Trainer Bharath Singh`s less-fancied runner, Shourisha (Dashrath Singh-up), made a capital gain from her marginal handicap advantage to win the 2,200m Eveready RCTC Gold Vase, on Sunday, the New Year`s Day, known to be Khaitans` stronghold; until recently. The victory of the horse, also signalled the emergence of a new turf Tsar, along with the established honchos like, Subir Dasgupta and the Manjri Stud Farm, each also having polished up a brace of wins in the afternoon`s 10-event card.

Early in the afternoon, Dutta Guptas` purple blooded filly, Sana (Dashrath), had pocketed about a Million rupee worth, the 1,200m Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes, the richest event on the day`s cards.

Khaitans`, on the other hand, drew a blank, leaving the camp to ponder if their decision to part ways with trainer Vijay Singh, after about 25 years of association, was a wise one. Vijay, on his part, kept his New Year`s Day tally ticking, scoring a priced treble. One looks forward to seeing the score-sheet again in the Derby weekend, seven day from now, before passing the judgement.

The Bharath in-house-handicapping, against the local opposition, definitely favoured Shourisha and rest, as the western India migrant, Square Moon, gave the impression of being a poor performer. However, the visiting horse gave a tough fight to Shourisha but the purists believed the verdict would have gone the other way had a stronger jockey than apprentice Hindu Singh ridden the Adhirajsingh Jodha`s aspirant.

The apprentice was also at a receiving end in the Indian Produce Stakes, won by Dashrath-partnered Sana, early in the afternoon. Riding the last outing runaway winner, Fortune Express, Hindu, though again guided the 9/10 favourite to perfection but critics had their own yardsticks. Poor Hindu, it was his off day.

In fact, it was Bharath`s strategy that paid off, thanks to Dashrath who displayed a sense of maturity , and the experience, after stable-mates – King Credible and Castlebridge -- had managed to upset the rhythm of Fortune Express in the early half of the journey. Sana, who was nowhere in the picture; until the final 400m, weaved her way up to beat the speedy customer, Fortune Express, in the final half-a-furlong of the race.

Celerino (apprentice Munna Alam) and Splash Proof (Dashrath) made their winning efforts simple – to claim their respective events, the opener, the upper division of the 1,100m Colonial Handicap, and in the curtains time, the 1,600m T2 Cup – Splash Proof who won almost from the start. Splash Proof`s victory, in fact, was made easy by Ashhad Asbar`s over-confident riding of the 16/10 favourite, King`s Crown, a bloodless winner in his previous outing. Ashhad kept the favourite far, too, back; until the final 200m of the race. Munna (Celerino), on the other hand, won far too easily and it may not come as a surprise if the horse carries the penalty in his stride again.

Vijay`s Fury (Sandeep Rajput) had to sweat it out hard to beat Vinay Lagad`s Apsaras in the upper division of the Zara Shah Handicap. Both horses were ridden in a check as Vikash Jaiswal`s Indus Prince tested his hot hoot up-front.

In Anacapri (Zarvan), trainer Pesi Shroff has a champion filly in the making. In the 1,100m Bookmakers` Association Cup, the Manjri bred and owned filly allowed Vijay`s Jump And Run (Hindu) to cut a good pace before pouncing on the tiring lead to score going away from the field. She beat a decent opposition over a scurry and she also indicated her penchant for the extended trips. Keep her in the mind if she takes on the ‘Champagne Stakes` field.

Zervan was back in the winner`s enclosure but the visiting jockey had to get the best out of trainer Arti Doctor`s 18/10 favourite, Taygets. Zervan, too, appeared to be over-protective on the bloodless winner in his previous start. He waited far too long and too far behind the front runners before making his winning run to beat trainer Jasbir Singh`s Pouru Chisty (Mohit Singh). But no sympathy for Mohit who was equally guilty for riding a casual finish when cheered as a winner 200m from home. In the same race Vijay`s Desert Cat (Hindu) demonstrated lot of speed and guts but was no match for the fighting pair in the final 200m of the race.

Kings Canyon (Zervan) paid complement to his mentor, Vishal Gaikwad (Zervan) upon winning the 1,100m Hermes Voyages Cup. The trainer enjoys immense trust and goodwill in powerful lobby back home, and it was a matter of seeing and believing. The horse won with an authority and it may not come as a surprise if he returns to the winner`s enclosure again.

A delayed arrival at the city airport may have deprived jockey Pradeep Chauhan from an extra win in the lengthy card but the power-packed engine was at work in the 1,200m Club7 Holidays Cup. The event fell into his lap by his sheer brute force as he partnered trainer Farley Rodrigues` 8/1 chance, Tangaloomaa to a shade under a length victory over a quietly fancied Midnight Star (Hindu).