Race No. 1 :- The Koku-Kika Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – 1400M
SIR DESMOND :- is a well bred 4 year colt by Arazan out of Memory Bay who was a highly regarded sort who contested some good juvenile contests in his early days. He ran suggestively when leading for a long way on his penultimate start and followed up with a comfortable success with this rider last time out. He has a statutory 6 kilo penalty to carry for that win but could just be turning the corner and with Trevor booked again looks to have an excellent chance to repeat
VIKING :- Another well bred and unexposed 4 year old who had just 2 starts till date Unplaced on his debut over 6 furlongs in December, he ran on late to finish 4th over this trip last time out and should improve again. He has been working well of late and looks one who has the potential to improve and Dashrath Singh being booked is a positive.
COMMANDPERFORMANCE :- He is a half brother to Magnificence who has raced just twice himself his run being a year apart. Has done nothing of note on the track till date but again looks a scopey sort who has worked well in his last couple of workouts and could be a dark horse here if showing further progression so is worth considering
ANGEL GIRL :- She has raced 8 times till date, showing some good form over this trip in Pune including her comfortable maiden success. She took a tilt at the Indian 1000 Guineas but finished only 11th and failed over 9 furlongs last time out. She drops back to her winning distance now but needs to show some spark before she can be supported. Could run into a minor place
MAKINO :- He returned from a 6 month absence this season to run 2 solid races over 6 furlongs, placing on both occasions. He is better placed than Gran Paradiso on their run in Race No. 73 and with the red hot Neeraj Rawal taking over in the saddle, he looks to have an excellent chance with the extra furlong likely to suit him
GRAN PARADISO :- She took some time to find form but has been quite consistent since gaining her maiden success over 5 furlongs in September and finished 2nd over 1000M again last time out. She has raced only over sprints till date so it is interesting that she steps up to 7 furlongs for the first time and Sandesh takes over in the saddle. Should run well
TOP WIZARD :- It took him 19 starts to get off the mark but then scored twice in succession and comes into this bidding for a hatrick. Has looked fit and well in his last 2 starts and could be able to tackle a further 5 kilo penalty so should not be ignored
CELESTIAL LIGHT :- Is an enigmatic customer who does not look totally straightforward. Her only win in 9 starts has come over course and distance but she has put in some poor performances when strongly fancied. She finished ahead of Viking last time out and could be involved if running upto her best
CONCLUSION :- A tricky looking opener with Sir Desmond just a tentative selection. Makino seems to be in good form this season and Gran Paradiso also looks interesting stepped up to this trip. The unexposed duo of Viking and Commandperformance are also capable of scoring.
Race No. 2 :- The Sonny Brar Trophy – Class II – 1600M
PUGNACIOUS :- Really came into his own in the Pune season winning 2 races on the trot and then finished an excellent close 4th to London over this trip. He gave 5 kilos and a beating to Mekong Delta earlier in the season and is now receiving 5 ½ kilos from her so looks outstanding on that score. Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle and he must be the first selection here
MEKONG DELTA :- She looked just a decent handicapper until the start of this season before running a cracking 3rd in the Indian 1000 Guineas, finishing on with a rattle to be just ¾ length behind Hall of Famer and Mrs. Patmore. She then appeared not to stay in the Indian Oaks and should do better dropped back to this trip. However, she is disadvantageously placed with Pugnacious on their earlier run and will need to have improved significantly to reverse the form
TRAHERNE :- Has been a model of consistency in his last few starts but has looked in the handicappers grip and needs to pull out some improvement to win. He looks likely to place again but is more exposed than some of these and winning looks tough
KHAYYAM :- Sparingly raced 5 year old who began his career in sparkling form with 2 wins a close 2nd but has lost his way since then. Finished down the field in his last 2 starts and although working well and in good hands, he has something to prove now and is best watched today
VISTANA :- Winner over this trip early in her career and looked a nice prospect but had a setback and has been working her way back to form since. Been campaigning mainly over 5 and 6 furlongs of late so interesting she steps back up to this trip now and could be a dark horse with P.S. Chouhan booked to ride
CONCLUSION :- Pugnacious is the clear selection here enjoying an 11 ½ kilo pull with Mekong Delta with Khayyam having the potential to upset if bouncing back from 2 poor runs and Vistana the dark horse
Race No. 3 :- The Deltin Eclips Stakes of India (Grade 2) – Terms – 4 Years Old & Over – 2000M
ALAINDAIR :- The 2014 Indian Derby winner who has won a plethora of Group Races since and is the class horse in this field. He comfortably accounted for several of these in Jiwajirao Scindia on his penultimate run and was just pipped by Columbiana over an inadequate mile last time out. He looks practically unbeatable back up at 2000M and barring a mishap should win this easily
B FIFTY TWO :- Has proved capable of hacking it at this level with some good performances in several of these contests and this trip seems to be his optimum one. However, he was no match for Alaindair on the same Terms earlier in the season and should fight it out for minor honours
JACK FROST :-Quality performer as a 5 year old he had a break in racing due to a setback and has been working himself back into form since Pune. He just nosed out B Fifty Two in the Jiwajirao Scindia and it should be very close between the pair again today.
