It was not a ideal start to the season. A small card of six-events, heavy underfoot conditions and dark grey clouds all through Saturday afternoon holding a definite rain threat. At the end, mercifully the punters returned home evens-stevens, three favourites and an equal number of lesser fancied winners earning their first summer winning brackets.

The first plum of the season, the BTC Charitable Trust Trophy produced a shock result, the 10 to one long shot Imperial Blue from trainer Irfan Ghatala's yard piloted by the promising five-kilo claimer Pavan making every post a winning one to the delight of his few supporters. The Arjun Manglorkar-trained Ricardo garnered the maximum support in the feature event. Arjun in fact had entered three from his stable, Czar and Aldgate apart from Ricardo in his effort to start the season, picking up the first plum, but the trio found Imperial Blue too hot to handle on this day, the winner kicking clear in the final furlong after calling the shots from the word go. Ricardo to the disappointment of his large following finished second ahead of Czar, while Vivaldo who has shifted from Prasanna Kumar's string and is now under the care of Faraz Arshad completed the frame. 

Earlier, the eight to one shot Diva from Lokanath Gowda's yard piloted by top `Kinght' Trevor Patel showed a clean pair of heels to her 11 rivals including the Mumbai hopeful Dreamer from MK Jadhav's yard in the principal added attraction, the International Labour Day Trophy. The public choice, who had impressed most while finishing second behind the talented Social Butterfly in his debut at Mahalaxmi failed in his mission to successfully negotiate the heavy underfoot conditions and at the end had to rest content with the runner-up berth. Eagle Eye from Prasanna Kumar's yard did well to pick up money in place, finishing third ahead of the Sulaiman Attaollahi schooled Elysium, who caught the eye covering acres of ground after she was squeezed out at the start and was gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the sprint trip. 

The three to one shot Divine Art from Satish Narredu's yard proved too good in the concluding event, the Racing Patrons Plate, producing an astounding gallop in the hands of top gun Suraj Narredu to snuff out the challenge of another Mumbai hopeful Elusive Art from the stables of Adhiraj Singh Jodha. The fact that Divine Art was shouldering a back-breaking weight of (61.5) kilos in the final event on the heavy track against the (54.5) kilos Elusive Art was listed to carry saw most knowledgeable prefer the Jodha ward. But despite racing prominently in front, Elusive Art proved no match to Divine Art, the winner powering home in emphatic fashion to start the season in fine style. The Dominic-trained Smile Of Beauty despite the lackadaisical approach of Ram Nandan finished a commendable third ahead of the heavily backed Knotty Blush from Purshotham's yard. 

The on-money favourite See The Light in the hands of Trevor Patel pegged back the belated effort of the seven to one shot Monterio in the Welcome Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The top fancy had established a clear six-length advantage at the distance post before Monterio in the hands of apprentice Ramswarup charged home late only to go down by less than a length at the wire. The Rajesh Babu-trained Adelanto finished third, paying out a rich dividend of Rs, 333 on a tenner for place at the tote window. 

The opening event of the summer season, the Ich Dien Plate run over a sprint was claimed by the favourite Mehra from the stables of Pradeep Annaiah. The winner piloted by Ryan Ahmed edged out Meghann close home. Estefania managed to save money in place, while the Inayathullah-trained Queen Beandaz, who opened the favourite before drifting out to (9/2) in the betting ring was never in the hunt.   

Back after his impressive victory in his last winter start, All Attraction from Lokanath Gowda's yard was fancied most in the Kunigal Stud Plate run over a distance of seven furlong and the in-form six-year-old gelding partnered in copybook fashion by G Vivek justified favouritism, galloping home nice and easy to the delight of the followers of form. Knotty Patton followed the winner home ahead of Fortunate Son. The winner is in fine nick and is set to complete a hat-trick of wins if his connections quickly race him again in the month ahead.