Two classic finishes in two days and at two different centres catapulted Trevor Patel to the top of the jockeys leader board and the top gun is now the most sought after `Knight' on the Indian racing circuit. On the Derby-day at Guindy, the classy saddle artiste astride the Mumbai hopeful DYF from trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard produced a top draw effort to land the Derby riches, snuffing out the challenge of the Bangalore raider Shamrock in a thriller. And fresh from his success in the mega event at Chennai, Trevor guiding the fortunes of the favourite Supernatural in the Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup on Sunday at Mahalaxmi, brought to light another par excellence effort which made the knowledgeable sit up and acknowledge that he at the moment is the best in the business. 

Most railbirds including the many owners from Bangalore and a few from Mumbai enjoyed the day out at Guindy. Amidst all the hype and hoopla, the buzz the blue riband of the season, the Wolf 777 South India Derby, generated brought cheer to the racing fraternity and the Madras Race Club (MRC) spearheaded by the dynamic chairman MAMR Muthiah sent out a heartening positive message that the onus is on the clubs to restore the pomp and gaiety and more importantly the excitement and entertainment associated with the sport. 

The Satish Narredu schooled Shamrock, winner of the Bangalore 2000 Guineas was backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals in the big-ticket event. The on-money favourite piloted by leading saddle artiste Suraj Narredu looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and most old hats in the game fancied the Satish Narredu to wear the Derby sash despite the fact that the talented son of Excellent Art was a trifle suspect over the mile-and-half classic journey. The public choice and Suraj in their effort to wear the Derby sash produced their best, but on this big day it was just not good enough to stop the second in demand at the betting ring, DYF piloted in exemplary fashion by Trevor from hogging the limelight. Trevor riding like one possessed gained a slender advantage when the race came on a boil in the final furlong and then drove the grey flat-out to win the Derby in a tight finish. Shamrock, in defeat was not disgraced and lives to fight another day. The first two apart, the vastly improved Serdar from Aravind Ganapathy's yard produced a career-best effort to finish a close third and all credit to Aravind for maintaining his trust in the ability of his ward after his none-too-happy attempt in the 2000 Guineas. 

It appears that the winds of fortune have touched Arjun Manglorkar. The leading pro can do no wrong, clearly evident by the results obtained last week including Mirra winning the Bangalore Oaks. Arjun maintained his winning streak, Aralina from his yard winning the Usha Stud Million in emphatic fashion. The talented daughter of Speaking Of Which from the famed Usha Stud Farm had produced a satisfactory effort on debut and Arjun impressed with her showing provided Aralina an opportunity to showcase her ability and the filly made her master proud, producing a fine turn of foot in the hands of top pro Akshay Kumar to chalk out her maiden victory in style. Miss Allure from Deepesh Narredu's yard caught the eye while gaining the runner-up berth and it will pay to follow her when next saddled. The favourite Fort Nelson from Neil Darashah's yard in his attempt to make every post a winning one in the hands of leading jockey Srinath failed to match strides with the top two and had to rest content with the third spot. 

Earlier, Neil struck it rich on George Everest. The winner in a hard-fought battle came out on top, edging out the public choice Ibrahimovic to take home the Pongal Cup. Last start winner Sheer Elegance partnered by the talented Saqlain saved money in place, while the other fancied runner, Wonderful flopped badly and finished in the ruck. 

Saqlain booted home the first two winners in the competitive eight-event card on the big day. Astride the lesser fancied Romualdo in the opening event, the Hyderabad Race Club Trophy, Saqlain had it easy, the Sebastian ward producing a sparkling gallop in the run-in home to floor his nine rivals including the overwhelming favourite Slainte from James McKeown's yard, who failed to even save place money. Turf Melody gained the runner-up berth ahead of Amber Lightning, while Lady Blazer completed the frame. 

Back in the next event astride the five to one shot Proposed, Saqlain needed to stretch every sinew to edge out long shot Pappa Rich who comfortably beat Lord Of The Turf and the topweighted Supreme Runner from Deepesh Narredu's yard, the two involved in a dead-heat for the third place. Deepesh in the next event led in Alexander and later cornered glory registering a popular double, the on-money favourite Leopard Rock from his yard proving too good in the Dr MAM Ramaswamy Memorial Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. Siege Perilous in his attempt to make every post a winning one in the hands of John hung on gamely to take the second spot ahead of Pense'e, while Watchmystars who lost a couple of lengths at the start only managed to finish a tame fourth. 

Hallucinate from Robert Foley's yard and Alexander partnered by Suraj Narredu garnered the maximum support in the upper division of the Bangalore Turf Club Trophy run over a sprint. The latter after calling the shots for the first five furlongs dominated the charge to the line, to romp home a deserving winner. The lesser fancied Valeska followed the winner home, while Hallucinate performed below par much to the disappointment of the Robert Foley camp, who strongly fancied the mare to score. 

The five to one shot Sporting Spirit from Mandanna's yard powerfully piloted by Akshay Kumar showed a clean pair of heels to his nine rivals in the concluding event, the RCTC Trophy run over a distance of seven furlongs. The Jodha-trained Lady Cadet and Loch Lomond from the stables of James were the two market leaders who attracted good support, but the fancied two in their endeavour to enter the winners' circle found Sporting Spirit too hot to handle. The public choice Lady Cadet in a close call clinched the second spot from Loch Lomond, who appears to have improved his gate manners and is one for the notebook.