The thundering of the hooves returned to Malakpet race track with the Hyderabad Monsoon season kick starting on Thursday. A card of nine races was framed for the opening day and the followers of money returned a happy lot with fancied runners obliging in most of them.

L.V.R.Deshmukh trained Vijays joy (Stern Opinion-Jia Yoh Jia Yoh / Lumbini Stud) used its rich experience while scoring an impressive victory in the division I of the Madras Race Club Cup, that featured the day’s card. Jockey P.S.Chouhan was in control of the grey gelding right from the start. Vijays Joy jumped out smartly from the innermost draw and set to lead the field over the scurry. Kohinoor Thunder and City Of Dreams raced close behind followed by the rest. On the final stretch Vijays Joy continued to dictate terms and kicked clear. City Of Dreams rallied on in second followed by Policy Maker who was closing up. Kohinoor Thunder finished fourth.

Laxman Singh trained Vijay Vidhata (Gaswar-Blue Sonata) displayed its class while annexing the lower division. The 5 year old was held back in second last even as the field of eight rounded the final turn. Approaching the last 300 metres Beau Ideal, King Of Pop and Atlas Star were almost in a line. Vijay Vidhata looked to take the shortest way but seeing the gap narrowing down apprentice Rafique Sk pulled it out to make its move. Vijay Vidhata produced a brilliant gallop when shown the daylight from the outside and sped past to settle the issue. It was a blanket finish for the minor places with Atlas Star, Galiat and King Of Pop finishing in that order.

Former jockey N.Ravinder Singh who had hung his boots recently took up to training from the current season. He led in his first winner on the first day at office through Royal Dynamite (Stern Opinion-Fashion Lady) in the division II of the Welcome Plate. Royal Dynamite rushed to the front as the gates opened and ran prominently all the way. Great Glory was in chase all through the straight but a second is all she could manage. Magnum and Avantika finished third and fourth respectively.

Vijay’s Dynamite (Ravel-Therry Girl) from the stables of Laxman Singh scored a maiden victory in the higher division. Miramar was out of the gates quickly and set to lead the pack. Vijay’s Dynamite improved well from an outward draw and joined alongside to match strides. Inside the last 300 metres Vijay’s Dynamite surged ahead and stubbornly stayed in front of Cash Landing. Space Ship rallied in to take the third place in front of Good Image.

The 3 year old grey filly Preciosa (Green Coast-Coco Chanel) from Donald Netto’s yard took off from where she had left last winter in the Opener of the day, the Nelston Cup. The filly tracked Manoveg till the top of the straight and with minimum effort surged past passing the 400 metres board. The winner was sighted long way from home and she won by a big margin. Manoveg stayed on in second. Scooby Dooby Doo and Yes Baby filled the judge’s frame.

Trainer S.A.Shehzad Abbas had his share of success on the first day of the season with his 5 year old gelding Brilliant (Razeen-Finest Hour) in only its second outing storming home in the Look Of Eagles Cup.The piping hot favourite Crown Royal bolted rider less from the gates before the start and was withdrawn along with Buckshee after being troublesome. The big line up of 16 runners was reduced accordingly. Western Express took advantage of the inner draw and set out to lead the field. Brilliant was found to be racing in about tenth or eleventh as they turned for home. Jockey Akshay started to work on Brilliant once on the straight and the gelding improved places and put in a scintillating gallop towards the last 150 metres to beat Western Express by a length and a half. Grand Canyon was a close third while Ice Barrier took the fourth place.

Jockey P.S.Chouhan’s persistence paid dividends on Deshmukh’s ward Perfection (Chevalier-Sharp Memory) in the Act In Time Plate. Winless from 13 starts Perfection was available at nourishing odds of 5-1. Racing in midfield Perfection gradually improved position through the field inside the last furlong. Changing his whip hand at the right juncture, Chouhan guided his mount towards the gap along the rails and the filly responded well to go for it and collared Pamella. Cash For Rank finished a close third ahead of Amethyst.

M.Sathyanarayana trained Red Express (Sedgefield-Fort Knox) showed a clean pair of heels while lifting the higher division of the Silver Dagger Plate. Red Express did not have enough speed at the start and could not take advantage of draw one. Settling in about seventh or eighth all the way Red Express started to make headway on the straight and with a final assault sped past the front runners. Lips Locking and Rebellion were second and third respectively ahead of the front running Flower Roll Up.

K.Satheesh’s ward Sensei (Noverre-Bridge Of Sigh) scored an encore in the lower division, the concluding race of the day. The 5 year old tracked the pair of Italian Cypress and Dancing Farha till entering the straight and surged ahead to take it up without any fuss. Par Excellence started to challenge towards the closing stages but Sensei had enough legs to carry on till the finish. Vista finished third and Military Cross fourth.