Pune: Excellent and Excellent Sorrento came out with the phenomenal show at Pune Race Course to emerge victorious at the SA Poonawalla Million and Villoo C. Poonawalla Million races respectively on Sunday.
The Pune Race Course showcased a lovely assort of fashionable wardrobe, people dressed to the hat glamour, fashion and the rough action on the turf made a heady mix and a few breathtaking sights and performances on both sides of the fence is what made the SA. Poonawalla Million and Villoo C. Poonawalla Million, one of the most enjoyable day of the season. The Pune Race Course witnessed a massive turnout of race goers, bent on trying their luck, on a day that belonged to the Poonawalla group.
The SA Poonawalla Million (Grade III) and Villoo C Poonawalla Million featured a card of seven events framed for Sunday ’s racing. This mile race, which never fails to attract the best talent stationed at Pune was once again blessed with a fairly well represented set of runners.
This richly endowed event attracted seven acceptors this year. Based on the recent form of most of these horses, the race seemed to have an open look. Dalls Todywalla’s Excellent had run couple of good races alongside. Since he was reverting to a more suitable trip, he was installed as the 15/4 in the bookmaker ring in the day’s feature.
Excellent Gallops ahead
After an eye-catching run in Race No 66, Dalls Todawalla’s Excellent was also running over a favourable distance. Those who felt that he would reproduce that run were inclined to back him on the weekend.
Regardless of the goings-on behind, Excellent stayed focused on target and galloped devouring ground with majestic strides as they turned the arc for the final run.
Into the straight, Excellent quickened further and stole a march. Jockey Neeraj Rawal, who was parched for victories for a while now, couldn’t bother about this long lull and made a dash for glory.
Excellent obliged like a true miler, shooting towards the winning post at a good clip, showing little signs of fatigue or stress.
Excellent owned by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar C Poonawalla and Natasha A Poonawalla rep. Villoo Poonawalla Racing and Breeding Pvt Ltd’s, claimed the top honours in the prestigious SA Poonawalla Multi-Mullion (GR.3) and brought home an exquisite trophy along with a rich purse.
Luck less Van Dyke
The one horse that failed to elicit support was Van Dyke. After finishing the third Bangalore summer derby this season, he had found it tough to handle higher company. He had ended more than away the field.
Excellent Sorrento shines
The added attraction of the day that preceded the big one, was the Villoo C Poonawalla Million, for maiden three-year-olds.
The Villoo C Poonawalla Million, witnessed fancied Excellent Sorrento, with Neeraj Rawal, coming up on the rails and sweeping past the grand stand to a smashing victory by winning by 1 1/2, lengths over the field.
Excellent Sorrento, took charge from 100 meters from the winning post with no one posing a challenge. Chosen One failed in his attempts to keep pace with the geld. Sharaeh of ace ran a steady race to finish on the third position.
Close on its heels was Outrageous who impressed all with its run. This too was owned by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar Poonawalla and Natasha Poonawalla rep. Villoo Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt Ltd and BE Saldanha’s.
At the presentation podium, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar Poonawalla and Natasha Poonawalla, Zavaray Poonawalla’s and Mrs B Zavaray Poonawalla son Yohan Poonawalla and family, did the presentation honors.
Dallas Todywalla and M Narredu collected the trainer’s salver while jockey Neeraj Rawal looked a relived lad for scoring after the race he won, after a prolonged gap. Both the Millions were won by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar Poonawalla and Natasha A Poonawalla, as the day seemed to be in favour of Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla Family.
Unlucky race goers
The main attraction of winning a Hyundai Eon Car though, remained underachieved for the day. One had to nominate the correct order of the top four placings in the SA Poonawallla Multi Million and none from the 1000’s of forms received had cracked the code.
There were race goers who nominated the first three positions correctly. Excellent’s ouster from the frame would have been the major cause for this along with rank outsider Pioneer claiming a spot in the frame.
However, the consolation prizes of an LED TV and a laptop were given to two lucky winners who were selected by a draw.
Results
Race 1: 1. Smart Choice, 2. Cezanne, 3. Bidstone Hill, 4. Kingston Heath. Won by: 1 1/2, Head, 1 1/4, 2 3/4. Time: 58.39sec.
Race 2: 1. Enchanted, 2. Xoxo, 3. Skysurfer, 4. Run Forest Run. Won by: 1 1/4, 5 1/4, 1, Nose. Time: 1:09:943.
Race 3: 1. Excellent Sorrento, 2. Chosen One, 3. Sharareh, 4. Outrageous. Won by: 1.2/2, 1 1/4, 3 1/2, 2. Time: 1:10:72.
Race 4: 1. Excellent, 2. Adjudicate, 3. Pioneer, 4. New Moon. Won by: 1 1/4, 3/4, Long Neck, 3. Time: 1:37:60.
Race 5: 1. Costa Brava, 2. Flag Flying, 3. Pablo, 4. Ace Shine. Won by: 1.3/4, 1.3/4, Short Head, Neck. Time: 1:25:01.
Race 6: 1. Iron Ace, 2. Colombian Princess, 3. Fine Tune, 4. Pokerface. Won by: 5, 1 1/4, 1, 1/2. Time. 57:29s.
Race 7: 1. Till End Of Time, 2. Valegro, 3. Zanzibaar, 4.Daughterofthesun. Won by: 1.3/4, Neck, 3 1/4, 3/4. Time. 1:37:95.
Selections for Pune Races September 17
Winter Renaissance for Mysore Race Club Trophy
With the Pune season at its peak, it is time for the classic races to be held over the coming weeks. The Mysore Race Club Trophy on Monday has eight highly rated horses in (Class I; H’cap, Horses rated 80 and upward) (60 to 79 eligible), fighting it out over a distance of 2400m. Imtiza Sait trained Winter Renaissance, running for the fourth time in the Pune season, is tipped to beat her rivals.
Good pointers for the day are Bronx (1-1), Huzzah’s Phoenix (3-3) and Roberta (4-8).
First race at: 2:30 pm
Race 1: 1400m Bronx (1) Timeless Deeds (3) Arashi (4).
Race 2: 2400m Winter Renaissance (2) Raees (3).
Race 3: 1400m Huzzah’s Phoenix (3) Osprey Arrow (1) Kalina (6) Solo Mission (9).
Race 4: 2000m Roberta (8) Masar (2) Lambretta (1).
Race 5: 1400m Grand Tenton (5) Dibaba (7) Golden Eclipse (4).
Race 6: 1400m Aurora Australis (14) Dancing Hooves (3) Cristo Boss (12).
Days best: Aurora Australis (6-14).
