FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 22 Feb 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY 2017.
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1:- The Acres Club Trophy – Class IV – 1600M
NELSONS BLOOD :- Has raced just twice till date so has the maximum scope to improve amongst this lot. He finished 2nd to the well bred Star Of Harmony over a mile last time out but led for a long way and finished clear of Sumaaq and Flashing Honour. He looks reasonably certain to win this
SUMAAQ :- Looks the main danger here as he has been in good form of late and finished 1 ¾ length behind Nelsons Blood last time out and is ¾ length worse off on that form. C. S Jodha is in top form at present and he can strike if Nelsons Blood is slightly off his game
THUNDER DOWN UNDER :- Began his career in promising fashion but did not seem to improve much in 4 starts over 6 furlongs and ran down the field when tried over 1400M last time out. He has been given some solid workouts over a mile of late and step up to this trip is hoped to bring about some improvement. He can be considered but has a lot of risks attached and may be best watched today
KODIAC QUEEN :- Began her career with a 6 furlong victory but has raced at mainly longer trips than that since, finishing a modest 3rd on a couple of occasions. She finished 4th to Imperial Heritage over 1400 mts last time out and with Sandesh taking the ride, she must be given an each way chance
SUSSEX PRIDE :- Scored a big win for his small yard when winning a rich race on derby day, coming with a late run to score narrowly over a mile. He is upped in grade and lesser rider now declared which are all deterrents so although he is as yet unexposed, he is not certain to repeat
COMMENTS :- Nelsons Blood is quite confidently expected to show normal improvement and win this from the consistent Sumaaq. Kodiak Queen should be respected with Sandesh up while Sussex Pride is an unknown quantity
Race No. 2 :- The Malabar Hills Club Cup – Class II – 1400M
ST. ANDREWS :- Quality colt who looked something special when winning by a wide margin on debut but had a setback which saw him finish down the field in the Poonwalla Breeders Multimillion last season. He returned from a long lay off to finish a creditable 3rd in the Indian 2000 Guineas and then chased home Serjeant At Arms in the Ruia. Dropping back to a handicap now, he is working well and is a leading contender to get back to winning ways
KHAYYAM :- Had run way down the field in 2 previous attempts but looked on the way back to form last time out when reverting to his usual front running tactics and only being collared late in the day by Traherne. He has been given a lot of work since then so is expected to improve and can challenge St. Andrews with a 5 ½ kilo pull in the weights. Big danger to all
JEANNINE :- She has won thrice from 7 starts till date with her best performance being 3rd in the Indian 1000 Guineas and she was a decisive winner over this trip when last raced in Pune. She is returning after a long lay off so may be a touch short on fitness but is closely matched with Khayyam on a line through Traherne and can add some spice to the finish if fit and ready
CONCLUSION :- St. Andrews is again the confident selection here with Khayyam and Jeannine to fight it out for minor honours
Race No. 3:- The Bombay Presidency Radio Club Trophy – Terms Maidens 3 Years Old Only – 1400M
CAPRISCA :- A nicely bred colt from the ImtiazSait yard who was given a nice educative run on Derby day when finishing 6th in the B.K. Rattonsey Multimillion. His recent work shows that he has improved and stepping up a furlong and with Trevor up, he looks to have an excellent chance to shed his maiden tag now. Steinbeck has already proven himself as a sire in India while Xisca was a Multiclassic winner including the Kolkotta and Hyderabad Derbies and the Bangalore St. Leger, 3rd in the Indian Derby and a close 2nd in the Invitation Cup. Half sister Mariska has performed quite well and he looks an exciting prospect
MASSIMO : - Hails from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and was given an educative run in the Breeders Produce Stakes where he finished 7th behind Tutankhamun. Runners from the yard often improve appreciably for their debut run and this race looks decidedly easier. The presence of J. Chinoy in the saddle instead of Trevor suggests that he may need this run as well but he must be respected
SELFIE STAR :- Looks an interesting newcomer from the Dallas Todywalla stable who is a half sister to the classy Silver Beauty. She has been working very well in the build up to this run and yard usually has them fit enough to win first time out. She looks an exciting prospect on paper and looks capable of scoring at the first time of asking
THEMIS :- Made her debut over 1000 in Pune but was clearly out for an airing and has been solidly prepared since that run. Her sire Lord Shanakill was a high class performer over 1200 – 1600M and her Trainer specializes in having his juveniles ready after a break. She has powerful connections and must come into consideration in spite of the long absence
