It was good to see the eight-member syndicate proudly posing with one of the best horses on the Indian racing circuit, Knotty Legend, unbeaten from his five starts, chalk out his maiden classic success in style at Guindy on Monday. The brilliant effort in the 2000 Guineas after his victory in Pune only confirmed that the top Derby prospect, who will next contest in the blue riband of the season, the South India Derby in new year is back at his best and all credit to his trainer Prasanna Kumar who patiently nursed him back after he suffered a setback in training following the Bangalore summer season.  It is true that Knotty Legend had no opposition worthy of mention in the second classic of season, but the manner in which the star performer approached and completed the mission without really extending himself was exemplary and the Chennai Derby is now at his mercy. 

Top gun Trevor Patel, fresh after recording a treble in Mumbai on Sunday, maintained his winning streak, booting home three the next day at Guindy and astride Knotty Legend, it proved to be a walk in the park for the top `Knight' who like Knotty Legend is on top of his game. Another Bengaluru challenger Rodney from the stables of Irfan Ghatala followed Knotty Legend home, while the local hopeful Vishwas from trainer Sebastian's yard  brought cheer to the local railbirds finishing third ahead of the Vijay Singh schooled Straordinario. 

Despite the fact that Amazing Joy lost thanks to the lackadaisical effort of Hindu Singh, leading trainer Vijay Singh recorded s double through Shine who made a winning debut in the Juvenile event and the overwhelming favourite Lavish Girl, winner of the upper division of the Sergeant At Arms Handicap run over a sprint. The speedy `Girl' partnered by Trevor did give her supporters some anxious moments, hanging badly and struggling to get past the leader Arjun before Trevor straightened her out in the final furlong and Lavish Girl then quickly zipped past Arjun to score in convincing fashion. Lesser fancied Greeley from Suraj Shaw's yard finished strongly to gain the runner-up berth, while the topweighted Grey Beauty from the stables of James McKeown piloted by the five-kilo claimer Ritesh Gochhi finished a creditable third. 

In the lower division of the event, the pedestrian effort of Hindu Singh on the favourite Amazing Joy was a hot case. The rider after jumping out well and racing second soon after the 10 runners came under the starter's flag needlessly dropped position and was content to race in the fifth position till the field negotiated the final curve and in the straight too, Hindu Singh failed to provide the required saddle assistance to the strongly fancied filly for more reasons than one and in the end it was no joy to the Vijay Singh ward thanks to Hindu Singh who lacked the willingness to come good, Amazing Joy at end finishing a close third despite her rider's patchy performance. Lesser fancied Bomber Jet from Deepesh Narredu's yard piloted by Peter entered the winners' circle pegging back the belated effort of the six to one shot Aurora Borealis partnered by Farid Ansari, while Abnegator completed the frame. 

The short-priced favourite Set In Gold  making his debut in the Mukteshwar Stud Million run over a sprint failed to justify his top billing finishing a poor third behind the smart winner Shine from the stables of Vijay Singh and stablemate Grenbole who gained the runner-up berth to the delight of the winning camp. Set In Gold on the strength of his impressive performances in the morning trials was touted as one safe bet, but the on-money favourite after raising hopes while negotiating the final curve shot his bolt at the top of the straight and finished a tame third much to the disappointment of his large following who considered the strongly built colt a cinch in the `MIllion' for juveniles. 

Yash Narredu back after the shock loss he suffered on Set In Gold drove another on-money favourite Hawk Of The Wind to a smashing victory in the upper division of the Buckpasser Handicap run over a sprint. The well-backed favourite despite losing a couple of lengths at the start did well to quickly improve and the moment Yash reminded him of the task ahead, the public choice produced a winning gallop to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Hawk OF The Wind on the strength of this resplendent showing is certain to provide an encore. The topweighted Constant Variable followed the winner home ahead of Fun Storm from the stables of Rupa suggesting that it will not be long before he stakes a claim to earn his cornbill in the weeks ahead. 

The Suraj Shaw schooled Groovin upset the applecart of the strongly fancied public choice Safety in the lower division of the Buckpasser Plate. The winner piloted in determined  fashion by MS Deora edged out Safety close home. The public choice after streaking ahead approaching the distance post failed to quicken at the all-important end and this provided Groovin a chance and Deora in no mood to let the opportunity slip  packed punch to get past the favoured leader and stand tall at the podium. Sheer Elegance caught the eye while finishing a notable third and is one who will reward you with a big Christmas gift if her connections choose to race her again next week. 

Second in demand at the betting ring, Empress Royal from Rupa's yard reigned supreme in the opening event, the Kingman Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. Hindu Singh astride the winner produced a neat effort before he blotted his book while partnering Amazing Joy. Santamarina Star caught the eye while gaining the runner-up berth, while the favourite Lord Of The Turf from Robert Foley's yard raced in patches and eventually finished down the field much to the chagrin of the followers of form, who started on a losing note and were at the receiving end before the favourite Hawk Of The Wind provided the much needed relief to all the big bettors in the fourth race.