Hitting the front right from the word go, Divine Star produced a commanding performance to clinch the JE Hughes Trophy, the feature event on the second day of the Pune racing season, held at the picturesque Pune Race Course here on Friday.
In the eight-horse field, champion jockey P Trevor gave Divine Star a flawless ride, positioning the gelding prominently from the start. Once the gates flew open, Trevor seized the initiative, allowing Divine Star to dictate the pace. As the race entered the final furlong, the contest was as good as over. Divine Star galloped away from the rest of the field, showcasing both class and stamina to seal an emphatic victory.
The main challenge came from Fighton, who tried to close the gap in the straight, but could not match the winner’s momentum. Alpine Star also ran a spirited race to finish third, just behind Fighton.
Bred at the Villoo Poonawalla Greenfield Farms, Divine Star justified his status as the tote favourite, living up to expectations with a polished and professional performance. With this win, the Karthik Ganapathy-trained runner stamped his authority on the six-furlong contest and further strengthened his reputation as one to follow this season.
