After they lost out big on Thursday, punters enjoyed a good run and had the better of exchanges on Makar Sankranti. Four well-backed favourites and one well supported second choice Historian proved too good and that helped the railbirds return home on a satisfying note. Competing in the feature event, the AMKMK Karuppan Chettiar Memorial Cup run over a mile, Historian piloted by Santosh hit the front and set a decent pace all through the backstretch before he quickened well at the top of the straight to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The manner in which he outclassed his 11 rivals including the favourite Gallantry, while recording his second straight success by more than seven lengths suggests that the in-form Karthik ward  will complete a hat-trick of wins when next saddled. Gallantry finished second ahead of Spicy Star, stablemate of the winner, who is steadily and surely making progress to earn a winning bracket.

The seven to one shot Rippling Waters from Robert Foley's yard in the hands of apprentice jockey Shyam Kumar made every post a winning one in the principal added attraction, the upper division of the Tamil Nadu Race Horse Owners Association Trophy. Catelyn from Mandanna's yard garnered the maximum support, but the public choice in the hands of the in-form pro Umesh failed to make a race of it and eventually finished in the ruck. The apprentice boy Shyam Kumar displayed fine temperament, keeping his focus and producing his best when coming under pressure from the runner-up Demerara and That's My Class close home. 

The short-priced on-money favourite Super Girl donkey-licked the opposition in the lower division of the event . Yash Narredu astride the P Krishna ward didn't really need to move a muscle to hit the front soon after the eight contestants came under the starter's flag for the sprint event and the moment she brought the field into view she showed a clean pair of heels to romp home in resplendent style. This `Girl' make no mistake is in fine nick and top of her game and it is needless to mention that she will scale a new high in the weeks ahead. Sasakwa, who followed her all through the six furlongs trip without a hope stayed to to take the runner-up berth ahead of Star ranking while Pacific completed the frame. 

Chotu Singh Jodha warmed the hearts of most favourite backers, producing a power packed effort on the Adhirajsingh Jodha schooled Beejay in the concluding event.. The favourite didn't really jump out well from a wide draw in the sprint, but Jodha realising that he needed to push his mount quickly to stay in front did exactly that and gained a position behind the leader Sea Script. After the leader shot his bolt at the top of the straight, Jodha pushed Beejay ahead and then drove him out strongly to peg back the challenge of Striking Distance. The front runner Sea Script finished third while Wild Frank leisurely made the frame. The fact that Beejay produced a winning effort after a ten-month break indicates that the Adhiraj ward is enjoying the conditions at this centre and on the strength of this impressive effort is set to provide an encore. 

The opening event was claimed by the public choice Flying Safe from Futnani's yard. Yesterday I had mentioned in my article that Futnani is enjoying a good run this season and yet again on Friday he recorded a fine double to maintain his winning streak. Dhanu Singh Deora astride the public choice in a never-say-die bid packed punch all the way down the straight to get the better of Raisina, who looked set to score before going down in the last couple of strides to the favourite. Sweet Fragrance caught the eye while finishing a notable third and it will not be long before this filly from Krishna's yard  earns her cornbill. The lesser fancied Papparazi piloted by the promising Gaurav Singh came up trumps in the upper division of the Bishop Handicap to help Futnani record a fine double. The bred in the purple winner hit the front soon after the jump and never let the initiative slip.  

The money-back favourite Lady Mimi from Deepesh Narredu's yard was the most impressive winner in the seven-event card. The winner piloted by Yash Narredu in his effortless pillar to post victory served out a strong message that she will continue to scale up the ladder and will be a force to reckon with in the months ahead. This was Lady Mimi's second straight win at this centre and she is set to do the `trick' in her next start. Ganton partnered by the Irish pro Shane Grey, who recorded a good double in Bengaluru on Wednesday gained the runner-up berth ahead of  Hallucinate, while Wise Don filled the frame.