A few teams showed themselves to be forward based on last week's results. these included those of Narendra Lagad and Dallas Todywalla, whose wards deserve an extra point when weighing up the chances of the runners. Likewise, riders with a win or two under their belts will have gained in confidence and should be able to give of their best.

For the first time in a long while, a Class II race has so many acceptors that it has had to be divided. The upper division of today's P Hadow Trophy over 1200 m has a dozen in contention, of which Show The Class, Run For Glory, Quickdraw McGraw andIrian Jaya would form the short list. All four have been so consistent that they may profitably be combined for Tanala purposes.

In the lower division, Amusing and Starina are coming off a sequence of victories and could well have futher improvement left in them. Altynai has been thereabouts without tasting success since being relocated to Western India, while Redondo has been a model of consistency. Although Starine will be essaying a trip further than she has scored over before, the conformation of the Pune track is such as to favour her.

The terms maiden race over 1400 m has a few three-year-olds that have figured on the board during their initial runs at Mumbai. Towering head and shoulders above these is the grey filly Cristina, who would probably have won on debut back in November last year had she not run green. She was campaigned a trifle indiscriminately thereafter, but with the twin benefits of a rest and Pesi Shroff in the saddle, must surely score. Newcomer Flattery is the only unknown quantitythat might cause a flutter.

That most undesirable innovation, the handicap for maidens, has made a reappearance. Reportedly, there has been pressure from trainers to reinstate such retrograde events. Punters should not acquiesce to such tactics--they can well forego betting on win, place and race-specific pools. Of course, where such races figure in jackpot and treble pool events, a selection needs to be made, for which piercing the card with a hat pin is probably as good a method as any!

Flirtatious and Decked Up in the Class IV sprint restricted to older horses look the pick, while in the scurry for runners in the same class a couple of three-year-olds seem a cut above. These are Dreadnought, who is bred to improve, and Hearts In Motion. Amongst the older brigade electing to clash with youngsters in the same race, Zuhaak is the only one with above average form.

Friday's card lacks punch. Cafe Noire looks the pick of the Class III runners and should pack too much firepower for Crystal Girl and Fushia.Phrawah appears to have been on a weight-reducing mission at Mumbai and could shine this term at Pune, whether here or at his next assignment.

Orange King has been a shade unlucky throughout his career and is still a maiden. He has been tuned for the Class IV event over 1400 m, and with the rights assistance in the saddle should post an overdue winning flag. The unsound Akhnoor is talented and must run well if she does not feel her legs.

One of the weakest fields ever in a maiden event will face the starter in the Carbon Star Plate over 1100 m. Henki is the most seasoned customer, with six previous starts and a couple of on-board efforts to her credit. On the other hand, Certain Smile ran a most encouraging debut race back in December, just two lengths in arrears of the useful Sampagio, before a setback kept her off the course till March. She has the breeding and form to earn her first winning bracket.