The extra February day of this leap year turned out to be fruitful for Solid Success, who landed spoilsports in the Vikram Greenland Stud Cup, and the other three favourites who justified the top billing on Friday.

However, the most talkative matter of the day was the look of the turf. It has been over three moths since the green turf had borne the brunt of morning dew and fog that charred it and made it into "golden". But it was the timely naturotherapy (drizzling on two occasions in the past months) and watering in intervals that finally helped the turf to regain it natural beauty in the cheers of "greenery".

The second half of the day had a field of five in which Solid Success and Best of The Lot were the only two horses, who had the experience of running over the mile and they proved it while making one and two at the finish in the feature. In the field of five, an impressive speedy debutant winner, Black chetak flew to the front and made them run at his pace before being packed off to be third by the duo.

Waiting for such an opportunity, Solid Success, who was in chase till the final furlong, simply triggered off to step into the leaders boot by finishing off the race in a scorching time of one minute and just over 39 seconds? "Terrific performance has really delighted me", Laksh Bahita, owner, told me. "He will now be making to the seven furlongs Usha & Mehra Stud Million where his chances are bright, he said.

Best of The Lot, who was observed to be shying a bit during the race, was ridden out vigorously to displace Black Chetak for the runner-up slot. He will be in different shape after being matured. However, one should definitely praise the brave-effort attempt of Black Chetak. Parmod rode the black gelding with great patience. He even gave the gelding breather at the bend and was once in a position of keeping the speculation of staying capability at bay but it was the the final furlong which made him feel the pressure of extra six hundred metres than the debut effort. Sooner or later, he will definitely make his mark over the mile but for the matter of speed, he has not other companion. Crystal Pistol bears watching.

Mohsin Khan-trained Brave Effort eventually tasted a long overdue victory at nourishing odds in the opener - Aman Plate.  Dubious handling of jockey Ram Parvesh on the favourite Sheer Excellence, who finished off the board, is best ignored. In the following event, Parvesh corrected himself by driving Trusted Friend home in a spectacular way. Travelling on the rails to be fourth behind the leaders, he only alerted the gelding to raise a gallop when the post was a furlong away. Interestingly, Trusted Friend once again drifted out alarmingly but it was the dedication of Parvesh which really paid him off. He can repeat but only if the habit of hanging out is corrected timely.

An impressive victory of Ashwa Pratap, late Adam's Obsession, in the lower division of the Pistol Packer Plate may enable him to achieve an encore. The in-form Intricate is riding high on roller-coaster. She left the class three horse’s dance to her tune after coming from hind group to score with authority over the mile. Interestingly, in every outing, she has bettered the timing. She should complete a hat-trick. Charge Away was the last favourite to sustain in pillar-to-post affair over seven furlongs.