After the two early shocks in the first two races, form played true and most followers of form returned home with pockets full of pink currency at the end of the seven-event card at Guindy on Thursday. The fact that the stock at the Madras Race Club (MRC) has tremendously improved and it will only keep improving, taking into account that many owners from this centre are now picking up quality stock and the trainers here are willing to move out and compete against the best at the other premier centres augurs well for the sport. 

Young Vishesh stunned the Chennai racing buffs, rankoutsider Gingersnap from his yard powering home in the opening event, the Mount Fuji Handicap run over a distance of nine furlongs. The 30 to one long shot piloted by five-kilo claimer Ram Nandan Manjhi produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to breeze past the topweight Memory Lane, who looked set to score before Gingersnap ridden hands and heels by Manjhi shot through a gap on the rails to assume command and quickly put the rest to bed in the final 100 metres. The favourite Catalyst found the first two too hot to handle and had to rest content with the third spot. The winner, it must be mentioned is in fine nick and is set to provide an encore. 

In the juveniles event, the K Srinivasan Memorial Trophy run over a sprint, the Saddam Iqbal-trained Perfect Blend and Multiwave from the stables of B Suresh garnered the maximum support. But to the delight of the bookies, the `Jodi ' went out of the window, the moment the eight to one shot Speculation, stablemate of Multiwave hit the front in the hands of Saikumar and showed a clean pair of heels to her seven rivals. The speedy winner appears to be goodtype of youngster and more will be heard of this speedy daughter of Planetaire in the weeks ahead. Perfect Blend finished second ahead of Larado, while Multiwave only managed to complete the frame. 

Trainer Dr. Anil Kumar, who has started the season on a promising note, led in his fifth winner, facile last start winner Proud registering his second straight success in the Supreme Choice Handicap run over a sprint. The winner confidently piloted by Ashhad Asbar seized the initiative at the top of the straight and then gamely held on to score from the Deepesh schooled Alexander. Shivratri from Sebastian's yard, who was also strongly fancied in this event lost more than a dozen lengths at the start and was never in with a chance. Advantageously placed in at the scales, Undeniable finished a suggestive third ahead of the topweighted Angel Heart. 

Like Proud, the Deepesh Narredu-trained The Awakening chalked out his second successive victory, winning the Adler Handicap with a measure of comfort. The on-money favourite piloted by Yash Narredu is in rousing form and is set to record a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. Another good last start winner Beejay failed to match the speed of  The Awakening and Race For The Stars in the 1000 metres dash and only managed to save money in place. Second in demand at the betting ring, Dark Son piloted by the Hyderabad ace Akshay Kumar, who was in line for a hat-trick performed below par and after being handily placed at the top of the straight went `phut' like a pricked balloon and finished in the ruck. 

After the success of Proud, punters chose to support Shez R Star from  Anil Kumar's yard in the upper division of the Star Supreme Plate run over a distance of seven furlongs. The fact that Anil Kumar's stable is firing and that Shez R Star  had improved most after her last essay provided the railbirds the courage and conviction to support the Anil Kumar ward. The public choice much to the disappointment of her supporters failed to match strides with the second in demand at the betting ring, Cynosure who bolted in to the delight of his trainer Ramanathan. Neeraj Rawal astride the facile winner produced a copybook effort. Cynosure on the strength of this performance is tipped to score again when next saddled, while Shez R Star needs to further improve to get into the winners' circle. Kings Walk who finished second ahead of the favourite is set to go one better and earn a winning bracket in his next attempt.The lower division of the event saw the Mandanna schooled Sporting Spirit justify his top billing, making every post a winning one in effortless style. The second in demand at the betting ring, Safety from Sebastian's yard followed the winner home and it will not be long before this Sebastian ward will earn her cornbill. 

After failing to justify favouritism in her last start, Gold Kite came good in the concluding event, the Indictment Handicap run over 1000 metres. Strongly supported again to stand tall at the podium, the winner piloted by the promising five-kilo claimer Inayat tracked arch rival Zucardi for most part of the journey before Inayat pushed Gold Kite ahead at the distance post and the overwhelming favourite sprinted through to make ample amends of his costly last start failure. Zucardi held on to gain the runner-up spot ahead of last start winner Timeless Romance. Now that the Gold Kite has learnt to fly high, it will pay to again soar high with the `Kite' in her next effort too.