PALATIAL :- Comes into this having been beaten by Mathaiyus in a Class III contest so looks way out of his depth on official ratings. Very difficult to fancy him on what he has done so far and may just be trying to earn some stake money. Rank outsider
CONCLUSION :- Alaindair looks a near certainty to win his with B Fifty Two and Jack Frost likely to battle it out for minor honours
Race No. 4 :- The Little Hearts Million – Class III – 1400M
MISS SAIGON :- Has to head the list of contenders as the grey filly is unbeaten in 3 starts till date, and was an impressive winner over course and distance last time out. She has to concede weight all around to some tough competitors and having an apprentice rider in this big field is a shade discouraging but he takes a handy 2 ½ kilos off. She is currently in the pink of condition and will make a brave effort to maintain her unbeaten record
BOUNTY QUEEN :- Is another with a progressive profile, having won her last 2 starts quite readily. She beat many of these over course and distance last time out and although she has a penalty to carry for that win she could improve again and confirm the form on slightly worse terms. She looks the main danger to Miss Saigon
FLAG FLYING :- Landed a very smart gamble last time out over this trip, winning as she pleased in a good time with the same rider on board. She is an unknown quantity on just her 4th start and her stiff penalty is negated by her rider taking a valuable 5 kilos off. She has the potential to improve and looks a big danger to all going off a feather weight again. Her half brother Heat Wave owned by the same connections went to Class I winning 10 races and she must be respected
FLASHY WINGS :- Chased home Miss Saigon last time out but comes off more or less the same at the weights and will need to improve significantly to reverse the form. He has been running well and should be involved but looks more of a place prospect and should fight it out for minor honours
PINK PANTHER :- Had some excellent Pune form to his name and started hot favourite in the race won by Bounty Queen but fared miserably finishing in the ruck. He may have been a touch unfit that day and could be a factor if leaving that run behind and bouncing back to his old form. Suraj Narredu takes over in the saddle and he must be given one more chance
SPARKLING EYES :- Is the best handicapped of the 4 that ran together in the race won by Bounty Queen but she too looks an unreliable sort. She is winless since last April in spite of having flattered to deceive on a number of occasions and the percentage call is to oppose her in a competitive race of this nature. She may be included as a selection for the Jackpot Pool
CARBONARA :- Was a wide margin winner of the Tata Housing Juvenile Million at the end of last season but seems to have gone off the boil since then and has been running poorly. He finished towards the rear of the field in the Indian 2000 Guineas and is another who needs to show some spark before he can be supported
ROSELLA :- The 5 year old mare had been running consistently well and working well too but ran a shocker last time out and needs to bounce back. She could be a dark horse as she clearly did not give her true running last time out
CONCLUSION :- Miss Saigon is the selection here with the improving Bounty Queen and the unexposed and feather weighted Flag Flying looking the main dangers.
