Fifteen race days have gone by and only two fillies - Stunning Rose and Mandji - have come in picture to stake a claim for the forthcoming 1000 Guineas, whereas the second Classic (2000 Guineas) seems to be wearing an open look after the hard-fought victory of "The Rock" in the Kanhaiyalal Sharma and Company Cup on Tuesday. Interestingly, the four-year-old chestnut colt raced to the glory after a gap of ten months during which his journey to success was full of ups and downs. The day also saw two top-notched classic contenders - Quality Assurance and Shubh Shubh - sustaining severe defeat in their respective events. Apprentice jockey Gurpreet singh was the lone professional to complete his first ever treble. The Rock was not worth for under odds-on as it appeared. He was with the leader (Time Gentlemen) in the early furlongs but soon was displaced by the other companions making him to do some hardship in the straight. The colt, however, managed to overpower the leader after coming from the mid-bunch but soon put all-out effort as he sensed threat from the same age group runner coming from the tail-end. The top weighted Faurties put everything into the last sprint but it was the difference in scale of 9.5 kilograms and travelling widest of all at the final curve made all the difference. It finished one-and-a-half length behind. Though the colts have many days in their hands for the classic preparations, yet the present form of the chestnut colt has, certainly, become a matter of serious concern. If Faurties had run with lesser weight and not taken widest turn, the day would have had seen fifth consecutive favourite crushing to defeat. The Rock has yet to retain his old form and if he succeeds in time then he would be able to see himself standing in the safer zone. A race earlier, bay gelding Dream Debut dashed the hope of Shubh Shubh in the Aakanksha Plate which was earmarked for the class two horses. Actually, the gelding once again proved that his previous victory over the latter was not a fluke. What a coincidence! A week ago, the duo clashed with each other in the class three and the neck came between them on both the occasion. Shubh Shubh was the victim of dubious handling in the previous outing, whereas, in the present run, the luck of jockey Ramparvesh really ran out. The colt has the potential which has not been fully utilised as yet. Another classic filly Quality Assurance failed to live up to expectations finishing third in the lower division of HardInvast Plate. First N Impression and Desert Falcon made the bout interesting by dominating the straight. The duo took off and crossed the wire in the similar fashion. The former succeeded getting an advantage of half-a-length of the latter, who will be in different shape in the next venture. It was the second consecutive time during the season, when Quality Assurance flopped. Though she had many reasons - struggling for a clear passage and meeting with interference - for her defeat, yet, she has hardly been able to make the connections proud with her performance. Singh Is King, who came from disadvantageous position before finishing fourth, should soon strike. The day's opener set the ball rolling in favour of the rank outsiders as Enya upset the applecart of heavily backed Ritambhara in the Class Consious Plate. The three-year-old filly Enya showed a tremendous turn of foot towards the end when she not only covered maximum ground to corner the favourite but also proved that she has the pedigree of Steinbeck and Adorer to stay. Jockey Faiz Ali Khan may have cursed himself for the stunning defeat of Ritambhara. He not only allowed the mount to bolt but in stead sought the assistant of quirt soon after entering the straight. The speedy loser should make amends. A young Gurpreet Singh showed his brilliance on The Boss in the senior division of the Hardinvast Plate, which continued through First N Impression and Doon Boy.