Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Time And Tide is undoubtedly one of the sprinters seen in the last decade and that is not faint praise. The progeny of Dali reappeared after a Pune win in September and behaved like a star who skipped rehearsals but still stole the show on opening night. Ring rust tried to cling on, but class gave it a polite shove aside. Taking his time to warm up like a vintage engine, he unleashed his trademark late burst to collar the front-running Dream Seller, who fought bravely before being demoted to honourable mention. Miss American Pie rallied late for third, Credence completed the frame, and Jade politely declined to participate in pre-race expectations.

Time And Tide was offered at odds generous enough to make believers feel clever and doubters feel nervous. Credence zipped to the front, Dream Seller tracked, and Time And Tide sat poised in second, clearly in no mood for early drama. The tempo lifted at the turn, Dream Seller kicked clear, and for a moment caused mild panic among favourite-backers. Then Time And Tide located top gear, and the result was soon a formality pending paperwork. Suraj Narredu guided him to his 16th career win with the calm of a man finishing a routine errand. Dream Seller held second from Miss American Pie, with Credence fourth. The only sour note was the post-race report that the winner returned lame.

Several long-term non-winners finally remembered what victory looks like. Diego Garcia, also from the Jodha yard, had been threatening to win for so long that punters had begun to treat it as folklore. Runner-up to Derby favourite Fynboss last year, he chose a mile and a half trip to end the drought. Suraj Narredu kept him handy, pressed the button at the turn, and the son of Deauville did the rest, beating Little John and Caccini with authority. Last start winners Ekatarina and Harrison attracted solid support but ran like they had misplaced their finishing effort somewhere near the 600 metre marker.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait’s Charlie Brown, a horse long associated with promise and near-misses, finally decided enough was enough. Blinkers on for the first time, Charlie Brown proved his mettle. Akshay Kumar sent him to the front in the 1200 metres Captain Courage Trophy and Charlie Brown refused to entertain visitors thereafter. Heaven’s Rhythm chased sincerely but got a firm “no vacancy” reply. Mulan was third.

Algonquin from Dallas Todywalla’s yard justified favouritism in the Weizhou Trophy, a race for the basement division where surprises are common and confidence is optional. Trevor Patel tracked It’s My Way into the straight and then made it very much his way over the final 300 metres. Beyond Stars and Flash Mob filled the minor slots. Azalea, strongly backed despite a long career as a designated pacemaker, showed that old habits have deep roots.

Gunfire, trained by Malesh Narredu, converted a promising earlier second into a decisive win in the Dancing Prances Trophy for maiden three-year-olds. Yash Narredu sent him to the front and kept him there, with the others chasing more out of obligation than hope. Ghost of Victory and Shadai followed him home without causing any distress.

The Enigma Trophy Matisse and Zafferano, from the same ownership, monopolise the betting boards as joint favourites. Trevor Patel rode Zafferano cold at the rear, then produced him with textbook timing. He swept past the field and cleared away in solitary splendour. Tyrannus was second, Black Thunder third, and Matisse left punters reviewing their loyalty.

The opener, the Forest Flair Trophy, went to favourite Ekla Chalo, who lived up to his name and finished the job neatly under Trevor Patel. Lickety Split covered extra ground on the outside and paid the price late, while Between Friends filled the third spot. With favourites largely delivering through the card, punters ended the day in good spirits and will be hoping the Derby card follows the same script.