P TREVOR AT HIS BEST IN THE PUNE DERBY, GR.1

Seven runners faced the starter with the outstation challenger Desperado, after his smashing eight length victory in Pune over the mile in Class III, emerging the favourite for this year’s Pune Derby, with Excellent, Pioneer and Bushtops all available at 6/1. The outstation challenger Knotty Ash ran with generous odds of 12/1 having finished third in his last start in a Class III race in Mysore to Mr Handsome.
As the gates opened Knotty Ash took over the running from Desperado and Cavarozzi with Excellent sitting a handy fourth, followed by Pioneer, Truly Epic and Bushtops comfortable in last position. Soon after, Cavarozzi took over the running and led the field from Knotty Ash, Desperado, Excellent, Pioneer, Truly Epic with Bushtops still in the rear. There was no change in the order till the 800m marker. Cavarozzi led the field into the home straight from Knotty Ash, Desperado with Excellent and Truly Epic ranging alongside. Jockey P Trevor was comfortably sitting with Pioneer (Phoenix Tower-Riyasaat) on the inside. Knotty Ash and Desperado took over the running from Excellent, while Cavarozzi started dropping out of the frame. Akshay Kumar shifted out on Knotty Ash when Desperado challenged him on his outside, while Excellent who had given his all, was found wanting for stamina. Trevor astride the Malesh Narredu-trained Pioneer discovered the gates to heaven had opened for him on the rails, and the split second decision to ride on hard through, helped him emerge victorious by a short neck from Knotty Ash who was a short head in front of Desperado in third. Excellent finish a further 1¾ behind in fourth. This was perhaps one of the most exciting finishes in the Pune Derby that we have seen in a while. It was uncertain who would make it to the line first, and the climax came at the last stride, the winning stride at 2:04.24 secs.

Jockey P Trevor was at his stupendous best, playing the waiting game till he got into contention. But the bravest and wisest act was taking the gap which took him straight to victory for his delighted owners, Mr Jaydev M Mody, Mr & Mrs Shapoor P Mistry, Dr Ram H Shroff & Mr Raj H Shroff. Pioneer has won four of his seven starts, with two Group wins having won the Breeders Produce Stakes, Gr.3 earlier. Career earnings stand at ₹40,54,140.