Fresh from his double strike on Thursday, Arjun Manglorkar  bagged the big one of the opening week, the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja  Memorial Million, the five to one shot Abira in the hands of Neeraj Rawal lasting out to score from the Mysore hopeful Lady Of Luxury and the vastly improved Bostonia from trainer Sulaiman Attaollahi's yard. The winner after tracking the nohoper Sir Supremo for most part of the trip did well to establish a winning lead at the distance post and then gamely held on to the delight of her trainer. The overwhelming favourite Northern Alliance piloted by Suraj Narredu at no stage looked capable of justifying favouritism despite the fact that the Neil Devaney ward was in striking distance at the final curve. The effort of Lady Of Luxury, it is needless to mention brought cheer to the Mysore camp considering the fact that the Mysore lady had beaten a couple of good and higher ranked Bangalore horses who are looking to make the classic grade in the months ahead. 

The principal added attraction, the Ranga Family Cup was claimed by the public choice Mystic Flame from Parvati Byramji's yard. The winner piloted by Irvan Singh produced a sparkling gallop at the distance post to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The victory will put the smile back on the face of Parvati who lost a big chance to win a classic at Malakpet, her best filly Gift Of Grace piloted by Zervan going down to Well Connected in the final stride. The fact that Gift Of Grace was ahead 1,599 metres of the 1600M trip before losing out must have disappointed Parvati most but in sport you get the wrong end of the stick when you reckon that everything is going well. That's sport and the game teaches you to smile in defeat and victory and that's exactly what Parvati did after Mystic Flame assumed command, smile all the way to lead in the smart winner who could well win again if Parvati cleverly places him in his next test. Square The Circle despite going very wide at the top of the straight caught the eye gaining the runner-up berth ahead of Wild Wild Angels while Venus Bay filled the frame. The Faraz Arshad schooled Exclusive Mandate, the second favourite in this event after showing the way till the heads turned for home in this mile long trip shifted out and eventually finished in the ruck. The fact that a couple of Mysore contestants finished ahead of Exclusive Mandate clearly indicates that all is not well with this Faraz Arshad ward who promised much after making a impressive winning debut in winter. 

After Spiritous and War Hero were withdrawn at the starting gates, Intense Suspense came in for huge support in the Valaroso Plate run over a sprint. The favourite in the hands of Sai Kiran hit the front and was travelling well raising hopes of all her supporters before she started to tire in the final furlong. This provided the lesser fancied Maduro a good chance and under the powerful assistance from Arshad Alam, Maduro got up in time to overhaul the leader close home. El Tycoon surprised most finishing a creditable third in the hands of Shivkumar while Star Of Thea made the final frame. El Tycoon after this suggestive effort is certain to earn his corn bill very soon this season. 

The Ranjeet-trained New Beginning was fancied most in the final event, the Regency Gold Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The public choice piloted by leading pro Srinath justified the confidence of her supporters unleashing a fine turn of foot in the final furlong to snuff out the challenge of the lesser fancied Ascendency who after hitting the front at the top of the straight looked set to score. Order Order caught the eye while finishing third and is one for the notebook. 

Earlier, Aleef from trainer Mohd. Khan's yard came up trumps in the opening event, the lower division of the Full Speed Plate.The winner piloted by Arshad Alam edged out Eco Friendly while the second in demand at the betting ring Honey Trap finished a tame third. Phoenix Reached, a firm favourite in this event was never in the hunt and it is best to ignore this effort of the Inayathullah ward who is capable of a far better show. 

Neeraj Rawal who excelled on Abira had earlier booted home the public choice Royal Command to a facile victory in the Cauvery Plate run over 1100M dash. The winner from the stables of Prashanth Pawar  while donkey-licking his opponents clocked a smart time of 1:5.31 seconds and on the strength of this performance is certain to provide an encore when saddled next. 

Fotogenic was one other favourite who filled the pockets of the followers of form proving too good in the upper division of the Full Speed Plate. A confident John guided the winner without really needing to raise a sweat. Admirable finished second ahead of All By Myself while Lucky Isabella took the fourth spot. The runner-up it appears has improved and it will pay to follow this Sharath Kumar trainee in the weeks ahead.