FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 9TH MARCH 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 08 Mar 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 9TH MARCH 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Beautiful Stranger Plate – Terms, Maidens 3 Years Old Only – 1600M
WE BREAK THE RULES :- This twice raced gelding from the C.D. Katrak yard is a full brother to Kolkotta 2000 Guineas winner Whomakestherules and the brilliant Starry Eyes, trained by the same trainer who was runner up in the Poonawalla Million, Indian Derby and 3rd in the Indian St. Leger so has a fine pedigree. He built on his debut run when finishing on late to be 3rd to Perfect Star over this trip last time out and his subsequent trackwork indicates he has improved further. He is taking on a relatively weaker field now and looks a leading contender to score here.
GLORIOSUS :- Has also raced twice till date, finishing 4th to Texas Gold over 6 furlongs on debut and then showing some improvement stepping up to 7 furlongs when 3rd to Big Sur and Rochester. The form does not look as strong as We Break The Rules but he too seems to have improved in his work and could be a threat over this additional furlong. He is a half brother to Glorious Eyes and Flashing Colours who have both performed modestly till date.
MY PRECIOUS :- Comes from the powerful M.A.M. Ramaswamy and appeared to have a nice sprinting pedigree out of the classy sprinter Evatina. However, 2 runs over sprints till date have been poor and it is interesting that she is now stepped up to this much longer trip. She has had a couple of easy workouts since her last run and looks a dark horse who could upset if taking to the longer trip with stable first jockey P.S. Chouhan up. Evatina’s previous progeny all won over sprint distances with only Soothsayer (by Ace) proving to be above average and winning 8 races in total mainly in Madras and Ooty. Gold Glamour and Pristina both have won a race apiece and Royal Ace the most recent sibling is unplaced in 2 starts for Faisal Abbas.
CLOUDBURST :- Finished way down the field over 5 furlongs on debut and now takes a massive step up in trip which is an unknown. However, he seems to have an interesting pedigree as the dam Barathiki produced some interesting performers abroad who did well over middle distances. Her only other foal in India was Warpath (By Paco Boy) who raced with Pesi Shroff and gave some decent performances before moving to Kolkotta where he won 1 race. He is an unknown quantity who could add some pep to the finish if the longer trip unlocks some improvement.
GDANSK :- Also made his debut over 5 furlongs finishing down the field but then ran 3rd stepped up to this trip behind Zenon and Pure Zinc. He ran a forward race that day and seemed to stay on, looks to have improved further judging from subsequent work and Neeraj Rawal is an interesting Jockey booking. Gdansk is a full brother to Zandra who is a maiden after 14 starts in Kolkotta, placing twice. He looks more of a contender for the minor places.
CONCLUSION :- We Break The Rules seems to have found a good chance to get off the mark with Gloriosus looking the main danger.
Race No. 2 :- The Picasso Plate – Class II and III – 1600M
NIFTY :- The 5 year old mare trained by Pesi Shroff began racing rather late in her juvenile career but quickly developed into a 1000 Guineas contender after winning her first 2 starts both over a mile. She finished down the field in the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks last season and reappeared recently after a long break, again scoring with authority over a mile in Class III, beating Joss and Jazzmyn comfortably. She has been brought along steadily since then by her ace Trainer and has been working very well. Besides her 2 Classic attempts, she is unbeaten in 3 starts and looks to have an excellent chance to stretch that to 4 with N.S.Parmar up. She looks the one to beat.
