Vittal Deshmukh trained Vijays Joy virtually brooked no opposition as he demonstrated his ability as a sprinter by toying with the field to win the 1200 metres Madras Race Club Cup (Div I), a Category I race which highlighted what has now become the mandatory card of nine events that were gone through on the opening day of the Hyderabad Monsoon Season on Thursday. Racing resumed at Malakpet after a gap of five months and as such, each of the races was well patronised and the enthusiasm for seeing live action was quite visible.

Vijays Joy has never really lived up to expectations of his first season performance as the experiment to test him over longer trips did not yield the desired results. His best has come only over a sprint. Backed to the exclusion of the rest, jockey Pradeep Chouhan had Vijays Joy on a tight leash in front and when he asked the favourite to quicken in the final furlong, the progeny of Stern Opinion bounced clear to win capably from City of Dreams who held off Policy Maker for the runner-up berth. Most horses in the race were out of an airing and looked far from ready. The lower division of the race saw Carlton who had migrated to trainer Sequeira`s stables being backed strongly to win. Carlton`s last win had come about 364 days ago over a seven-furlong trip and the trip of six furlongs was bound to prove sharp for him. In the event, Vijay Vidhata who had an imposing record last season asserted his superiority in the hands of apprentice jockey Rafique who thus had the distinction of recording the first win of his career. Vijay Vidhata no doubt had imposing credentials, having proved his worth as a sprinter and having finished 2.6 lengths behind Adam in the Sprinters Cup at Chennai. Since he was assigned top weight and had a raw apprentice on him, Vijay Vidhata did not have his share of supporters. Vijay Vidhata was in a pocket inside the final furlong but the apprentice managed to pull him out without causing any danger to the others and the progeny of Gaswar picked up momentum with great alacrity to win with great comfort from Atlas Star who nosed out late rallying Galiat for the runner-up berth. Carlton was a tame fourth.

K Satyanarayana trained Red Express brought off a surprise win in the 1200 metres Silver Dagger Plate (Div I), against expectations. Red Express hadn`t won for 654 days and even his last win was achieved over an extended trip. As such, not many reckoned that he would be a force to reckon with in this company. He belied expectations with a comprehensive win over fighting trio of Lips Locking, Rebellion and Flower Roll Up. The lower division of the race was won by Satheesh trained Sensei at nourishing odds. After kept a handy third well into the straight, Sensei took charge inside the final 300 metres and broke into a handy lead which held the five-year-old in good stead. Fancied Par Excellence came home with a late charge only to find the front runner reach the winning post. Vista did well to take the third place ahead of Military Cross.

Ravinder Singh who took up the license as a trainer after a long stint as a jockey had the distinction of saddling a winner on the first day in office. Royal Tribute looked the best of the lot in the Welcome Plate (Div II), a race for maiden three-year-olds. There was support for Vijays Wonder and Great Glory. Vijays Wonder had in her two runs was inclined to run out despite the efforts of two jockeys concerned. On another occasion, Chouhan was cautioned to ride out his horse vigorously. Once again Vijays Wonder flopped and not was seen at the busy end and was never in the hunt. Royal Dynamite led the field from the start and skipped away for a comfortable win over Great Glory and Magnum. Laxman Singh trained Vijay`s Dynamite came in for sustained support in the upper division of the race. Vijay`s Dynamite came under pressure from Cash Landing in the final furlong but the front runner had enough legs to reach the safety of the winning post. Space Ship was third.

Donald Netto trained Preciosa had recorded a runaway win in her last outing and an encore was on cards in the 1100 metres Nelson Cup, a Category III race. Jockey Hanumant Singh who has switched based from Mumbai to Hyderabad, had the favourite tracking Manoveg into the straight before letting his horse stretch out. Preciosa stormed ahead and won by a widening margin of five lengths over Manoveg. The last named was troublesome en route to the starting gate and had to be led all the way to the start by the jockey as well as a handler. Scooby Dooby Doo was third.

Laxman Singh trained Crown Royal was the recipient of strong betting in the 1400 metres Eagles Cup, a Category III race. The progeny of Multidimensional who had just one run to her credit during the winter season dropped the jockey and bolted while being loaded and had to be eventually withdrawn from the fray. The race was won by lesser fancied Brilliant who literally came from the back of the field and swept past the front runners to record a facile win. Western Express who did the front running, stayed on to take the runner-up berth ahead of Grand Canyon.

Vittal Deshmukh trained Perfection broke her maidens rank in her 14th attempt while covering the leeway from way behind with a ground saving effort in the aptly named Act In Time Plate, a Category III race. Pamella had shaped to cause an upset before the eventual winner produced the winning dash in the final furlong. Cash For Rank too finished on strongly to take the third place.