The Pune racecourse buzzed with excitement on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, as several horses underwent their morning training sessions. Among the day’s standout performers, Gunsmoke and Darcy particularly caught the eye, delivering powerful and impressive displays on the inner sand track. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the day’s workouts:
Inner Sand Workouts
600m Drill: The two-year-old Nine Speed, ridden by Shahrukh, demonstrated promising early speed, completing the 600-meter dash in a pleasing 37 seconds.
800m Efforts: In the 800-meter category, Arazan/Eminence (Ramswarup) and Machiavellian (Santosh) moved effortlessly in unison, clocking 52 seconds overall with a final 600m in 39 seconds. Ultimo, guided by Ajinkya, also showed good form, finishing in 52 seconds (600m in 40s). Magileto (A. Gaikwad) ran fluently, recording 53 seconds (600m in 38s). Chelsea (Ajinkya) had an easy run, completing in 56 seconds (600m in 43s). Silver Strike (Merchant) worked well, finishing in 51 seconds (600m in 38s). However, it was Darcy (Zameer) who truly excelled, blazing through the 800m in an impressive 48 seconds, with a blistering 600m in 36 seconds.
1000m Runs: Over 1000 meters, Black Thunder (Gore) was slightly urged to finish in 1 minute 6 seconds (800m in 51s, 600m in 38s). Dream Seller (Ajinkya) worked freely, clocking 1 minute 8 seconds (800m in 53s, 600m in 40s). Eastern Monarch (Gore) was pressed for a time of 1 minute 7 seconds (800m in 52s, 600m in 38s). Amadeo (C.S. Jodha) had an easy outing, finishing in 1 minute 10 seconds (600m in 42s). Duesenberg (A. Prakash) and Superstar (Vivek G) moved together freely, also clocking 1 minute 10 seconds (800m in 55s, 600m in 42s). In a paired workout, All For Love (Yash) started two lengths behind Golden Heart (S.J. Sunil) but effortlessly drew level, with both clocking 1 minute 5 seconds (800m in 50s, 600m in 38s). Between Lands (S.J. Sunil) proved superior to Running Away (Gore), finishing four lengths ahead with a time of 1 minute 7 seconds (800m in 52s, 600m in 39s).
1200m Challenges: Alexandria (Bhawani) covered 1200 meters in 1 minute 20 seconds, with the last 600m being urged, clocking 1000m in 1 minute 6 seconds and 800m in 51 seconds (600m in 39s). Mai Tai (Zervan) was pressed to match this pace, finishing in 1 minute 20 seconds (1000m in 1m 6s, 800m in 52s, 600m in 40s).
1400m Stamina Test: In the 1400-meter session, Psychic Star (Vivek G) and Matisse (Kirtish) began with Psychic Star four lengths behind. They finished level, clocking 1 minute 38 seconds (1200m in 1m 23s, 1000m in 1m 9s, 800m in 55s, 600m in 41s).
1600m Endurance: The day’s namesake, Gunsmoke (Yash), along with Eaton Square (S.J. Sunil), showcased impressive endurance over 1600 meters. Gunsmoke was well in hand as they finished level, recording 1 minute 48 seconds (1400m in 1m 33s, 1200m in 1m 18s, 1000m in 1m 5s, 800m in 52s, 600m in 40s). Zacharias (Kirtish) made up four lengths on Brasilier (Vivek G) to finish level in 1 minute 56 seconds (1000m in 1m 11s, 600m in 42s).
Gate Practice: Gate practice was also a key part of the morning workouts on the inner sand. Muskoka (Gore) jumped out well, completing 1000 meters in 1 minute 6 seconds (800m in 50s, 600m in 38s). Mansa Musa (Vivek G) and Marius (Kirtish) finished level freely in their 1000-meter gate practice, clocking 1 minute 10 seconds (800m in 54s, 600m in 41s).