Racing is quite often predictably predictable on days when race goers think that winner picking is easy and it is a matter of playing favourites, they end up with an egg on their face. The opening day`s race card promised much for the punters who thought that all they had to do was to merely back those who were strongly backed in the ring and take home a bagful of money. But what transpired in the end was something no one had bargained for. Upsets are par for racing but not the kind of ones that one witnessed on the inaugural day. The so called best trainers in Mumbai don`t score much on the reliability factor.

Some of the performances were simply inexplicable. Only two favourites came through in the card of seven events and nobody benefitted by this result as the winners were at very cramped odds. Phoenix Tiger had imposing credentials to win the 1400 metres Mathradas Goculdas Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above, the feature event of the day. The progeny of Phoenix Tiger had won the Gr 1 Colts Championship at Bangalore before a setback kept him out of action for a considerably long time. Phoenix Tiger was not ring rusty when in his only appearance at Pune, he won with ease. As such, Phoenix Tiger was expected to have a walk in the park. Colm Donoghue had Phoenix Tiger track front running Apache well into the straight before asking the favourite to stretch out. Phoenix Tiger did not draw away but did enough to land the spoils.

The other favourite to win during the course of the day was Pesi Shroff trained Nifty who had it easy in the 1600 metres Kiara Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45. The progeny of Multidimensional is due to be campaigned ambitiously during the season though she is short on experience at this point of time. Trevor Patel had Nifty tracking pace setter Caribbean Legend before asking the favourite to take charge inside the final 300 metres. Nifty skipped clear and was in no danger of being caught up by any of the runners. Top Bracket ran on from behind to take the second slot ahead of Oreius and Rapid Girl who finished in close order. On the evidence of this performance, it is difficult to say if Nifty has the necessary class to make a mark in the Guineas.

Dallas Todywalla trained Victoria Harbour was backed spiritedly to complete a hat-trick of wins in the 1200 metres Sir Charles Forbes Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 to 86. Jockey Donoghue failed to take a good position from the innermost draw as the filly raced keen and eventually fell behind. Mine Forever as is her wont led from the start with Strategic Move in close proximity. Classic Moment lost some ground at the start along with Brahmachari.
Donoghue rode a pathetic race for a jockey of his nature as he did not give Victoria Harbour any chance as he found himself behind a tightly packed field in front. Having committed behind these horses, Donoghue did not wait for gaps to materialize and instead tried to pull the favourite on the wide outside. After moving out, Victoria Harbour raced wide and the jockey again changed course to go further wide. All this maneuverer robbed Victoria Harbour any chance that she had of winning. In the meanwhile, Mine Forever battled on resolutely in front with Strategic Move not getting enough ground to overhaul the front runner. The one to gain the nod in the end was rank outsider Classic Moment who got strong in the final moments of the race and edge past the front runner in the shadow of the post. Bangalore based Vaibhav who rode the winner, was perhaps seeing the winning post after an eternity. Classic Moment was available at fancy odds.

Imtiaz Sait trained Enthralling was another to disappoint with a dismal performance in the 1000 metres J V Shukla-Ashwamitra Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. Harvey was backed down even as the odds on Enthralling who had two wins and one runner up effort at Pune to her credit kept excpanding. What was most disappointing was that Enthralling who had shown blinding speed at Pune, raced flat and jockey Donoghue could not position the horse in the forward bunch and the second favourite eventually finished last. The run was too bad to be true. Perhaps the horse did not have the requisite fitness.

The race was won by owner mate of Enthralling namely Arizona Sun who held a prominent position in front and resolutely hung to win from favourite Harvey. Trevor failed to position Harvey well and the favourite had considerably lee way to cover on the eventual winner. Trevor`s poor handling surely cost Harvey the race. Trevor tried to get the nod in the Stewards room by putting an objection against Zervan who rode the winner, for veering out and coming in his path, causing him to lose the race. Arizona Sun did veer out but it no way hampered the chances of Harvey who with better quality ride, could have been the winner. Strategic Move was a close third.

After the below performance of horses from the stables of veteran trainers, punters were in for more shock in the last race of the day. Pesi Shroff trained Captain Courageous and Malesh Narredu`s Ice Cube Baby were backed to the exclusion of the rest and the betting trend indicated that the outcome of the race would be confined to the fancied duo. However, much to the chagrin of punters, both these horses played truant. Pearl Secret shaped to cause an upset but was beaten in the dying moments of the race by rank outsider Santosa Cove. Ice Cube Baby who was not seen racing with any chance, ended up third.

The 1400 metres Etna Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 66, too produced a shock result. Perfectionist who had been the receipt of unprecedented betting at Mysore and failed to deliver, had since changed ownership and had been relocated to Malesh Narredu`s stable. Under such circumstances, nobody expected a dramatic upset by Perfectionist who had flopped against a mediocre company at Mysore. Yash Narredu had Perfectionist race a handy second behind pace setter Wind Craft before pushing the long shot to take charge in the straight. Perfectionist steadily gained ascendancy in the straight and had no problem in winning from Iridescence. Fearless Nadia lacked the ability to make an impression in this company and despite an all-out effort, had to be satisfied with the third slot. Favourite Angelic Aria who had won at Pune, put up a pathetic performance and was not spotted to have any chance during the race.

The day had begun on an ominous note for punters as rank outside Gyahana who had a series of listless performances at Pune won against the run of expectations, the 1200 metres Welcome Plate, a race for horses in the lowest category. Favourite Moroccan raced in earnest in front and shaped to justify the favouritism. However, he slackened in the final moments of the race and Gyahana managed to neck out the favourite in the closing strides of the race. Devoted who was not off to a brisk start, ran on to take the third place.