Legendary Lover is the class horse of the juveniles race today, but is appearing for the first time this term and could be a shade rusty after nearly six months off. One wonders if there is any josh left in Josh King after he has been subjected to five races in the last three months, but the gelding is so game and consistent, he has almost always given his true running. Leit Motif has beaten the latter at Mumbai but ran dismally last time. With the correction in the spelling of her name and with the addition of blinkers and a tongue strap, she could be a different proposition here.

As C Rajendra has been putting his mounts into the winners enclosure at a 33 per cent clip, Desert Force should be a good thing in the Class III race, which for once has a modest-sized field. Thanks is a fair prospect for a place as is Amar Jyoti, whose rider has been on the board about half the time at Pune this season.

The record of three-year-olds in Class II this season shows that superior runners like Her Excellency and Prince Nicholas could manage a win, while a contender a notch below like Intel found the company too stiff. Undoubtedly La Primavera has struck a purple patch with victories attending each of her three starts at Pune, but she might be at too short a price to provide value. In any case, at the weights Intel himself is the better proposition. Caution is the watchword here.

Last time out, Tonnerre streaked to the front like a scalded cat before capitulating. The gelding now has Rajendra to guide his fortunes, which should be a plus point. Three offspring of Tecorno, including Special Recruit own-brother to the useful Fog Cutter are also in the field.

Unfortunately, Special Recruit is drawn 16 of 17, and his partner SS Bhati is coming off a 34-race losing streak. Despite these limitations, the Antia-trained runner has the pedigree credentials to shine. Ocean Falls may be considered for combinations for the pools.

Just five clash in Sunday's opener, a maiden event over 2000 m., which is put down for 10:30 a.m. Now that the offspring of Don't Forget Me are firing, Deux Amours is well-placed to raise Shapoor Mistry's burgeoning tally to 11 for the season. The gelding is well rested since his last ignominious show. North American is a shade one-paced but otherwise has the attributes required to pose a threat.

A victory for Grey Test is overdue. The daughter of Metal Precieux missed by a mere head last time over the identical trip. She has spent too much time essaying unsuitably short trips, when in another stable, and could perhaps be a shade better than she appears on paper. In any case, the opposition is not exactly awe-inspiring. One could say the connections of Songan have been lucky to find a spot like the handicap maiden in which she appears. With the benefit of a run and some remedial measures, she has been working well and shapes as the winner. Straight Arrow is another who should run better than last time, but as he is conceding weight, would probably find it difficult to cope.

The feature of the weekend is the Western India Owners Trophy, which has a rather depleted field of just five Class I horses. After eight consecutive efforts over 1400 m., the daughter of Razeen has fnally been afforded the luxury of contesting the metric mile, a trip that should suit her better.

Last time out, she finished strongly off a stiff pace and provided the pace is not muddling, should make this event her own. Seeing that she has not triumphed for over a year, while running her heart out on several occasions, a victory for her would be only fitting.