The first day, first-show at Udhagamandalam proved to be very profitable for punters, six firm favourites nailing bold colours to the mast in the seven-event card. The first plum of the season was claimed by the on-money favourite Super Girl, while the principal added attraction, the Tamil New Year Cup, split into two divisions saw the public choice Dark Son from Robert Foley's yard come up tops in the upper division, while another public rage Remediesofspring from Sebastian's yard proved too good in the lower division. 

On the strength of her two resounding victories from her last two starts at Chennai, Super Girl looked outstanding in the Welcome Cup run over a sprint. The in-form Krishna ward in line for a hat-trick looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and she without a fuss completed a hat-trick, Umesh guiding the speedy mare to an effortless pillar to post victory. The topweighted Hope And Glory from Dhruv Futnani's yard finished a game second ahead of Ayur Shakthi, while Oscars Thunder completed the frame. 

Umesh earlier had it easy on Remediesofspring, the bred in the purple filly from the famed Usha Stud Farm cantering home without unduly being extended in the lower division of the Tamil New Year Cup. The winner, who had gone down by the shortest of margins to Single Malt while making her debut in Chennai was backed to the exclusion of her seven rivals and the goodtype of filly provided Umesh am arm-chair ride to success, while donkey-licking her rivals and sending out a message that she is ready for all the big tests in the months ahead. Shez A Star from Anil Kumar's yard expectedly gained  the runner-up berth ahead of Windsor Walk. 

Dark Son in the  upper division of the event garnered maximum support and the overwhelming favourite in the hands of Nathat Singh made every post a winning one in splendid fashion. The winner appears in good nick and is set to provide an encore. Sheer Elegance, who had her share of followers too finished second ahead of Sinatra, while the topweighted Berrettini without  really being knocked about made the frame and is certain to improve with this run under his belt. 

Leading trainer B Suresh and top pro Imran Khan combined effectively to start the season with a win, Embrace coming up trumps in the opening event, the Tea Gardens Handicap run over a sprint. The winner who was down a class after failing to make the frame in four of her earlier attempts at Chennai displayed her true potential to he delight of her supporters, who had strongly fancied her to come good in this moderate set. Pappa Rich made a favourable impression while finishing second and is one for the notebook. Undeniable did well to save money in place, edging out Full Bloom, who looked a trifle gross in the parade ring. 

B Suresh later led in Knight Envied a smart winner of the upper division of the Never Again Handicap run over six furlongs. Knight Envied and Beejay from Anirudh Jodha's yard opened joint favourites at the start before big money came pouring in on the Suresh ward. The `Knight' piloted confidently by Saikumar after failing to gain a prominent position early in the sprint produced a sparkling gallop in the final furlng to snuff out the challenge of arch rival Beejay and score in emphatic fashion. Off Shore Breeze finished a creditable third and it will not be long before this Sebastian ward stands tall at the podium. 

The lower division of the event saw Soul Mate, another from Suresh's yard chalking out a thrilling win, edging out rankoutsider Valeska by the shortest of margins. This was the only upset recorded on the opening day. The heavily backed Diamond And Pearls failed to match strides with he first two and had to rest content with the third spot. The topweighted Lady Solitaire was ineptly piloted by apprentice Farid Ansari and as a result failed to make an impression. 

Amber Lightning was fancied most in the final event and the well supported Robert Foley ward justified her top billing winning the Secret Charm handicap in the hands of Nakhat Singh who shared the riding honours with Umesh recording a double. The winner appears to be in good nick and it will pay to follow this Foley ward again if her connections chose to quickly  enter her again in the higher class.