The Mumbai racing season opened with more predictability than a monsoon traffic jam, but punters weren’t complaining as five favourites obliged and the sixth wasn’t far behind. Fynbos, the Bangalore Derby heroine, returned in regal style to pick up the K K Irani Plate without raising a sweat. While surprises were in short supply, the smooth, hiccup-free start and dominant displays ensured racegoers had enough adrenaline to believe the season holds richer drama ahead.

The opening day of the long, winding Mumbai racing season didn’t exactly set the competition charts on fire, but the punters certainly had no cause to fling their racecards skyward in despair. Five of the six races obediently marched to the tune of the first favourites, and the lone rebel in the last race was still bagged by the well-fancied Applause, a non-favourite only in the most technical sense. For the racegoers, the most gratifying part was that the season kicked off without a single hiccup, promising days ahead of drama, adrenaline, and the occasional heart-in-mouth moment. After all, too much predictability may comfort the betting slip, but it does rob the sport of its favourite spice: surprise.

Bangalore Derby winner Fynbos returned to the track after her July exploits and clinically picked up the 1600 metres K K Irani Plate, for horses rated 60 to 86. Trevor Patel barely had to shift weight in the saddle, let alone ride her out. Much was expected from Giacomo, a colt strolling in after four straight wins, but the anticipated duel fizzled out before it even sparked. Fynbos simply coasted. Settled at the rear early on while Emperor Rodrigues showed the way with Ultimo and Giacomo in tow, the favourite played it cool. Giacomo’s expected charge never materialised as he huffed, puffed, and couldn’t even get past Ultimo, settling for third. Fynbos won exactly the way one writes a predictable chapter: smoothly, emphatically, and very much on brand.

Shazaan Shah’s Credence claimed the 1200 metres Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy for horses rated 80 and above, but only after giving her supporters a free cardiovascular workout. Apprentice Ramswarup, armed with a five-kilo allowance, was both boon and bane. The weight off was a blessing; the traffic jam along the rails was very much not. As the tiring pace-setter Divine Art folded and Irish Gold loomed on the outside, Credence was boxed. She lost momentum, rhythm, and quite possibly the faith of those who had backed her. But class bailed out chaos. Once extricated, she came flying with a renewed flourish to mug Irish Gold right on the post by a whisker, sparing the apprentice the blushes. It’s My Time filled up third.

Champion trainer Pesi Shroff wasted no time announcing his intentions for the season, sending out three winners on day one. Among them, King’s Gambit was the flashiest, smashing the 1400 metres Kiara Plate for horses rated 40 to 66. Lord And Master led them in, Neptune and Esteban queued up to challenge, but the moment jockey Prakash pushed the favourite, the race was effectively over. King’s Gambit exploded past them, winning by a widening margin of five lengths. Axlord came charging late for second, with Treat third. The early pace players, meanwhile, vanished like they’d accidentally joined the wrong race.

The Dallas Todywalla-trained Social Butterfly, previously guilty of underperforming, rediscovered her inner diva the moment her hooves touched Mumbai turf. Sent out the short-priced favourite in the Welcome Trophy for horses rated 20 to 46, she turned the race into a glorified parade. Sandesh took her to the front, pressed cruise control, and she toyed with the field to win by over seven lengths. Majestic Warrior flirted dangerously with losing second place to the late-finishing Absolute Gorgeous, but survived by a whisker.

Namiri then proved he was far superior to his company in the 1600 metres P B Avasia Plate, for horses rated 20 to 46. Trevor initially considered riding a waiting race, but the lethargic pace made patience look foolish. He nudged Namiri forward, took charge, and from there it was a one-horse procession. The favourite stretched away to win by six widening lengths. Magical Moments claimed second with Little John running on late for third.

Finally, in the lowest category, one where surprises are usually born, Applause delivered exactly what her name promised. In the 1000 metres M D Petit Plate, she shadowed Lightning Blaze into the straight before taking over in the final furlong. A slight outward drift didn’t stop her from scoring under apprentice Bharath Singh. Arbitrage rallied strongly along the rails for second while We Still Believe filled the frame.