In the Class II Sunny Downs Trophy (1600 metres), most factors point to a victory for Sunflowers. This consistent filly has been deemed worthy of support earlier this season as well, but has managed to find one or two too good on both occasions. Her only career victories came on this track last year and another winning bracket is overdue. With not too much opposition, she shapes as a decent prospect. Pickpocket ran a stinker last time out and may be given a chance to redeem himself. Thundering Bay and Rain Cloud must be considered for poolpurposes.

Several consistent maidens clash in the metric mile event restricted to that category. Josh King, Along All, Bernadine and Fairy Dust have been placed at Pune, but the runner with the capacity to show the most improvement is Bohemein (sic) Dancer. She will appreciate the added distance and as her schooler, Dallas Todywalla, has been excelling with his juveniles (9 individual three-year-old winners this season) bids fair to add to that tally. Malcolm Kharadi has the mount.

Ten have been declared to start in the Eve Champion Trophy, a race commemorating the memory of philanthropist Sir Victor Sassoon, whose initials ("EV") gave the event its name. It sees Saddle Up, recently stripped off his McDowell Indian Derby win for testing positive to a prohibited substance, back in action after a successful Bangalore campaign. The game gelding is burdened with 62 kg, which might prove a stopper considering he is facing older horses for the first time. Tanala pool combinations between him, his fellowfour-year-old Capitulate, and the older trio of Octogonal, Allied Forces and Emperado (now in new ownership) could yield good dividends.

As many as 33 Class III contestants have been pitched into the fray in the 1100 metres sprint for those runners, with the result that the race has had to be divided. Even so, both events are unwieldy and highly susceptible to the luck of the draw. This season, runners drawn in the first six have won 38 of the 58 races contested at short distances (up to 1200 metres). It will take a brave punter to expect value here from the favourites. For place considerations, the notable runners in the upper division are Caf‚ Noire, Sorrentina, Vision Of The Seas and Kildangan, while the lower division has Revolution and Ghost Who Walks. With generous sponsorship from the manufacturers of Threptin biscuits, the General Rajendrasinhji Million has nine in opposition. However, overall the field is not of the expected calibre. Inglenook from the south is the sole challenger from elsewhereand he joins top-weight Jeweller and Legal Steps to make for a formidable trio in the silks of Calcutta-based Deepak Khaitan, although all hail from different yards. The only one who can topple this bunch is Dr MAM Ramaswamy's Amber Legend. Ideally, one should follow the money here.

Normally, none would have appealed more in the Princess Beautiful Trophy than Khaalis. He is a natural front-runner, acts well on the track and had a grand rehearsal last time out. However, confidence in him is dented by the fact that his stable is woefully out of form, with only one winner and one placed horse from 34 starts this term. Still, statistically speaking, those numbers must balance out somewhere, so Khaalis remains worthy of a measure of support. Nash Tiger will exploit any crack in the woodwork and could well make light o his extended absence after his notable effort in the opening week.

Another overcrowded Class III field, this time over 1600 metres, faces the starter tomorrow. Failed favourite when last seen,Alderney is attempting to stretch out in distance, after being perceived to be a sprinter. His pedigree suggests that the switch will prove worthwhile. His fellow juvenile, Northern Angel, should have benefited from the rest she has had and must surely figure on the board.