Heartbreaking as it might be, the racetrack at the Pune racecourse is where many a champion horse has met his or her Waterloo. Just a couple of years ago, racegoers witnessed the downfall of Santissimo and Jamari. The latest addition to this ill-fated list was Fynbos, the winner of the Indian Oaks and the Indian Derby at Mahalaxmi racecourse last February. Fynbos, incidentally, was returning to competitive racing after over six months and it was her maiden appearance on this track. The bay filly was competing against five rivals in the Idar Gold Trophy, which included her three stablemates. When the field of six was flagged for the mile and a half endeavour, Duke of Tuscany took over the running, which was monotonous as the rest of the five contestants, led by Kings Gambit, followed in a straight line. The much-anticipated thrill of a classic finish never materialised as jockey R. Ajinkya spurred Duke of Tuscany vigorously while Fynbos was caught flat-footed in the home stretch when Vivek G. asked the filly for an effort. Fynbos found her stride close home and gave it all in her bid to catch the leader. However, it was in vain as Duke of Tuscany (Cougar Mountain – Nicollini) strode out majestically to clinch the issue. Kings Gambit came third while Dream Alliance ran fourth.
 
Trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha was on a roll, saddling a hat-trick of winners right at the start of the day and making it four a race later with Encino. Adhirajsingh’s winning streak began with prime favourite Challenge Accepted in the day’s curtain raiser. Apprentice Ramswarup-ridden Challenge Accepted (Gusto – Michaela) raced in close attendance of Manor House and Azure till the field of five entered the straight and then surged ahead, completing an encore by registering a comfortable win. Manor House held on to be second ahead of Son Of A Gun and Liban while second favourite Azure ended last.
 
Adhirajsingh’s next winner was Sovereign King, a piping hot favourite to win the JE Hughes Trophy, a mile event contested by a field of five. He did succeed but not before giving his supporters a scare. Sovereign King was ridden off the pace in the fourth position by Antony Raj after Fighton shot into the lead while Chagall chased him. Chagall managed to tackle Fighton about a furlong away from the winning post even as Sovereign King was being hard ridden to challenge the pair ahead. Antony packed enough power in his effort towards the end stages of the race which enabled Sovereign King (Top Class – Starlet) to wear down Chagall a couple of strides before the wire. Fighton finished third, way ahead of Regina Memorabilis and Mojito.
 
A confident piece of riding from Ramswarup helped Seneca scamper home in the Evaldo Plate and keep rival Don Julio at bay. Earlier, Destroyer showed the way to the field until Spanish Eyes forged ahead at the final turn. Despite Trevor Patel’s persistence, Spanish Eyes failed to sustain her lead and surrendered in the final furlong to Seneca, who made steady progress down the straight. Ramswarup kept the pressure on Seneca (Deauville – Star Nijinsky), who skipped away for a gratifying victory over Don Julio, who came with a late run to take the runner-up spot. Spanish Eyes ended third ahead of Ashwa Gypsy. Favourite Mansa Musa came a cropper at the bend and was reportedly euthanized on compassionate grounds.
 
Malesh Narredu trained filly Gunfire, who had won quite easily in her previous appearance, was expected to give an encore, but she flopped and finished a disappointing fourth in the Star Trainer Plate. Faisal Abbas-groomed Darcy, though lacking initial speed, covered good ground in the straight to overwhelm leaders Storm Cloud and El Moran after Yash Narredu-piloted Gunfire struggled to keep pace. Jockey C. Umesh steered Darcy (Sanus Per Aquam – St. Pauli Girl) quickened well and sailed away for an easy win over Admirable, who progressed late to finish second. Storm Cloud stayed in the money ahead of the poor finisher, Gunfire.
 
Despite the terms of the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Gr.3) not exactly in his favour, four-year-old Encino made ample amends for his previous failure. Trevor held Encino on the leash behind Market King and Social Butterfly, who brought the four-horse field into the straight. Trevor soon released the brakes following which Encino (Gusto – Choice House) sped to the front and won well from Shambala, who found the winner a hard nut to crack. Market King was third while Social Butterfly ran fourth.
 
Last-outing winner Esteban surprised his rivals with a speedy display to claim the Fourth Estate Trophy in the hands of apprentice Avinash Paswan. Narendra Lagad-saddled Esteban (Gusto – Sparkling Crystal) took off smartly from the barriers and led handily all the way home. Favourite Funny Bunny warmed up late and could only finish second. Believe chased the winner in the straight but failed to accelerate and ended third ahead of Appalachian, who also ran thereabouts. Rock Armour drifted out alarmingly in the home stretch and ended racing on the outer rails before finishing dead last.
 
Entrusted to lesser-known rider S. Mosin, Exotic Star from trainer S. Waheed’s string displayed her stamina to record an upset win in the Capitulate Plate, run over a mile and a quarter. Okinayume bolted to the front with Whisper in pursuit while Exotic Star and Ma Cherie raced in the rear. Exotic Star (Saamidd – Shivalik Honour) gathered momentum to swoop down on the leaders in the straight and drew away under the whip, making her rivals look like duds. Whisper, Ma Cherie and Okinayume followed the winner home. Favourite Mai Tai planted and refused to budge from the gates when the start was given.