BABY FACE :- Is another debutant from the M.P. Jodha stable who has been working quite well in the morning trials. He is expected to need this run against some potentially useful types from big yards and his half sister Serene has performed just modestly till date. He looks fit enough to merit consideration but is more likely a minor berth contender
CONCLUSION :- Some promising youngsters in this race with Capriscagetting the vote, having caught the eye in the paddock on debut and expected to improve. Selfie Star looks a fit youngster who can strike while Massimo also comes into the reckoning with Themis the surprise package
Race No. 4 :- The Bombay Gymkhana Trophy – Terms Maidens3 Years Old Only -1000M
ASCENSION :- Sets the form standard out of those who have run already, having raced twice and finished 2nd over this trip last time out. She finished 5th behind Goldie’s Pet on debut but improved on that when chasing home Lincoln last time out although that field looked a relatively weak one. She looks speedy though and should be one of the main contenders
POLYNEICES :- is an interesting newcomer from the yard of Shazaan Shah who has gotten his career off to a rollicking start and looks a name for the future. He has been working relatively well and against this weak opposition could be good enough to score. Polyneices has 2 siblings owned by the same connections – Polydences who won 4 races and went to Class II in Western India and Pollyanna who is the winner of 1 race over 1000M and the yard already had a winner on debut in the form of Awesome Hooves. Trevor takes the ride again and he looks a strong contender
POKERFACE :- Actually ended up last of 7 on debut and should be held by Ascension on a line through Princess P and Stallone. However, his work after the run has shown marked improvement, suggesting that he will leave that running behind. He has the benefit of experience and is expected to run much better today although, being a half brother to Jigsaw he is expected to come into his own later over distance trips.
WILDFIRE :- Appears to be the best of the yards 3 runners going by jockey bookings and drops in trip after having three forward runs over 6 and 7 furlongs, finishing 4th on 2 occasions. She is more exposed than many of these and does not necessarily look like she will relish the drop in trip but with Dashrath Singh up, she is given a fair each way chance and can make the frame
BUNTING :- Comes from the M.K. Jadhav yard and represents the Shirke – Dhunjibhoy partnership so warrants respect on that score alone. She has been given mainly easy workouts and is sure to improve on whatever she does today. There is not much to go on by way of pedigree too but she is taking on a modest maiden field and could be classy enough to score
SAFFRON FLOWER :- Is another newcomer who is a half sister to Stand and Dance who has performed well in Western India and has been working quite well. It is interesting that the stable apprentice has been declared to ride without claiming his allowance but she is one to keep an eye on and could upset
CONCLUSION :- A relatively weak maiden with Ascension looking the best of those with a run but both Polyneices and Bunting looking capable of winning on debut and possible first time out winners
Race No. 5 :- The Otters Club Trophy – Class IV 5 Years Old and Over – 1200M
ZOOM ZOOM :- The 8 year old is a 46 race veteran with 4 prior wins to his name and showed he still has some spark left in him when running a forward race and kicking on to finish 3rd over 1400M just a few days ago. He is turned out again quickly with a talented claimer taking a useful 3 ½ kilos off his back and was rated 74 in his prime and is now running off a mark of 43 so looks very well handicapped on that score. If the race doesn’t come too soon then he has an excellent chance to win
POWER SHADOW :- Has caught form in his last couple of starts and in his only previous appearance this season, he finished a close 2nd to Glorious Angel over course and distance. He is returning after an absence of nearly 2 months but has been working well and Trevor takes the ride so he must be seriously considered
SPEED OF SOUND :- Enigmatic5 year old mare who has just a debut win to her name in 15 outings but appeared to be finding some form when finishing a close 2nd last time out which was her best run in some time. Both Almost Magical and Hunting Pleasure who finished behind her that day have run well since and if turning up in the same mood, she could be a danger to all and provide a winner for her small yard
SUDARSHAN CHAKRA :- Is very lightly raced for his age and came with a rattling run over 1000M to score an eye catching maiden victory last time out. He has not been harshly penalized for that win and come from behind style suggests that this additional furlong should suit. He has to prove that run was not a fluke but if he has come right, then he stands an excellent chance to repeat
TOP WIZARD :- Proved frustrating for connections for a very long time but rewarded them when he did hit form this season with back to back wins, a good 2nd and a respectable 4th in his last 4 starts. He may need to pull out some more improvement as his mark has risen quite a bit but he looks fit and well and should come into the reckoning.
