Pesi Shroff's Diego Rivera came with a brilliant run in the last furlong of the mile long Karnataka Cup (Grade 3), and won easier than the official verdict in Sunday's feature event at Bangalore. While doing so, he confirmed his superior rating in a field of eleven starters, and showed that even at the age of six he retains fitness and form to race up to expectations. The terms of the race were clearly in his favour, but the presence of Padmanabhan's four-year old filly Icebreaker was enough to send the punters in her direction. She was a resolute winner of the Bangalore Winter Classics, and her last run in the Indian Derby had been eye-catching. Having finished close behind Set Alight on that occasion was enough reason for many seasoned racegoers to go nap on her this afternoon. Icebreaker went on a start-to-finish mission and made most of the running ahead of a closely packed bunch of no-hopers. Her two main opponents were seen gracing the rear end of the field. Both Mallesh on Diego Rivera and Harish on Splendid Surprise decided to bide their time at the back. Icebreaker shook off her closest pursuers, and just as she emerged clear of the pack , Mallesh and Diego Rivera began their run from the back. It was a pleasure to see the smooth acceleration shown by this seasoned campaigner, who began devouring ground through the middle. A few more strides saw him heading the leader, before asserting his superiority. The margin of victory began to expand with each passing moment. Splendid Surprise came with a late bid to finish a close third. Diego Rivera has been picking up races with regular frequency and seldom misses an opportunity when pitched over his favourite distance of a metric mile. Icebreaker was unlucky to run into such a formidable opponent in her very first start in "Terms" company. Mallesh had earlier won a maidens race astride Son Of The Soil in The Own Opinion Trophy. Riding for his brother Satish Narredu, Mallesh had to garner all his reserves to coax his mount in the last fifty metres of the said race. Got-abroad colt Siph Salar was a strongly fancied runner, and in the capable hands of Imran Chisty had assumed control at this stage. With whips flying and horses in full flight, it was Mallesh's brilliant finishing effort which saw Son Of The Soil gaining the advantage in the closing stages of this race. The official verdict was a mere neck. The horse that really impressed at the finish was Glory To Dancer. He was seen finishing purposefully to end a close third. The other professional to score twice was trainer Darius Byramji. He scored back-to-back doubles with Alacrity and Acridian. Both these horses were raging hot favourites and won like all good things. Alacrity was once considered to be a classic hopeful of the stable. After winning his first start impressively, he let down a horde of supporters thereafter. He was lucky to find himself rated in class IV on Sunday, and seized this opportunity with confidence. He proved to be too strong for his opponents led by Special Charm, and in the capable hands of Harish retired as an easy pillar-to-post victor of this race. Acridian's win was equally popular. His main opponent Enduring Star refused to raise a gallop and toiled in the rear. This made the favourite's job very easy. Acridian scored ahead of Phoenix Reach and One. After many disappointing runs in the last few months, it was the turn of Let The River Run and Sun Device on Sunday to post their maiden victories. In spite of being decently bred, these horses had failed to perform in the lowest class. The long gap seemed to have worked well for them. Neil Darashah persisted with Suraj Narredu, and that proved to be decisive. Let The River Run loved the mile trip, and travelled really well in the straight. The race was sewn up long way from home. Trainer Eshwer chose to take some weight off Sun Device's back. Four kilo claimer Sreekant rode a neat race on this horse. The four year old thrived under these conditions and gave his trainer a rare victory. The last two races produced some of the most surprising results witnessed in recent times. The first bombshell was dropped in the form of Amit Caddy's Join The Party. After winning a maiden start, the horse had run sluggishly in all his other outings. His paddock looks did not inspire confidence on Sunday, and the horse ran friendless at 60/1. The money had flowed in the direction of Darius-trained Excellent Ability, who was bidding to complete a treble for the stable. Join The Party seemed to have spoiled the "Party" by winning ahead of the public choice. The luckless Kajuraho had to be content with the third spot. She has been an ultra-consistent runner, and always comes with a late bid to save place money for her supporters. She should win in a lesser set. The biggest surprise was landed by Enforcer. This horse had been entrusted to a jockey who had not won a race in the last few years. Jayaprakash had been declared to ride this horse, and Enforcer was accordingly available at a whopping 200/1 in the betting rings. Colonel Duff was the expected favourite, as he was reverting back to racing in the lower class. With the six furlong distance being ideal for his style of running, Colonel Duff was an even-money shot in the last race of the day. He suffered because of a skirmish at the start, and never recovered from it. The top weight did not add to the cause. Mallesh tried to save ground towards the end, but Colonel Duff refused to raise a gallop. With four or five horses running abreast, it was Enforcer who found his neck in front at the all important end. The announcement of the result was greeted with stunned silence.