The buzz is big. Chennai is ready and so too the Madras Race Club (MRC).  And the ‘Chalo Chennai’ call is fast gaining momentum, most professionals, big and small owners and more importantly the railbirds from all the premier racing centres booking their tickets for the big ticket event, the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on the first Sunday of March in Guindy.

The fact that the hosts have left no stone unturned in their effort to stage the grand spectacle is a slap in the face of  a few critics who chose to voice their opinion that MRC lacked the ability to stage the `Champion of Champions’ event  and that most pros and owners would opt out from competing at Chennai.

It is true that all the star performers have confirmed participation.  It is true that more than 100 horses including  the best on the circuit Quasar, from Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad will be travelling to Guindy  and it is also true that a couple of leading `Knights’ Pradeep Chouhan and Trevor Patel  are immensely satisfied with the track. And the only thing which is now proved false is the jaundiced view of a few self proclaimed pundits who opined that MRC just can’t do it and Chennai was not the place for Invitation.

 Spearheading operations, R Ramakrishnan, chairman of MRC disclosed that despite the massive rain damage, the men at MRC simply stayed focused, doubled up their efforts and satisfactorily addressed the time bound tasks.  “Guindy is ready for the Invitation Cup carnival and I’m confident that all the pros and the racing buffs will return home most satisfied after watching what I reckon will be a fantastic new comeback innings,” said Ramakrishnan.

Immensely pleased that all-time great Quasar and many frontline contenders for the mega event, Myrtlewood,  Indian Derby winner Desert God  and the local main hope Be Safe who is reported to be in the best of health and a host of other top horses competing for the best Sprinter and best Stayer sash have confirmed their participation, Ramakrishnan, popularly known as RK in the racing circles pointed out that the topmost event in the Indian racing calendar has generated maximum interest among the horse owners and railbirds at this centre and this will help MRC draw a sizeable number of new owners into the game, now that MRC has chosen to open up.

“The response to MRC opening up is overwhelming.  A couple of trainers from Bengaluru and Mysore have already put entries for the classics at Udhagamandalam  and we from our end have decided to provide 50-55 stables and give out six licenses for outstation trainers to camp and compete in the Ooty season,”  said Karthikeyan, secretary, MRC.

Karthikeyan while pointing out that MRC will make every effort to accommodate all the horses making the trip to Chennai, a few may miss out because of the lack of stables  and those will be wards of trainers who have put entries after the entry date for other events.

“It was a big challenge. Some thought we will pull out.  But we were determined to stand up and be counted and I believe we have done our best,” said Karthikeyan, busy  providing the finishing touches to what he reckons will be a very competitive and spectacular Invitation Cup week-end at Guindy.

“I’m given to understand that not a single top gun on the racing circuit has chosen to skip the big prize events be it the Invitation, Stayers, Sprinters and Super Mile, the best will come under the starter’s flag and that’s a big morale booster for MRC,” said Ramakrishnan.

When posed with a question, on how MRC proposes to open up and has the chief and his committee draw up plans to put MRC on the fast track, RK revealed that MRC is not really looking to take a hurried giant step, instead will start the comeback journey taking steady measured steps required to provide confidence to the many new entrants who are gearing up to provide a new saddle to MRC in its effort to gallop to fame in the years ahead.

Well the stage is set and the thunder of hooves on the Invitation Cup week-end will certainly provide a lyrical ring rather than the ominous tone at Guindy.   Chalo Chennai is the call and Guindy is ready.