The Hyderabad Race Club is well geared up to raise the curtain on its richest racing weekend of the Hyderabad racing calendar on March 1-2. For starters, all the races on both Saturday and Sunday are sponsored races.  A well-represented, competitive card flanks the four major Grade 1 events on both days and the climax will be simply scintillating.

“Who will be the Champion horse” is the suspense-filled query on every race enthusiast’s mind. This despite the fact that 8 of the 10 runners for the Invitation Cup rubbed shoulders in the McDowell Indian Derby under four weeks ago. One would imagine, it would be a much simpler task to predict the outcome if there were a "line" to ponder over. Now what better "line" than the recent Derby run? It’s practically a re-run of the Derby save Imperial View and Classic Sky. Even the smartest of them all (read Bookmakers) are left confounded. Bourbon King remains the firm favourite, albeit at slightly better odds than the Indian Derby (2 1/4). Hotstepper and company are at higher quotes though marginally close between them.

Many feel (me included) that Bourbon King just had a bad day at office during the Derby. His finishing effort after breaking free showed enough to the knowledgeable eye that staying was not the main reason why he lost. O’Donoghue was trapped between umpteen number of horses and there was simply no way out! That doesn't take anything away form the top three in the Derby, but this is one glaring fact which one may ignore at one's own peril. I for one would give the son of Diffident and Queen Ann one more chance to prove his detractors wrong and I am convinced he will make most of it on Sunday.

The Maj. PK Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup (Gr 1) is a very open race. Diego Rivera would be the first favourite simply on his impressive last start victory. He is peaking at the right time and is in the best of form. Rhapsidion Snow had a good outing in Mumbai but dropped the rider on his only other assignment in western India, thus losing an opportunity to re-enforce her reputation. She is tracking very well and would definitely pose a threat to all the runners. Badge of Gold has a decent record and has won his races in style. He seems to have travelled well too and looks ready for any challenge. Splendid Surprise is the Mysore Derby winner and you can’t discount him. Ask those who have seen her in Kolkata and they will tell you that Elusive Study will put up a bold show. The Hurricane is running over his pet distance and his experience in the Hyderabad Derby could well come in handy. Vanquish too is flexing his muscles in the morning work while Vijayraaj is the local hero who will want to avenge his Derby loss. This seems to be the most open race of the big four.

The Deccan Bookmakers Association Sprinters' Cup  (Gr 1) on paper looks like a cinch for Oasis Star. I know that I may be accused of undermining Woman On Top but one look at the former's display this season in Mumbai would be enough to stick one's neck out in her support. She won he first outing toying with the opposition. She won her next without being extended and then she figured on board in the Indian 1000 Guineas to Sweeping Success and beat Yana, Peninsula and Pune Derby winner Gobelin and mile was not even her optimum distance! Oasis Star has sizzling speed and this she amply exhibited in her latest Dr. SC Jain Sprinters' Million (Gr 1) when despite a bad bump and being relegated to the wrong end, she came around horses and cruised past some fiery sprinters of top class even as they were in full flight. That was an awesome display and a rare one too. Woman On Top is still improving and I don’t reckon she has it in her to tackle Oasis Star's acceleration particularly over the sprint. The others will have to raise notches above to get close to this pair.

The Stayers' Cup will be a more sombre affair with conserving the energy being the prime focus. Gentleman's Deal, a hat-tricker over 10, 11 and 12 furlongs this season, has got tremendous staying ability and will be the top contender. The other local challenger Orochi, who ran second to Retribution in the Golconda Derby, is his main threat. Orochi was finishing on and moving well towards the end. This augurs well for him and combine the fact that he won his first start this season over 2,200 m by a widening 9 lengths. This is one race the Hyderabad horses will stubbornly try and keep from going out of their clasp. Aquilo and Secret memory are not at their best. Arabian Knight has nothing much to show. Azureus has won her last two starts well and will be in the reckoning. South Star has his work cut out. 

Whatever the outcome, Hyderabad Race Club will be the winner for leaving no stone unturned to make the weekend a smashing success. The Race Course looks impeccable and it is evident that all concerned have worked in unison and the outcome is simply marvellous. The collective effort is there for all those in Hyderabad to see. Well, for those who are not, the HRC has ensured that they need not miss on the action. Zee Sports will telecast the big races live between 3 pm and 5 pm on their channel on both Saturday and Sunday. The Show is being produced by the Mumbai-based Buddy Productions. Kudos to Surender Reddy, the Chairman and his entire team.