Preparations are in full swing at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club for the Indian Turf Invitation week-end. The carnival atmosphere is omnipresent and the excitement gets to you as you stroll in through the gates. Fancy decorations are everywhere inside the premises and visitors are certain to have a great time whether or not they back the horses which go first past the winning post. However, there is no denying the fact that adds to the pleasure. So, let’s get down to business.

Bangalore-based trainer Irfan Ghatala has two runners in Sunday’s Indian Turf Invitation Cup at RCTC. They are the five-year-old Toroloco and four-year-old Windstream. Due to an erroneous declaration, Martin Dwyer was supposed to be astride the former while Paul Mulrennan was nominated to ride the latter. After getting the green light from the Stewards, the jockeys have been permitted to be switched. Thus, Mulrennan will now be astride Toroloco who is quoted by a leading bookmaker of the city at 18/10. Rather surprisingly, it’s another five-year-old Ocean And Beyond who is next in demand at 4/1, while the winner and runner-up of this year’s Indian Derby ( Super Storm and Windstream respectively) are both quoted at 9/2. Local heartthrob Dandified is considered a long-shot at 7/1 while the eye-catching runner of the Indian Derby (Hemisphere) is quoted at 8/1.

“Windstream was bumped badly in the Indian Derby and yet finished a great second while Toroloco is a vastly experienced runner in Grade I races. So it’s a difficult choice I guess,” said a smiling Irfan, not wanting to divulge more than he has to.

Satish Narredu, the trainer of Super Storm, quipped: “My horse has travelled well and I am confident of success here after the Indian Derby. He is a big-hearted horse and Jimmy Fortune is bound to get the best out of him once more.”

On being asked why the connections of Dandified opted for the Invitation Cup instead of the Super Mile, owner Mr Deepak Khaitan, who also happens to be the chairman of RCTC, had this to say:  “ Trainer Vijay Singh, Christopher Alford and I discussed the matter at length and were swayed by the rider’s confidence in Dandified. So, we decided to take the chance.”

The horse which has attracted the bookmakers’ attention in the Sprinters Cup on Saturday is seven-year-old Nefyn (2/1) who won the Sprinters’ Championship at Mumbai about three weeks ago. The Bezan Chenoy ward will be piloted by Fortune as well. Hyderabad challenger Kohinoor Wish and the filly Bullseye are quoted next at 13/4.

“We have three runners in the race but are pinning our hopes on Speed Six despite the outside draw. Mind you, Klipspringer should run a good race as well,” said trainer Padmanabhan’s better half. “Calcutta’s been our happy hunting ground and we are hoping that Chase The Sun will be able to continue her winning run at this centre in the Super Mile on Sunday,” she added. The filly is quoted at 6/1 in an open field.

The trio of runners likely to find the most backers in the Stayers Cup are Native Knight (9/4), Astapi (7/2) and the Bangalore surprise package Drop Of Honey (4/1).