It was a mixed bag from the punters point of view, three firm favourites and an equal number of second choices coming through in the seven-event card and as a result followers of form returned home with a spring in their stride, satisfied with the exchanges at the bookmakers' ring on Sunday. 

The feature event, the Tamil New Year Trophy was claimed by the heavily backed on-money favourite Val D'aran from James McKeown's yard confidently piloted by top saddle artiste Umesh. The winner showing a clean pair of heels hit the front soon after the field of nine runners came under the starter's flag for the six furlongs event and made every post a winning one without Umesh really needing to move a muscle on the goodtype of youngster, who appears to be enjoying the cool climatic conditions at the Blue Mountains. Aarini from Vijay Singh's yard followed the winner home ahead of Royal Chivalry who made a satisfactory debut and is one for the notebook. 

Umesh next struck through the last start winner Pneuma from Suraj Shaw's yard. The five to one shot seized the initiative at the top of the straight and gallantly held on to peg back the belated effort of Speculation. Tycoonist caught the eye while finishing third ahead of Knotty Wonder who started the favourite before the price on the Ramanathan ward alarmingly went up and up and the punters smelling a rat chose to switch, half supporting Speculation and the other half getting on to the winning boat Pneuma. Knotty Wonder, it must be mentioned performed below par and failed to even save money in place. 

Surprisingly offered at the nourishing price of (6/1) despite the fact that he had consistently produced some fine efforts in the morning trials, Cynosure from Ramanathan's yard produced a sparkling gallop in the `run in' home to detonate his eight rivals in the upper division of the Saddle Up Handicap. The winner piloted by Surya Prakash tailed the leader Diamond And Pearls for most part of the 1300M trip before he shot ahead and gained control approaching the distance post and quickly put the race to bed in the final furlong. Diamond And Pearls held on to finish second ahead of Royal Baron, while last start winner Dear Lady who had a fair share of supporters performed like a dud and finished in the ruck. 

The lower division of the event was claimed by the sweetly fancied Sensibility from the stables of Suraj Shaw. The winner in the hands of MS Deora gained a favourable position early on in the race and Deora made sure that the plucky mare kept going, snuffing out the challenge of Choice in the final furlong. Ten to one long shot Royal Falcon finished a creditable third, while Prince Purple from B Suresh's yard who garnered good support at end disappointed, never in the hunt and finishing down the field. 

Second in demand at the betting ring, Truth In Wine partnered by Hindu Singh reigned supreme in the Southern Empire Handicap run over a mile. The winner looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring before he justified the confidence of his supporters from the Vijay Singh camp. The favourite Alpha Domino it was clear needed this run under his belt and he is certain to make amends when saddled next. The runner-up Wolf Creek appears to have improved but taking into account that he is a very moody customer it will do a world of good to avoid supporting this McKeown ward till he records a series of consistent performances in the weeks ahead. 

Dancing Queen was another second choice who came up trumps in the Polar Falcon Handicap. The winner from Sebastian's yard produced a winning gallop at the all-important end to score in style. Raffinato finished second ahead of Western Girl, while the overwhelming public choice Bohemian Star, much to the chagrin of the followers of form failed to display her true potential for more reasons than one. 

Despite the fact that the price on Blue Eyed Boy went up and the Shaw-trained Ugly Truth closed favourite,  Blue Eyed Boy produced a stellar effort to romp home in style beating Ugly Truth by a facile margin of three lengths in the opening event, the Avalanche Handicap. Marshall finished a good third and is one for the notebook. The winner is on top of his game and is set to provide an encore.