Leading trainers and jockeys give their views on the prospects of the various contenders in the marquee event of the weekend, the Invitation Cup.
S. Padmanabhan: I have Desert God and his half-brother Indian Pharaoh in the Invitation Cup. My jockey David Allan had the choice and he picked Desert God so that is an indication in itself. I’m very happy with Desert God’s performance after his return to India and he will run a big race.
David Allan: I opted to ride Desert God and the mile-and-a-half will suit him well. Star Superior won the Indian Derby well and he’s the horse to beat.
Pesi Shroff: Smasher has shown great improvement and his last win the Eclipse Stakes was encouraging. He took time to come into his own and will run well over 2400 metres.
Irfan Ghatala: Salazar has the ability but likes to have things go his way in a race. If that happens, he will be right there.
S. Attaollahi: Kangra is well and I’ll be hoping to do a repeat of last year. We all have to beat Star Superior.
Suraj Narredu: Star Superior has proved his credentials and he is the one to beat to win the Invitation.
Nityanand: My horse The Invader has done everything asked of him so far in Bengaluru and I feel he has an outstanding chance.
D. Byramji: Psychic Force won the South India Derby and should give a fair account of himself.
S. Zervan: With winners of derbies from all over the country and top class older horses taking part, the Invitation wears a very open look. I hope Salazar will run well.
A. Imran Khan: Tudor Treasure is a gutsy filly. She should run well.
Y.S. Srinath: My filly Adjudicate has come on a lot after the Indian Derby. She worked extremely well in her last workout and will go close. Of course, we all have to beat Star Superior.
James McKeown: Adjudicate had a few niggles before she ran the Indian Derby. She’s at her best now. She will be right there at the busy end.
L.V.R. Deshmukh: Bradfield College started late and is gradually coming into his own. Relishes ground and has improved after his second in the Golconda Derby.
A. Sandesh: We won the Invitation last year and Kangra likes the Hyderabad Track where she won the Nizam’s Gold Cup. We narrowly lost the Indian Champion Cup in Kolkata but with 400 metres more in the Invitation, we will go very close to winning.
Trevor Patel: The Invader has proved himself by winning the Guineas and The Derby in Bangalore. I’m not worried about the pace being fast here and am confident that he will run a great race.
Akshay Kumar: My Opinion has always run very well for me and I have won some good races on him. He will run a good race.
Rajesh Narredu: Star Superior is as well as he was during Indian Derby time and, God willing, should win.
B. Suresh: It’s an open Invitation Cup. With Hyderabad champion Akshay Kumar in the saddle, My Opinion has a very good chance of landing the big prize.
Robert Foley: Tudor Treasure has travelled and worked very well and has a good chance in a race that looks very open.