MEKONG DELTA :- Looked vastly improved over this trip at the beginning of the season over this trip, running a close 2nd to Pugnacious on the opening day and following that up with an excellent close 3rd to Hall of Famer and Mrs. Patmore in the 1000 Guineas, beaten only ¾ length which is outstanding form. She appeared not to stay in the Oaks thereafter and looked flat when only 4th to Traherne back down to this trip last time out so she has something to prove now. However, she may just have needed that run to sharpen her up and if returning to her 1000 Guineas form, she looks a live danger.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- Is another interesting 4 year old filly who comes in at the bottom of the scale. She has raced 7 times till date with her only win being in a 5 furlong maiden on debut after which she has raced mainly over 7 furlongs or a mile. Her form this season has not been great but she did finish a ¾ length 2nd to Temerity at level weights in the F.D. Wadia Trophy in Pune and if she can rediscover that form, then she could trouble them all off her feather weight. Sandesh retains the ride and she must be seriously considered.
MULTIGLORY :- Is a 5 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has been threatening to strike for some time now and finally rewarded his connections with a narrow win over Star Comrade over 9 furlongs last time out. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness but is taking on tougher opposition and hence, looks more of a contender for the minor berths although he can be given a squeak in win as well.
STREETJAMMER :- Is a solid 5 year old handicapper from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has 3 wins to his name from 13 starts and is effective over this trip. Returning from a 3 month lay off last time out, he looked well in the paddock and got the better of Batman quite easily. He looks likely to improve again, is working very well and also merits each way consideration.
CONCLUSION :- Nifty looks set to continue her unbeaten run in handicap races and is the confident selection. Mekong Delta and Eternal Sunshine both have excellent pieces of form to their name and can trouble her if running upto that level, especially the latter who is receiving a lot of weight
Race No. 3 :- The Nari Mary Homi Wadia Trophy – Terms, Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – 1000M
LADY SERGEANT :- Appears to be the form choice here having run 2 solid races over sprints till date. She made her debut over this trip in December, finishing 3rd to Goldie’s Pet and God’s Own, both of whom have performed creditably since. She then went on to run an excellent 4th to Awesome Hooves in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million which looks by far the best form on offer. She has been kept fresh since then and looks the pick on form with in form C.S. Jodha astride. Of the previous progeny of Autocop the dam, Papakura has been the best performed winning 6 races mainly over 7 furlongs and a mile. However, Doc Holliday, Naumee and Born To Win all did well over sprints and she should be quick enough.
KRAMER:- Was unfancied on debut and looked soft in the paddock but still performed creditably running on to be 2nd to the speedy Oracle in spite of running green and drifting right out towards the stands rails. He is sure to have learnt from that experience and stripped fitter and should easily account for Stunner on that score. MaleshNarredu has his juveniles in good form and he is capable of plenty of improvement so looks a very strong contender with P. Trevor an unusual booking for the yard. He looks the part on pedigree as well as his half brothers Poet and Be Ready are both winners albeit over 7 furlongs in Mysore.
HIGHLAND WOODS :- Was given an educative run in the Sohna Stud Million on Derby weekend, finishing midfield over this trip in the race won by Lincoln and was not given too hard a time that day. He is expected to improve substantially for that run, has been working well and is a stable mate of Oracle so connections should know where they stand with Kramer. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and he is another to seriously consider. On the pedigree side, his half sisterAshwaManjri is a champion sprinter in Delhi, winning 8 of her 12 starts till date and winning the North India 1000 Guineas and finishing runner up in the 2000 Guineas while the other siblings, Flash and Flying Kiss were both good sprint handicappers.
NEXTSTAR :- Makes her debut from the ImtiazSait stable and is an owner mate to Kramer. She has been working fairly well in the lead up to this race and although entitled to need this experience, should be fit enough to win first time out and the booking of Sandesh suggests that she is fancied. On the pedigree front, both of her previous siblings raced in Hyderabad with Rosemonde a winner of 3 of his 30 starts and Mr. Bahubali quite well performed having won 5 of his 12 races till date. Nextstar looks a nice sort and should also come into calculations.
