Pune races: Arts set for hat-trick

The Cooji Katrak-trained Arts who has displayed brilliant current form during two quick back-to-back victories on the Pune racetrack this season will be strongly fancied for the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy, the feature event of Saturday's nine-race card. Suraj Narredu, the latest entrant to the 1,000+ wins club, will partner the Ontario - Shanley four-year-old yet again. Portrush should follow Arts home based on their last encounter, however, Forest Flair who now gets the services of Imran Chisty in the saddle, should also run a bold race.

Ocean Wish, trained by SK Sunderji and to be ridden by C Rajendra, attracts as the best betting proposition of the day; she is expected to win the lower division of the Gironde Plate from Aqualina on whom jockey YS Srinath will make a comeback after nearly two months.

First race at 1.30 pm.
Selections:

Aspiring Star Plate (Class V; 2000m)
Mia Stella 1, Drama Queen 2, Winning Treat 3.

Hawke Bay Plate (For 5y&o, class V; 1200m)
The Rebel 1, Sparkler 2, The First Lady 3.

Gironde Plate - Div II (Class IV; 1000m)
Ocean Wish 1, Aqualina 2, Banana Boy 3.

Rambus Plate - Div II (Class III; 1400m)
Dear Henry 1, Bluemarine 2, Sine Qua Non 3.

Rambus Plate - Div I (Class III; 1400m)
Pure Elation 1, Tequila 2, Amore Mio 3.

Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy (For 4y&o; 1200m)
Arts 1, Forest Flair 2, Portrush 3.

DNA Trophy (For 3yo, unraced; 1200m)
Maria Teresa 1, Oceanic Wisdom 2, Guernica 3.

Specialist Plate (Class IV; 1600m)
Tell Me More 1, Laserre 2, Riding Fantasy 3.

Gironde Plate - Div I (Class IV; 1000m)
Star Of Killarney 1, Creme De La Creme 2, Glorious Miss 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: Ocean Wish (3-2)
Good bet: Arts (6-2)
Chance bets: Pure Elation (5-2)
Upset: Real Dream (9-8)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Jackpot pools: I - 3,4,5,6,7; II - 5,6,7,8,9
Treble pools: I - 2,3,4; II - 6,7,8; III - 7,8,9
Tanala pool: All races.