Just a fortnight after his protégé Royal Mysore unfurled the victory flag at the Pune racecourse, trainer Prasanna Kumar had another ace up his sleeve when he entered Evaldo in the Winfair247 Gaming Eve Champion Trophy (Gr.3), originally scheduled for Sunday last. Evaldo was tasked with taking on three local heavyweights: Dyf, Jendayi and Chamonix. Interestingly, despite being the highest rated horse in the field of seven contesting for the mile and quarter event, Evaldo was largely ignored in the betting market. But that did not have any bearing either on the bay gelding’s ability or his performance as he humbled his three main adversaries, who were expected to dominate the finish.

Evaldo was slowly out from the stalls yet he was soon racing behind the closely bunched field headed by Ruling Dynasty whilst Third Avenue, Chamonix and Dyf raced in close attendance. As Rasputin dropped to the rear just after crossing the halfway mark, Evaldo moved forward. Meanwhile, as they turned for home, Ruling Dynasty made way for Third Avenue, who strode ahead while Chamonix and Dyf both went off the bridle. Third Avenue’s lead was short-lived and he was forced into submission by Chamonix and Dyf, with the latter getting stronger. However, imminent danger was lurking behind Dyf as Evaldo was talking to the winds after A. Sandesh launched his final assault. Evaldo (Gusto – Farrfesheena) had Dyf covered in a few strides and then drew away to achieve a remarkable victory by over two lengths. Dyf had the consolation of keeping the second berth with Chamonix finishing third an identical distance away and was followed home by Third Avenue and Jendayi, who ran a listless race.

Earlier, at the start of the day’s proceedings, Sandesh guided favourite Eloquent to a fluent win. Sandesh kept Eloquent (Speaking Of Which – Aunty Kathryn) on the haunches of Supreme Spirit, who took charge of the running at the start. With little over a furlong left for home in the five-furlong scurry, Sandesh released his grip on Eloquent following which the Shazaan Shah-saddled bay gelding sprang forth and had the race wrapped up long before the winning post arrived. Supreme Spirit retained the runner-position from late-finishing Goddes Of Dawn. Fidato, who was unable to make the initial running, ended fourth.

The three-year old filly Villanelle achieved her second straight success, her first in Western India, when proving far too good for her rivals in the Altaf Hussain Trophy. Young Aman Hussain was desirous of claiming the trophy, instituted in the memory of his late father, through Mazal but his hopes were dashed after his ward caught a tartar in Villanelle (Admiralty – La Tonnarella), the filly who was sent out by Pesi Shroff. House Of Lords stormed into the lead when the gates opened and had Mazal in chase while Earth received a check and fell back momentarily. Villanelle raced in the mid-bunch till the heads turned for home where C. Umesh pulled her out from the inner rails to make his final move. Villanelle responded magnificently to Umesh’s call and put in a brilliant run to collar both House Of Lords and Mazal, who appeared poised to overtake the former. However, with less than a furlong left for the wire, Villanelle sailed clear of runner-up Mazal and House Of Lords. Good Deeds ran fourth.

Shroff completed a back-to-back double with The Panther, who was ridden to a fine victory by G. Vivek. Giant King grabbed the lead shortly after coming out of the gates and was followed by Ricochet, Murwara Princes and Zarak in the initial stages of the nine-furlong event. The Panther was settled in the mid-pack but started to improve once the field approached the Turf Club House. As the field wheeled around the final turn, Zarak slipped into the lead with Murwara Princess and Big Red both throwing a challenge at him. Meanwhile, The Panther (Churchill – Dannza) was pressed into action by Vivek on the top of the straight and the bay colt swiftly joined the fray by forcing his way through a narrow opening between Big Red and Murwara Princess. The latter moved out at this stage leaving enough room for The Panther to assert his superiority and score a narrow victory over Big Red. Angelo rallied unnoticed from way back to finish third ahead of Eaton Square, who also ran on from the rear to be fourth. Exuma, who enjoyed good support alongside The Panther in the betting ring, did not figure in the finish and ran hopelessly throughout.

Vincero from Shroff’s yard tried runaway tactics over the seven furlong journey for the August Handicap as he seized the initiative from the barriers. Vincero brought the field into the home stretch with Dulari and Aafreen, who were in the process of retreating after being in chase of the leader till then. Adhirajsingh Jodha-groomed favourite Thundering Phoenix lacked initial speed but improved steadily to be in a striking position at the bend. CS Jodha astride Thundering Phoenix (Phoenix Tower – Lochness) drove the bay colt vigorously to soon join the issue with Vincero and gained the upper hand after a keen tussle. Vincero kept the second spot with Stalin rallying on to finish a game third ahead of Dulari.

The Highland Crown Plate for maiden three-year old juveniles saw a nail-biting finish between two rank outsiders Lord Eric and Marcus, which was won by the former. Trigger showed plenty of initial speed to go surging into the lead over the six-furlong sprint and had Midnight Express and favourite Mumtaz in pursuit. As the front-runners started to fade away when the race came to a boil, Akshay Kumar-partnered Lord Eric came with a strong run in the middle to assume command. But, before Lord Eric could break free from the pack, Marcus found a dream opening towards the inner rails and was literally flying when taking the shortest route home. Both Lord Eric and Marcus went stride for stride in the final stages of the race and were inseparable when going past the winning post. The camera verdict went in favour of Dallas Todywalla-saddled Lord Eric (Roderic O'Connor– Isn't She Lovely) who triumphed over Shroff's candidate Marcus, who was ridden by G. Vivek. Inquilab warmed up late to his task when finishing in the money ahead of C. Umesh-ridden Mumtaz, the fancied runner from Shroff's yard.

Narendra Lagad's ward Leo The Lion earned his cornbill when he finally achieved his maiden success in the Unicorn Plate. Mustakim Alam rode Leo The Lion (Ampere – Cogito Ergo Sum) well off the pace as the 20 to 1 longshot Uzi showed the way to the field over the nine furlong trip. With Freedom and Prince O'War unable to match strides with Uzi, Leo The Lion made enough progress to challenge Uzi and eventually tackle him in the last furlong. The favourite then skipped away for an easy win over Uzi. Toofan graced the wrong end of the field till the turn and finished on late to be third ahead of Prince O'War.