Race No. 5 – The Mid Day Trophy – Terms Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – 1400M
WINDSOR FOREST :- A half sister to the promising Continental whose career was tragically cut short, she sets the form standard having run an impressive close 2nd to Timeless on debut in spite of looking soft in the paddock and short of preparatory work. She is sure to have benefitted from the experience and should be fitter and sharper today. Timeless went on to run 2nd to Tutankhamun in the Breeders Produce Stakes and that looks excellent form. She looks hard to beat
ROCHESTER :- Is a stable companion of Timeless who also ran well on debut finishing 2nd to Big Sur over course and distance. He too should have learnt from the experience, has been working well and is sure to improve. His full brother Kolors is the winner of 7 races in Hyderabad and placed in the Golconda 2000 Guineas and the Deccan Colts Championship so he has pedigree back up and looks a worthy opponent
DAFFODIL :- She is a fashionably bred debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard by China Visit out of the Pune Derby and Golconda St. Leger winner Hills and Stars and certainly looks the part on paper. She may be a little short of prep work and entitled to need this but is definitely worth a look at and could be good enough to tackle this lot
FAIR WARNING :- Has been working quite well and also merits consideration. He is by this year's Derby winning sire Win Legend out of a successful dam for Dashmesh Stud called Annakita. He is a half brother to Sunday Storm who won 6 races in Kolkotta including a Group 3, Elegant Approach winner of 3 races in Hyderabad and full brother to Antananarivo winner of 2 starts in Bangalore. All of the progeny have been effective mainly over sprints but looks fit and with Srinath booked, comes into the reckoning
GAZINO :- Finished 3rd on debut to Rotterdam over 1200M and is likely to improve for that run and strip fitter. He has been working well since the run and is a half brother to Secret Flame who has performed moderately so far. He is likely to have a say in the finish but looks more of a place prospect and may find it tough to win against some classy types
RINCON :- Is a debutant from the Faisal Abbas yard who has been given plenty of prep work to get him ready and also appears to have a useful pedigree. He is a full brother to Sky Mine, who has performed well as a juvenile last season as well as the likes of Ice Fantasy and Super Success. He should go well and have a good debut run
ANGEL'S TOUCH :- Has a speedy pedigree by Excellent Art out of the highly successful and established line of Lady Moura that has produced the likes of Sweeping Success, Ladyship and Forest Vision to name but a few. Although the last two foals have yet to perform, the line looks strong and from the all conquering Ramaswamy stable she must be respected
CONCLUSION :- Windsor Forest looks most likely to succeed here with normal progression with Rochester looking a live danger if he progresses from his debut. Of the debutants, Daffodils and Angel's Touch catch the eye and are worth watching
Race No. 6 – The Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters'Championship (Grade 2) – Terms – 4 Years Old & Over – 1200M
The traditional lead up race to the Sprinters Cup which this year wears a very open look with no clear cut favourite
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :- Is a top class 7 furlong animal and it is interesting that his shrewd Trainer now drops him into the sprinting game. He has been campaigning mainly in Kolkotta and ran 2nd in the Calcutta Sprinters Championship last time out. The long Mumbai straight should suit him and he has a similar profile to Adam who lost narrowly in this last years before edging out Dancing Phoenix in the Sprinters Cup. He is working well and looks a strong contender
GOLD BAG :- Is another up and coming progressive sprinter who seldom runs a bad race. She returned from a long lay off to shock Dancing Prances and Adam in Pune and claim the Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Championship before finishing 4th some way behind Your Royal Majesty last time out. She has a 50% strike rate in 16 starts and is expected to be in the thick of things
DANCING PRANCES :- Is the Grand Old Man of Indian sprinting having dominated the sprint arena for several years but this season age looks like it is finally taking it's toll and he has given a couple of flat performances. However, he did win this race last year and should make a brave bid to defend his crown
HOLY SMOKE :- Ran an excellent 3rd over this trip on his reappearance after a long break but did not quite build on that next time out over an additional furlong when finishing behind Renee and not showing his strong turn of foot. However, he is still relatively unexposed at this level and could bounce back under Suraj Narredu
RENEE :- Has been in good form since moving to Western India finishing either first or second in her last 4 starts. She beat many of these when chasing home Critics Choice over 7 furlongs last time out and is expected to run a big race with Sandesh taking over now