ICE DANCER :- Looks an equally promising debutant from the C.D. Katrak yard who has been given plenty of preparatory work and should be fit and ready to go. She too should benefit from the experience but is expected to run well and is worth considering. There is not much on the pedigree front with Dolce Vita having previously produced Masteroftheseas who won 1 of his 9 races and I Command who was winless in 22 attempts, placing 5 times. Both raced in Kolkotta. SurajNarredu takes the ride but she might need this run.
STUNNER :- She has a speedy pedigree with her dam Monopoly being a 5 furlong specialist but she has run just modestly in 2 starts till date. She finished 4th over 6 furlongs on her debut behind Timeless and Windsor Forest but then ran way behind Kramer when fancied over 5 furlongs next time out and it looks very difficult to reverse that form. Neeraj Rawal takes over from J. Chinoy and she could run into a place but seems vulnerable to more classy types.
CONCLUSION :- Lady Sergeant appears to be the best on form and is a strong contender but both Kramer and Highland Woods look potentially useful types who could be classy enough to topple her
Race No. 4 :- The D. P. C. Kapadia Trophy – Class IV – 1600M
NELSON’S BLOOD : - The 4 year old does not look the most sound and missed his entire 2 year old career, beginning racing only this January. He has raced only over this trip till date and ran a cracker from the front on his penultimate start, finishing 2nd to Star of Harmony after looking the likely winner for a long way. However, he disappointed when a hot favourite last time out, being held up in mid division and unable to quicken when it mattered, finishing a tame 4th to 30/1 shot Elsa. There is a suspicion that this was not his true running and having just his 4th start, he deserves another chance to make amends. J. Chinoy takes over from P. Trevor and perhaps a return to forcing tactics will be planned. He looks to have an excellent chance and is working well.
DROGO :- Looks a typical late blooming type from the ImtiazSait yard who is returning after a 3 month break having last raced on 24th of November. He has run 6 times till date, finishing 3rd in each of his last 3 starts and steps up to this trip for the first time. He has been solidly prepared since his last run and has been catching the eye in morning work over the past 1 month. P. Trevor has been booked for the ride and he looks a very real danger and could easily turn over Nelsons Blood.
PRETTY ANGEL :-The 4 year old from the M.A.M. Ramaswamy yard is winless from 13 attempts and is beginning to look very exposed now. She has been tried over a multitude of trips without much success and does not seem to be improving. She seems to lack early speed so it makes sense to try her over this trip but she looks an ordinary type and place seems the best that she can hope for unless improving radically.
GRAPPA :- Is a fashionably bred got abroad owned by powerful connections who is making his debut and is trained by young A.M. Jadhav. His sire Dylan Thomas was a Group I middle distance performed and his dam Slawomira raced just once finishing 2nd over 6 furlongs. He looks out for an airing with Vishal Bunde up but could be potentially classy and looks a dark horse worth keeping an eye on.
VIKING :- Has an attractive pedigree and has been working well for some time now but 3 runs till date have produced poor performances, finishing way down the field. Connections probably hope that the step up to this trip will eke out some improvement but she is best watched until she shows a little more spark. Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle which is a positive.
CONCLUSION :- Nelson’s Blood and Drogo should fight out the finish for this race. It should be very close between the pair with a slight edge given to the former
Race No. 5 :- The Flareon Plate – Div. II – Class V – 1000M
RICARDUS :-Is a 4 year old colt trained by S. K. Sunderji who has been slowly finding some form this season and ran his best race till date last time out when leading for a long way over 6 furlongs and kicking on to finish up 3rd. The drop to this trip makes logical sense, C.S.Jodha takes over in the saddle and he has bagged the plum no. 1 draw so, running off an attractive mark and in a weak Class V field, he looks a very strong fancy to get off the mark at the 12th attempt.
BLAZE THE TRACK :- Is a sparingly raced 4 year old who was withdrawn on her intended reappearance a couple of weeks ago but did finish 3rd over this trip when last seen in Pune, splitting Rich N Rare and Amazon Cat on that occasion. She has fitness to prove after an extended absence but a talented apprentice has been booked and she is less exposed than many of these so can ran well and is worth short listing.
