The Indian Turf Invitation Cup in its existing format has run its course. In The Spotlight had the distinction of winning the Golden Jubilee of the race and she may well become the first horse to win the new version of the Invitation Cup if she retains her form and zest. The Invitation Cup is now thrown open to horses four year olds and over. Hitherto, Invitation Cup was restricted to four year olds only. Kolkata will host the next year’s Invitation Cup and the clash between In The Spotlight and the champion four-year olds will be the high point of the weekend racing.

There has been persistent demand to change the format of the Invitation Cup and make it weight for age without penalties race in order to give chance for the best of four year olds to compete against the best of older generation on the pattern of Arc De Triomphe. However, this was resisted for a long time but has now found favour with the turf authorities. The Sub-Committee formed by the Turf Authorities of India to give their recommendations has unanimously suggested the change in format. The stake money for the race has also been raised from the existing Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crores. The stake money for other invitational races has been raised to Rs 50 lakhs. The weights to be carried by the older horses and four-year olds are to be decided as the existing system has been in vogue for a long time. It will have a re-look. The final nod of the Turf Authority of India on the recommendations of the sub-committee is awaited. Incidentally, all the graded races of the weekend will be for four-year olds and over.

The funding for the event has been streamlined. All the five turf authorities of India have to contribute Rs 50 lakhs for the weekend. The two other race clubs, Mysore Race Club and Delhi Race Club, which are not independent turf authorities have been asked to contribute Rs 25 lakhs each. This ensures that the stake money of Rs 3 crore on offer for the four invitational races is raised without any pressure on the hosting club. Whatever sponsorships that the clubs can get on their own, will be used to fund the other activities including the races which carry a million rupees as prize money.

In the meanwhile, the prospectus for the Bangalore Summer Season is to be finalized. The meeting between the representatives of trainers and owners and the turf club last Friday was inconclusive as there was disagreement over the quantum of increase of stake money for the season. The club has offered five per cent raise but the demand is much higher. Another meeting is scheduled for this Friday to finalize the same.

About 98 outstation horses are expected to take part in the summer season. This should make way for a very intense racing season, with competition reaching a new level. There will be big fields in the races meant for three year olds as not many races were held for this category during the winter season. Since the horses are also attain physical maturity rather late, the summer season should see the blossoming of many top quality horses. Interestingly, one noticeable feature in the last few years has been that horses are taking time to reach their full potential. In the past, peak performance by a horse was when it was four year old but now with the change in pattern, their improvement is well beyond that age.

The summer season is scheduled to start on May 12 but rains have kept away thus far. The track surely needs at least two strong showers. If it does not rain in the next one week, the start of the season is sure to be put off by a week.