CRACKLIN’ ROSIE :- Light framed filly but showed she has ability when winning 2 races over sprints in the last 10 months and has had 2 runs this season so should be fit enough. Both runs this season have been unplaced but Suraj takes over for the first time today and yard seems to be finding it’s feet so looks an interesting outsider.
CONCLUSION :- A typical competitive older horses contest with the winner likely to emerge from Zoom Zoom, Power Shadow and Speed of Sound
Race No. 6 – The National Sports Club of India Trophy – Class III – 1200M
ARTISTIC :- Looks the obvious starting point here and has done extremely well in limited career so far. She won 3 races on the trot before finishing 2nd to Celtic Prince last time out and seems to have maintained her form and fitness. She looks a progressive sort and now eased in grade she looks to have an excellent chance to score
BEACH GAME :- Came back to good form this season and after scoring with authority on his penultimate start ran a cracker when close 3rd with a feeble rider in a race which has been working out extremely well. He has been given a short break to freshen him up and with Trevor taking over in the saddle he looks a live danger
LORD ARAZAN :- Seems to be at his best over this trip and excellent last run way back in December when finishing 2nd to Masterofbalantrae although absence since then is a bit of a concern. His last couple of workouts have been impressive so if he is fit and ready to go then he could be involved
FLASHY WINGS :- Has been inconsistent in her limited career so far but must be having a good chance on the best of her form. She has to bounce back from an indifferent run last time out but is effective over this trip and must be considered each way with Neeraj Rawal booked for the ride
MAGICAL DANCER :- Again looks a quirky type who needs things to go just right for him and although he has no current form to recommend his chances, Dashrath Singh rode him for his last victory and has been declared for the first time since then. Dark horse who can upset if in a galloping mood
CONCLUSION :- Artistic would be the first choice to get back to winning ways with Beach Game and Lord Arazanthe main dangers
Race No. 7 :- The Willingdon Sports Club Cup – Class V – 1200M
DECCAN KING :- The 5 year old had been running some suggestive races and finally scored with this rider last time out. His penalty is negated by his rider’s allowance and he looks to have an excellent chance to provide a quick encore
LUCKY STRIKE :- 10 race maiden who is returning after a short break and did run some promising races over this trip last season. He is eased in grade, has been working well and has a positive jockey booking in the form of C.S. Jodha. He looks to have a good chance to get off the mark and must be respected in spite of top weight
ETERNAL DANCER :- The 4 year old filly has been unplaced in 7 starts till date but she has come down a long way in the weights as a result and Sandesh takes over for the first time today. She appears to have been well prepared since her last run and if she is in the betting, then she should run very well
RISING CONCERT :- Scored his maiden victory over 5 furlongs in October and looked to be coming back to form when finishing on from the rear to be just outside the frame. Good 5 kilo apprentice has been booked and he merits some consideration
SUPER BOLT :- He has been placing consistently over a variety of trips but still a maiden after 30 starts now and is becoming frustrating to follow. Seems to be holding his form and should be involved but difficult to recommend him from a win standpoint
CONCLUSION :- A very open looking race with Deccan King just a tentative selection and Eternal Dancer respected with Sandesh taking over for the first time
Race No. 8:- The Cricket Club of India Trophy – Div. I – Class V – 1200M
KNIGHTS QUEST :- Has been running some forward races of late, leading for a long way over a mile before fading and then just being reeled in late on over 7 furlongs last time out. Unsure whether he will be able to dominate as easily over this shorter trip, but if he is allowed his own way up front, then he can win from end to end
TONTERIA :-has raced just 4 times till date and seems to be have been improving steadily and hinted that her turn was not far away when finishing on to be 3rd just behind Isinit on her last start. Has been solidly prepared since then, been working very well and although 5 kilo boy does not have a great win percentage, she is strongly fancied to get off the mark in this weak field
CRYSTAL BALL :- 6 race maiden who has been largely untried till date and her only good performance was when finishing 2nd over this trip in her juvenile days. Ran a forward race last time so should improve and with promising apprentice booked, she looks to have a good each way chance for her in form yard
ISINIT :- Has been going close on a number of occasions without winning and usually goes well for this rider so although the last couple of runs have been off putting, her earlier form was promising and if freshened up by the short break, she could be quite a factor
SAMURAI :- Although still winless the 6 year old has been a model of consistency and has finished 2nd in each of his last 3 starts. Seems to be in good form at present
and can be considered in this open looking race
CONCLUSION :- Knights Quest looks capable of winning if he is allowed to dominate over this sharper trip. Tonteriais unexposed and can build on her promising last run while Crystal Ball too looks interesting for the in formAltaf Hussain stable
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
