The historical Mahalaxmi racecourse at the heart of Mumbai most certainly readies itself to have a million hearts thumping for the weekend races. The Vandrevala Foundation Indian Turf Invitation weekend culminates with an epic ‘Jacqueline Vs Becket’ duel for the zenith of excitement. This will be on Sunday. Saturday will see no less an exciting battle in two important Grade 1 races. The lay-out on the appetizer menu looks delicious. The Vandervala Foundation Sprinters’ Cup (Grade 1) may well see a new course record. Fourteen of the country’s fastest horses are vying for the top honour of the ‘fastest horse’ title.

Forest Flair from the Dr MAM Ramaswamy camp is the one with the best credentials to return victorious. After all, he is the one of have fallen short of the fastest timing clocked on this surface by no less a Champion mare and it pains me to say ‘late’ Oasis Star. The wonder mare, who was the pride and joy of Shapoor Mistry and Tariq Vaidya, succumbed to a massive heart attack in the UAE after she raced there last evening. Oasis Star, who won the Sprinters Cup twice in two years, had stretched the limits and clocked a record timing of less than 1 minute 10 seconds at Hyderabad, the fastest by any Indian thoroughbred.

Coming back to Forest Flair, the Karthik ward has won all the three sprint races he was assigned including the Dr SC Jain Sprint Championship, a race that has been the yardstick for the Sprint contest. Sprint Star from Bangalore-based trainer Satish Narredu, to be ridden by the trainer’s son Suraj Narredu, looked good in his prep workouts and should be concerned in the dash for glory. Red Romeo and Sea Ruler from CD Katrak’s yard will provide a strong challenge.

Palazzio’s Sun but for being a run short, looks as good as any on paper. Then we have D ‘Artagnan and Arts who are quite capable of extending the best. With the whole exercise that wouldn’t last longer than a minute and 11 seconds, the jockeys need to implement their strategies at one go, as none will get a second chance if they were to make even the slightest error. A blinding finish is definitely on the cards. The Vandrevala Foundation Stayers’ Cup (Grade 1) is more about patience and conservation over the 3,000 metres trip. The record timing on this course for the race is 3:11.63. What makes this race equally enjoyable is that the early positions will never be an advantage.

Besides since all the contenders contest by invitation each horse will be for him/herself. No pacemaker to suit one’s style and it will take a truly strong horse to come up trumps in this one. Conceptual, winner of two St Legers down south looks well prepared by his trainer Arjun Manglorkar. Maseeha, the local nominee can stay until the cows come home and has never ceased to surprise on the turf. Classerville sure has the class and the stamina.

A prolonged dip in form was a major concern but his latest second in the Hyderabad Derby sure is a good sign of return to form and he seems to be enjoying his morning workouts suggesting all is well with him. Spark of Gold has not seen the winning post and being a good type, he will want to work on that.

His young trainer Prasanna Kumar is excited at the prospect of making his Invitational debut and wouldn’t he like to return with the Stayers’ Cup! Two contrasting races, one for great speed the other for patience, strength and stamina. What would you do? I suggust ‘Sprint’ to the Mahalaxmi and ‘Stay’ glued to the action.