The speedy four-year old Dream Seller continued his unbeaten run under Pradeep Chouhan’s charge when he lasted out to win the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, the main event on the opening day of the Mumbai racing season. Democracy was the first one to show out in the early stages of the six-furlong trip and jockey R. Ajinkya astride Dream Seller did well in deciding not to cut pace with the leader till she had brought the field into the home stretch. Dream Seller sprang forth to collar Democracy when Ajinkya released the brakes in the last two furlongs and slipped into the lead which looked quite comfortable at that stage. But as the winning post neared, though It’s My Time, Magileto and Dexa appeared to be in futile chase, Ajinkya rode Dream Seller (Phoenix Tower – Maluku) flat out and gave him some hard cracks before prevailing narrowly over Snowfall, It’s My Time and Magileto. Incidentally, both Snowfall and It’s My Time were clashing with Dream Seller for the first time and the former came from way back to finish a creditable second. A long-neck, half-length and a neck separated the first four finishers on the judges’ board.
 
The bay filly Jade from Pesi Shroff’s yards had a dress rehearsal for the Indian 1000 Guineas and acquitted herself well in the Dr SR Captain Salver run over seven furlongs. Jockey C. Umesh settled Jade in the mid-bunch as owner-mate Fontana headed the field after taking over from Pyrite about two furlongs from the start. Umesh brought Jade (Multitude – Majestic Opinion) into contention with a smooth run when the heads turned for home but had to drive out the filly to quell Fontana’s belligerence inside the last furlong. Jade (Multitude – Majestic Opinion) soon had the race under her control even as her main adversary Dash came with a late charge only to finish a short-head behind runner-up Fontana. Golden Glow ran on to be fourth.
 
Half an hour later, Shroff led in Odysseus who shed his maiden status in only the third start of his career. Suraj Narredu-piloted Odysseus jumped out fluently from the barriers before racing in close attendance of leader Picasso and made his move gradually once the field had straightened for home. Odysseus soon wore down Picasso opposite the grand stands only to find Amadeo looming large on the outside. A spirited effort from Suraj saw Odysseus kick on gamely whilst Amadeo tired out a furlong away from the wire, making way for Ataturk, Gordon and Endurance to throw a gauntlet at the winner. Odysseus (Ulysses – Hidden Valley), however, emerged unscathed to win by a length from stablemate Gordon, who may have needed this run. Endurance finished a neck behind Gordon while Ataturk ended fourth.
 
Suraj achieved a back-to-back double when he steered another firm favourite Divine Star to a comfortable victory in the Welcome Trophy. Aman Hussain-schooled Divine Star showed plenty of initial speed on this occasion to grab the lead from Moonlight Kiss and made every post of the six furlong sprint a winning one. Moonlight Kiss tried to intimidate Divine Star close home but the favourite stretched out well to earn his maiden success. Second favourite Vincero ran a bit green before finding his rhythm but his effort proved to be a bit late and he had to settle for the second slot ahead of The General and Moonlight Kiss, who retired to be fourth. Vincero was relegated to the third place after the objection by the rider of third placed The General against the former was upheld and the judges' placings were revised.
 
Imtiaz Sait-nurtured Dream Alliance finally found his mark when young A. Prakash guided him to a fine victory over the mile trip for the KJK Irani Plate. Earlier, Shroff-saddled Christofle, who was making his first appearance after recuperating from a back surgery performed in March last, dictated the terms to the five-horse field before calling it a day in the last furlong and half. Favourite Fast Pace fought for his head as Suraj restrained him in the initial stages of the race and failed to raise any hopes during the race. Meanwhile, Dream Alliance forged ahead to join the issue with Yash Narredu-partnered Bubbly Boy, who fought hard before conceding defeat. Dream Alliance (Planetaire – Shaktiroop) scampered home even as Regal Command warmed up to his task to gain the second berth from Bubbly Boy while Fast Pace ended fourth.
 
Ironically, the inaugural event of the season was contested by a mediocre lot of seven runners of which Faisal Abbas-saddled Anouskha got lucky to earn some precious stakes for her connections. Atomic Angel made the initial running and was in control till Prince Igor and Anoushka ranged alongside in the final two furlongs. Ridden by Amyn Merchant, Anoushka (Leitir Mor – Amelia) got stronger in the last furlong and half to tackle the front-runners and streaked clear to win comfortably from Marlboro Man. Mariella finished on to beat favourite Sorrento Secret, who ran below par, for the third place.

Aman Hussain-trained Khaleesi gave a flop show in the hands of Suraj after being backed down to on-money favouritism in the concluding race. Khaleesi proved no match for Mi Arion, who had himself refused to put his best foot forward as a favourite in both his previous runs at Pune. On this occasion, Dallas Todywalla-groomed and A. Prakash-partnered Mi Arion (Excellent Art – Zain Arion) ran resolutely in the final run-in to mow down both Mirae and early leader Fidato close home. Khaleesi’s late bid fetched him the third spot ahead of Golden Rule.