Friday the 13th! the day grandma will not stir out of her cottage, let alone place a bet on a fancied horse in a big race. But the bold and brash youngsters of the modern world are not cowed down by these superstitions. They will readily punt big if they think they can make the moolah on this dreaded day, never mind the ill winds which many believe will cause damage to health and wealth on this day. No such things happened and on the contrary, winds of fortunes swept across Guindy and the railbirds enjoyed the action. The trainers and owners saddled their horses with no hesitation or fear and the jockeys cracked the whip and produced their best on the eve of the blue riband of the season, the Wolf 777 South India Derby.

The fancied Bangalore raider Saigon from trainer Aravind Ganapathy's yard came up tops in the Madras Race Club Auction Sale Million. The winner, who had finished third behind the twice winner Knotty Charmer, who is the best juvenile on parade so far this winter at Bangalore, was backed to the exclusion of his six rivals and the public rage justified the confidence of Aravind, producing an impressive gallop in the final furlong to snuff out the challenge of the lesser fancied Asio from Deepesh Narredu's yard. Perfect Blend did well to save money in place and it will not be long before this youngster from Saddam Iqbal's yard sheds his maiden status.

Next it was Star Romance, another on-money favourite who justified his top billing in the lower division of the Turf Authorities Trophy run over a sprint. The winner from Deepesh's yard piloted by brother Yash hit the front soon after the field of eight runners came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip, gallantly pegging back the belated effort of the long shot Lordship partnered by Gaurav Singh. Renegade piloted by the promising five-kilo claimer Inayat surprised most finishing a creditable third to the joy of a few fluke seekers, paying out a rich dividend of Rs 272 on a tenner at the tote window. Star Romance, next will be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins and that may prove tough considering the fact that the speedy chestnut may find the highest class sprinters too hot to handle.

After the two on-money favourites, Saigon and Star Romance kept their appointed date at the winners' circle, the onus was one Golden Kingdom to maintain the favourite streak and the in-form Adhirajsingh ward donkey-licked his five rivals in the hands of Kaviraj to register his second straight success. The winner, who had made a fine impression while winning over a distance of nine furlongs on New Year's day proved too good over the extended furlong and is certain to complete a hat-trick of wins when next saddled. Kaviraj who partnered the winner of the Madras Race Club Commemoration Cup in his last essay has struck a good partnership with the star performer and the man and the animal are eager to provide the silver lining again in the weeks ahead.

After three heavily backed on-money favourites kept the favourite pot boiling, the Deepesh Narredu schooled Arthur and Albinus from the stables of leading pro James McKeown garnered equal support in the betting ring before Albinus was finally installed the first favourite by a small margin in the concluding event, the Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy run over a mile and Albinus in the hands of a confident Neeraj Rawal made every post a winning one to the delight of the followers of form. Neeraj hit the front and set a pace which suited Albinus most and the moment he established a big winning lead at the top of the straight it was all over bar the shouting. Yash Narredu astride Arthur chose to race way off the pace and was seen finishing on strongly at end, but the bird had flown the moment the field negotiated the final curve and Arthur had to rest content with the runner-up berth.

Earlier, the promising apprentice Darshan Antony booted home the five to one shot Reign Of Terror and the lesser fancied Angavai in the first two events. Reign of Terror in the Delhi Race Club Cup was seen travelling nice and easy all through the first five furlongs before Antony pushed the Mandanna trainee to assume command at the distance post and the moment he shot ahead he quickly put the race to bed in emphatic fashion. Three Of A Kind gained the runner-up berth ahead of the public choice Windsor Walk.
Astride another Mandanna ward Angavai, Darshan had it easy comfortably beating Priceless Beauty who finished ahead of the Jodha schooled Star Lap who again failed to enter the winners' circle. The favourite twice has failed to deliver the killer punch and this has cost his supporters dear.

The Neil Darashah-trained True Faith who has improved most after his last essay at his parent-centre, finishing fourth behind Czar, topped the betting board in the juveniles event run over a sprint and the good looker in the hands of Zervan produced a good turn of foot to beat Royal Icon close home to the delight of all the big bettors who strongly fancied the Bangalore challenger to stand tall at the podium. I Want It all finished third ahead of Larado. The runner-up from Suresh's yard looks a goodtype and this son of Gusto is certain to go one up in his next attempt.

The Mysuru hopeful Indian Patriot from leading trainer Rakesh's yard was fancied strongly in the upper division of the Turf Authorities Trophy but the top fancy surprisingly failed to display his true potential and eventually finished way down the field. Wind Symbol from Sebastian's yard powerfully piloted by Yash gained the day edging out Fun Storm close home. Second in demand at the betting ring, Kay Star in his attempt to make every post a winning one lacked the gas in the final furlong to accomplish his mission and had to settle with the third place verdict.