The Pune Meeting 2025 kicked off in grand fashion on July 18, as LORD ERIC captured the spotlight by clinching the Season Opener Plate Division II, a 1000-metre dash for class IV horses rated 20 to 46. Trained by Dallas Todywalla and piloted by ace jockey P. Trevor, the horse surged ahead to win the day’s first race in an impressive time of 0:58.823 seconds.
The winner is the property of Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Mr Adar C. Poonawalla & Mrs Natasha A Poonawalla rep. Villoo Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt Ltd, Mr D R Thacker rep. DT Racing & Breeders LLP, Mr Kairus Dadachanji, Mr S. R. Sanas, Mr Saleem Fazelbhoy & Mr Mukul Sonawala’s.
The weather at Pune remained cloudy, with the track rated good, and the penetrometer reading standing at 4.4 (Longchamp Method). False rails were placed 6 metres wide from the original position.
Finishing runner-up was LIGHTNING MCQUEEN, trained by M. Narredu and ridden by Yash Narredu. The horse crossed the line in 0:59.118. Taking third was MENJOU’S MOUSTACHE, guided by Ramswarup for trainer Adhiraj Singh Jodha, stopping the clock at 0:59.319.
With LORD ERIC living up to the billing as the tote-favourite, attention now shifts to the second race on the card, The Elegance Plate Division II, as the Pune racing season sets off on a promising note.
