Going against handicapping logic and defying the conventional wisdom, trainer Pesi Shroff pulled off a dramatic victory with Mathaiyus whom jockey YS Srinath, carrying overweight of 5.5 kg, steered to win General Obaidullah Khan trophy, the feature event of yesterday's seven-race card at Mahalaxmi racecourse.

The four-year-old gelding was put through the acid test because Shroff and owner Mehernosh Deboo wanted to check if Mathaiyus, who was asked to carry bottom weight of only 49 kg on his back by the official handicapper, could be pitched at the deep end in the forthcoming Classics where he would be asked to carry 57 kg, if entered. The audacious gamble paid off handsomely, and the confidence the racing public has in the champion trainer was on display when truckloads of money chased him to go out as a public choice on the tote, though he was easily available at 2/1 in the bookmakers' ring.