Contrary to public expectation of a close tussle between established sprinter Palazzio`s Sun and fast improving Astral flash, the Gr 3 Chief Minister`s Cup, the feature event of Sunday`s races turned out to be an anti-climax with both these runners not figuring at the finish. It was Padmanabhan trained Golconda 1000 Guineas winner Celestial Way who overcame a hiccup in the early part of the race to overhaul the front running Originality to win against the run of expectations. The soft underfoot conditions no doubt helped the cause of the Kunigal Stud Farm produce but there was no doubting her class. Celestial Way has had her share of problems but the small made daughter of Orpen seems to be at home on the Bangalore track where the give in the ground is certainly to her liking.

	Celestial Way (J G Sampson up), winner of the Chief Minister`S Cup (Gr.3), being led in by Mr. Zeyn Mirza

Palazzio`s Sun who had won this event last year, was the obvious favourite though the lack of a preparatory race run was bound to be a disadvantage as the going had been rendered soft due to rains in the preceding days. The got abroad filly Astral Flash who had won in a smashing manner over seven furlongs earlier in the season, was backed with conviction and was expected to make light of the quantum jump in class over an unfamiliar trip of a sprint. Though the other runners had been good performers in the past, their recent form was not encouraging and as such, established sprinters were expected to have a decisive say. Originality who had missed the berth narrowly to Palazzio`s Sun on couple of occasions, was coasting home but the younger Celestial Way gave a jolt with a sparkling acceleration in the final furlong. Palazzio`s Sun who had always reveled top of the surfaces, perhaps did not relish the underfoot conditions as he did not show speed or sparkle of old.

Originality moved swiftly from the outside draw to take over the proceedings, with Palazzio`s Sun and Lady Duff in close attendance. Astral flash, Successor, Ticket To Ride, Celestial Way were handily placed while Rare And Precious, as is his wont, was in the rear group. Kyles of Bute was heading the rear bunch. Celestial Way received a check at around the 900 metres marker and lost a few places but jockey Sampson reacted swiftly and got into the act of covering up the leeway.

Originality held the initiative well into the straight as Palazzio`s Sun did not show his patented speed and was laboring in the same position even as Astral Flash showed up with a brief flourish only to fade out to finish way down the field. Celestial Way came up with a big run on the wide outside and had just one runner to overhaul in the final furlong which the four-year old filly did in the shadow of the post. She spared a length at the finish. Rare And Precious waded his way through a crowded field to show the spark of old but was beaten to the fourth place by Kyles of Bute who finished powerfully. D`Artagnan was a close fifth ahead of Palazzio`s Sun.

String Along`s last win was so impressive that an encore was never in doubt. Though she cut pace with no hoper Panchakshari over the seven furlong trip by running freely in front, the daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek had enough reserves to shake off the threat posed by Unleashed and Make My Day to win the Brig R C R Hill Memorial Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 40 to 65. . Hyderabad challenger Magic Million ran a fair race. Prithviraj trained Saloni proved too superior in the lower division of the race, winning as she pleased over Juno and the rest.

Irfan Ghatala`s Criminal Lawyer looked a cinch in the 1600 metres Yeravada Stud Plate and expectedly the Gaswar of Chasing Shadow cruised home in a manner that suggested that he has improved tremendously. Jockey Suraj Narredu let Criminal Lawyer take over the running from Duckworth inside the final 350 metres which the favourite did with minimum of fuss and stretched for a facile win. Spandau Ballet ran on to finish third.

Rashid Byramji`s One Life To Love had no problem in disposing of the challenge of Cherelle in the 1200 metres Everynsky Trophy, a race for maiden three year olds. The runner up ran an encouraging race and can be expected to make her mark pretty soon.

Stormyred was strongly backed to win the Prabalao Plate (Div I) but the favourite could not match strides with the front running Portatone who recorded an easy win. Sandalwood Star ran on to be third. Friendly Bond had no worthwhile opposition in the lower division of the race and the progeny of Ontario who went into the race as cramped on money favourite won quite capably from Montedoro.

Youre Kiss`s Due was the overwhelming favourite to win the Flirting Vision Plate (Div I) and the favourite who surged ahead at the final furlong, held on to win from late rallying Hampton Court and Southern King. Sher Dil had his chances but he failed to quicken when in sight of overhauling the front runner and ended up a close fourth. Sugriv attracted big attention in the betting ring despite no apparent form but he could have possibly obliged but for a poor ride by a nervous Harsha who compounded his problems by losing the whip at a crucial stage of the race. I Fancy You held of the threat of Noble Breeze and Sugriv to record a win at nourishing odds.