Synthesis, the Rajesh Narredu-schooled challenger from Bangalore, started his Indian classics campaign on a winning note in the HPSL-sponsored Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) run on Sunday. Christofle, one the three frontline contenders in the fray, embarked on a start-to-finish mission over the mile journey with El Greco and Irish Gold in pursuit. Suraj Narredu, meanwhile, had Synthesis settled in a box seat in the fourth slot and gradually moved forward when approaching the top of the straight even as Christofle continued to enjoy his lead role. As the horses went off the bridle in the final lap, Suraj put Synthesis into the top gear and went full throttle to catch Christofle. The bay colt then drew closer with every stride to swoop down on Trevor Patel-partnered Christofle and stormed ahead in the last half furlong. Enabler, who was ridden well off the pace by Yash Narredu, took some time in warming up to his task and came with a strong gallop towards the end but, in the meantime, Synthesis had already hit the wire. Enabler apparently found the mile distance too short for his liking when ending as runner-up, a length and quarter behind Synthesis whilst Christofle finished half length behind in the third place. Capitolium ran on to figure fourth on the judges' frame. Synthesis (Speaking of Which – Sana) was bred at the Usha Stud Farms and is co-owned by Ms Ameeta Mehra, Mr Balam Mohla, So Blest Trading Co. Pvt. Ltd. and Mr Anil Saraf.

Apart from Synthesis's classic achievement, the other highlight of the day was the back-to-back double recorded by young Aman Hussain, who made his debut as a professional trainer only a fortnight ago. Hardly a few days after the untimely demise of his father, late Altaf Hussain, the responsibility of taking charge of twenty-six horses fell upon Aman. Meanwhile, in a compassionate move, the stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club waived off the mandatory stipulations for the grant of a trainer's license and allowed Aman to carry on with his father's profession. Only a month after he was laid to rest, Aman not only paid a rich tribute to his father's memory but also set the ball rolling for a long career ahead by saddling two winners, Art Collector and Magileto.

Art Collection, with NS Parmar astride, came well from the wide draw to join Littorio, who took over the running shortly after the start was affected. With a little over a furlong left for the wire, Art Collection (Roderic O'Connor – First and Only One) stepped up the pace in a bid to tackle Pesi Shroff's ward. The bay gelding however drifted out slightly at this stage but Parmar exercised good control over Art Collection and drove him out for a well-deserved victory. Etoile ran on late and was forced to play the role of a bridesmaid for the second successive time. She was followed home by Malet Spring, Toscana, favourite Roll The Dice and Littorio, who were all separated by a neck each at the post.

Shortly afterwards, in a similar effort, Magileto gave a gutsy display to annex the KM Munshi Trophy, run over six furlongs. Magileto tracked initial leader Superlative till entering the home stretch where he was set alight by apprentice Mustakim Alam. Magileto (Sedgefield – Providence) quickly stole a march over his rivals and the lead he established when crossing the two-furlong marker proved to be a cushion when Buckley came with a menacing run towards the end. Magileto kicked on to ward off runner-up Buckley's threat. Fortunate Son finished third ahead of Pride's Angel. Favourite Emperor Roderic made no impression as he came wide into the straight to run fifth.

Favourite Angelo ran true to the promise shown in his previous effort and justified his favouritism when achieving his maiden success in the mile-long Gulamhusein Essaji Trophy. PS Chouhan brought Angelo (Multidimesional – China Creek) through the shortest way shortly after the field was homeward bound. Angelo overhauled leader Lord Murphy in the final furlong and Chouhan kept him going to stay beyond the reach of the late-finishing duo, Booster Shot and Kimiko. Lord Murphy ended fourth.

An impressive winner in his earlier start at Pune, Des Marquis failed to live up to the expectations and flopped badly as the day's shortest priced runner. Apprentice Navnath Bhosale-piloted Des Marquis wrest the initiative from Alpine Star and went straight down to business shortly after the starter's flag came down for the mile and quarter trip for the Nawabzada Rashiduzzafar Khan Trophy. Des Marquis, however, offered no resistance when collared by Alpine Star about two furlongs from the finishing line. Regal Command meanwhile made a swift forward move and almost caught S. Saqlain napping astride The Godfather, who was throughout racing in a striking position behind Des Marquis and Alpine Star. Saqlain immediately gathered his wits and spurred Malesh Narredu-groomed The Godfather (Cougar Mountain – Frosty) to overwhelm Regal Command. Scaramanga yet again found his moorings late and could only finish a close third behind Regal Command. Vincent Van Gogh ran fourth while Des Marquis, who dropped out of contention in the straight, beat just one home, Justino who trailed the field after a slow start.

Three-year old Constable hailing from Shroff's string also disappointed on his belated debut. Ridden by apprentice Kirtish Bhagat, Constable was nowhere in the picture as Light of Life showed plenty of early speed to grab the lead at the start. Constable faced a rough passage in the early stages of the sprint as Kirtish's desperate search for room to make his run yielded no result. Meanwhile, Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Madras Cheque was hard-ridden by HM Akshay to take charge from Light of Life and just held on by a neck to keep Richochet at bay. Constable eventually found a clear passage when Kirtish switched lanes and brought him very wide into the straight. Constable was full of running in the final moments of the race but could not catch Madras Cheque and Richochet both. Light of Life finished fourth. Most of the juvenile contestants, the front runners in particular, ran green and also veered out under pressure in the concluding moments of the race.

Kartik Ganapathy-saddled Midas Touch had a hard-earned victory in the day's opening event. Earlier, Imtiaz Sait-nursed Idealista had the winning post within kissing distance after she surged past leader Leo The Lion in the straight but came across one better in Midas Touch. Jockey Bhawani Singh drove Midas Touch (Saamidd – Springnrakemistake) vigorously to frustrate Idealista in the last couple of strides. Leo The Lion and Gimme followed them home.

HJ Antia-trained speedy customer Untitled was backed heavily despite age not being on his side and the ten-year old gelding proved the market forces right in the last race of the day. SA Amit-ridden Untitled (Sussex – Overdrive) exploited his early speed and was almost granted a safe passage by his disinterested opponents. Runner-up C'est L'amour gave some false hope to the bookies as she looked dangerous in the last furlong but it was nothing short of an illusion. Moment of Madness ran third ahead of Between Friends.