Cellini and Dream Seller emerged as the standout performers during Friday morning’s training sessions at the Pune racecourse. Both horses displayed encouraging form on the inner sand track, catching the eye of observers as they underwent their scheduled exercises on September 11.
The morning session featured a variety of gallops, with trainers and jockeys putting their charges through their paces. Cellini, under the guidance of T.S. Jodha, looked particularly sharp during an 800-metre sprint, clocking 50 seconds with a final 600-metre split of 37 seconds. Similarly, Dream Seller, partnered by Kaviraj, showed significant promise over 1000 metres. The horse was kept under a firm hold, finishing the distance in 1 minute and 6 seconds, with the final 800 metres covered in 51 seconds and the last 600 metres in 40 seconds.
Strong performances across the training track
Several other contenders also made a positive impression during the morning’s work. In the 1000-metre category, Bohemian Rhapsody, ridden by Nazil, clocked 1 minute and 6 seconds, though the horse required some urging in the final stages. Giacomo, with Sandesh in the saddle, also worked well over the same distance, recording a time of 1 minute and 8 seconds. Royal Champ, steered by Hamir, was slightly urged to finish in 1 minute and 7 seconds.
The session also included longer-distance gallops, with pairs working in tandem to build stamina. Zuccaro and Red Bishop completed a 1600-metre gallop in 1 minute and 53 seconds, moving level and freely throughout the exercise. In a longer 1800-metre workout, Fynbos and Duke Of Tuscany maintained a steady rhythm, finishing in 2 minutes and 9 seconds, showing good coordination as they moved level together.
Other notable efforts on the inner sand track included Miss American Pie, who moved well over 800 metres in 51 seconds, and the pair of Cashel King and Shimmer, who finished their 800-metre gallop level in 57 seconds. Naledi and Madison also completed their respective exercises with ease, rounding out a productive morning of preparation at the Pune facility.
