An easy winner in his earlier start, Mahesh's ward Splendid Surprise was an overwhelming favourite to win The Governor's Gold Cup, the stellar event in Friday's race card at Mysore. After beating a quality field in The Maharaja's Cup a few weeks ago, Splendid Surprise was set to tackle a small field of five opponents in today's race. His main threat came from Lionheart, Mischiefinhiseyes and Guided Missile but the fact that he had regained his earlier form was enough for racegoers to go nap on him. He seemed to have lost form since his victory in last years Mysore Derby, but after a few dismal performances during the interim period, came out and displayed his abilities in the current season. The bookmakers were equally aware of the situation, and offered a measly 70/100 on this horse. Guided Missile, after a couple of victories in the last few weeks, was the next in demand at 5/1. Being a long distance affair with only six participants, the race was run on expected lines. The pace was slow in the initial stages and got faster as they went along. Mischiefinhiseyes overtook the early leader Mother's Pride in the backstretch, and brought the field into view as they straightened for home. Splendid Surprise was in close attendance, while Guided Missile and Lionheart were produced on the wide outside. Mothers Pride and Evanston had lost pace and dropped out of the race. Harish pulled out the stick on Splendid Surprise and asked him to quicken. The favourite responded immediately and took charge near the distance post. He grew stronger thereafter and won with a measure of comfort. Lionheart improved from the fourth position and got up in time to nose out Mischiefinhiseyes for the second spot. The winner will now be campaigned in the terms races to be held during the Bangalore Winter Season. Apart from the victories of money-back favourite Applique in a Class B race, and Splendid Surprise in The Governors's Gold Cup, the other races were won by outsiders. Favourites fell like nine pins and most of the "pools" remained unsolved. New Options, Southern Chieftain, Silken Lines and Royal Host were four firm favourites from Foley's yard. With Prakash declared to ride these horses, they were expected to score comfortably. After the defeat of the first named, it was announced that the Champion jockey was unwell and had reported sick. Prakash was replaced by P S Chouhan and Harish on the other horses. Racing patrons have been making money by following this stable in recent months, and they continued to support the above mentioned runners. To their dismay, the stable drew a blank during the afternoon .In a rare happening, a couple of winners paid more than 100/1 at the totalizators. The first to start the trend was Siguru. Appu's mount Senna and Gati Power were the joint market leaders in this race. The two of them were waging a close battle as they entered the final stages of the race. Gaurav Sapra nudged Gati Power into the lead and looked like a winner. Shoban Babu had other ideas, as he brought Siguru with a brilliant run and joined issue with Gati Power. In a very close finish, Siguru was declared the winner by a short head. Prakash's mount New Options was a hot order in the next race. The pace set by Bridge Too Far and Glint Revelation was too hot for the favourite, as he was seen struggling near the bend. It was obvious that someone was going to come from behind and overtake the tired frontrunners. Under the strong urgings of Shahabuddin, Media Man produced smooth acceleration and beat Event Horizon near the winning post. The favourite could finish only third. The most impressive runner in this race was Healing Touch who ended a close fourth. This four year old will be too good to miss in Class B in the coming season. The Mysore Race Club Gold Cup was the added attraction in the day's card. Southern Chieftain , Superior Surprise and Badda Rupaiyya were the market leaders in this race. With Prakash signing off for the rest of the day, Chouhan was given the ride on the favourite. Gold Grid bounded out from the outermost gate, and set a strong pace in this race. Mystic Star and Southern Chieftain were in close attendance as they took the rising ground. Gnaneshwar waited a while before asking Gold Grid to quicken for home. He caught the others by surprise and opened a lead of about three lengths near the 200 metre marker. Southern Chieftain gained momentum thereafter and gained ground with each stride. Gold Grid's lead began to diminish. However, the winning post came to the rescue of the leader as he won in a photo from the favourite.Mystic Star stayed on to be a close third. The speedy Ansonia and Vivid Colours were the next two rank outsiders to stun the racing public. Ansonia was taken to the front ahead of the on-money favourite Silken Lines ,and the two of them were seen racing in the same order as they went past the winning post. Harish was trying to do his best on Silken Lines, but apparently the penalties for the last two victories were too much for this filly. She surrendered tamely in the end to finish a fair second. On A Roll came from the rear to beat Eona near the post ,and save place money. The biggest bombshell was dropped by Vivid Colours. Trainer Mallikarjuna is reputed to win with 100/1 outsiders. This was one of his "special" ones today. Vivid Colours, who had been finding it difficult to touch the board in more than a year, suddenly sprouted a pair of wings and came flying in the final stages of this race. She got up in the end to peg back the challenge from Ametrine, Stornoway and Worth A Diamond. The day ended with a victory for S Singh's Major Asset. This horse had been a surprise winner in his previous start, and had been penalized for that effort. The odds against him began to expand as there was relentless support for Foley's Royal Host. Punters opined that this horse was more suited over a seven furlong trip as against the sprint that he had traversed last week. Royal Host was backed down from 7/2 to 12/10. His backers realized their folly when they watched him struggle in mid division. Major Asset raced in front and won hard pressed from Miss Marvelous. Father's Glory came with a long stretch run to take the third spot. Royal Host finished off the board.