Padmanabhan trained Celestial Way nosed out Sprint Star in a sensational finish in the Gr 2 HDIL BTC Anniversary Cup, the highlight of Saturday`s races. Padmanabhan thus completed a hat-trick in this race having won in the last two years with Rhapsidion Snow.

The BTC Anniversary Cup qualifies as the best race of the season as the highest rated sprinters and milers in the country line up for this richly endowed race. Super Mile winner Aboline, Sprinters Cup winner Palazzio`s Sun and most consistent Sprint Star who has won a bagful of graded races were in the line up. There was also Bhagirathi who had won four out of her five outings, graduating into graded race company. The odds at the bookmakers ring reflected the belief that it was hard to pinpoint any horse as a clear favourite. Sprint Star, Celestial Way and surprisingly Astral Flash had an identical quote of over 4/1.

	Celestial Way (J G Sampson up), winner of the HDIL B.T.C.Anniversary Cup (Gr.2), being led in by trainer Mr. S Padmanabhan

There was a drama at the finish as Celestial Way and Sprint Star went past the post locked together. The connections of Sprint Star thought that they had won the race and even went to lead in the horse even though the judge had not announced the verdict. The confusion was further compounded by the judge taking longer than usual to announce the result. In fact, the photo finish freeze flashed on the screens before the judge announced the verdict. As soon as the photo was flashed, it was clear that Celestial Way had nosed out Sprint Star in one of the most exciting finishes one has seen. Celestial Way should won easier than the verdict but the jockey failed to take a forward position early on and jockey Sampson had to work hard to find his way, improve his position on the steepest part of the track and then circle round the field to make his challenge. The small made gutsy daughter of Orpen devoured ground though at one point it looked like the cause was lost as Sprint Star had shot into a useful lead with the winning post in sight. The filly managed to get the nod in the bob of heads in the final stride of the race.

Cielo Rey pun in a fast run to take over the job of a pacesetter as the field set out for the seven furlong trip, with Successor, Aboline, and Palazzio`s Sun racing in close proximity. Celestial Way, who was drawn wide, fell back to the rear as some of the runners who went with the pace were dropping back. Bhagirathi raced in about fifth or sixth position while Sprint Star was in about 9th position in the big field of 15 runners. Rounding the final turn, Aboline failed to profit from the forward position and sent distress signals even as Palazzio`s Sun showed up prominently. Astral Flash too raised some hopes before losing steam. Suraj Narredu brought Sprint Star the shortest way and then angled out to get the measure of the front runners and surged ahead with about 150 metres left in the race. Celestial Way showed up with a blistering run on the wide outside. Sprint Star and Celestial Way went past the post locked together, with the latter prevailing by the proverbial whisker. Bhagirathi, who was caught between Sprint Star and Celestial Way, had to be switched in and she did well to finish third, followed by Astral Flash, Palazzio`s Sun and D`Artagnan who were in close order. This was the third graded success for the Kunigal Stud Farm bred Celestial Way who had thus far won the Gr 2 Golconda 1000 Guineas and Gr 3 Chief Minister`s Trophy. She is the highest rated horse currently racing from Kunigal Stud Farm.

It began to rain soon after the completion of the BTC Anniversary Cup and there was a delay in the start of the seventh race. The conditions altered significantly but the last three races were gone through without any hitch. Another horse from Kunigal Stud Farm, Couleur Rouge won the supporting event of the day, the Nawab M Arshad Ali Khan Memorial Cup, a seven furlong terms race for three-year olds from a late rallying Kohinoor Wish. Ciel Indienne was the firm favourite on the basis of his impressive third behind Sun Kingdom in the Colts Trial Stakes as also for the pull in weights he enjoyed but the colt failed to hit the front as is his wont, struggled in the third position before fading out of the reckoning before the final furlong. Braavo led all the way before he was overhauled by Couleur Rouge who moved with a flourish from the fourth position. Couleur Rouge had to stave off the determined bid of Hyderabad challenger Kohinoor Wish who was conceding weight to all his adversaries. Kohinoor Wish should make a big splash back home.

Nessie had given enough indication that her turn to win had come. The well supported Nessie came home with a strong run to edge out the front running One For The Money in the Commanche Trophy (Div I), a five and half furlong race for maiden three year olds. Methodical won the lower division of the race at the expense of Love Me Tender who after a lethargic start, found the trip too sharp for comfort.

Rugged Beauty relished the soft underfoot conditions while keeping favourite Sweet Surrender at a safe distance in the R M Puttanna Memorial Trophy (Div I) Captain`s Lover did not throw up her usual tantrums before being stalled and she preserved all her energy for the race. She came home with a big rush to sail past Brunetta to record a facile win over Mystere and Brunetta in the lower division of the race.

Ganapathy trained Smart Ways was seen in true colors as she put daylight between herself and the rest of the opposition in the Royal Challenge Plate (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45. Smart Ways proved a cut above the opposition. Soviet Melody, who was expected to be in the thick of things, ran a miserable race and finished a dismal last. The withdrawal of ante post favourite Crown Vision due to lameness paved the way for Amazing Queen beat a disinterested set of runners pointless.

Royal Prodigy proved too good in the 1600 metres Pune Plate, a race for horses rated 0 to 25. Powergrid was a long way second.