Chennai is proving to be a happy hunting ground for leading Bengaluru trainer Sulaiman Attaollahi. After Angelico from his yard won the South India 2000 Guineas at this centre, Secret Of Life emerged the champion filly, coming up trumps in the South India Oaks on Thursday and you can't miss the spring in his step now that all the hard work early on his career has started to pay up. Touch wood the unassuming pro is enjoying a great winter season and hopefully he maintains the winning streak in the year ahead. 

On the strength of her sublime effort in the 1000 Guineas here, the Mumbai mainhope Alicia was touted a `moral certainty' in the Ladies Derby'  The money-back favourite without a doubt was the best performed filly in the line-up. And most racing pundits opined that the South India Oaks was at the mercy of Alicia and that the classic event will prove to be a walk in the park for the Pesi Shroff ward. But it was not to be. Secret Of Life brilliantly piloted by the top gun Akshay Kumar provided a different script. The long shot made every post a winning one in the 12 furlongs contest, gallantly pegging back the challenge of the public rage and Princess Gloria in the final furlong. It was a top draw effort from both the rider and the filly and all credit to the trainer for sending out Secret Of Life in fine condition and more importantly providing the filly a chance to compete against the best. The opportunity provided produced the desired result, be it a chance but what matters is the name in the Hall Of Fame. 

The upper division of  the Turf Authorities Of India Trophy, the principal added attraction on Derby eve was claimed by the public choice Gods Plan to the delight of the owner and chairman of the Madras Race Club, MAMR Muthiah. The winner piloted by Trevor Patel looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and readily justified the confidence of his supporters in emphatic fashion. Emelda finished on purposefully at end to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Glenary while Torbert completed the frame. The lower division of the event saw the second in demand at the betting ring, Pense'e from James McKeown's yard produce a sparkling gallop in the `run in' home to romp home a deserving winner. The favourite Oui Sauvage in line for a hat-trick found the winner, who had improved most after her last essay too hot to handle and had to rest content with the thid spot behind Mr.Kool. 

Deepesh and Yash maintained their good run recording a good double on the classic day. Yash booted home the well supported Alexander to a convincing victory in the Kumararajah MAM Muthiah Memorial Trophy before he needed to stretch every sinew to gain the verdict by the shortest of margins on the on-money favourite Anatasia in the AMKM AL. Muthukaruppan Chettiar Memorial Trophy run over a sprint. After her two straight victories, Anatasia in line for the coveted hat-trick was expected to have it easy but a strong challenge by rankoutsider Rhiannon in the final furlong saw Yash dig deep into his reserves to help Anatasia hold on by the shortest of margins in a humdinger. 

On the strength of his eye catching last effort, the Robert Foley schooled Timeless Romance started the favourite in the Dr. MA Chidambaram Memorial Trophy for three-year-old maidens, but soon money started to flow on the Anil Kumar-trained Shez A Star and Single Malt from the stables of Saddam Iqbal. The  latter piloted by Umesh produced a game effort and went down fighting to the Suresh schooled Zucardi partnered by champion pro Akshay Kumar. Gold Kite finished a suggestive third while Timeless Romance raced in patches and eventually finished in the ruck. 

The seven to one shot Driftwood Pacific from Vishesh's yard made every post a winning one in the Step By Step Handicap. Apprentice jockey Angad displayed good poise and control while hitting the front and staying there right till the very end. Priceless Treasure followed the winner home ahead of Price Striker, while the favourite Rajputana from trainer Saddam Iqbal's yard was never in the hunt. 

Chotu Singh Jodha shared the riding honors with Yash recording a popular double through the two public fancies, Wellington and Exemplify. The former edged the second in demand at the betting ring Easy Rider, a `neck' separating the two in the Native Knight handicap run over a distance of 2000 metres, while Exemplify bolted in A Cheriyan Memorial Trophy, another 2000M event. Exemplify on the strength of this effort is too good to miss out on her next start too.