The Indian Turf Invitation Cup changed tack four years ago in following the international practice of the biggest races being open affairs rather than being restricted to a particular age group.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Melbourne Cup, the Japan Cup and the $10 million first prize Dubai World Cup are all run on a weight for age scale than in the standard terms of equal weight with the distaff allowance of 1.5 kgs or so in regular age group terms races. This may have added a more competitive dimension with horses trying for repeat wins in India’s most prestigious event.
Such back-to-back wins were never possible for decades since the Invitation Cup was first run in 1963 with Al M. Muthukaruppan Chett-iar’s Mount Everest winning to make up for the disappointment of losing the Indian Derby at Mahaluxmi in a photo finish. In all that time, the race was closed to 4-year-olds. It is only now that a horse like Quasar, winner of the race last year in Mumbai, stands some chance of a repeat performance. A controversial winner last time out when he beat Be Safe, he might like the long and wide galloping room the Chennai straight offers, much like Mahalaxmi.
The Invitation Cup, open to nominated champions from almost all racing centres in the country, used to be the ideal test of speed and stamina for mature four-year-olds. The Bangalore summer Derby, run over 2,000 metres, used to be a very prestigious race too, except that the horses were not that mature in the month of July as they would be after growing through another winter to race in a subsequent year. Along with the Indian Derby, the Invitation Cup can be considered the most valuable as well as the most prestigious and the latter represents an even better test of strength as it is run every March.
With older horses in the mix now, it is no more the exclusive privilege of one crop of thoroughbreds of a particular age. The renewed battle between Quasar and Be Safe should make the current race most interesting. The last time out, Quasar upset stablemate Be Safe by a neck leading to unruly scenes as punters believed the latter lost a certain race at the hands of Suraj Narredu with Yash Narredu stealing the race. Since it was quite a family affair, the ire was probably understandable.
Guindy’s racing patrons are known to be a generous lot. Much like their counterparts at the famous Chidambaram cricket stadium, they have a reputation for cheering the winner, regardless of who or what their fancy was. This battle between the former stablemates is something to be looked forward to as an intriguing tale swings to whether Be Safe can wreak revenge on his ‘tabela’ mate. The clash between the two quality horses may make the trip to Guindy turf worthwhile.
Of the younger lot Desert God is the one with the breeding and the class to test the more seasoned competitors. In fact, he is the piping hot favourite for the race. His outspoken trainer makes a very valid point about the terms of the race favouring the 4-year-olds, which is why he believes his Desert Gold has the best chance to do what 4-year-olds have done in always winning this race. Desert Gold may be the one to beat with Quasar's wonder horse quality giving him something to do to keep his reputation.
Be Safe is yet to be tested against quality opposition after suffering a setback. If all three find their footing, there could be a thrilling finish that the race deserves as it returns to an old and elegant venue, in fact, one of the oldest in the country with a history dating back to 1777.
One of the early upsets in the Invitation series, probably the mother of all upsets, came as Mother’s Boy won an Invitation Cup in Chennai. A more popular win was also witnessed as Sanjay and Zarine Khan’s Prince of Khartoum won handsomely here. Lester Piggott’s 8-1 win on Delage gave me a particular thrill as the veteran jockey had not only asked me to put a few bob on it but also gave me a hint about the Stayers Cup saying he loved Davidoff cigars and a horse named after the mega fashion brand won at 8-1 too. Those were the golden days of racing one would like to believe. These days the prizes are far bigger.
