Pune: The premier race of the season was a humdinger, fought all the way to the wire by two gritty three-year-olds and two determined young jockeys.
It just couldn’t have been better. Trouvaille (Surfrider-Highly Fashionable) deserved to win, however Rhapsody (Speaking of Which-Analeah) did not deserve to lose.
He didn’t! He only finished second by a blink-of-the-eye-moment. Rhapsody won as many accolades for bringing alive the contest as did Trouvaille for his breathtaking victory at the Pune Race course.
Derby aside, the Sunday turned out to be an utter disaster for punters as not a single totalisator favourite obliged in a card of eight events.
Suleiman’s withdrawal opens up contest
The Pune Derby was touted as an open race and the suspense was very much in the air, but withdrawal of Sultan Suleiman following an unfortunate injury, left the door open for others to try their luck.
In the end it was the sport of horseracing that won! On the track however, there was not a moment of calm before the storm.
Prince Valiant got the first jitters as he clipped and nearly went off balance. He was quick to recover, however, but the jolt may surely have put him off at least momentarily, giving him a valid reason to plead that this run may best be ignored.
Prince Valiant set a true pace and led showing some alacrity. The race further picked up momentum past the 800, but a majority of the field slowly faded out of the scene as they got closer to the final turn.
Approaching the business end, it was Trouvaille, who took charge early in the straight. Rhapsody soon pounced to match his strides on the leader. The two galloped on the wider side of the track closer to the erupting grand stands.
Rhapsody fights back
Trouvaille had a very slight upper hand, but Rhapsody fought gallantly to keep his chances alive getting the crowd on their feet, screaming in frenzy.
Going for the wire, Trouvaille was a tad too imposing and although the verdict was a short-head, Trouvaille did look the winner at the closing stages of the race.
Trouvaille is owned by Rajesh Monga and trained by SK Sunderji ward was ridden powerfully and skillfully by CS Jodha, who in the process took his season’s great win.