The start for the Pune racing season 2025, which took off on Friday, was an eventful one in many ways than one. For starters, most horses that carried the public’s purse obliged; Thalassa, the lowest rated filly in the field of ten competing for the Gamble for Love Trophy, took a big leap when achieving only her third career success but in the highest class and, finally, the day’s concluding event was declared null and void after a minor glitch in the starting gates led to a false start. The race was won by favourite Fourth Wing in a hard-fought finish over Midnight Express but the punters’ joy was short-lived as a stewards’ enquiry was initiated by the stipes after being informed by the starter that the starting-stall gates failed to open as soon as he pressed the button following which some horses rushed the gates. The starter also reported that he had sounded the siren to indicate to the jockeys that it was a false start but the horses did not stop and return to the gates. Acting on the starter’s testimony, the stewards declared the race null and void.

Irish Gold took up the running soon after the gates opened for the Gamble for Love Trophy with Christophany giving the chase. It’s My Time and Market King raced close behind the leaders and the top-weighted favourite Snowfall travelled in the mid bunch. Thalassa, ridden by apprentice Aditya Waydande, dropped back after a fluent jump but moved up steadily after switching lanes as the final turn approached. Meanwhile, Christophany grabbed the initiative from Irish Gold when the heads turned for home and Neeraj Rawal kept her going under the whip even as Thalassa joined the front pack when Waydande brought her wide into the straight before showing her the daylight. Faisal Abbas-groomed Thalassa made swift progress with each stride to range alongside Christophany in the last furlong. In a fierce battle that ensued, Thalassa (Excellent Art - Thurayaat) snuffed out the stiff resistance of Christophany in the last few strides to record a sensational victory by a neck. Market King finished third ahead of It’s My Time and Pride's Prince, who were dead heated for fourth place.

Abbas completed a back-to-back double having earlier led in debutant Darcy in the DK Ashish Salver. No-hoper Dancing Cloud showed the way in the initial stages of the six-furlong trip but was soon overtaken by Delstar with Darcy hurrying up to be third whilst favourite Merlet settling down behind to be fourth. With one-third of the journey left, A. Sandesh wasted no time in making his move and pounced upon Delstar just when turning for home. Darcy (Sanus Per Aquam – St Pauli’s Girl) caught Merlet on the wrong foot as Sandesh catapulted her to the front and skipped away for a smashing debut win. Merlet tried in vain to catch Darcy but had to settle for the runner-up slot. Between Lands warmed up towards the closing stages of the trip to finish third ahead of Conjurer.

Antony found himself in a similar bind astride Challenge Accepted when the shortest priced runner of the day was left flat-footed by the speedy display given by Wind Dancer. The chestnut filly hailing from Dallas Todywalla’s yard dashed to the front from the innermost draw and received admirable support in the saddle from Navnath Bhosale as the young rider capitalized on the lead he held when coming into the home stretch which kept Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Challenge Accepted at bay. Wind Dancer (Western Aristocrat – Watchmyscript) romped home for her maiden success beating Challenge Accepted by a comfortable margin of two lengths. Pure ran on to be third, a neck behind the favourite while Endurance was a faraway fourth.

Sandesh, however, succeeded earlier aboard Fable as he guided the Adhirajsingh trainee to a fluent win. Golden Heart and Moonlight Kiss showed the way to the field while Sandesh chose to play a waiting game astride Fable till the field entered the straight. When alerted to his task, Fable (Dreamfield – Legendofthephoenix) quickened well and sailed away for a facile win over Beyond Stars, Moonlight Kiss and Golden Heart.   

Todywalla’s other candidate Lord Eric cashed in on his fitness when justifying the favouritism in the inaugural race of the season. Trevor Patel had Lord Eric racing on the haunches of early leader Menjou’s Moustache till the heads straightened for home before letting him loose. Lord Eric (Roderic O’Connor – Isn’t She Lovely) then scampered home for an easy win over Lightning McQueen, who found his rhythm too late to make a difference to the outcome. Menjou’s Moustache held on by a whisker to be third ahead of Moment of Madness.

Bee Magical, though hard-ridden, proved too good for her opponents as Neeraj Rawal swooped down on leader Diligence in the final furlong of the Season Opener Plate (Div-I) and sprinted away to oblige her supporters. Zephyr arrived late on the scene to take the runner-up position in a close finish ahead of Mojo and Diligence.

S. Waheed-saddled She’s A Teaser gave a speedy display as she held a slender lead over favourite Zip Along and the rest soon after the start in the upper division of the Elegance Plate. She’s A Teaser (Planetaire – Aahaygran) responded well when Bhawani Singh pulled out his whip to remind the mare of the task ahead and she extended the lead enroute her maiden win. Zip Along was forced to play second fiddle whilst Continental Drift and Ma Cherie completed the judge’s frame.

Bohemian Rhapsody also graduated from the maiden ranks giving rookie Waydande his first victory of the season. Pitted against a mediocre set of opponents, the Hosidar Daji-trained filly justified the faith imposed in her ability by her master. Waydande had Bohemian Rhapsody racing in close attendance of the front-running duo, Talking Point and Purple Martini and gave the filly her head in the final run-in. Purple Martini slipped into the lead in the final furlong but Bohemian Rhapsody (Tenth Star – Outrageous) unleashed a powerful run to quell Purple Martini’s resistance. Talking Point fell back to finish third ahead of Leo The Lion.