Pesi Shroff trained filly Miracle (Multidimensional –Khalila) went about her business nonchalantly and picked up the season’s first ‘Classic’ without dropping sweat; the race panned out just as per the pre-race expectations. Miracle settled in fourth as New Look galloped freely in front with Limoncello tagging her until the turn; Miracle galloped alongside Pecanwood a couple of lengths from the leader, while Alicia was another two lengths further back.

On turning for home, Limoncello faded out while New Look did not last too long. Pecanwood tried to slip through the rails, but Miracle proved too good for the rest. Jockey PS Chouhan had her going in a trice and Miracle sped away leaving the rest far behind. She won stylishly without having to try too hard and sailed away to score a very easy victory, without being tested by any in the fray. Alicia too did what was expected of her and duly took the place of pride behind her more experienced stablemate and did her reputation no harm by beating the rest convincingly. Pecanwood easily beat the long-time leader to finish in the money. 

“She is a classy filly,” was the first reaction from jockey PS Chouhan as he dismounted with a satisfying smile on his face. She is fast-maturing and I am happy the way she felt right through the race. I would say the pace was a bit slow for her liking and these things do happen frequently, but Miracle adjusted well and quickened at the right time, more on her own than with my efforts. She is bound to improve further and she is one of the most promising fillies currently. 

Trainer Pesi Shroff too echoed Chouhan’s words, “She is a lovely filly and understands her racing well, and you can make out that she doesn’t get too excited like most of the juveniles are bound to do. I feel she is becoming a proper sports-woman,” said Shroff with a chuckle. “It was out of the norm as she did not have the usual prep race. She travelled well and her mock race (at Bangalore) was just the ‘loosener’ she got. I guess we prepared her as best as we could under the circumstances, without a lead-up race,” concluded Pesi Shroff. 

After a commendable run of three wins in as many starts over the shorter sprints last season, trainer Sequeira’s ward Falcon Edge enhanced his reputation by starting the new season with another resolute victory. 

Jockey Akshay Kumar kept the colt in check, racing with only Dandy man behind him while Francis Bacon, looking for his third win this season, was well ahead of the rest right from the start. Into the straight, Francis Bacon had a useful lead early on, but Peaky Blinders had him in his sights. However, even before Peaky Blinders made the forward surge, Falcon Edge arrived with a scorching gallop to storm ahead inside the final furlong to seal the issue a long way from home. Peaky Blinders was clearly overwhelmed and ended close to three lengths behind Falcon Edge to take the runner-up slot. Dandy Man improved from the tail end of the field to finish in the money.   

Trainer Sequeira had an immediate success in the following race where his lesser fancied Reno Star (Royal Gladiator – Glenviews Purchase) got the better of his more fancied stablemate Sovet Pride. Both had to cover some distance in the homestretch as Long Range entered the straight with a fairly sizable lead of about 4-5 lengths, with Havelock Cruise in second. Sovet Pride was another couple of lengths behind, with Reno Star racing further behind. However that did not matter thanks to the long Hyderabad straight, as Long Range and Havelock Cruise were both accounted for by Sovet Pride at the distance post. Just when it looked like Sovet Pride was in control, Reno Star, with allowance claimer Abhay Singh gathered momentum and finished on with a fierce burst of speed that floored Sovet Pride completely. Reno Star shot past Sovet Pride to clinch the race comfortably, winning by two lengths. Sovet Pride finished second and Ashwa Yashobali, who was tailing the field all the way into the straight, improved considerably to finish close behind the runner-up. 

Short-priced favourite All Time Legend (Top Class – Angeling) had it easy and won unchallenged. Settling behind Loch Stella and Different until unto the turn, All Time legend accelerated readily in the hands of jockey Vikrant to eat up ground rapidly inside the final 300 meters. The Netto trained gelding proved far superior to the rest as he raced ahead and drew away to pile up four lengths at the wire to win handsomely. Star Dancer ran on to finish second well ahead of Different. 

Star Racer (Corporate Jungle- Vena Amoris) got one better over his good second on the opening day, achieving his long due maiden success (29th start). The five year old gelding trained by Sreekant, looked in good touch as he was in striking position as they turned for home. 

Ashwa Arjun ran out of gas inside the homestretch and it was not long before Star Racer started to dominate. He grabbed the lead while shaking off Brisbane and then tore away to score by two lengths. Brisbane laboured hard, yet had to be content with the third spot as Max managed to peg him back for the runner up berth. 

On-money favourite Galwan was shocked closer home by long-shot Cosmic Run (Strong Suit – Brushia) who paid out the highest tote dividend for the day. Galwan seemed on course when she packed off leader One More Time with less than 300 m to go. With Thanks and the others close behind not making much progress, it looked like Galwan would make it. However, Cosmic Run arrived late but with compelling strides to down Galwan a couple of strides from the winning post to carve out a narrow victory. Galwan did most things right, but just could not sustain and will have to wait a bit longer to open her account. Cosmic Run had a memorable debut although she was a bit scratchy until she fired away in the final 100 meters, but her connections won’t mind that. November Rain improved to beat Total Darc for place money. 

L D’Silva trained Blink of an Eye (Total Gallery – Wow the Critics) created a flutter while showing marked improvement over her season opener where she had finished fourth. That run obviously did sharpen her up and jockey Afroz Khan fought hard to guide her to a narrow victory. Blink of an Eye improved positions steadily in the first couple of furlongs to take charge and then entered the straight with a slender lead over Appenzelle. The latter looked good enough to get past Blink of an Eye momentarily as she drew closer to Blink of an Eye. However, Blink of an Eye fought the challenger effectively to stay ahead and Appenzelle was suddenly under tremendous pressure. Blink of an Eye kept the momentum going all the way and even the late dash from City of Passion could not dislodge the winner. City of Passion was the fastest in the final 100 meters, but fell shy by a narrow ¾ L margin. Appenzelle barely held on to the third spot, finishing a neck ahead of the improving Castlerock.      

It was a memorable day for recently licenced trainer Shashikanth as he led-in his first winner Green Turf (Green Coast – Methodical) in the concluding race of the day. Fighting his way to the front, Green Turf grabbed the lead and entered the straight with River Dancer on his tail. Jockey BR Kumar, who is looking in good touch, relied on his strong pushing and kept Green Turf going.  While that ensured that he stayed ahead of those close behind, Once More rose from a long way back to pose what looked like a serious challenge inside the final furlong. Although Once More covered a lot of ground, Green Turf looked in control and duly held off the challenger to carve out a narrow victory and thrill his master. A first win for Shashikanth and this moment will remain in his mind forever. Once More finished on bravely to take the runner-up berth beating the rest including third placed Nearest by a comfortable margin. Nearest too improved reasonably well in the straight. 

For the professionals, trainer RH Sequeira and jockey AA Vikrant scored a double each.