late-finishing New Dimension followed the winner home. They were separated from the runner-up by a nose and a length and quarter respectively.

Six-year old Joaquin from Shazaan Shah’s string also showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals and the strong handling of YS Srinath helped him outwit Ahead Of My Time in the Nosher & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Gr.3). Joaquin (Saamidd – Phoenix) was urged by Srinath to grab the initiative from Ahead Of My Time shortly after the start and had a comfortable lead when entering the straight. With a furlong left for the winning post, CS Jodha alerted Ahead Of My Time to his task. The bay colt, now racing in the colours of Zavaray Poonawalla’s family and saddled for the first time by Karthik Ganapathy, moved forward resolutely to gain ground on Joaquin. Sensing the danger that was looming large on his outside, Srinath went all out and at the same time whacked Joaquin to repel Ahead Of My Time’s assault and snatch victory by a long neck. The Sovereign Orb finished third ahead of Cellini. Second favourite Market King, who raced a close third behind the leaders, flopped close home to finish last.

Srinath gave another display of his power-packed finish when guiding Kanya Rashi to his maiden victory in the Jimmy Umrigar Trophy. Srinath brushed Kanya Rashi to snatch the lead from The General soon after the start and embarked on a pillar-to-post mission over the seven-furlong event. Adhirajsingh Jodha-nursed Kanya Rishi (Kingda Ka – Enaksi) entered the home stretch ahead of Decacorn and The General but Srinath pulled out his whip as his rivals threw a challenge at him and made its free use to remind the bay colt of the unfinished task ahead. Meanwhile, Zuccaro, who was racing at the wrong end of the field till approaching the final turn, was shown daylight by Trevor, the chestnut gelding hailing from Shroff's yard uncoiled a devastating run down the straight and came flying towards the end. However, the winning post came to the rescue of Kanya Rashi, who won by sparing a long-neck to The General at the wire while Zuccaro was a nose behind. Decacorn failed to quicken and finished fourth.

Altaf Hussain and Mustakim Alam both completed an unexpected double after Magileto shocked the field with his successful runaway tactics in the concluding event of the day. Magileto (Sedgefield – Providence), who had never won beyond six furlongs, hit the front when the starter’s flag came down and lasted out to win in the FA & KA Irani Trophy, run over a mile. Fortunate Son chased the winner into the straight but faded out as Rambler and Flying Scotsman moved ahead to challenge Magileto. But the bay gelding was in no mood to relent and went on to achieve a comfortable victory. Rambler took the runner-up slot whilst Flying Scotsman and It’s My Time finished third and fourth respectively.