Spider Man for JE Hughes Trophy

Pune: The J E Hughes Trophy, slated as the prime event of Saturday's eight-race card, promises to be an exciting contest as at least four of the ten class II runners in the fray have a realistic chance at the top prize, and going by their position at the scales are very competitively matched.

They are Spider Man, Gold Bag, Ageless and Egyptiana.

While Ageless, being the only three-year-old in the line up, may attract most of the betting money, and even Gold Bag, winner of a race on this track this season, will also have her share of supporters, I feel the one who can get stronger at the finish of the six-furlong contest is Spider Man.

The Nirad Karanjawalla-trained four-year-old has been working well on the trial track, and with little luck, can win the main event, and may be supported as a chance bet on a card that does not throw up any horse as the best betting proposition of the day.

First race at 2 pm.
Selections:

Gruezi Plate (For 5y&o, class IV; 1000m)
Passion Prince 1, Scarlet Of Hope 2, Mt Tianmen 3.

Sans Pareil Plate (Class V; 2000m)
Jager Bomb 1, Striking Story 2, Roxelana 3.

Raphaela Plate - Div II (Class IV; 1400m)
The Way I Am 1, Bullion Express 2, Soul Centric 3.

Sonalika Plate (Class III; 1600m)
Lord Jim 1, Zana 2.

Raphaela Plate - Div I (Class IV; 1400m)
Shahriyar 1, Bay Of Secrets 2, Jupiter 3.

J E Hughes Trophy (Class II; 1200m)
Spider Man 1, Ageless 2, Gold Bag 3.

Pune Mirror Salver (For 3y, maidens; 1200m)
Tonteria 1, Holy Smoke 2, Victorio 3.

Aerobica Plate (Class V; 1400m)
Simply Shining 1, Sail Past 2, The Other Song 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: None
Good bet: Jager Bomb (2-1)
Chance bet: Simply Shining (8-2)
Upsets: Grand March (1-3) & Christmas Eve (5-4)

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