Another long shot Tara (20-to-1) finished runner up ahead of Lorelei & Celestial Call, who completed the frame. Brunello is owned by Vijay Shirke and trained by MK Jadhav.

“When I stole a glance in the final furlong, there was no one getting at me, so I knew we were home and dry,” an ecstatic Sandesh told MiD DAY after the race. He however, credited the win to a change in strategy. It may be noted that barely four days ago — on Saturday — Brunello and Sandesh had won a nine-furlong race at the same track by going to the front. This time though they decided to change tactics.