Top trainer Padmanabhan is back in the classic circle. The classic performer couldn't make it to Guindy, his morning flight to Chennai on Saturday was cancelled, but his classic hopeful Emphatic made sure she didn't miss the bus, while picking up the ticket to fame in only her third start. The Padmanabhan camp was bullish of her chances in the South India 1000 Guineas, the trainer rating her high and the classy daughter of Excellent Art proved her master right, displaying the classic temperament and the talent required to make an entry into the elite classic league. 

The Satish Narredu schooled Divine Art, who finished second behind the Sulaiman schooled Regal Reality who like Emphatic won a classic in her second start opened the favourite before money came pouring in on the twice winner from as many starts, Aquastic from the stables of Sulaiman. Emphatic opened at (5/1) and closed at (4/1) her supporters confident that the filly possessed the ability to make the big splash. The talented Saqlain guiding the fortunes of Emphatic tracked the leader Divine Art partnered by Yash Narredu who surprisingly retired the moment the nine top fillies entered the straight. At this juncture Saqlain pushed Emphatic to the front and soon the good looking filly kicked well to establish a three-length winning break before putting the race to bed 100 metres from home. Another Bengaluru raider Magnetic from Parvati Byramji's yard, who still has not shed her maiden status finished on purposefully at end to gain the runner-up berth ahead of Divine Art, while the strongly fancied Aquastic failed to live upto the big promise and high expectations failing to even find a place on the board. Now that Emphatic has served notice of her classic potential, and emerged as a good prospect on the classic scene, her progress in the months ahead will evoke considerable interest in the classic circle. 

Crown Drive from B Suresh's yard is clearly the Horse Of The Season, winning four from his five starts this season. Competing in the Inthespotlight Trophy run over a sprint, Crown Drive who garnered maximum support produced another outstanding effort in the hands of Peter, justifying the confidence of the Suresh camp, who fancied the star performer to post his fourth win. On the strength of this victory, the in-form Crown Drive is certain to put the chest out and complete the high-five when saddled. next.  Perfect Blend from the stables of Saddam Iqbal followed the winner home, while Schnell from Deepesh Narredu's yard managed to save money in place.  

Second in demand at the betting ring, Persian Rock from Fahad Khan's yard powerfully piloted by leading `Knight' Akshay Kumar came up tops in the concluding event, the Delage Handicap run over a mile. From the lacklustre approach of Umesh, it was clear that the  favourite Sierra Dela Plate from the stables of James McKeown was not in the hunt, the rider clearly lacking the willingness and the enterprise to score. Queen Anula partnered by Srinath followed Persian Rock home ahead of Starkova, stablemate of the favourite Sierra Dela Plate. Starkova certainly would have run the winner close had James chosen to put any decent pilot on Starkova. Julien Moulin's effort  astride the third-placed filly was pathetic,to say the least and this Frenchman can win only on horses which stand out in a moderate set and certainly not in a competitive event. 

Rise Again was fancied most in the Symphony Of Fire Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs, but the strongly supported public choice to the disappointment of his large following met a tartar in  King O Star who produced a sparkling gallop in the hands of Sai Kumar to enter the winners' circle. Aurora Borealis finished a creditable third, while the topweighted Clockwise from the stables of Sebastian who was strongly fancied in place lacked the gas in the tank to make a race of it and eventually finished in the ruck. 

After failing to justify favouritism in his last essay, the in-form Pluto from Deepesh Narredu's yard confidently piloted by brother Yash chalked out his third success this season, reigning supreme in the Urban Sea Handicap run over a sprint. The on-money favourite and Crown Drive are the two top local performers to date this season. Pluto is in rousing form and he will add one more to his kitty when next saddled. Royal Chivalry did well to follow Pluto home, while the second favourite Knotty One failed to settle early on in the race and finished down the field. 

The Ramanathan-trained Sacre Couer and Aletta from the stables of Vijay Singh headed the betting board in the opening event, the Kingston Handicap run over a sprint. The former in the hands of Umesh came good and flashed home first, while Aletta struggled to finish fourth. Blue Sapphire from Ajith Kumar's yard caught the eye while gaining the runner-up berth and it will not be long before this mare goes one better and stands tall at the podium in her next effort.