THERE were smiles all round at Salisbury Race-course on Sunday when the Netherhampton track opened its 2003 season with its traditional May Bank Holiday family meeting, writes Mike Turner.

Six of the day's seven races were won by the favourites with Richard Hughes - easily the most successful jockey at the course over the past five years - visiting the winners' enclosure four times.

After Dane O'Neill kicked off proceedings with a win on Penelewey, Hughes opened his acc-ount aboard Desert Opal.

But it was Hughes' second triumph, on Vermil-liann, which caused many observers to sit up and take note.

The Richard Hannon-trained filly maintained her winning record with considerable ease and after her two-length win, the Marlborough trainer said she would not reappear until the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Hughes completed his hat-trick on Roger Charlton's Rocket Ship which led throughout the one mile, two furlong handicap, then swiftly made it four in a row and a double for Hannon on Bonus.

Dane O'Neill also enjoyed a double as David Elsworth's Gold Medallist took the honours in the day's sixth race.

The monopoly of the favourites was finally broken when Mr Ed, which had travelled from Pembrokeshire, romped home at 14-1.

Clerk of the course, Jeremy Martin said he was delighted with the opening day of the season which had attracted more than 9,500 racegoers.

"The attendance was in line with last year's," he said. "The weather was very kind to us. It was a great way to start a new season."

Favourites deliver on opening day

JOCKEY Richard Hughes enjoyed a stunning quartet of wins at Salis-bury Racecourse on Sunday at the venue's opening meeting of the year.

Only the bookies went home with long faces as more than 9,500 basked in the sunshine at the Netherhampton track on a day which saw six of the seven races won by the favourite.

Dane O'Neill registered Salis-bury's first win of the season aboard 13/8 favourite Penelewey.

Arabian twist to two-day meet

NEXT on the agenda for Salisbury Race-course is a two-day festival kicking off on Thursday, May 15 with a thoroughbred card which starts at 2.20pm.

The following evening sees the venue stage an event for pure-bred and part-bred Arabian horses which gets under way at 6pm. Full details in next week's Journal.