The seventh race of Pune Meeting 2025, The Waves Of Glory Plate (Class V, 1200m), served up a nail-biting contest on Saturday, with Red Merlot (J: A. Prakash, T: Narendra Lagad) clinching victory by the narrowest of margins. The gelding produced a determined late surge to outlast a fighting Ariyana Star in a sharp finish, stopping the clock at 1:10.648. This gripping clash added further excitement to the action-packed Pune Races August 16 card.
Red Merlot Prevails in The Waves Of Glory Plate at Pune Races August 16
Breaking evenly from the gates, Ariyana Star (J: P. Trevor, T: Aman Altaf Hussain) set a strong pace and looked poised to score. However, Red Merlot, carrying 60kg, displayed resilience in the final furlong, producing a perfectly timed challenge under apprentice A. Prakash to snatch the win by a short head. The performance earned the winner’s connections a purse of ₹2,35,000.
Further behind, Lion King (J: Aditya Waydande, T: Shazaan Shah) stayed on for third, 3¾ lengths away, while Northern Singer (J: Avinash Paswan, T: Narendra Lagad) completed the frame. The strongly contested race demonstrated the grit of seasoned campaigners, with the top two separated by barely a stride.
Trainer Narendra Lagad’s Red Merlot continues to thrive in sprints, and his ability to fight back under pressure makes him a consistent threat in Class V company. For Prakash, this win further boosts his growing profile as a promising rider capable of handling tight finishes.
The Waves Of Glory Plate once again highlighted the unpredictability and charm of Pune’s racing circuit, keeping fans at the edge of their seats. With close finishes and competitive fields, Pune Races August 16 continues to deliver thrilling spectacles at Pune Racecourse.
