On a day four lesser fancied contestants stormed into the winners' circle, the half-money favourite Knotty Dancer justified his top billing in the Stewards Trophy, the plum event run over a sprint on Sunday. The Bangalore raider from leading trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard was head and shoulders above his six rivals and he readily proved that right romping home without working up a sweat in the hands of top gun Akshay Kumar. Now that Knotty Dancer is back on the high road, he will be a force to reckon with against the highest class performers in the campus at the Blue Mountains this season. Krishnan Kamesh, one of the owners of the impressive performer, buoyed with the effort revealed that Knotty Dancer's next target is the Dr MAM Ramaswamy Trophy on Derby day. Advantageously placed in at the scales, Gods Plan who made a pillar to post attempt hung on to take the second spot ahead of Emelda, while Wind Symbol completed the frame. "Knotty Dancer, it appears is liking the conditions at the Blue Mountains and he will pick up a couple of more races this season," said Kamesh pointing out that the `Dancer' is enjoying the weather at the popular hill station.

After Knotty Dancer's effortless victory, another well fancied public choice, Proposed from Ramanathan's yard, who recorded a grand treble on Saturday edged out lesser fancied Diamond And Pearls in a thriller, much to the relief of all the big bettors in the upper division of the Macedonienne Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs.The favourite in fact was a lucky winner considering the fact that the rider of the runner-up, Inayat appeared to have lost his stirrup 50 metres from home and as a result failed to offer the required saddle assistance at the all-important end. This it was clear helped Proposed powerfully piloted by Amit gain the day at the shadow of the winning post. Turf Beauty finished third ahead of Star Symbol, while Renegade from Krishna's yard, it was clear was only testing the track.

The lower division of the event was claimed by another public choice Grandiose confidently partnered by Ashhad Asbar,The winner from Ajith Kumar's yard looked in top shape and Ashhad Asbar didn't really need to work hard to steer the favourite home. Grandiose is in rousing form and is certain to provide an encore. Amber Lightning gained the runner-up berth edging out Lady Royal who in her start to finish attempt lacked the gas in the tank to keep going in the final furlong and had to rest content with the third spot.

The ten to one shot Mystic Zlatan powerfully piloted by Sai Kumar edged out another long shot Wonderful Era (7/1) by the shortest of margins in the concluding event, the Mukurthi Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner provided trainer Ajith Kumar a fine double, while lady trainer Rupa and top gun Umesh who drew a blank returned home disappointed. Dazzling Dynamite who garnered the maximum support lost a couple of lengths at the start from which he never could recover and eventually finished last much to the chagrin of her large following who boldly made big investments on her after her impressive effort in her last start at Chennai.

Earlier, the five to one shot Glorious Evensong from Sebastian's yard partnered by Brisson produced a winning gallop at the top of the straight to edge out the favourite Sunny Isles in the opener, the Hobert Park Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. Rule Of Emperors from Robert Fley's yard caught the eye while finishing a eye-catching third and is one for the notebook.

In the next event, another lesser fancied contestant Star Lap confidently piloted by apprentice jockey Gagandeep sprinted through a gap on the rails to score in the Catherine Falls Handicap. The winner got the dream run after the favourite Lady Luck from Ramanathan's yard piloted by Amit shifted out alarmingly 100 metres from home and even interfered with the progress of Choice. It was clear that Amit had lost control of his mount when the public choice shifted out and blocked the passage of Choice. Umesh astride Choice lodged a very valid objection for interference and taking his ground, but much to the shock of the railbirds all across the racing centres in the country, the protest was overruled. It is clear that the men simply viewed the rightful protest with a jaundiced eye.

Anzio from B Suresh's yard bolted home in the Nature Strip Plate run over a sprint. The winner offered at (5/1) in the betting ring, hit the front soon after the 10 youngsters came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip despite shifting out and racing on the outer rail in the last one furlong. Anzio appears a goodtype of youngster and it is needless to mention that he has come on a lot, enjoying the high altitude weather conditions after his only start at Chennai. Zen Zero from Sebastian's yard who was quietly fancied flopped badly and finished in the ruck. so did Fashionista who appeared a trifle gross at the paddock. Aurora Borealis gained the runner-up berth edging out Knotty Power close home and it will not be long before this Foley ward will earn her corn bill.