Jockey Srinath`s power packed finish astride Diamond Hunter saw the lesser fancied runner from the yards of trainer Michael Eshwer subdue the challenge of favourite Celestial Way in the Horse Lovers` Mysore Dasara Sprint Championship, the star event of Friday`s races. Three favourites came through in the card of seven events.

Celestial Way and Kyles of Bute attracted support in equal measure to begin with but close to race time, there was surge in the support for the former. Miss Ruby set the pace followed by Originality with Celestial Way in the third position. Diamond Hunter, contrary to his habit of hitting the front from the start, was held back behind the favourite while Kyles of Bute tracked these horses.

	Diamond Hunter (Y S Srinath up), winner of the Horse Lover`S Mysore Dasara Sprint Championship, being led in by Mr.Sanjay Kapoor & trainer Mr. M Eshwer

Originality took charge at the final bend and put up a dogged resistance and refused to give up easily. It took quite a while for jockey Prakash to get Celestial Way to put her head in front but before the daughter of Orpen could assert herself, came Diamond Hunter with a blistering run. The well performed seven year old Diamond Hunter who simply adores the Mysore track got the measure of the front runner by a long neck at the finish. Celestial Way always revels when there is a cut in the ground and possibly, she did not handle the ground conditions the way the experienced Diamond Hunter did. Kyles of Bute did not get a clear run with a furlong out but the spark which he had showed in Bangalore was missing. Originality ran on to finish third ahead of Kyles of Bute. Diamond Hunter had easily beaten Sprint Star over seven furlongs in his last outing and thus his victory was in keeping with that form.

The eight year old Cafe Coffee upset the applecart of favourite Phoenix Reach. Café Coffee who had been more at home over longer trips in the past, obviously profited from his good forward run as he raced in a handy third position and produced a strong gallop in the final furlong to win the seven furlong race easily at the expense of favourite Phoenix Reach. Nermai was a late finishing third. Edmondo, who led all the way till beaten, can be exploited profitably next time out.

Corleone recorded his maiden win with a start to finish dash in the K T Shamaiah Gowda Memorial Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Chronicle, who had recoded a smashing win in the lower class at Bangalore, looked a picture of fitness in the paddock and cornered all the support. Jockey Naushad Alam had Corleone in front from the start, with the favourite relaxed in second position. Contrary to the expectation of Corleone weakening, he skipped away and broke into a big lead. By the time Chisty woke up and alerted his horse to pick up speed, Corleone was in sight of the post. Despite Chronicle finished with a big run but he missed the berth by a neck.

A big gamble was brought off on Beautiful Life by trainer Lokanath. The presence of Everyday Sunday ensured reasonable odds for Beautiful Life who was taking on a poor lot of horses, having had an airing in his last outing. Racing a handy third till the final bend, Sreekanth pushed Beautiful Life to take over the running and the progeny of Flitch left the field stranded to record an impressive win. Everyday Sunday ran on to finish a tame second. Smart Edition who was in the front, fell back half way through the mile long trip and eventually dislodged its jockey Harish.

Cute Style just about managed to win the Nugu Dam Plate from Loremo. In fact Loremo was unlucky to have lost as her progress was hampered by She`s For Cash who was changing course in front. But nevertheless she was a noteworthy second. Cute Style traversed the final few strides on the edge of the grass track. Refresh dragged the rider to finish third and he is one for the notebook.

With the withdrawal of favourite Rose Of Texas, Black Knight had it easy. He took over the running on entering the homestretch and had the others stranded way behind. Nishi Gold, who missed the kick, trailed the field but finished a notable third.

Puttanna trained horses are always deceptive. Either they sprout wings or make no show. His is an extremely unpredictable stable for punters. Prince Norbert, who came in for sustained support, emerged an easy winner. Spread A Smile chased the eventual winner in vain. Favourite Enchanting Beauty was not sighted at the busy end.