Champion Bengaluru trainer Prasanna Kumar will hold a whip hand in the Mysore classics. The star performer in his yard has a couple of top colts including the bred in the purple Stud Poker, who will be seen in action on the opening day of the 16-day season on Thursday, Sept 3, competing in the first big plum, the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Multi-Million and the talented filly Starzella, who is a frontliner for the 1000 Guineas event, scheduled to be held on Sept 18.

The biggest attraction this season, apart from the Mysore Derby is the Indian Turf Invitation Cup and the management committee of the Mysore Race Club (MRC), headed by chairman KT Balakrishna, who have successfully roped in the biggest promoter of racing, Mr Zavaray Poonawalla, are aiming to raise the bar and set a new standard. "All the committee members have played a stellar role in the preparations for the Champion Of Champions event and in association with Mr Zavaray Poonawalla, MRC is all set to provide a silver lining to the two-day extravaganza," said Balakrishna. The Invitation Cup apart, Mr Zavaray Poonawalla will sponsor the Mysore Derby and the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in addition to the Mysore Dasara Sprint Championship and the Mysore Race Club Anniversary Cup.

The MRC chairman revealed that the advertised stake money for the season is approximately seven crore, excluding the prize money for races conducted during the Invitation Cup week-end. "The increase in stake money in a bid to ensure greater participation is certain to bring home the desired result, the stakeholders pleased with our endeavour to support the sport," said Balakrishna adding that Mr Zavaray Poonawalla's association with MRC has certainly extended support towards the guaranteed stake money of a number of Sweepstakes, Group and Classic races during the main Monsoon season. 

MRC pointed out that where the guaranteed stake money is not fully covered by the Club's contribution and Sweepstakes collections, the shortfall will be shared equally between the sponsor Mr Zavaray Poonawalla and MRC. 

The track is in ship-shape condition and the professionals are satisfied with the facilities offered. Apart from the 460 horses in the MRC campus another 500 horses from the other premier centres including the best from Bengaluru will compete in all the major plums. 33 local trainers and a sizeable number of outstation trainers including all the top jockeys on the Indian racing circuit have confirmed their participation this season.

A couple of new temporary viewing galleries will be installed taking into account that the attendance at MRC will double during the Invitation Cup week-end. MRC have also added a good number of betting terminals this season to facilitate the railbirds and ensure swift and smooth operations at the tote windows. 

So all said and done, the stage is set and the thunder of hooves on the Thursday will set the tone for what on cards promises to be a classic season ahead.