The first day, first show at Guindy was satisfactory from the punters point of view. Four well fancied public choices and one well supported second favourite Gods Plan, to the delight of the followers of form started the season on a winning note and that helped the railbirds post a couple of credit entries in the ledger. Competing in the lower division of the Welcome Trophy, the first plum of the season split into two divisions, Gods Plan from trainer Ramanathan's yard hit the front soon after the creditable field of eight runners came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip, gallantly pegging back the belated effort of Amazonia piloted by Yash Narredu. The winner and Kay Star from Anil Kumar's yard looked the best in the parade ring. But the strongly fancied favourite partnered by Kolkata-based pro Hindu Singh after tracking Gods Plan for most part of the sprint trip shot his bolt when the race came on a boil and finished a tame third much to the disappointment of the followers of form. The five-kilo claimer Koshi Kumar displayed good poise and grace while guiding home the Ramanathan ward, who determinedly stuck to his task and emerged a deserving winner.

The James McKeown schooled Slainte came up trumps in the upper division, producing a winning gallop at the all-important end to justify her top billing. Leading pro Antony Raj produced a sterling effort on the public choice, snuffing out the challenge of the lesser fancied Pense'e close home. Second in demand at the betting ring, Mogul failed to display his true potential and will benefit from this run under his belt. Slainte, it is clear found the sprint a trifle sharp and can win again if her connections place her well over a seven furlongs trip which suits her most.

The B Suresh schooled Zaneta came good in the opening event, producing a winning gallop to the delight of her sporting owner Arun Alagappan. The topweighted Ashwa Dev from Ajith Kumar's yard opened the favourite before money came pouring in on Presto Power from Ramanathan's yard. Ashwa Dev after opening at (2/1)  eased to (13/4), the moment Presto Power garnered support and topped the betting board. The strongly fancied favourite piloted by Koshi Kumar found Zaneta too hot to handle and eventually finished third behind the runner-up Kikata from Anil Kumar's yard. Brisson, who produced a copybook effort on Zaneta again combined successfully with Suresh to record a double, packing punch on the seven to one shot Masterpiece, who upset the applecart of the overwhelming favourite Excellent Star from P Krishna's yard in the concluding event, the Rainbow Harvest Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs.

Top saddle artiste Suraj Narredu astride the public rage found himself boxed on the rails 300 metres from home and with little room to make his run, Excellent Star was stuck badly and this cost the top fancy dear. The favourite after getting out of the mess in the final furlong was seen finishing on the fastest but that was just not good enough to stop Masterpiece and Brission, who stole a march at the distance post to help his master start the season on a satisfying note. Beauty Of The Turf from Rupa's yard finished third ahead of Mystic Zlatan who looked gross at the paddock and will prove to be a different proposition next time out.

The on-money favourite Clockwise from leading trainer Sebastian's yard had it easy in the upper division of the Nijinsky Handicap galloping home nice and easy in the hands of in-form apprentice Inayat who produced another heartwarming effort after his strike on Air Display at Mysore on Thursday. Inayat settled the topweight nice and easy in third place, while the second in demand at the betting ring, Smash Shot piloted by Hindu Singh hit the front in his attempt to make every post a winning one. The winner zoomed past Smash Shot, the moment the 10-horse field negotiated the final curve and quickly put the race to bed in emphatic fashion. Clockwise on the strength of this smashing victory is set to provide an encore, while Smash Shot too should earn his cornbill when next saddled. 

The lower division of the event also produced a favourable result from the punters point of view, the well fancied Vijaya from Deepesh Narredu's yard edging out the lesser fancied Felix in a thriller. The topweighted Rinello partnered by Antony Raj finished third ahead of Golden Bella who appears to have improved after her stint at Bengaluru.

Advantageously placed in at the scales, Greenwich was fancied most in the upper division of the Red Rufus Handicap run over a sprint. But much to the chagrin  of her supporters the favourite found her stablemate Speculation too hot to handle and had to rest content with the runner-up berth. The five to one shot in the hands of apprentice jockey Ram Nandan produced a sublime effort to join the list of the first day, first show winners and it will come as no surprise if Speculation wins again next time out. 

The on-money favourite Montelena proved too good in the lower division, providing Suraj an arm-chair ride to success. The P Krishna ward is on top of her game and is set to provide an encore when saddled next. Admitral Shaw from Sebastian's yard did well to finish second and it will not be long before this Sebastian trainee earns her cornbill.