"The first week's proceeds will be donated for the benefit of unfortunate victims of the recent Uttarakhand tragedy," Vivek Jain, chairman, of RWITC marketing group, said at a press meet held at the turf club yesterday. The season which ends on the last Sunday in October has lined up Rs 8.5 crore in stake money, which is up by 7% from last year's figure.

The schedule for the important group races is as follows: Gr 3 Eve Champion Trophy (Sat, Aug 10), Gr 2 FD Wadia Trophy (Sun, Aug 11), Gr 3 Fillies & Mares Stakes (Sun, Aug 25), General Rajendrasinhji Million (Sat, Aug 31), Gr 3 Idar Gold Trophy (Sat, Sep 10), Gr 2 SA Poonawalla Multi-Million (Sun, Sep 22), Gr 1 Signature St Leger (Sun, Sep 29) & Gr 1 Nanoli Stud Pune Derby (Sun, Oct 13).

Coming to the opening day's card, the Fair Haven Trophy for Class I horses is the main attraction, which is expected to be won by Bezan Chenoy-trained Neona with Maximus and Cent Per Cent expected to be challengers. Trainer Malesh Narredu has entered two of his forward youngsters, Rio and Ace Angelfire, in the Capricorn Trophy for maiden three-year-olds which has been divided into two divisions.

The former will have to fight it out with Forest Vision and You're The Boss, while the latter will have to be watchful of debutant Four Star General from Altaf Hussain's yard.

First race at 1.00 pm.

Selections:

Bud Royale Plate (For 5y&o, class V; 1000m)
Domain Anna 1, Miracle Of Mercy 2, Wild Imagination 3.

Hugo Plate - Div II (For 5y&o, class IV; 1200m)
Matter Of Heart 1, Queens Kiss 2, Zaracha 3.

Music Man Plate - Div II (Class IV; 1400m)
Matrioshka 1, Divine Inspiration 2, Romantic Beauty 3.

Music Man Plate - Div I (Class IV; 1400m)
Mars 2, War Horse 2, Grand Duke 3.

Gironde Plate (Class II; 1200m)
Sharaarat 1, Hawaiian Princess 2, Barringo 3.

Hugo Plate - Div I (For 5y&o, class IV; 1200m)
Autumn Rush 1, Calypso Queen 2, Crowned Princess 3.

Capricorn Trophy - Div II (For 3y, maidens; 1000m)
Rio 1, You're The Boss 2, Forest Vision 3.

Fair Haven Trophy (Class I; 1400m)
Neona 1, Cent Per Cent 2, Maximus 3.

Capricorn Trophy - Div I (For 3y, maidens; 1000m)
Four Star General 1, Ace Angelfire 2, Zaagros 3.

Alouette Plate (Class III; 1200m)
Emperor Of France 1, Panthera 2, Que Sera Sera 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: None
Good bet: Emperor Of France (10-6)
Chance bet: Rio (7-4)
Upset: McQueen (1-10)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 5,6,7,8,9,10
Jackpot pool: I - 3,4,5,6,7; II - 6,7,8,9,10
Treble pool: I - 4,5,6; II - 7,8,9; III - 8,9,10
Tanala pool: All races.

Box stroy: The Pune season schedule

July: Thu 18, Fri 19, Thu 25, Fri 26. (4 days)
August: Sat 3, Sun 4, Sat 10, Sun 11, Thu 15, Sun 18, Sat 24, Sun 25, Sat 31. (9 days)
September: Sun 1, Sat 7, Sun 8, Sat 14, Sun 15, Sat 21, Sun 22, Sat 28, Sun 29. (9 days)
October: Sun 6, Sat 12, Sun 13, FRI 18, Sat 19, Sat 26, Sun 27. (7 days)
Total: 29 daysu00a0