The Indian Turf Invitation day races will be held on Sunday at Hyderabad thanks to the efforts of race horse breeders of India who have collectively pooled in Rs 75 lakhs in order to ensure that the four Graded 1 races are held without any break. Originally, the Invitation Cup races were to be held at Mumbai in the month of March but due to equine influenza which resulted in the winter programme being adversely affected, RWITC was unable to conduct the same. This year`s programme was in danger of being called off but thanks to the efforts of the breeders and the sporting gesture of Hyderabad Race Club, there will be no break in continuity of the event.

While the principal contributors have been the Poonawallas, Khushroo Dhunjhiboy and Ameeta Mehra who have put in Rs 15 lakhs each, the shortfall of Rs 35 lakhs has been made up, with 10 other breeders contributing Rs 3 lakh each. Thus race goers can get the pleasure of seeing top quality action, all packed in one day. This year all the four Grade I races will be held on the same day unlike on all occasions when the carnival was a two-day affair. In addition to the graded races, there are two races which offer a million rupees in stake money which has also attracted good quality fields which should make for an exciting eight event programme. The only regret is that because of the programme crammed into one day, the opportunity for a sprinter to make it a double by running in the super mile is denied. But then under extraordinary circumstances, such things cannot be helped.
With Set Alight rendered hors de combat due to a tendon injury and retired to Kunigal Stud Farm, the Invitation Cu has been robbed off a possible winner. Set Alight had blotted her copybook by losing the Indian Derby in controversial circumstances and then again performing poorly in the Nizam`s Cup. However, she bounced back to her wonted form when slamming the opposition in the Gr 1 President of India Gold Cup. In the meanwhile, Antonios who had beaten her in the Indian Derby, has done his reputation no harm by winning two races including the Gr 1 Indian St Leger in tremendous fashion. The race goers were expecting another high quality action between these two stalwarts but the bad news is that Set Alight has been pulled out of the fray in unfortunate circumstances.

The solidly built son of Glory of Dancer, Antonios who was bred at the Nanoli Stud Farm, has been in great form and has proved that his win in the Indian Derby was no flash in the pan. Since there is no reason to believe that he cannot produce his Indian Derby effort, he goes into the race as the overwhelming favourite to land the spoils. He is stoutly bred to stay and has all the attributes of a champion. Veteran S S Shah has done a wonderful job of keeping him going in top form.

Icebreaker, who finished three lengths behind Antonios in the Indian Derby, is a worthy challenger. The small made daughter of Alnasr Alwasheek, Icebreaker has been an outstanding performer, having won the Bangalore Derby besides placing in all the Indian classics. Despite a hard campaign, she has maintained her zest. She recorded a smashing win in the Nizam`s Cup where she had the measure of Set Alight quite capably. She is in fine nick and will be right there at the finish. If there is any slip up by the champion, she is the one to benefit.

Autonomy has been an equally impressive performer over trips up to mile. However, there is a dip in his performance capabilities while essaying longer trips. However, Autonomy cannot be trifled with. The strongly built Autonomy, who finished fifth in the Indian Derby, should be concerned at the finish. The Super Mile will see an interesting line up headed by six-year old mare Rhapsidion Snow. The daughter of Placerville has been in brilliant fashion and has been winning races from seven to mile in record timings. In the form that she is in, she will be hard to down though Diego Rivera who won this event in the last edition, will be a formidable contender. Dancing Dynamite has been pretty unfortunate to find one better on innumerable occasions but on his day, he can upset. Juventus is another horse who has proved to be a top quality sprinter miler. He is the dark ‘un in the fray.

The Sprinters Cup is at the mercy of Manjri Stud Farm bred Oasis Star who is easily the sprinting sensation of India. The ease with which she has decimated the opposition makes it impossible for anyone to topple her. The best among the rest is Palazzio`s Sun.

The Stayers` Cup has a quality field, led by Yana who has to her credit 13 wins, all achieved in impressive fashion. The fact that she can tackle the grueling trip of 3000 metres effectively makes this Usha Stud Farm bred horse as the favourite. Then there is Noble Prince who has always been plagued by some problem or the other. As such, there is a question mark about his performance and also the ability to tackle the trip. If he stays the trip well, he can be right there at the finish. Last edition`s winner Arabian Knight, though not in the same form, may find his bearings over this grueling trip. Maximise, among local challengers, runs with hope.

The Carnival of Indian racing has been embellished with the addition of a few events which will also see in action an exciting prospect for classics in winter namely Becket. The progeny of Hawk Wing is widely expected to have a big say in the classics in winter and his performance will be of more than academic interest.