The Turf Invitation Cup returns to Mahalaxmi bigger than ever - By Vivek Jain
Posted on - 04 Mar 2011
The Turf Invitation Cup returns to Mahalaxmi bigger than ever
By Vivek Jain
The Indian Turf Invitation Cup Weekend is akin to the year ending ATP Masters Cup in tennis, where the year’s champions are invited to contest against each other.
The 49th Invitation Cup providentially returns to Mahalaxmi for the second year in a row, a bonanza of sorts, considering it was staged in Mumbai after a six year hiatus in 2010. The RWITC bid for the rights, and won it without challenge after Chennai opted out, with MRC citing the huge cost to stage an event of this magnitude as a deterrent. Our task became easier thanks to the munificent contribution by HDIL, who have been partnering the Indian Oaks for over five years.
The outstanding success of last year’s event is still being talked about, and we are leaving nothing to chance to ensure the upcoming Weekend is as resplendent, if not bigger and better. The four Grade 1 races have the best talent in the country and the Invitation Cup itself is a real humdinger, replete with Derby winners, and quite unlike the famous Becket v Jacqueline clash of last year. The near 3 crore prize money payout over the Weekend, with over 220 runners, makes it one of the biggest ever in Indian racing.
Though no race can match the lure and aura of the Indian Derby, the Invitation Cup has a niche of its own, with an all India presence across the entire spectrum of the equine population. It can be compared in some manner to the Breeders’ Cup in the U.S., as the country’s champion classic horse, sprinter, stayer and miler are all crowned over one heart stopping weekend. With time, if a championship juvenile and fillies races are added, it would truly complete the cycle.
The Weekend also stars the Turf Awards Ceremony on Saturday night, virtually the Oscars of the Indian racing world. RWITC took the ceremony to a new league last year with a never seen before extravaganza, and with the Awards season in full flow, the Club has planned another high decibel evening with entertainment and fashion interspersed with the Awards themselves in an innovative presentation style.
Invitation Cup Day will be peppered with live international acts, an air conditioned tent, a car to be won, and fashion and glamour on the lawns, just before the hot weather takes over for the rest of the racing days. It is a weekend where the entire racing fraternity will descend onto Mahalaxmi, to watch the best racing in the country, conducted in carnival setting that our Club has become envious for in the sporting world.
The races are live on Sunday on ET Now from 3 to 6, and on Saturday from 3.30 to 5.30.
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