CONCLUSION :-A competitive looking event. Your Royal Majesty should be good enough for this lot if taking the drop to sprinting in his stride, with Renee and Gold Bag the main dangers. Dancing Prances cannot be ruled out although he does have something to prove now
Race No. 7 :- The Dr. Jagjit Singh Tribute Salver – Class IV – 1200M
SILK BABY :- Has been performing consistently well at this level since gaining her maiden success in Pune and only found the vastly improved Dhishoom too good last time out. She seems to have maintained form and fitness and with the in form Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, she looks one of the main contenders
IRISH BAILEY :- A half sister to B Fifty Two she has raced 4 times till date, winning nicely after a long lay off on her reappearance and has not disgraced herself in 2 efforts since. She drops back down in Grade after contesting a Class III event last time out and with Sandesh up, looks a live danger in spite of the heavy weight
ADELINE :- A half sprinter to Brahmachari who has reached the highest class, she scored a bloodless maiden win over 6 furlongs in Pune before finishing a good 2nd to Anvill Star over 7 furlongs. She had a lung opener on the opening day to blow away the cobwebs and it's a slight concern that she has not raced since then but she could be involved if fit and well after the break
ORLA :- This 5 year old mare has been performing quite well off her current mark in these sort of contests finishing 2nd on the opening day and then a good 3rd to Golden Eclipse and DÁccord next time out. She injured herself in the gates on Derby weekend and was withdrawn but looks in good nick at present and is a strong each way contender
BE BOLD :- After a string of poor efforts, Be Bold finally announced himself with this rider up when coming with a strong run to score over 1000M. He may have finally come to hand now, is likely to appreciate the extra furlong and the 6 kilo penalty may not be enough to stop him. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness and should try hard for another win
WARLOCK :- Was a pillar to post winner over this trip on the opening day of the season but has failed twice subsequently and was tried over 2000M last time out. He tends to get off slowly from the gates but with a level jump, he could be a factor and looks an outsider who can upset
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :- Finished 3rd and 4th in two 7 furlong maidens this term and is making his handicap debut off a reasonable mark. He is quite highly thought of by his small stable, has P.S. Chouhan booked for the ride today and is likely to run well and looks a good fluke for the Jackpot Pool
CONCLUSION :- A fighting affair with the main contenders appearing to be Silk Baby, Irish Bailey and Be Bold
Race No. 8 :- The Koku Kika Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – 1400M
RELENTLESS PURSUIT :- Is an 8 race maiden who was quite highly regarded and ran some promising races in defeat but could not claim a victory. He switched to Imtiaz Sait's yard and had a lung opener with the same rider last time to blow away the cobwebs. His recent track work suggests that he has improved and he now looks to have an excellent chance to shed his maiden tag
SPORTO :- Gained a bloodless maiden victory over 6 furlongs last time out, just holding off Ice Angel and Dubrovnik to win narrowly. He stays this far at least, should have gained confidence from the win and with Y.S. Srinath up, should try hard to repeat in spite of top weight
ROYAL ÉCLAIR :- Is 6 years of age but only seems to have hit form recently and she decimated the opposition in the lower class in Pune before running some decent races this term. She finished a fair 3rd to Jetaway over course and distance last time out and P. Trevor is an eye catching booking as he had a derby day winner for the same trainer. Must be watched closely and can strike now
BAY OF LOVE :- Is lightly raced for her age and has been in good form this season. She scored a shock victory over 6 furlongs a couple of starts ago and was a good close 3rd to Masterofbalantrae and Star Comrade last time out over this trip. C.S. Jodha is not a regular rider for the yard so his booking suggests strength and she merits strong each way consideration
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :- Has now run up 32 starts without a win which is a rare occurrence nowadays, having finished 2nd on as many as 6 occasions. He does not look a reliable sort at all but could pop up in one of these contests at any time and with Dashrath Singh on board, must be considered
DEMOCRAT:- Is unplaced in 2 starts till date but being lightly raced, he has the scope to improve and he could prove to be a lively outsider if showing some improvement
CONCLUSION :- As usual a tricky finale with the winner likely to emerge from Relentless Pursuit, Sporto, Royal Éclair and Bay Of Love
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
