That the Vandrevala Foundation Indian Turf Invitation Cup would be a potboiler, was known a month earlier. Two top four-year- olds, a colt and a filly had brought the Indian Derby alive with a scintillating finish. The rematch was expected to be a fiercely fought battle again, as the Indian Derby verdict was too narrow for either camp to be overly confident. The four-week interval was well worth the wait as what unfolded on the turf was a befitting climax and this one was a true clash of the titans.

As the gates flung open, Becket faltered at the start losing about three lengths and tailed the field. Native Knight was the one to hit the front and jockey De Sousa tried to pull a fast one by darting to a runaway lead. Jacqueline was up with the pace this time but not perturbed by the Knight’s tactics. The rest were spread, running in pairs or threesomes, with Becket well off the pace at the tail end. Native Knight’s bluff was called as they entered the homestretch to settle the issue. Arabian Prince couldn’t withstand the storm and Jacqueline went ahead, still moving on the bit. Becket, who was biding his time until now, started opening up and began his charge.

Just when he was getting into his rhythm, Arabian Prince shifted slightly and Suraj had to check his mount. However, this did not hamper the dark bay colt, who then came up with a sustained run and at 200 metres was just one behind Jacqueline, with a length and something to cover. Richard Hughes by then was going all out and had taken out his whip as well. Jacqueline was trying hard to escape to victory. Becket produced a stupendous finishing effort to wear down Jacqueline practically on the last stride. Jacqueline had her nose ahead of Becket until 2,399 metres! Becket got to the winning post just in time and Suraj Narredu was an instant hero. For young Suraj, this certainly was the biggest moment and the most fashionable victory to date.

Suraj was at his brilliant best when the race came to a boil and from the patriotic point of view, it was good to see an Indian boy put it across the great Richard Hughes albeit on the final stride! The Grand Stand was on fire and this time the RWITC didn’t mind it. Amidst the packed crowd, Bipasha Basu, the sensual and stylish Cine Super Star, was sizzling from the stands and was completely taken in by the action on the turf. She was seen screaming at the finish. Saif Ali Khan was dapper, dressed immaculately for the big occasion. The 15,000 plus crowd had a lot to shout about and the fifty-fifty split support that the two champions enjoyed, had the noise soaring to the highest decibel levels. It was sheer ecstasy for the Becket camp.

“I was always confident that I could make it,” said the Bangalore champion jockey Suraj Narredu who has been in his element for quite some time now. “There was a minor glitch along the way but it didn’t matter much. Trainer Padmanabhan had given me a beauty. Mr Haresh Mehta had been kind enough to opt for me and I had to prove him right too. Having so many options and yet pitching for me, had motivated me no end and there was no way I was going to let him down. I am grateful to him and I couldn’t be happier that I played a part in his first Invitation Cup success. I wish him many more,” said a beaming Suraj Narredu. “This was my wedding gift to Suraj,” said Mr Haresh Mehta, the proud owner of Becket. “He has been in good form and I have complete faith in his ability. I insisted he rode Becket and it took some effort to convince Paddy to acquiesce. Suraj has delighted me and I stand vindicated.

Becket is a supreme champion colt and I was confident that he would prove himself and come back strongly. My first Invitation Cup success couldn’t have been better,” he concluded. “We had nearly pulled it off in the Indian Derby,” said Padmanabhan. “With that yardstick at hand, we altered our initial plans and it paid off. I had told Suraj to be patient until the very last juncture and he did just that. In fact, the slow start, I felt, was a blessing in disguise.

I was quick to see that Suraj was not bothered by this and he did not try to hurry with Becket that was vital. From there on, Becket settled down leisurely and so did I. When they entered the straight, I liked the way Becket was galloping and I knew he still had a lot in him. In the final furlong, Becket was certainly moving better,” said Paddy. Meticulous preparations would have started in the two camps, even as both Jacqueline and Becket would have rested in their respective stables on the night of the Derby itself. Trainer Padmanabhan perhaps had a lot more to think, as the onus was on him and his charge to reverse the verdict. The astute trainer from Bangalore proved yet again that he is one of the best in the business. The split second victories on the track, after all, is a result of relentless preparations that go on off it. Unlike Jacqueline, Becket is ginger in his fitness. He is big made colt and vulnerable to mishaps. He has had his share of problems and ‘Paddy’ has had to nurse him patiently.

He got Becket to racing fitness in time for the Poonawalla Bangalore Derby and Becket had rewarded his trainer’s efforts with a thumping win in Bangalore that time. Padmanabhan had shrugged off the Indian Derby result as a narrow loss and had professed that Becket would strike back with a vengeance. If he ever opts for a change in profession, his accurate forecast confirms that he would make a fantastic soothsayer. On a more serious note, Paddy deserves all the accolades for working wonders with the colt.

He had a point to prove and there could be no bigger test than the Invitation Cup. He had the right candidate in Becket and he had just one shot to take. He was under pressure too and hats off to him to have stood up to it all and emerge victorious. The Vandrevala Foundation, HIRCO and the RWITC ought to take a bow. The weekend extravaganza lived up to the expectation and the huge throng had their money’s worth. Daffodils’ victory in the third race by 1¾ L was the longest margin for the day. Three ‘short-head’ and one ‘head’ verdict sums up the competitive races that unfolded during the day. The attendance and the tote collections were extremely high.

The star value with the presence of Actors Bipasha Basu and Saif Ali Khan enhanced the occasion. The Vandrevalas were conspicuous too as the elite family played perfect hosts to every guest on the endless list. The Invitation Weekend being a competition of horses representing all the Turf Clubs, The Bangalore Turf Club had the best results as the horses from Bangalore won three of the four Grade one races. Palazzio’s Sun, the Sprinter of the year, Aboline, the Champion Super Miler and Becket, the Champion 4 year-old, winner of the Vandrevala Foundation Indian Turf Invitation Cup all came from Bangalore. Maseeha, the RWITC representative was the sole winner from the host centre winning the Champion Stayer title. Conceptual, the runner up too was a BTC nominee.

Indiarace congratulates the Bangalore Turf Club and the connections of all the winners as well. Among the great victories over the weekend, another new record had steadily been created. Pesi Shroff’s run of success had scaled great heights and the prolific trainer has so far tallied 53 winners this season. This is a new record for the centre. Indiarace acknowledges this commendable achievement of the legendary horseman and pays tribute to his fantastic achievement not only for this one, but for all that he has achieved on the race track.

We had been fortunate to witness Jacqueline and Becket fight every quarter in the McDowell Signature Indian Derby where the Queen had come from behind and toppled Becket. In the Invitation Cup, Becket crowned himself the King in an identical fashion! The Becket Vs Jacqueline scorecard reads one all and it’s even-Stevens now. May the King and the Queen enjoy their well-deserved rest and bask in their respective glories, as we thank them for the enjoyment and thrill they generate, which is so attached with this great sport of the Royals.