A thunder shower just before the start of the opening event threatened to spoil the party, the heavy going and the kick-back posing a definite problem for the jockeys, who after the second race complained to the stipes and stewards that the conditions were not conducive for racing, but following an inspection by a couple of stewards and a senior stipe along with the senior saddle artistes Trevor Patel and Zervan, it was decided to conduct the five remaining races on the original track and it proved to be a good and wise decision lauded by most old hats in the game and all credit to the jockeys, who bravely agreed to parade their skills on a tricky track.

In pouring rain, the ten to one shot Musterion from trained Aravind Ganapathy's yard shocked the followers of form in the opening event, the Bhishma Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The moody customer, who had finished down the field in his last essay appeared to enjoy racing in the rain, hitting the front, the moment the seven runners came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip, powering home in style. The topweighted Super Gladiator finished second ahead of the public choice Capriati. The winner on the strength of this performance should be tipped to score in his next effort, but considering the fact that Musterion never runs two races alike, it will come as no surprise if the Aravind ward fails to find his galloping shoes when next saddled.

The Hyderabad hopeful Rival from Prasad Raju's yard was fancied most in the next event, the lower division of the Basque Plate run over a sprint. The public choice, winner at his parent-centre produced a heartwarming performance in the hands of the chote nawab, Akshay Kumar to emerge a facile winner. The Anil Kumar schooled I Want It All was strongly supported in this event, backed down from (9/2) to (5/2) and this helped the followers of favourite gain a better price. I Want It All in the hands of Ayaz Khan did pose a threat at the top of the straight, but the moment Akshay reminded Rival of the task ahead, the public choice produced a sparkling gallop and quickly put the race to bed to the delight of his supporters. I Want It All finished second ahead of Jersey Legend, while Embosom completed the frame.

The upper division of the event was claimed by another well-backed Hyderabad hopeful Brilliant Star from Laxman Singh's yard who proved too good for his 10 rivals, showing a clean pair of heels in the hands of leading saddle artiste Suraj Narredu back after a successful stint in Australia. The topweighted Spledour On Grass,from Prasad Raju's yard and Divo from the stables of Darius Byramji too had their share of followers, but Miss Maya apart, who gained the runner-up berth, none in the field posed a challenge to the winner, who looks a good type and more will be heard of this Laxman Singh trainee at the Charminar city.

Suraj, earlier registered his first victory on the lesser fancied Ashwa Yudhvir from brother Rajesh Narredu's yard in the Lagarde Plate run over a sprint. The Shroff schooled Emperor Roderic on the strength of his satisfactory performance in his last start, third behind Savvy Chic, garnered the maximum support, but the public choice partnered by top gun Trevor Patel, it was clear didn't like the heavy underfoot conditions and as a result performed below par, failing to save even money in place. Amreli piloted by promising apprentice from Chennai, Inayat followed Ashwa Yudhvir, while the topweighted Etosha from Neil Darashah's yard, who was also strongly fancied by the insiders and the right connections flashed late on the scene to take the third spot.

The on-money favourite Star Concept from Satish Narredu's yard who was expected to provide Suraj, the welcome back ride to success failed in his mission to perform to the plan in the Mauritius Pearl Plate. And that's simply because the Pradeeo Annaiah schooled Irish Coffee proved too good in the hands of Arvind Kumar. The winner who was struggling in the mid-division when Suraj assumed command on Star Concept at the distance post produced an astounding gallop and covered acres of ground to zoom past the public choice and score in emphatic fashion. Cristaldo managed to save money in place. The winner is in good heart and is certain to make his presence felt again when next saddled.

In the mile long event for maiden youngsters Ebotse from Arjun Manglorkar's yard was the overwhelming favourite. The progeny of Win Legend despite his no-show effort on debut was strongly tipped to score, but it came as no surprise when the hot favourite packed up even before the race came on a boil and finished more then 15 lengths behind the impressive winner Irish Rockstar from the famed Usha Stud Farm. Irish Rockstar on her rocking effort is tipped to provide an encore, while the McKeown schooled Wolf Creek who gained the runner-up berth is set to enter the winners' circle in the weeks ahead.

The Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Prince Abir shocked the followers of form in the D M Kumaraswamy Memorial Cup run over a distance of seven furlongs. The ten to one long shot piloted by Shreyas Singh produced a winning gallop at the all-important end to peg back the challenge of the better fancied stablemate Lord Canyon who had gained the top billing on form. But form, much to the chagrin of the railbirds played traunt and it was Prince Abir and not Lord Canyon who stood tall at the podium. Wild Emperor from Faraz Arshad's yard too was sweetly fancied but after promising much, this blow-hot, blow-cold performer to the disappointment of his supporters packed up at the top of the straight and is best left ignored taking into account that the `Emperor' lacks the desired consistency to make a mark at this level.