My Opinion confirmed his superiority, winning the South India St.Leger on Thursday, while serving notice that he is at his best  and will be a force to reckon with in the Stayers'  Cup on the eve of the Chettinad Indian Turf Invitation on the first Sunday Of March. Leading pro Akshay Kumar, who has partnered this star performer from trainer B Suresh's yard  in most of his major exploits again had it easy in the energy-sapping 2800 metres classic, never really needing to exert himself to beat Lake Tahoe and the third contender November Rain  who simply lacked the class to make an impression in the classic journey.

The hype and hoopla and the buzz in Guindy staging the Champion Of Champions event, the Invitation Cup  is big and spearheaded by the Madras Race Club (MRC) chairman, MAMR Muthiah the premier centre is leaving no stone unturned in their effort to raise the bar and provide a mega racing spectacle. The two-day programme has attracted all the top performers from  all the premier racing centres including the triple Derby winner Zuccarelli from trainer Pesi Shroff's yard and the Karthik Ganapathy schololed Juliette looking forward to cross swords in what on cards promises to be an epic Invitation clash.

The MRC a couple of days released the programme schedule, which it must be mentioned is appreciated by the other premier clubs apart from the thumbs-up it has gained in the racing circles. The hosts in their bid to facilitate the star contestants and their owners have drawn good designs and the work plans, it is learnt are fast taking shape before the count down on March 1.

Now back to racing, the public choice First Empress from trainer Robert Foley's hard made every post a winning one in the Pure Elation Handicap. The winner piloted by Nakhat Singh hit the front soon after the field of eight runners came under the starter's flag for the 1100 metres dash and never let the initiative slip to the delight of her supporters. King Roger from Dr Anil Kumar's yard surprised most gaining the runner-up berth ahead of Bright Light and the lesser fancied Amarone.

Star Glitter from trainer Govindrajan's yard despite losing a couple of lengths at the start produced a very impressive performance to come up trumps in the lower division of the Star Vision Handicap run over a sprint. The winner piloted by Brisson quickly improved to stay in contention and in the `run in' home unleased an amazing turn of foot to romp home in emphatic fashion. The winner is on top of her game and is set to provide an encore when saddled next. Lord Of The Turf finished second ahead of the favourite Majestic Charmer who failed to match his earlier effort recorded six days ago. The upper division of the event saw punters invest big on the Dhruv Futnani schooled Protea, who had caught the eye finishing a game second behind Pacific in her last effort over a sprint five days ago. Protea like Majestic Charmer found the big quick task tough to handle and all that the well-backed public choice did at end was take a lot of good money down the drain . Ten to one shot Wondeful Era from lady trainer Rupa's yard  claimed the event in the hands of Farhan Alam snuffing out the challenge of Grey Twilight a `head' separating the two at the wire.

Sporting Spirit from Mandanna's yard and Augusta from the stables of Suresh were fancied most in the Romantic Fantasy Plate before the former topped the betting board before the start of the sprint event. The two fancied contenders dominated the sprint affair before Augusta brilliantly piloted by Akshay Kumar gained the day to the delight of the Suresh camp. Supreme Dance finished third ahead of Romualdo and it will pay to keep an eye on this Sebastian ward who is certain to earn his cornbill in the weeks ahead.

The Adhirajsingh Jodha schooled Arc De Triomphe who struggled in his last start to justify his rating and ranking, produced his best in the nine furlong, Mighty Crusader Handicap, easily outclassing Easy Rider partnered by Yash Narredu. The Behram Cama ward, who in his last essay had caught the eye while finishing a game second behind Wellington found Arc De Triomphe too hot to handle and again had to rest content with the runner-up spot. Now that the winner is back at his best, Arc De Triomphe is set to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next.

Adhiraj Singh and Behram Cama again picked up swords in the next event, the Zodiac Handicap run over nine furlongs and again it was Adhiraj who gained the day, Wellington from his yard proving too good for the favourite Djnago from  Behram's yard. The winner it was clear had improved most after his last essay and this made the difference at end. Royal Commander did well to take the third spot ahead of Divina who failed to display her true potential for more reasons than one.

Amazing Kitten from Saddam Iqbal's yard dropped a bombshell in the final event, the Light My Way Handicap, powering home in the hands of Ayaz Khan to deny the favourite Platini an entry into the winners circle. The 15 to one shot is in great heart and it will not come as a surprise if the `Kitten' strikes again in the month ahead.