The Madras Race Club has played host to the Invitation Cup no less than 12 times. India’s most glamorous and exclusive racing carnival returns in all its glory to the historic Guindy racecourse on the first weekend of March. But it comes laced with an unprecedented undercurrent, which could make the 13th running in Chennai the last to be held on a racecourse that is steeped in history and tradition.
But why allow speculation on what will or will not be? It’s not in anybody’s control, so don’t let it spoil the mood. Let’s celebrate what promises to be a fabulous weekend where the Madras Race Club has raised the bar to ensure a festival of racing at the very highest level with stake money of over ₹4.16 crore on offer, the richest in the history of the sport in Chennai.
On Saturday, there are two Grade-1 races in a card of eight events and both promise to be absolute crackers. The Zavaray S. Poonawalla Sprinters Cup run over the classic sprint distance of 1200 metres has a field of 11, while the Coromandel Gromor Stayers Cup, a gruelling test of stamina over 3000 metres, has a field of nine horses.
Open look
The Sprint wears a fairly open outlook with last year’s champion Time And Tide very much in the picture and sure to start the favourite. He’s had the perfect lead up, winning the Dr. S.C. Jain Sprint Championship in Mumbai, and is as genuine as they come.
But he’s up against some tough opposition. Of the four Mumbai-based horses he faces again here, he has met and beaten three. Of that trio, Dream Seller was a bit unlucky when finishing third behind him, but I still feel that Time And Tide will take care of that lot.
It’s Meropi from Kolkata and Constable from Mumbai who are the ones to watch out for. The former is unbeaten in her last six starts and each victory has been more effortless than the last. She’s taken on some of the top sprinters in India, such as Agnostic and Cool Rider and made them look pedestrian.
Constable on paper is a write-off. He’s the lowest-rated horse in this race, but he’s on the up and the two victories in Mumbai had a stamp of class about them. Of course, he’s suddenly going from playing club-level tennis to a Grand Slam, but he just might rise to the occasion.
In summing it up, I would go with Meropi to win from Time And Tide and Constable.
The Stayers Cup on the other hand sees a grey 5-year-old gelding named Truth as the outstanding aspirant. Unbeaten in his last four starts, Truth relishes the distance and is tried and tested over 2800 metres. Whoever wins has to beat Truth.
What the Professionals Say
ZAVARAY S. POONAWALLA SPRINTERS CUP: Imran Khan: Berrettini has got over his problems but was unlucky in the Bangalore Sprinters Trial. Will give a good account.
Pesi Shroff: Constable has matured late and his last two victories in Mumbai shows that he is on the up. He may be out of the race on the Terms but has shown the ability and is maturing into a top sprinter.
P.S. Chouhan: Dream Seller was unlucky in the Dr. S.C. Jain Sprint Championship. He will go very close to winning in Chennai.
Aman Altad Hussain: Magiletto is as genuine as they come. A top sprinter and I am happy after his win in Hyderabad. Will be right there.
Adhiraj Singh Jodha: Time And Tide has travelled well. He’s at the top of his form and whoever wins has to best him.
Prasanna Kumar: Masato is the only 4-year-old in the field, but he’s as honest as they come. Gave a good account of himself last time out in top company and he will run well.
Aashay Doctor: Meropi comes into this race unbeaten in her last six starts. She’s drawn well and has been winning comfortably. If she can handle running on a new track, she could win.
COROMANDEL GROMOR STAYERS CUP: Prasanna Kumar: Evaldo may not have gone over this distance, but I have no doubts of his getting the trip.
Vijay Singh: Monteverdi has had his share of problems and I had to give a lot of time to come right. I am happy with his last win and think he will relish the trip and run well.
James McKeown: Trevalius may have just won once from 22 starts, but he’s placed 16 times and his run in the Indian Champion Cup was encouraging.
Bharath Singh: Ramiel comes fresh from his win in the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup over 2800 metres. He relishes distance and will run a great race.
Ajith Kumar: Queen Anula has been a training achievement for me and she was third in the South India Stayers Trial. Just getting her to run in this sort of company is wonderful and I hope she runs well.
Satish Narredu: Casteel was a bit of a let down in the Indian Derby, but he did get a bit interfered with. Taking my chance here, although I am a bit concerned about his going 3000 metres.
Karthik Ganapathy: Golden Thunder is still maturing, but he is an out and out stayer and will go well over this trip.
Published – February 28, 2025 08:15 pm IST