Followers of form found the horses running true to their expectations as a consequence of which the bookies were sent on a leather hunt. The outcome of seven out of the eight races conducted on Saturday was in favour of the punters. Jockey A. Sandesh once again hogged the limelight as he added a treble to his winning tally this season. Save for the vigour he spent astride Substantial when overpowering Wind Dancer in the concluding event, Sandesh was not required to sweat on his previous two winners – Arrived and Golden Dancer.
 
The day’s main event, the Supreme Pune City Gold Cup, was a straight contest between Prasanna Kumar-schooled Siege Courageous and Jade from Pesi Shroff’s stables. As Jade was advantageously placed on the scales than her top-weighted adversary, she garnered substantial support in the betting ring than Siege Courageous. The six-year old bay son of Top Class out of Golden Queen, who had eleven victories to his credit as against the five recorded by Jade, made his versatility count in the four-horse field that navigated over the mile journey. With none of her three rivals willing to head the field, G. Vivek-ridden Jade found herself in the front with Siege Courageous ridden according to the script and settled behind Jade with Madam Rich and Snowfall travelling behind. As the field came down the hill, Akshay Kumar began inching closer with Siege Courageous and swiftly had the measure of Jade whose legs failed to carry her further. Siege Courageous lengthened his strides after receiving a couple of backhanders from Akshay and drew away to complete his twelfth triumph. Jade, Snowfall and Madam Rich followed him in a procession. The winner, who was bred at the Mukteshwar Stud, is jointly owned by Messrs Dean Stephens and Angad Singh, the breeder.
 
Earlier, Vivek was successful in guiding Celestial to a hard-fought victory over Ataash in the Aakriti Art Gallery Trophy. Mr Brainwash (earlier named Star Prosperity) showed plenty of early speed to go storming into the lead and had Azrinaz, Ataash, Celestial and Ghirardelli in close attendance. With about a furlong left for home, Trevor-piloted Ataash wore down Mr Brainwash even as Vivek brought Celestial (Roderic O’Connor – Sweeping Star) into the reckoning and skilfully managed to get the Shroff-saddled colt to tackle his rival close home. Ataash finished just under a length behind the winner whilst Singer Sargent warmed up late as usual to run third, a neck ahead of Mr Brainwash.
 
Last-outing winner Arrived had plenty of stamina to stay over the nine-furlong journey for Uttam Singh Trophy and controlled the pace as he made every post a winning one. Treat, Zarak and Mansa Musa were simply no match for the Nirad Karanjawala-saddled Arrived (Deauville – Transformation), who achieved an encore within a month of his previous success.
 
Racing in the same colours as Arrived and saddled by Karanjawala, Substantial struck immediately on relegation after carrying an imposing 62kg on her back. Maysara, who is on a weight-reducing mission, sped into the lead and expectedly bowed out of the contest when turning for home. Trevor Patel-ridden Wind Dancer then surged into the lead with Magical Star and Substantial in pursuit. Sandesh had to go all out on Substantial in his attempt to collar Wind Dancer, which he did inside the last furlong. Substantial (Speaking of Which – Prescription) soon wrapped up the race with Wind Dancer ending in the second spot. Come September ran on to be third ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody, who pegged back Magical Star to take the fourth place.
 
The third winner ridden by Sandesh during the day was the Dallas Todywalla-trained filly Golden Dancer, who had caught a tartar in Superstar in her previous outing. The on-money favourite made amends with a smashing win in the Fourth Estate Trophy. As the field jumped out for the mile and quarter event, Sandesh settled Golden Dancer in the mid-bunch as Trevor took Chicago Chimes to the front while Solidarity, Dexterity and Viking did the chasing business. G. Vivek tried to gain the upper hand with Solidarity as the field turned for home but found Sandesh making his way through the middle astride Golden Dancer (Deauville – Xisca), who went surging into the lead and sauntered home for an authoritative win. Solidarity ended up playing second fiddle whilst Dexterity just about held on to the third berth from Harrison.
 
Rafael grabbed the lead as soon as the gates opened for first division of the Conrad Hotels Trophy but fell back soon after entering the home stretch where Storm Cloud assumed command. Neeraj Rawal alerted Imtiaz Sait-mentored Azure at this juncture following which the filly moved steadily ahead to pounce upon Storm Cloud in the last lap of the six-furlong sprint. Azure (Fiero – Fjord) kicked away thereafter to make amends for her narrow loss against Zendaya last month. Storm Cloud retained the runner-up slot with Mojo and Scaramouche finishing close behind. Eastern Monarch, who was outpaced throughout, failed to figure in the final frame and was probably in need of this run.
 
Apprentice Sonu Chouhan, who started his riding career during the previous Mumbai season, got his first winner astride the friendless Youreforfame (formerly named Saifa) in the Conrad Hotels Trophy (Div-II). Despite racing after a long layoff, the filly now in charge of trainer PS Chouhan following a change in her ownership, showed no signs of rustiness. Youreforfame jumped out smoothly to be in close contention behind leader House of Lords, who enjoyed the lead till the last furlong. Youreforfame (Ampere – Alexandra Pearl) responded well to the young rider’s urging to overhaul the leader and scampered home for her maiden win. House of Lords came second with Abhicandra and Regal Galleria racing thereabouts before finishing third and fourth respectively. Favourite Zephyr took a smart jump from the gates but surprisingly fell back to the rear and could not make any improvement thereafter. She ended up in the third last position.
 
Looking Like A Wow, who had run a suggestive fourth behind Gunsmoke in his previous outing, was spot on in the Columbiana Plate after his master Subhag Singh opted to run him in the lowest class and the 5kg-claimer Ramswarup to guide his fortunes. Looking Like A Wow (Dreamfield – Fly With The Wind) fought for his head with the apprentice before taking charge of the running and made every post of the mile and quarter event a winning one. Daianne improved from the rear at the final bend and went in chase of the leader in the straight but all in vain. Silver Braid took the third place ahead of Leo The Lion.