Racing action shifted to the Winter track at Malakpet on Tuesday with a card of nine races framed for the new season. Followers of form had a rewarding day with six firm favourites obliging.

M Sathyanarayana trained City Of Harmony (Rebuttal-Well Rehearsed) continued with its monsoon form, winning the Sri Shamlal Gupta Memorial Cup, the main event of the opening day’s races of the Winter season. Having won its last two starts, City Of Harmony was sent off as the firm favourite among the dozen runners for the seven furlongs race. Jockey Trevor had the favourite race a close third behind Baazigar and Baashagar. On entering the straight City Of Harmony cruised to the lead and stretched out easily with the rider just waving the stick. Net Champ beat Baashagar for the second place. Red Rambble filled the frame.

Trainer D.Netto and jockey Suraj Narredu combination started off the new season with a double through Fashion High and Rahul’s Pet. The grey filly Rahul’s Pet (Green Coast-Singing Speed) completed a hat-trick in the Grand Entry Plate. Paprika shot to the lead as the gates opened and Rahul’s Pet moved quickly to be on its haunches. Entering the home stretch they came in that way but Rahul’s Pet surged ahead effortlessly approaching the last furlong and drew clear. Ashwa Raftar fought hard to get the better of Paprika close home to be the runner-up. Without Makeup finished fourth many lengths away.

Fashion High (Western Aristocrat-Amber Valley / Caprocon Stud) made an impressive debut in the Beginners Plate. The bay filly shot to the front from an outward draw, led all the way and extended the margin of victory to over seven lengths. New State, Plain Jane and On The Fire filled the frame in that order.

Laxman Singh trained Naazan (Whatsthescript-Quiet Lane) managed to get the race in its favour in the Steward’s room to complete a hat-trick. Limitation led early followed by Breezeofthesouth. Ice Crystal and Naazaan raced together a length behind followed by western Wind and the other two. Passing the 300 metres board Naazaan and Western Wind went ahead together and started to fight it out. The gap between western Wind and the inner rails started to narrow down inside the last 200 metres and Naazaan was blocked of a clear run with about 50 metres left from the finish. Western Wind held on by a short maegin from Naazaan at the post.The rider of Naazaan took an objection against the winner for interference and Stewards reversed the order after upholding the objection. Breezeofthesouth finished on in third.

M.Srinivas Reddy trained George Cross (West Verginia-celestina) that had found one better in its last two starts came good under P.Trevor to win the Welcome Plate, the opening race of the season. Racing handily behind the leader Save The Nation till the top of the straight George Cross surged ahead and held off the challenge of Monkey Shoulder by a length. Wine N Dine and Agusta Bombshell finished third and fourth respectively.

Wonder Eye (Varenar-Honey Run) from trainer Zoheb Shaikh’s stables nailed Pamella close to the post in the division I of the Deccan Star Plate. Being a bit lethargic at start Wonder Eye raced last of eleven till the last 600 metres while Pamela went on a start to finish bid. Wonder Eye took the turn wide and started to cover up places from the wide outside. The filly took some time to pick up momentum and once she did in the last 100 metres, came flying to collar Pamela in the dying moments of the race. Astra finished third ahead of Pegasus.

Trainer K.Satheesh sent out his ward Delta Force (Win Legend-Celestial Star) to win the lower division. Improving all the way Delta Force moved up to be fourth behind Time Is Luck, Rocky Hill and Malakeye Ziba entering the straight. Challenging Malakeye Ziba inside the last 150 metres Delta Force stormed ahead and drew clear. Egyptian Wind beat Malakeye Ziba close home for the second place. Dolce finished fourth.

M.Sathyanarayana saddled his second win through Ragas Ajalias (Ontario-Briland) in the division I of the Moment Of Glory Plate. Ragas Ajalias shot to the lead as the gates opened and made every post a winning one. Rohini was in chase all the way and finally lost out the second place to Yes Baby. Anupam Sharma’s Sher afgan (Whatsthescript-Firefoot) opened its account in the lower division. Pride And Joy went on a start to finish bid over the 1100 metres dash and Sher Afgan started to move up from the outside inside the last furlong. The two matched strides for over 100 metres and Sher Afgan  edged out Pride And Joy by a head. Sefarina and Cannon Grey finished third and fourth respectively.