The first day, first show didn't go kindly for the railbirds at Guindy. Only two favourites, both from Deepesh Narredu's yard, piloted by brother Yash Narredu justified their top billing, while the other four in the small card of six events failed to justify their rating and ranking much to the disappointment of the followers of form on the opening day of the season. 

Soft Whisper, a ten to one long shot  from B Suresh's yard shocked the punters in the first plum, the Welcome Trophy, unleashing a good turn of foot in the hands of Brisson in the final furlong to come up tops in  the feature. The Fahad Khan-trained King's Battalion, back after his stint in Bengaluru garnered the maximum support despite the fact that Fahad had chosen a five-kilo claimer Shah Alam to guide the fortunes of the public choice. The choice to go with Shah Alam didn't really make sense taking into account that Shah Alam's bodyweight is 49 and King's Battalion was listed to shoulder 50 kilos in the event. The idea to put an apprentice to claim allowance was defeated in this case and the decision defied logic . Shah Alam, it was clear was a bundle of nerves and his below par effort  cost the supporters of the public choice dear, the top choice failing to even save money in place. The second in demand at the betting ring, Pneuma from the stables of Suraj Shaw and the lesser fancied Pink Jasmine called the shots for most part of the sprint trip before Soft Whisper produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to assume command and quickly put the race to bed. Pink Jasmine held on to gain the runner-up berth, while the topweighted Golden Marina in the hands of another five-kilo claimer N Darshan edged out King's Battalion to take the third spot. 

The strongly supported on-money favourite Light The World was one other who flopped, back after making a favourable impression in her last start at Bengaluru. The speedy filly from Vijay Singh's yard partnered by Soufyane Moulin  tracked the front runner Opus One for most part of the six furlongs trip before she surprisingly shot her bolt at the top of the straight and eventually finished down the field much to the chagrin of her large following who confidently invested big on the speedy customer .Dark World it proved to be with no light in sight and the pathetic performance from a fit filly cost her supporters dear. Opus One in the hands of leading pro Umesh successfully made every post a winning one pegging back Moriset and Schnell, who was seen finishing on fastest at end and it will pay to support this Deepesh trainee, when saddled next. 

The public rage Pluto from Deepesh Narredu's yard provided Yash an arm-chair ride to success cantering home without raising a sweat in the Adam Handicap run over a sprint. The winner on the strength of this performance is set to provide an encore. Aarini from Vijay Singh's yard surprised most gaining the runner-up spot, while the second in demand at the betting ring, Royal Chivalry from the stables of Suresh was partnered in lacklustre fashion by apprentice jockey Ram Nandan Manjhi who needlessly switched his course in the final furlong. It was clear that Manjhi lacked the willingness and desire to make an honest effort and was satisfied only finishing in the frame. 

Deepesh and Yash recorded a double, Yash booting home the overwhelming favourite Excellent Star in the concluding event, the Chantilly Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The public choice, who caught the eye in the paddock parade produced a sparkling gallop in the final furlong to justify favouritism, while sending out a strong message that he is back at his best and will register another win soon if his connections decide to race him in the next couple of weeks. Rubert from Sebastian's yard followed the winner home ahead of Radiant Joy, while the other two lesser fancied runners, Grandiose and Masterpiece were never in the hunt. 

James McKeown and Soufyane Moulin who combined successfully to record a double through John Wick and Once You Go Black  on the Derby day at Bengaluru again struck it rich on the grey Grey Beauty who landed a good gamble in the Newmarket Handicap. Well backed by the insiders and the right connections, Grey Beauty streaked ahead in the final furlong and gallantly hung on to score from rank outsider Larado and the favourite Bluemed. Choice did well to complete the frame and is one for the notebook.

The ten to one shot Abnegator from Parmar's yard came up tops in  the opening event of the season, the Killarney Handicap powering through to beat the two top fancies Knotty Power and Western Girl in emphatic fashion. The former finished second ahead of Authentic Bell, while Western Girl after making all the early running ran out of gas in the final furlong and finished a tame fourth.