By Admin 
Trainer Pesi Shroff’s colt Zacharias, ridden by Vivek G, won the Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr.1), the main attraction of Sunday’s (Oct. 12) races here.
The winner is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Vijay B. Shirke, Mr. Jay V. Shirke, Mr. Martand Singh Mahindra, Mrs. Rina Mahindra & Mr. Neville H. Bilpodiwala.
Jockey Antony Raj S rode three winners of the day.
Jockey Vivek G rode with supreme confidence astride Zacharias, keeping the gelding well-settled in fifth position for most of the journey.
Without getting anxious, he let his mount settle into a good rhythm and stayed patiently behind the front-runners. As the field turned for home, Vivek asked Zacharias to go for it, and the son of Western Aristocrat out of Watchmyscript responded with a dazzling burst of speed.
Showing an exceptional turn of foot, Zacharias surged past his rivals in a matter of strides to register an emphatic victory — drawing away to win by an impressive five and a half lengths.
This commanding performance not only showcased the horse’s class but also marked a memorable milestone for the young jockey, as it was Vivek G’s first-ever Derby triumph — a moment he will cherish for a long time.
1. COMMANDER TROPHY (1,400m): OPUS DEI (C. Umesh) 1, Scaramouche (T.S. Jodha) 2, Liam (Omkar) 3 and Eagle Day (S. Chouhan) 4. 3/4, 1-1/4 and 1-3/4. 1m, 27.18s. ₹43 (w), 18 and 14 (p). SHP: 28, FP: 105, Q: 34, Tanala: 764 and 910. Favourite: Scaramouche.
Owner: Mr. C. Aryama Sundaram. Trainer: Imtiaz Sait.
Note: In this race Amadeo (Mukesh K up) planted into the stalls and did not participate.
2. JAYANT M. SHAH & CHAMPAK M. SHAH GOLD TROPHY (2,400m): ENDURANCE (C.S. Jodha) 1, Land Of Plenty (Ramswarup) 2, Looking Like A Wow (Antony Raj) 3 and Viking (Trevor) 4. 2-1/4, 2 and Long Neck. 2m, 34. 08s. ₹23 (w), 31 and 10 (p). SHP: 47, FP: 98, Q: 80, Tanala: 511 and 346. Favourite: Endurance.
Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Homi Mehta, Mr. Jehangir Mehta, Mrs. Liane Luthria & Mr. Milan Luthria. Trainer: Imtiaz A. Sait.
3. PUNE POLICE COMMISSIONER’S TROPHY (1,200m): JOONDALUP (C. Umesh) 1, Cinderella’s Dream (Aditya) 2, Starseed (T.S. Jodha) 3 and Majestic Warrior (Mustakim) 4. 2-1/4, 1/2 and 1-1/4. 1m, 8.51s. ₹127 (w), 29, 11 and 79 (p). SHP: 37, FP: 818, Q: 283, Tanala: 3,922 and 5,883. Favourite: El Moran.
Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Dilp Thomas rep. The Rajagiri Rubber & Produce Company Limited. Trainer: James E. Mckeown.
4. JIMMY UMRIGAR TROPHY (Div. I) (1,400m): ALFONSINE (K. Sai Kiran) 1, Exciting (Vivek G) 2, Caradoc (Trevor) 3 and Skandha (T.S. Jodha) 4. Not run: All For Love, Bravo Zulu, Gold Bar and Semurg. 3-1/2, 2-1/4 and 5-3/4. 1m, 25.07s. ₹24 (w), 10, 13 and 13 (p). SHP: 21, FP: 53, Q: 45, Tanala: 62 and 19. Favourite: Caradoc.
Owner: Mr. Arun Kumar P. Trainer: Prasanna Kumar P.
5. NOSHIR & DOLLY DHUNJIBHOY SPRINT MILLION (Gr. 3) (1,200m): SHAMBALA (Antony Raj S) 1, Magileto (Trevor) 2, Christophany (Neeraj) 3 and Dubai Princess (Nazil) 4. Neck, 2 and 3/4. 1m, 06.94s. ₹15 (w), 13 and 19 (p). SHP: 34, FP: 44, Q: 27, Tanala: 137 and 84. Favourite: Shambala.
Owners: Miss. Nazzak B. Chenoy & Mr. J.H. Damania. Trainer: Nazzak B. Chenoy.
6. VILLOO C. POONAWALLA PUNE DERBY (Gr. 1) (2,000m): ZACHARIAS (Western Aristocrat — Watchmyscript) (Vivek G) 1, Gunsmoke (Havana Gold — Belliflore) (Yash Narredu) 2, Superstar (Leitir Mo — Shane) (A. Prakash) 3 and Baychimo (French Navy — Lady Sargent) (Antony Raj) 4. 5-1/2, Long Neck and Short Neck. 2m, 02.73s.₹37 (w), 13,31 and 39 (p). SHP: 52, FP: 697, Q: 236, Tanala: 3,238 and 1,766. Favourite: Prokofiev.
Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Vijay B. Shirke, Mr. Jay V. Shirke, Mr. Marthand Singh Mahindra, Mrs. Rina Mahindra & Mr. Neville H. Bilpodiwala. Trainer: P. Shroff.
7. JIMMY UMRIGAR TROPHY (Div. II) (1,400m): CONJURER (Antony Raj S) 1, Claude (Sandesh) 2, Her Charge (Bhawani) 3 and Namiri (Trevor) 4. 1-1/4, 3 and 3. 1m, 25.15s. ₹15 (w), 12, 13 and 19 (p). SHP: 32, FP: 27, Q: 22, Tanala: 261 and 132. Favourite: Conjurer.
Owners: Mr. Cheriyan Abraham and Mrs. Smita Bajoria rep. Cherie Sports Pvt. Ltd. Trainer: B. Prithviraj.
8. VINAYAK SALVER (1,000m): FLASHMAN (Antony Raj S) 1, Samson (Mustakim) 2, We Still Believe (Pranil) 3 and Arbitrage (Gore) 4. Long Neck, 1-1/4 and 3/4. 57.94s. ₹23 (w), 18, 54 and 21 (p). SHP: 129, FP: 1,096, Q: 283, Tanala: 3,995 and 1,557. Favourite: Flashman.
Owner: Mrs. Bakhtawar B. Chenoy. Trainer: Bezan Chenoy.
Note: Superluminal (R. Shelar up) fell down near the 600m, dislodging the rider. Shelar was immediately taken to the hospital by the medical team with neck and head injuries. He was reported to be conscious and is undergoing treatment.
Jackpot: 70%: ₹777 (1,215 tkts.), 30%: 78 (5,202 tkts.).
Treble: (i) 3,535 (5 tkts.), (ii) 197 (176 tkts.).
Super Jackpot: 70%: 10, 191 (6 tkts.), 30%: 904 (29 tkts.).