The Gr.1 Hindu Sprinters Cup lived up to expectations of producing a surprise, with Ganapathy's Spectacular Quest slamming the opposition in splendid fashion on Saturday. The Sprinters Cup's held in Bangalore, have always favoured the horse blessed with speed and the ability to last an extra furlong. Horses like Kalamaris, Fire Arch, Polar Falcon and Strengthtostrength who won this event previously, were not pure sprinters but horses who had excelled over the longer trip, with speed as their forte. Spectacular Quest, despite being bred to stay, was known more for speed and his effectiveness was blunted whenever he raced beyond a mile. Having won the Super Mile last year, it was widely expected that Spectacular Quest could have a tilt at that race again but quite often, versatile horses like him, have also been successfully tried over sprints. Curiously, the first four finishers had met at Mumbai in the (Gr.2)Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters Trophy and retained their order albeit in reverse order! Oyster Cove had won at the expense of Star Zagora, Adam's Star and Spectacular Quest but the positions changed dramatically when the venue changed from sea level to high altitude. The unexpected rains on Friday night had ensured that there was a premium on fitness and the track had a lot of give in which was bound to favour the more experienced runners. Spectacular Quest fitted the bill wonderfully after some useful outings at Mumbai while the four-year old pretenders in the race, surrendered too timidly for comfort. Hesperus who enjoyed a good rating and who had proved his ability over longer trips had strong support in the ring, ahead of Oyster Cove and Caprese, with muted support for Spectacular Quest though he was the horse capable of an upset on the basis of his undoubted class. Getting an outside draw in Bangalore in a sprint is always disadvantageous and Hesperus was drawn widest off all in stall 13. In the past, Mumbai challenger Ocean Park who ran as a favourite had the same draw, with the same disastrous consequences. The ones favoured by the draw among the fancied runners were Caprese and Spectacular Quest but the former had all the chances except the ability to last out, after leading the field into the straight along with Opera Queen. Jockey Appu in trying to work Hesperus into a striking position from the wide draw had also expended precious energy and though the son of Brave Hunter was in a handy position at the final bend, he was sending distress signals and was a spent force when the race was on the boil. Spectacular Quest showed good speed to position himself in about the fifth or sixth position and the way he was cruising, one could anticipate the upset. The front-running Caprese and Oyster Cove did not quicken significantly in the run in for home and it was left to Spectacular Quest to move on the outside and sail past the tiring lot who were all rapidly failing back. Jockey Prakash had nothing much to do except steer the lesser fancied runner and guide him to a ridiculously easy victory over Adam's Star and Star Zagora who came from the rear to take the second and third spot respectively ahead of tiring horses. Oyster Cove battled on to finish fourth and this is perhaps for the first time that the son of Royal Kingdom faltered so badly. The most disappointing performance came from Hyderabad challenger Onnu Onnu Onnu who despite the amazing run of wins behind him, was never in the hunt. The first three places in the race went to the Poonawalla Stud Farm bred horses. For the trainer-jockey combination of Ganapathy and Prakash, this was their first success in the Gr.1 Sprinters Cup. Turf Baron Dr M A M Ramaswamy too hadn't tasted victory in this event for a fairly long time despite the dream run that he has enjoyed in the last few years.