Madras racing was back on track at Chennai and the railbirds at Guindy loved the action on Thursday, most fancied contestants nailing bold colours to the mast in the small six-event card. The strongly fancied Albinus from James McKeown's yard reigned supreme in the plum event,the Acclamation Handicap, making every post a winning one in the seven furlongs event. A confident Vikram had it easy guiding the fortunes of the public choice, who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before detonating his 11 rivals, including the second in demand at the betting ring Speculation in resplendent style. The winner is in rousing form and is set to provide an encore. Last start winner Speculation, it must be mentioned was up against a superior rival and if wisely placed in the weeks ahead will add to her success recorded on the opening day. Berrettini, stablemate of Speculation raced in patches and finished a creditable third ahead of Rays Of Sun. 

A facile last start winner, Schnell from the stables of Deepesh Narredu registered her second straight victory, powering home in the hands of Yash Narredu to stand tall at the podium in the Snow Sky Handicap run over a mile. The winner is on top of her game and is set to complete a hat-trick of wins, when saddled next. Ganton from McKeown yard in his attempt to make every post a winning one found Schnell too hot to handle at end, but did well to hang in and gain the runner-up berth. Sian finished third ahead of Wolf Creek who again failed to break level from the gates and this cost his supporters dear at end, the McKeown trainee failing to even save emoney in place. 

Yash, who booted home Schnell recorded a double guiding home the favourite Turf Melody to a smart victory in the Telescope Handicap run  over a sprint. The winner from Deepesh's yard, it appeared benefited most from his last essay, storming through to take command at the top of the straight before putting the race to bed in the final furlong. The topweighted Angavai surprised most gaining the runner-up berth ahead of the advantageously placed in at the scales Star Of Liberty from the stables of Robert Folety, while Annexed completed the frame. Seattle Blue from Suresh's yard had his fair share of followers, but the well fancied second choice after calling the shots for most part of the sprint trip shot his bolt when the race came on a boil and finished in the ruck. 

Another Suresh trainee Rinello and Marquita from the stables of Deepesh Narredu topped the betting board in the concluding event, the Gone West Handicap run over a sprint and much to the chagrin of the followers of form, the `Jodi' went out of the window, the 20 to one long shot Acantha delivering a shock treatment to the punters, gaining the day in a humdinger from the lesser fancied Knotty Power and the five to one shot Samurai Blue. Rinello piloted by leading proi Antony Raj lost a couple of lengths at the start after which he was never in the hunt, while Marquita after being favourably placed for most part of the six furlongs trip dropped out of contention at the top of the straight. 

Earlier, trainer Govindrajan bowled a perfect `googly' in the opening event, the six to one shot The Sting proving too good in the City Light Handicap, cruising home without really extending herself, while her much fancied stablemate Royal Falcon, failed to display her true potential and finished a poor fourth. Royal Falcon make no mistake is capable of performing much better and this Govindrajan ward should be persisted with again in her next attempt. 

Swarga from Sebastian's yard and Suresh schooled Anzio garnered the maximum support in the Century Dream Handicap. The two dominated the finish before the latter powerfully piloted by Antony gained the day in emphatic fashion. Last start winner Excellent Star finished a creditable third, while the topweighted Terminator looked rusty and is certain to come good after this run under his belt.