The Invitation Cup weekend, run at Mumbai, is the only weekend, in which Four Grade 1 races are run at one racing centre, which truly makes it a connoisseur's delight. 

On Sunday 7th March, The Invitation racing weekend at the RWITC's Mahalaxmi racecourse will reach its zenith, with the running of The Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile up(Gr.1)(1600M) and the Feature Race of the weekend - The Indian Turf Invitation Cup(Gr.1)(2400M).

This columnist who has witnessed the running of The Indian Turf Invitation Cup, since it was first run in 1963, has some interesting statistics. Only seven fillies have won this coveted race in the last 41 years, viz. Hovercraft(1964); Venus De Milo(1969); Revelation(1985); Own Beauty(1988); Bugs Bunny(1992); Forest Fantasy(1998) and Running Flame(1999).

Rashid Byramji, the greatest trainer that India has ever produced, has led in a record 12 winners. The most successful jockey is Pesi shroff who has ridden seven. The fastest time clocked in The Indian Turf Invitation Cup is by the S. Padmanabhan - trained Zurbaran at Hyderabad in 2003, which is Two Minutes 28.84 seconds. 

15 top class four year-old thoroughbreds will be vying for a lavish prize of Rs.30 Lakhs and an exquisite Trophy in this Year's Indian Turf Invitation Cup(Gr.1), to be run on Sunday, the 7th of March at Mumbai. They are - Adrian, Amazing Strides, Capture The Moment, Red Orchid, Simply Supreme, Star Of Windsor, Allies Serenade, Annapolis, Decent Proposal, Estonia, Glorious Colours, Integral, Psychic Flame, Ramjet & Sprungli.

Psychic Flame ( Razeen - Eminence)

In my estimation, the winner of the 2004 Indian Turf Invitation Cup, which seems a very competitive one, should emerge from the quartet of - The Darius Byramji-trained Psychic Flame ( Razeen - Eminence) who is bred-in the purple. The brilliant daughter of Razeen was the winner of all the Calcutta Classics and also won this year's Indian Derby(Gr.1) which was run on the 1st of February, 2004. Psychic Flame, an in-form filly, on the upgrade, who has won in her last four successive starts, is raring to go and she will have the additional advantage of being Ridden by Pesi Shroff. Her sire 'Razeen' is a superb Stallion who needs no introduction and her dam 'Eminence' won five races including The Indian 1000 Guineas in 1984 and she has placed second in The McDowell Indian Derby. Psychic Flame appears to be the one who all will have to beat.

Estonia (Alnasr Alwasheek-Chloe's Delight)

The second on my list, is another top class filly trained by Cooji Katrak - Estonia (Alnasr Alwasheek-Chloe's Delight), who was a close runner-up to Psychic Flame in The 2004 McDowell Indian Derby. However, prior to that impressive run, she had the distinction of winning The 2400 Metres Indian Oaks on 18th January 2004. Estonia who is a highly temperamental filly who possesses admirable stamina and a terrific turn of foot. She will be ridden by veteran jockey Mallesh Narredu. Estonia's sire 'Alnasr Alwasheek'- in India, has produced the great Storm Again, who in 2001 won The McDowell Indian Derby, The McDowell Indian St.Leger and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup and Noble Eagle, winner of The McDowell Indian Derby in 2003. The other good thoroughbreds sired by Alnasr Alwasheek apart from Estonia who won The 2004 Indian Oaks are - Radical Force, Ansbach, Hamilton and Brora. Estonia is definitely a very strong contender, as she is presently very fit and has oodles of stamina. I think it would be appropriate to say, that if Estonia decides to put her best forward, she can emerge victorious.

Star Of Windsor ( Steinbeck - Wandering Star)

The third thoroughbred, who could be a live danger to one and all, is The S. Ganapathy-trained Star Of Windsor(Steinbeck-Wandering Star), a bay four-year-old gelding,who has fared very well at Bangalore and who has had the benefit of a good run in Mumbai on the 15th of last Month, shouldering a hefty burden of 61 Kg, over 2000 Metres. His sire 'Steinbeck' has produced that top class filly Running Flame, winner Of The Indian 1000Guineas, The Indian Oaks and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup(1999). Star Of Windsor has worked extremely well and could fight it out for premier honours. He will be ridden by the prolific B. Prakash. 

The "Dark Horse" in the race is the gelding Adrian (Glory Of Dancer-Arlington Eight) who has an good record as a stayer. He will be ridden by the forceful - Martin Dwyer.