Leading trainer Sebastian and the promising Yash Narredu made a big splash on the opening day of the season. The former led in four winners including a hat-trick, while Yash recorded a grand treble. Sebastian opened his account through the well fancied Dancing Queen in the opening event, the Decorum Plate run over a sprint. The winner piloted by apprentice jockey Inayat proved too good for her 11 rivals, powering home in emphatic fashion. Break The Silence who gained the runner-up spot is certain to go one-up and get into the winners' circle in the weeks ahead. 

Turf Melody from Deepesh Narredu's yard was fancied strongly in the next event, the lower division of the Random Harvest Handicap, but the heavily backed favourite flopped badly and finished a poor third, more than seven lengths behind the winner Supreme Dance, another from Sebastian's yard. The winner piloted by Sai Kumar snuffed out the challenge of the second in demand at the betting Zucardi partnered by top pro Akshay Kumar, who drew a blank from his five rides including a couple of fancied contestants.In line for a hat-trick, Sebastian sent out Rubert in the upper division of the event. The winner was in with a chance, but the money pouring in on Royal Monarch from Foley's yard saw a complete shift in the betting pattern, all the big bettors slamming the Foley ward, confident that Kuldeep Singh would safely drive him home. But that was not to be, Royal Monarch despite Kuldeep making a determined effort failed to make a race of it and as a result plenty of good money went down the drain. Rubert partnered by Yash in a pulse-pounding finish edged out another lesser fancied contestant Angavai a `head' separating the two at the wire, while the favourite failed to even save money in place. 

Delighted with the results obtained in the first three races and after having recorded a fine hat-trick, Sebastian signed off in style, leading in the (3/1) shot Dark Son in the concluding event, the State Bank Handicap run over a sprint. The winner who went down fighting to the in-form Lakshanam in his last essay had the best credentials, but yet the punters chose to support Lady Mimi despite the fact that the `Lady' was making a comeback after seven long months. Lady Mimi gained a favourable position early on in the sprint trip but the moment she was asked to quicken in the straight she developed cold feet and much to the chagrin of her supporters finished in the ruck. Dark Son produced another good effort which helped him enter the winners' circle and it will come as no surprise if this Sebastian colt records second straight success when next saddled. 

After booting home Rubert, Yash had it easy on the on-money favourite Supreme Runner in the upper division of the Bellrue Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The public rage from Deepesh's yard looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and on fitness alone he looked head and shoulders above his 10 rivals. Glorious Symphony gained the runner-up spot ahead of Royal Pearl piloted by Akshay. The lower division of the event saw the Robert Foley schooled Royal Treasure provide Yash an arm-chair ride to success. The winner is in fine nick and it will pay to follow this talented filly again when next saddled. Wisaka did well to finish second ahead of old at tooth, Chaitanya who is certain to make an impact in his next effort. 

The hit machine Saqlain fresh from his popular double on the classic day at Mysuru, guided home the public choice Thomas Hardy without a fuss. The winner  was fancied most on the strength of his impressive performances on the trial track and the Ramanathan ward without really extending himself justified the confidence of his supporters putting the race to bed a clear two furlongs from the post. Beethovan finished second ahead of the late finishing Embrace piloted by Akahay while Demerara completed the frame. 

Despite the fact that Akshay Kumar has hit a rough patch, the punters chose to punt big on the Suresh schooled Lordship who had gone down by the shortest of margins to Fun Storm in his last effort. The strongly supported favourite struggled to keep pace all through the 1100M dash and eventually finished a tame fourth. Fun Storm who had beaten Lordship by the shortest of margins in receipt of three kilos again beat the public fancy this time by more than three lengths giving weight. And when this happens, punters are confused and  wondering if it is the horse or the jockey who is to be blamed for this handicap debacle.  The second in demand at the betting ring, Priceless Ruler showed a clean pair of heels to Fun Storm and Gallantry, who caught the eye while finishing a suggestive third and is one for the note book.