Truefitt & Hill Opens the Gates
The action begins at 2:00 pm with the Truefitt & Hill Trophy Division II, a 1000m dash for older Indian horses. With Rs. 5.5 lakh on offer, speed will be the currency, and front-runners like Ekla Cholo (A. Sandesh) and Flashman (S. A. Amit) are likely to seize the early pace. Watch for late charges from Storm Cloud and Ananya under experienced hands.
Racing continues with the JSK1 Play & Win August Trophy at 2:30 pm over a testing 1600m. Horses rated 40 to 66 will battle for Rs. 6.5 lakh, with Kimiko, Eaton Square, and Mansa Musa appearing as early favourites. Treat could play spoiler with Neeraj Rawal in the irons.
Division I: Sprint Repeat
The Truefitt & Hill Trophy Division I revisits the 1000m format but with a fresh field of seasoned veterans. Set for 3:00 pm, it includes contenders like Lord Eric (P. Trevor), Escape Velocity, and Betsy. Each has demonstrated form in sprints and could make this a tight finish.
Spotlight on the August Handicap
The centerpiece of the afternoon is undoubtedly the August Handicap at 3:30 pm. Reserved for three-year-olds over 1400m, the race carries a lucrative Rs. 12 lakh purse. Caradoc (Yash Narredu) represents the Dallas Todywalla yard, but faces stern tests from Zafferano, Merlet, and Solidarity. Allez L’Etoile, trained by Narendra Lagad, adds further intrigue to a competitive lineup.
Mid-Card Showdown: The Altaf Hussain Million
Next up at 4:00 pm is the Altaf Hussain Million, a 1200m contest for horses rated 20 to 46. With a balanced field, watch for Cinderella’s Dream and Zendaya to dictate terms early, while Absolute Gorgeous and Surrealist may challenge late. Jockey A. Sandesh teams up with Sanjay Kolse’s filly Zendaya, a partnership worth noting.
Sprungli Plate Brings the Maidens
At 4:30 pm, the Sprungli Plate introduces a promising bunch of unraced three-year-olds over 1200m. This Rs. 12 lakh race is expected to offer a glimpse into future stars. Algonquin (A. Sandesh), Encino (P. Trevor), and Dancing Cloud (K. Pranil) are among those catching early buzz. Breeding and trackwork suggest surprises are possible here, and maiden races often produce breakout moments.
Final Gallop: The Zephyr Bay Plate
The curtain comes down with the Zephyr Bay Plate at 5:00 pm — a mile-long handicap for older horses with Rs. 5 lakh to the winner. Crystal Clear (Neeraj Rawal) brings consistency, while Madison, Continental Drift, and Looking Like A Wow bring variety to a field that could end the day in dramatic fashion.
With marquee handicaps and maiden fireworks, this edition of the Pune Meeting should keep fans and form-watchers alike engaged from start to finish. Check the full racecard on our website, here. Follow the complete results and post-race reports on RaceBuzz.
For official details on race times and acceptances, visit the RWITC website.
