The Pune Races September 27 promise an afternoon of competitive action, with seven well-balanced contests scheduled at the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC). The programme blends sprinting flair with middle-distance tests, while the card’s two standout attractions — a ₹10,00,000 Class I feature at 3:00 pm and a ₹12,00,000 juvenile sprint at 3:40 pm — are expected to draw the biggest cheers.
Pune’s late-September meetings have always carried an edge, with the undulating track producing tight finishes and rewarding both tactical patience and raw speed. Saturday’s card should be no different, with established campaigners clashing against emerging contenders. Below is a detailed look at each race on the day.
1:10 pm – 1000m Dash Opens the Afternoon
The curtain-raiser is a sharp five-furlong dash, always an ideal way to start a Pune meeting. Cellini, partnered by Antony Raj and trained by Bezan Chenoy, brings solid credentials at the distance. Liban from Dr. Anil Kumar’s yard adds further intrigue, while Esperanza for Shazaan Shah is another who could step up. Midnight Express, guided by N. S. Parmar, has shown a turn of foot and may prove dangerous if allowed to stalk the leaders early. With speed on display from the break, positioning will be crucial.
1:40 pm – 1400m Handicap for Class V Horses
This seven-furlong contest often throws up surprises, and the line-up suggests it could be no different this year. Arbitrage for trainer Rehanullah Khan has Sandesh in the saddle and will likely go off well fancied. Alpha Gene and Lord Murphy bring depth, while Baleno with Bharat Singh aboard remains a strong contender. Gold Caviar under D. R. Shubham can make his presence felt, while Taabiir and We Still Believe represent the dark-horse brigade, both capable of storming late if the leaders tire. Punters will be wise not to discount them.
2:20 pm – 1000m Sprint for Emerging Speedsters
The third race reverts to the minimum trip, giving lightly raced sprinters their chance to shine. Etoile and Mirae both look well-suited by the conditions, while Adonis from the Vijay Kasbekar yard is another with genuine claims. Between Friends, with Prashant Dhebe in the saddle, has been progressing steadily and could be the one to upset the fancied runners. Outsiders Impulsive and Lightning Blaze also deserve attention as they can swoop late if the early gallop proves too hot.
3:00 pm – ₹10,00,000 Class I Feature Over 1400m
The first marquee event of the day is the Class I feature, carrying a handsome purse of ₹10,00,000. Market King for Imtiaz Sait and Mojito from M. K. Jadhav’s stable will attract plenty of support. Dallas Todywalla’s It’s My Time has looked sharp in trackwork and could well improve further on raceday. Shambala and Son of a Gun bring additional quality, making this one of the most competitive races of the season so far. A victory here could be the springboard for graded ambitions later in the autumn campaign.
3:40 pm – Juvenile Sprint for Three-Year-Olds (1000m)
The richest contest on the card, with prize money of ₹12,00,000, is the 1000-metre sprint restricted to three-year-olds. This event has traditionally produced rising stars, and this year’s edition looks no different. El Moran, to be ridden by P. Trevor, leads the line-up on form, but Riptide for Imtiaz Sait and Skandha for Bezan Chenoy will be strong rivals. Trial Blazer and Agatha are improving sorts who cannot be ignored. Desert Charm adds middle-market value, while Fay, Lightning McQueen, and Sky Full of Stars provide depth to a fascinating field. Whichever horse prevails could well be marked as a star juvenile to follow in Pune and beyond.
4:20 pm – 1600m Middle-Distance Test (Class III)
The sixth race is a mile contest for Class III horses, promising a tactical battle. Brave Beauty for trainer Vinesh looks on the verge of peaking, while Opus Dei and Giacomo represent strong stables with realistic chances. Rosario, trained by P. Shroff, adds a touch of class, while Vincero for Dallas Todywalla gives the field more substance. Over this testing mile, patience from the jockeys will prove decisive — a well-timed run in the straight could make all the difference.
5:00 pm – 1400m Class IV Handicap Closes the Card
The finale sees a seven-furlong handicap for Class IV performers, ensuring the day ends with a wide-open contest. Miracle of Hanukah looks well-prepared, while Jackson and Merchant of Venice add proven consistency. Golden Degree has been working well, and Meadow Springs with C. Umesh on board is another who can trouble the principals. Semurg and Regal Galleria complete the line-up, making this a competitive closer where punters must tread carefully.
RWITC’s Pune Races September 27 card offers contests that cater to every racing fan — from sharp sprints to a demanding mile, from proven stars to rising juveniles. The highlight lies in the Class I 1400m feature and the lucrative three-year-old sprint, but supporting events like the 1600m handicap promise plenty of tactical intrigue.
With strong stables represented across the board and jockeys of high calibre booked for key rides, Saturday at Pune Race Club is set to provide a gripping afternoon of racing.
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