Followers of form started the New Year on a winning note, form playing true and most fancied contestants nailing bold colours to the mast to the delight of the railbirds at Guindy on Monday. 

The top favourite Ruling Star from Deepesh Narredu's yard piloted by Yash proved too good in the plum event, the New Year Trophy,  run over a distance of seven furlongs. A picture of fitness in the parade ring, the public choice produced a heart warming gallop to romp home in emphatic fashion. Lesser fancied Samurai Blue from James McKeown's yard followed the winner home, while the second in demand at the betting ring, Imperial Gesture from the stables of Kolkata-based pro Vijay Singh performed below par and finished down the field much to the chagrin of the Kolkata camp. 
Deepesh and Yash earlier struck through another public rage Aspira, who cantered home in the Right Ahead Handicap run over a sprint. The winner, who had beaten Smash Shot in a thriller in his last start produced another stellar effort to record her second straight success and on the strength of this facile victory is likely to complete a hat-trick of wins, when saddled next. Presto Power gained the runner-up spot ahead of Annalisa, while Kallipos completed the frame. 

Yash later booted home Relic Warrior in the concluding event, the Blushing Groom Handicap run over 1000 metres. The three to one shot from trainer Rupa's yard who had finished second in his last two start went one better to the delight of Rupa, powering home nice and easy to the sheer joy of Yash who started the year on a high note, booting home four winners. Knotty Power from trainer Ramanathan's yard, who was a medium of a king-sized gamble failed to display his true potential and finished in the ruck. Rankoutsider Prince Purple finished second ahead of Armoury partnered by Hindu Singh, while Western Girl who caught the eye made the board without really extending herself and is one for the notebook. 

The Govindrajan schooled Royal Falcon garnered the maximum support in the Danzing Handicap and to the delight of all the favourite punters showed a clean pair of heels to her nine rivals winning by a margin of five lengths. Three Of A Kind gained the runner-up berth ahead of Showmanship who appears to have improved and is likely to enter the winners' circle in the weeks ahead. 

The B Suresh-trained Annexed dropped a bombshell coming out tops in the Wassel Reef Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner piloted by the promising apprentice Ram Nandan Manjhi assumed command at the distance post before putting the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Reign Of Terror followed the winner home ahead of Beauty Of The Turf. 

In what appeared an open affair, the grey Opus One from Suraj Shaw's yard confidently piloted by Vivek G edged out the lesser fancied Lady Royal in a thriller in the upper division of the Own Opinion handicap run over a sprint. The lower division of the event saw the public choice Turf Melody from Deepesh Narredu's yard and Yazh from Vijay Singh's yard partnered the Hindu Singh locked in a ding-dong contest before Turf Melody gained the day, a `neck' separating the two at the wire. Hallucinate finished more than five lengths behind the first two finishers to save money in place, while Angavai completed the frame. 

Leading pro Antony Raj and James combined successfully to record a popular double through last start winner Albinus, winner of the Polar Falcon Handicap run over a mile and Loch Lomond who reigned supreme in the Ajaad handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs.