The Bangalore Summer Season got off to a scheduled start on May 1, with a card of seven races run on Friday. The track, which had threatened to turn unyielding due to dry conditions, benefited from rains earlier in the week, ensuring it was far more manageable than it might have been. Though still not ideal, the surface held up well, and racing proceeded smoothly, with fancied runners largely dominating to give punters a pleasing start.

The International Labor Day Trophy was claimed by Satish Narredu-trained Deep Respect, who went about his business with the quiet confidence of someone completely ignored in the betting ring. All eyes, wallets, and faith were glued to Sulaiman Attaollahi-trained Burevestnik, the short-priced favourite who carried all the expectations of the betting public. Suraj Narredu sent Deep Respect to the front, and from there it became a one-horse tutorial on how to defy market sentiment. The favourite gave chase in the manner of someone who had already read the ending and didn’t like it. Legacy Field injected a brief moment of drama with a late surge, but the leader had already signed off. Burevestnik, despite glowing track reports, finished a rather underwhelming third, proving once again that morning whispers and afternoon realities often belong to different planets.

Darius Byramji-trained Tolkien produced a gritty start-to-finish performance in the Usha Stud Plate over 1400 metres. Eagle Eye, last seen winning in November went off as the on-money favourite. Tolkien, sensibly respected as second favourite, made full use of the inside draw. Akshay Kumar sent him to the front early, and Tolkien settled into a rhythm that suggested he had no intention of entertaining opposition. When challengers emerged in the straight, he simply changed gears and left them to argue among themselves. D Fronx chased without conviction, while Eagle Eye, despite Trevor Patel’s earnest efforts, couldn’t bridge the deficit he had generously allowed earlier.

Track watchers have been confidently predicting a productive season for trainer Irfan Ghatala, and his horses seemed determined to validate that prophecy immediately. Zephyrine, despite some interference at the top of the straight, asserted her superiority in the Camino Plate (Div I) with the authority of a horse clearly in a different class. Under apprentice Pavan, she stretched away in the final furlong to win by over two lengths. Royal Jewel managed to edge past Windcleaver for second, while fancied Agrima decided pre-race theatrics were more appealing and bolted en route to the gates, earning a swift withdrawal from the fray. The lower division followed a similar script, with Ghatala-trained Zayana cruising home effortlessly ahead of Mystical Queen and Embosom.

The Epsom Plate (Div I) over 1300 metres served up a much-needed thriller. Prasanna Kumar-trained Hazel, who dictated the pace, held on gamely to win, while Auctav came charging along the rails with a late burst that nearly rewrote the result. He missed narrowly, but not without making a strong case for future redemption. Larissa, the other well-backed contender, stayed on for third in a tightly packed finish. Auctav is one to keep firmly in the notebook unless one prefers learning the same lesson twice. In the lower division, Pradeep Annaiah’s Frederika justified strong support by producing a decisive late run to overhaul Queendom and Vibrant Queen, both of whom had no answers when she swept past with purpose.

Jockey Sachin delivered a composed and efficient ride on Bellavita in the Pattadakal Plate. Making his move wide on turning for home, he allowed the Neil Devaney-trained runner to unleash a sharp turn of foot that settled matters quickly. Favourite Thrill of Brazil had to settle for second, while She Rules finished an eye-catching third after making ground from well off the pace.