Time And Tide Staggers, Still Scrapes Through

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

Niraj Karanjawalla-trained Time And Tide finally managed to win the 1200 metres Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy, a terms race for four-year-olds and over, the feature at Sunday’s Pune races — but not with his usual swagger. The favourite with 14 wins from 21 starts was expected to jog home like clockwork, but Pune has always been his Bermuda Triangle. Two defeats on this very track had already made him look mortal, and this time, though he “broke the jinx,” he did it more like someone sneaking past security rather than storming the gates.

 

Sandesh, in form but sweating bullets, had to throw the kitchen sink in the last stride to scrape past the gallant Magileto. Weight-conceding is something Time And Tide has turned into a hobby over the years, but this time he looked as though he had lost his usual spark. Magileto lost nothing in defeat, Credence who set the pace was reminded he doesn’t belong in this league, and Ashoka from Hyderabad must be wondering why he travelled all the way just to play the role of “hopelessly outclassed.”

 

The 1600 metres Rotary District 2131 September Handicap, for horses rated 20 to 46 but restricted to three-year-olds, gave us the day’s comic relief. Dallas Todywalla’s Little John decided to grow up overnight, sprouting wings in the final furlong to make the field look like they were running in slow motion. The betting ring’s darling Enforcer did what Enforcers do best—flex early, puff up the chest, and then vanish into witness protection the moment the straight arrived. Phantasmique briefly threatened to play the hero, but Little John flew home to provide the highest dividend on a tenner. Caradoc sneaked into third, while Juracan ran like he had better places to be. The upset wasn’t surprising—this bunch had as much substance as a WhatsApp forward.

 

In the 1400 metres Amjad Khan Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, Dallas Todywalla’s Spanish Eyes finally opened after a 413-day lockout. Punters who kept the faith were rewarded, but only by the skin of their teeth. Chardikala did the early legwork, but Sandesh pushed Spanish Eyes late, only for Axlrod to appear from nowhere like a late-night food delivery. Unfortunately, he ran out of road just inches shy. Vincero finished a close third, probably wishing the race was 20 metres longer.

 

The 1200 metres Dinkoo N Chenoy Salver, a race for maiden three-year-olds, saw Nirad Karanjawalla’s Seneca finally justify the hype, though not without a tussle. El Moran fought bravely, but Sandesh’s strong-arm tactics ensured Seneca clinched it by a narrow margin. Aeon Flux stayed honest in third. In the lower division, Prasanna Kumar’s Bangalore raider Eagle Eye soared above the rest, swatting aside Allex L’etoile and turning the favourite’s job into an afternoon stroll. Running Away, true to name, was over seven lengths adrift. An encore looks very much on the cards.

 

The 2000 metres Lemon Tree Hotels Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, turned into a sibling rivalry with two runners in the same silks slugging it out. The experienced Odysseus held his nerve, outgunning favourite Regina Memorabilis by a neck, while Pride’s Prince arrived late, like a guest who turns up after dessert.

 

Narendra Lagad-trained Moonlight Kiss ended a 380-day drought in the World’s Oldest Barbershop Trophy, a race for horses rated 20 to 46, and she did it in style. Sandesh, who had a quadruple for the day, bided his time before pressing the turbo button and blasting away from the hopelessly chasing pack. She’s A Teaser was left looking like, well, just a teaser. Empower trailed in second, while The Athabasca never looked interested in breaking a sweat.

 

Finally, in the 1600 metres Spearhead Plate, a race for horses rated 1 to 26, Imtiaz Sait’s Speak The Breed decided to live up to the name and barked loudest when it mattered. The sentimental money went all-in on Goldiva, a mare who treats the starting gates like a revolving door and hadn’t tasted victory for an eye-watering 960 days—basically long enough to change careers. For once she jumped clean, but true to form, halfway down the track she remembered that “winning” isn’t really her thing. That left Speak The Breed to swoop in late under apprentice Aditya Waydande, sealing the deal with a flourish while Dianne and Highground hung around like reluctant extras waiting for their cue.

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