It was a scary start to the season. The friendless Lords Grace from the stables of Gnanashekar dropped the biggest bombshell in the opening event of the season, the lower division of the Star Of Mysore Trophy, coming up tops in the seven furlongs event, beating the money-back favourite Fine Silver from the stables of Darius Byramji, who in fact finished a poor third behind the runner-up Your Sri Shakthi. How could Fine Silver lose in this mediocre set after finishing a game second behind Royal Legacy in her last start is the big question the punters are asking, particularly after Royal Legacy easily beat higher rated rivals on Friday and is one of the frontliners for the 1000 Guineas scheduled to be held on Sept 18. Only Darius and Akshay Kumar, who partnered the filly will be able to answer the big and the valid question taking into account that the dismal effort of the grey was too bad to be true and demands an explanation, both from the trainer and the leading jockey. 

The upper division of the event was claimed by the Narayan Gowda-trained Auspicious King, who was sweetly and rightly fancied by the connections to come through in the seven furlongs event. Kiran Rai astride the winner produced a copybook effort on the winner, backed down from (7/2) to (6/4). The Sulaiman schooled Shutterfly topped the betting board before money came pouring in on the Narayan Gowda ward and on the auspicious first day of the season, the `King' successfully lowered the sword on his arch rival to the delight of his supporters. The lesser fancied Yarra Yarra from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard finished third and it will not be long before this Arjun trainee earns her winning bracket at this centre. 

A facile last start winner, Shibra from the stables of Zulquarnain garnered maximum support in the upper division of the BK Krishnadevaraj Urs Memorial Trophy and the top fancy powerfully piloted by the in-form Ashhad Asbar gamely pegged back the belated challenge of the Ranjeet-trained Falcon Fury to the delight of the Zulquarnain camp. Second in demand at the betting ring, Zephyrine from the stables of Suresh lost a couple of lengths at the start and soon  it was clear that she was not in contention, while Grizzly from Somashekar's yard caught the eye, finishing a suggestive third. 

The lower division of the event was claimed by the well-backed Selma from trainer Ranjeet's yard. A run-away last start winner, Marzgovel from trainer Uthaiah's yard opened (12/10) favourite in the event, but soon the price went through the roof, Marzgovel offered at (6/1) for win and even-money in place. The railbirds smelt a rat and chose to stay away, while the early bettors, who had pinned their hopes on the Uthaiah ward realised that they were left standing on the wrong road even before the start of the race. Now with Marzgovel clearly not in serious contention, Selma was strongly supported and she in the hands of Antony Raj produced a winning gallop approaching the distance post to sail home a convincing winner. Marzgovel, it was no surprise finished off the frame. The connections of Marzgovel now need to answer a lot of tough questions and hopefully the stipes and stewards crack the whip on these offenders, who time and again outsmart the decision makers while denting the image of the sport.

After Masato, Huntingdon and Yukan opted out of the HH Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Memorial Trophy run over a sprint, the Arjun Manglorkar schooled Czar by default gained the top billing. The favourite, it is learnt burst his blood vessels during the race and eventually finished down the field. Rank outsider Tom Cruiser from the stables of Hellal Moses edged out lesser fancied Gold Kite from trainer Aditya's yard and the Fahad Khan-trained Rise Again in a cluster finish, the winner gaining the verdict by the shortest of margins from Gold Kite piloted by the five-kilo claimer Mohd. Talib.

Classic hopeful Stud Poker from the stables of champion trainer Prasanna Kumar made a winning comeback, cantering home in the Srikantadatta Narasimharaaja Wadiyar Memorial Multi-Million in the hands of leading pro Antony Raj. The winner appeared a trifle rusty and the benefit of this exercise will help the top colt come out in ship-shape condition for the second classic of the season. Seize The Grey followed the winner ahead of Tyche, who impressed most in her debut and is one for the notebook. 

The four to one shot Excellence from trainer Arjun Manglorkar's yard proved too good for her 10 rivals in the Lavasa Plate run over a sprint and on the strength of this performance is set to provide an encore. Apprentice jockey Aleemuddin pushed the grey filly to the front soon after the 11 runners came under the starter's flag and Excellence soon made it a one-horse race, donkey-licking her rivals without raising a sweat. The topweighted Calculus followed the run-away winner home ahead of Rock My Heart.