Madhur Bajaj's Native Knight, who has matched strides with the best of his generation but has yet to win a race, may finally return to the winner's enclosure on Saturday at the Pune racetrack

Native Knight's day of reckoning

Madhur Bajaj's Native Knight, who has matched strides with the best of his generation but has yet to win a race, may finally return to the winner's enclosure on Saturday at the Pune racetrack. At least on paper, the Narendra Lagad-trained four-year-old appears to have an edge over his three rivals in the 12-furlong Fair Haven Trophy, the feature event of the nine-race card. Another runner form trainer Lagad's yard, Prince Lochinva, should be able to win the Radiant Plate for class III horses, and shapes as a good bet.

First race at 1.30 pm.

Selections
Live Legend Plate (Class IV; 1600m) Granados 1, Delphi 2, Tell Me More 3.
Acrobat Plate - Div II (Class V; 1200m) Ijlal 1, Divine Majesty 2, Ashwa Prahar 3.
Ruben Star Plate (Class II; 1200m) Harmonica 1, Pillatus 2, Tequila 3.
Acrobat Plate - Div I (Class V; 1200m) Bemisaal 1, Final Attack 2, Wells Fargo 3.
Fair Haven Trophy (Class I; 2400m) Native Knight 1, Cabriolet 2.
Radiant Plate (For 5y&o, class III; 1400m) Prince Lochinva 1, Belligerent 2, Suavemente 3.
Jaspal Enterprises September Handicap (H'cap for 3yo; 1600m) Dante Rossetti 1, Lunar Quest 2, Pure Power 3.
Ray Of Light Plate (For 3y, maidens; 1000m) Native Lady 1, National Glory 2, Hottie 3.
Kimsel Plate (Class V; 1000m)
Prince Of Troy 1, Red Passion 2, Golden Heart 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: None
Good bet: Prince Lochinva (6-3)
Chance bet: Ijlal (2-4)
Upset: Benedictus (4-7)
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 - 4,5,6; III - 7,8,9
Tanala pool: All races.