Friday’s proceedings would have been lackluster but for the splendid debut by Padmanabhan trained Rain Splasher who has all the makings of a classic contender. The daughter of Placerville, who is blessed with an amazing turn of foot, is also bred to stay and it is this potent combination that is sure to make her a horse to watch during the Summer classics. There is no doubting her class. Rain Splasher moved from the outside draw to take charge of the proceedings with Red Cloud close in attendance while the rest were left behind in the first furlong itself. Rain Splasher came into the straight a few lengths clear of her pursuer and when jockey Appu asked her to stretch out, the response was brilliant. Rain Splasher changed gears as it were and sped away for an effortless win in an excellent timing of 1 minute 13.5 seconds and the timing, coming as it did from a horse capable of getting longer trips, was surely the hall mark of a top horse. Rain Splasher is a full sister to Risada who, owing to problems she had as a juvenile, never realized her potential albeit reaching the highest class. Red Cloud, who finished second best, is also a capable horse and should strike when saddled next. Seven-year old Adolfito, who had gone winless for well over a year, finally came good, when pitched in a handicap race. Adolfito has generally relished the sand based monsoon track of Hyderabad but failed to run to his potential at Kolkata. Now brought back to Bangalore, Adolfito went into the 2000 metres Racing Patrons Trophy as the least fancied of the runners as money came pouring in on Al Qamar. Apprentice jockey Ashwin Rao took Adolfito on a start to finish mission and the son of Tejano got stronger on turning for home and went away for a comfortable win over Assessed while Al Qamar was never in the hunt. Srinath guided Shaolin for a hard-fought win over War Head whose jockey Koch took things easy. War Head, who led the field from the start, refused to give up despite lackadaisical effort by his jockey but finally lost close home thanks to the driving finish of Srinath on the favourite. Razpazazz ran on to finish third edging out Arizza. Suraj Narredu who has lost considerable amount of winners after he was deprived the use of the whip mid-way through the season, had a winner coming through Greenlawn who staved off the challenge of Solar Crystal. Greenlawn who generally gets left at the gate, however, has managed to squeeze in a win every season. The heavily supported Shalivahana and Luffness betrayed their supporters. Dominic trained Sunlaa recorded a hat-trick of wins as he comfortably held off the challenge of Power of Dreams. Once again the market fancies Maha Rani and Jacard were not in a mood to justify the faith of the race goers in their abilities Faustino, who had been waited with for a considerable period of time, had no problem whatsoever in winning as he pleased though Black Berry’s finishing efforts gave some life to the race. In the form that he is in, Faustino can win if there is a will. In the day’s other action, Cascabel showed vast improvement when trouncing the opposition, with Pick Me Up finishing second. Fancied Siguru was not sighted.