Newly licensed trainer S. John could scarcely have scripted a better opening chapter. On his first day in office, he had the privilege of leading in a graded race winner as the unbeaten Alfonsie continued his demolition spree in the Gr 3 Chief Justice`s Cup, the feature event of Saturday`s Bangalore races.

Having won both his previous starts in runaway fashion, Alfonsie treated the switch from handicap company to graded class with utter indifference. The son of Dreamfield stalked the eternal front-runner Azalea in second before jockey Aashad Asbar merely loosened the reins approaching the bend. By the time the others had finished discussing their plans, Alfonsie had disappeared into the horizon and the race was over long before the winning post arrived. Mayne Magic gave chase without ever threatening while favourite and Mysore Derby winner Miracle Star, who woke up only when the bird had flown, finished third ahead of King`s Gambit.

The pace was set by Azalea as usual, with Alfonsie enjoying a dream run in second. Turning for home, the leader had done the donkey work and Alfonsie simply pressed the accelerator. The result was never in doubt thereafter as the others were left chasing shadows.

Sulaiman Attaollahi-trained Shutterfly held off the late charge of favourite Royal Legacy to land the D. Kumar Siddanna Memorial Cup for maiden three-year-olds. Shutterfly made every post a winning one under Sandesh and, despite Royal Legacy finishing with a wet sail, managed to reach the safety of the winning post. Seize The Grey edged out Edison for third.

The post-race talking point, however, was not the winner but the starter`s gate drama involving Waves Of Wonder. When the gates opened, the horse had its nose turned into the neighbouring stall and consequently lost considerable ground. The Stipendiary Stewards headed by Wayne Wood unanimously felt that the horse had not received a fair start and recommended that it be declared a non-starter. Two Stewards agreed. Three others, however, thought otherwise and, as has become an annual ritual, the amateurs overruled the professionals, rendering the Stipes little more than expensive ornaments.

The issue is simple. At the precise moment the starter presses the button, his responsibility is to ensure that every horse is in a position to jump fairly. Horses rearing up, refusing to jump, or even depositing their jockeys on the track are accepted occupational hazards and are treated as racing incidents worldwide. But when a horse is not properly aligned at the instant the gates fly open, the question is not whether the horse behaved itself, but whether it was afforded a fair start.

In leading racing jurisdictions, the professionals` view carries weight because they are paid to interpret racing situations and not merely occupy seats in the Stewards` room. Nobody expects part-time Stewards to know every nuance of starting gate procedures any more than one would ask enthusiastic club members to overrule airline pilots on landing techniques.

The horse was comfortably standing when the start was effected, but its head was turned into the adjacent stall. That distinction is crucial. This cannot be equated with horses playing up after the gates open. Elsewhere, when in doubt, Stewards generally lean on the expertise of the professionals. In Bangalore, doubt appears to inspire the opposite instinct.

Perhaps it is time to remember that the purpose of appointing experienced Stipendiary Stewards is not merely to provide decorative accompaniment in inquiry rooms. If every professional opinion is to be subjected to a popularity vote, the club might as well replace inquiries with a show of hands and save everyone the trouble.

Irfan Ghatala struck with a well-backed winner through Black Irish in the 1600 metres Pronto Pronto Plate for maiden three-year-olds. Armed with a mock race and the weight of public expectation, the debutant justified favouritism, though not before making his supporters sweat a little. Incredible Luck and Legacy Field cut out the running while Asterion sneaked through along the rails and looked poised to steal the thunder. Apprentice Pavan, riding without the comfort blanket of an allowance, bided his time before bringing Black Irish with a sweeping run on the wide outside. In a driving finish, Black Irish got the verdict by a head over Asterion, proving that market confidence had not been misplaced. Incredible Luck held on for third. There was sustained support for Digital Empress, but the filly arrived after the party had nearly ended. She looks the sort who would appreciate a longer trip to advertise her true credentials.

Satish Narredu-trained Glorious Strides recorded an encore in the 1400 metres Borsalino Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Goddess Of War showed the way into the straight before Neeraj Rawal, spotting a gap on the rails that would have pleased a locksmith, drove Glorious Strides through to take charge. Apprentice Sachin had Eagle Eye in hot pursuit and the pair fought out a stirring duel. In the battle of wills, Glorious Strides found just enough to hold Eagle Eye by a narrow margin. Night Raider arrived late on the scene to finish a close third, perhaps wishing the race had been another hundred metres longer.

Prasanna Kumar-trained Prince Of Wales completed a hat-trick with another effortless victory in the 1400 metres Borsalino Plate (Div II). Anthony Raj settled the gelding in fifth before unleashing him in the final furlong. Prince Of Wales lengthened his stride with royal authority and sauntered away to score by five widening lengths, making the opposition look like mere attendants in the procession. The battle for the minor placings was far more dramatic. Alamgir snatched second from Exceed by a neck, while Exceed nosed out Corinthian and Knotty Cruise by another nose apiece. The judge probably earned his tea money sorting out that traffic jam.

The short-priced favourite Bright Thunder from Darius Byramji`s yard had no intention of making life difficult for his backers in the 1200 metres Prabalo Plate for the lowest category. He disposed of the opposition with disdain, winning by an expanding five lengths. Windcleaver stayed on to take second ahead of the late-finishing Incido, who pipped Brave Heart in the shadow of the post to save place money and perhaps the blushes of a few each-way punters.

Favourite Sella Maris produced a timely rally in the concluding stages to collar Honeypot, who had attempted the oldest trick in the book by trying to pinch the race from the front in the 1600 metres Paddiwick Plate, another contest for the basement brigade. Honeypot travelled sweetly but found the cupboard bare close home as Sella Maris swept past to hand Irfan Ghatala a double for the afternoon. Sea Diamond also finished strongly but had to settle for third, arriving just in time to collect the bronze medal after the gold and silver had already been spoken for.