Vishal Gaikwad trained Kandinsky held off a spirited bid by Airco to land the spoils in the 1400 metres Dr S R Captain Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86, the feature event of opening day`s races. Though most of the races had crowded field and looked menacing, results that accrued were within the parameters of form. The Narredus had a rich haul with Malesh Narredu saddling four winners, with his son Yash Narredu, fresh from a stint in Ireland, being associated with three of these wins.

Kandinsky had gone down to Airco when the two clashed on the last occasion at Mumbai. Now the scales were decisively in favour of Kandinsky. However, since both were closely matched, the betting in the ring reflected this belief that any one of them could pull through. Toofan went at a good clip in front, with Kandinsky in chase followed by Few Dollars More, Airco and Cha Cha Cha. Pradeep Chouhan made his move approaching the final bend and went in earnest chase of the front runner. Suraj on Airco too briskly improved the position of the second favourite. Toofan was not inclined to give up easily and it took an all-out effort on the part of Kandinsky to surge ahead inside the final furlong. Though Airco tried hard to catch up, he failed by a shade less than a length. Few Dollars More managed to edge past Toofan to get the third place.

Waheed trained Fearless Nadia whose last win was nearly a year ago during the last Pune season, had come below her winning mark and was successfully exploited to win the 1600 metres Air Dash Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66 at nourishing odds. Magnolia who had been well prepared, came in for sustained support. Fearless Nadia went on an aggressive start to finish mission, with Magnolia in close proximity. The favourite put immense pressure on the front runner all the way in the straight but Fearless Nadia had enough legs to scrape home by a neck in the hands of jockey Dashrath Singh. Korol ran on to finish third.

Malesh Narredu trained Shield of Achilles had the fitness of having run and won during the Bangalore Summer Season and this made a critical difference to the outcome as the others, running after about four months, did not have the same level of preparedness. Suraj Narredu had Shield of Achilles in front and the favourite had no problem in keeping the challenge of Queen Credible at bay to win the 1200 metres Music Man Plate, a race for three-year-olds. Airlift failed to make any impression and was a tame third. Kingston Heath was out for an airing as an apprentice jockey was declared to ride him when no allowance could be claimed.

M P Jodha trained Charging Tigress had dropped down considerably and had a fair record having run three lengths behind the accomplished performer Costa Del Sol during the last Pune season. The five-furlong trip was no doubt sharp and to add her problems, she also dropped the jockey and ran around, perhaps warming up to the task. The class difference told when in the hands of apprentice jockey Prabat Singh, Charging Tigress pounced on front running Abbey to clinch the issue in the closing strides of the 1000 metres Ismail Khan Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Lady Danehill who was the strong favourite, did not look fit and this was what was reflected by the body weight displayed which showed an increase of a whopping 38 kgs from her previous effort. Lady Danehill failed to make any impression from the wide outside draw while finishing a poor third. The lower division of the race saw yet another Dalas Todywalla trained Flamboyant Flame bite the dust from a similar draw. Shivalik Shine who had recorded an impressive win on the Derby day at Mumbai, overcame the outside pole position and managed to be in striking position behind front running Dragon of War. Shivalik Shine got strong inside the final furlong and went away to record an impressive win to provide the second win for Yash Narredu. Shivalik Shine should be able to repeat if placed in suitable company. Dazzling Dancer showed out when finishing third.

Yash rounded off his tally by recording his third win through Silver Beauty who made remarkable progress along the rails to win the 1400 metres Gaea Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Yash managed to work his way through a difficult passage to get a fine run along the inside with 100 metres left in the race. The three-year old son of Aussie Rules produced sparkling acceleration in the final stages of the race to storm clear for an easy win over Pink Panther who just about nosed out Jazzmyn for the runner up berth. Yash was also astride the winner of the lower division of the race where Jordana led all the way and won unchallenged from late finishing favourite Merabella. Jackknife had a good forward run whiling finishing third.

Cooji Katrak trained Silken Eyes proved overwhelmingly superior in the 1200 metres An Acquired Taste Trophy, a race for maiden three-year olds. Silken Eyes produced brilliant burst of speed inside the final 200 metres to go storming clear to win from Star Comrade. Volantis ran on from behind to finish third ahead of Book Thief who flattered to deceive.

Shiraz Sunderji`s Swaraj appeared to be a better class horse than the others competing in the 1200 metres Agni Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. One has rarely seen a horse drawn as wide as 21 winning in this class as the effort of taking a forward position itself drains the reserves of a horse. However, Swaraj had no problem in cruising to a comfortable third position as Zion showed the way well into the straight. Jockey Neeraj Rawal was only biding his time on Swaraj who pounced on the front runner the moment his pilot gave the command. Swaraj bounced away for an impressive win over late rallying Wonder Story. Zion stayed on to finish third.