Dallas Todywalla trainer Silver Streak was one of the few fancied runners to oblige in the card of nine events that were gone through on Thursday, the opening day of the Pune Racing Season on Thursday. Those who went by the sentiment that trainer Narendra Lagad dominates the season and strikes early, paid dearly as three favourites well by the way side. However for those who continued to dare, Incentio won the concluding race of the day at long odds to help recoup some of the losses.

Silver Streak had been mostly campaigned in terms races and hadn`t won for 519 days. However, he was taking on a modest lot of horses in Fair Haven Trophy, a handicap race for horses rated 80 and above. His experience of running in superior company was bound to help him. Jockey Trevor Patel who is in great form had Silver Streak lead the field from the start. Midway through the race, Rosie Sunshine who was lethargic at the start, quickly improved places on the wide outside and led the charge. Trevor preferred to wait with Silver Streak before pushing him to take over the running at the top of the straight. The progeny of Verglas quickened well and established a break of few lengths over Trance who moved with raking strides from about the seventh position at the final bend. Trance engaged Silver Streak in a battle for supremacy but the latter dug deep into reserves and held off the threat to oblige as a well backed favourite. Papakura ran strongly from behind to take the third place ahead of The General who notwithstanding the enthusiastic betting on his chances, found the trip too sharp for his liking and finished a tame fourth.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Roman Flame who was making her debut in the 1000 metres Capricorn Trophy (Div I), a race for maiden three year olds, was offered at good odds considering the fact she was by the hugely successful Holy Roman Emperor. Trevor allowed Rachel to enjoy her moment in front till straightening for home. The moment he asked the favourite to quicken, the response was immediate as the filly went sailing clear to win by a widening margin of five lengths over Jorell and Speedo. The lower division of the race was won by Dallas Todywalla trained Zahrazan at big odds. The daughter of Arazan darted into the lead from the wide outside draw and was never headed. On money favourite Harvey found the front runner too good for comfort and had to settle for the second spot ahead of Magnus Opus.

Three year old Polished Chrome who had won twice in her career was the shortest priced horse of the day but was shocked by Narendra Lagad trained Incentio who chased the favourite all the way in the straight before edging past her in the final strides of the race to win the 1000 metres Zahra Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Polished Chrome appeared to be travelling well within herself as jockey Zervan waited with the horse well into the straight. But when he shook the reins, the response was not as much as he expected. Incentio got stronger close home and won by half a length. Clouds of Glory ran on to finish third. The well backed Hudson Hawk overcame a sluggish start and managed to get the nod in the waning yards of the race to claim the lower division of the race. Lesser fancied Valentino had stolen a march inside the final furlong but apprentice jockey Ajinkya managed to drive out the favourite to get the desired result just in the nick of time.

Favourite Sweeping Star came into strong contention inside the final 300 metres of the 1600 metres Fine Arrow Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 46 but could not sustain her foray right till the winning post. Lesser fancied Ricochet came home with a powerful run in the hands of Trevor to nail the favourite close home. Hot Pepper too put in noteworthy effort while finishing third. Spirited Touch who raced in second position till the final bend, went miles wide despite the efforts of her jockey to prevent her from veering out.

Dashrath Singh drove out lesser fancied Wish Upon A Star to stave off the strong challenge of Song Africa in the 1000 metres Ascot Lass Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Lagad trained Beau Royale was strongly backed to win but the favourite who was prominent till the final bend disappeared without a trace in the straight. The lower division of the race too saw the failure of fancied Ceasarina who was a beaten cause from the word `go`. Plan B who put in a speedy effort shot into a winning lead on turning for home and easily held off the challenge of Fajr ad Grand March. The last named ran wide in the straight.

After Zafirah did her customary front running, Sindbaad overhauled her down the final furlong to record a facile win in the day`s opener, the 1200 metres Gaea Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Jockey Dharmender rarely gets to ride winners and when he does, the horse will invariably be a long shot. He guided the fortunes of Sindbaad. Mzuri nosed out Wild Sea for the third slot.