KNIGHT AT ARMS :- The 4 year old has finished 4th just once in 11 starts till date but seems to have not been seriously tried and ridden mainly by inexperienced claimers so far. He ran a forward race over this trip last time out and kicked on to finish just outside the frame and Dashrath Singh takes over the first time now which is a big positive. He is an unknown quantity who looks well handicapped and can strike in this weak field.
SMART CHOICE :- Was trained by Pesi Shroff in her younger days and ran a decent 2nd on her penultimate start over 6 furlongs but is still a maiden after 12 starts. Her last run over 1400M is best ignored and she is likely to be suited by this drop in trip. Improving young apprentice takes over in the saddle and she merits each way consideration.
AMAZON CAT :- Is a seasoned 6 year old gelding who has a solitary win in 28 starts to his name and has been languishing in this class almost throughout his career. He seems quite effective over this trip and N.S. Parmar is an unusual booking for the yard and his stable companion Wonder Story has shown dramatic improvement this season so he is worth keeping an eye on and is given a small upset chance.
CONCLUSION :- Ricardus seems to have found a nice opportunity to gain a confidence boosting maiden success and is selected at the expense of the unexposed Knight At Arms who could be a live danger with Dashrath up and Blaze the Track
Race No. 6 :- The Dr. A. H. Sayyed Plate – Class IV – 5 years old and over – 1200M
TOUGH ENOUGH :- Is a 5 year old from the S.N. Joshi yard who has been showing steady improvement in his last few runs and returned from almost a 4 month lay off to score a very impressive and stylish victory with the same rider on board last time out, showing a smart turn of foot to sprint clear. He has been handed a stiff 7 ½ kilo penalty for the win but may still be ahead of the handicapper and is given an excellent chance to repeat.
GRAND VITESSE :- Had been running well over middle distances last season off similar marks but presumably had a setback and did not race again till this January. He has been working his way back to fitness with an inexperienced rider on board but looked like he was back in form when finishing an excellent close 3rdto Power Shadow over this trip, just ½ a length behind Zoom Zoom without much assistance from the saddle. He has been working extremely well of late and with a stronger jockey now booked, he looks a very strong contender.
ZOOM ZOOM :-The 8 year old has come down substantially in the scales and showed that he still has zest for racing last time out, when not given the best of rides and still finishing a neck 2nd to the well backed Power Shadow. He is closely matched with Grand Vitesse on that running but Sandesh now takes over in the saddle and he has to be respected and given a strong chance to get back to winning ways.
SEACRETS :- Is a dickey legged and unreliable 6 year old who likes to dominate when at his best and ran a fair race last time out when finishing 5th behind Zoom Zoom and Grand Vitesse with the same rider up. He lacks the scope to improve past those two and reverse the form but can run into a place.
BULLION EXPRESS :- Has been running poorly in his last few starts and needs to show a dramatic turn around but has run some decent races over this trip before and is looking quite well handicapped. Good 5 kilo claimer has been booked and he looks a good outsider to include in the Jackpot Pool
FORTUNA :- Her only win in 11 starts till date has come over this trip although she has been racing mainly over further of late and is returning from a long lay off, having last raced in September. Fitness to be proven after the long break but interesting that she is persisted with by shrewd trainer and could spring a surprise if in a galloping mood with Santosh G who has been riding well, booked.
MASTER OF TRINITY :- Half brother to Ocean and Beyond who is also returning after an extended break and should be out for an airing as this trip will be way too sharp for him. Lightly raced for his age but could have some potential and worth keeping an eye on with Neeraj in the saddle.
SAMURAI :- The 6 year old is still a maiden after 17 starts but has been a model of consistency in his last few runs, having finished 2nd on each of his last 4 starts. Looks sure to earn a bracket for himself soon and although this field looks tough, he must figure in calculations and is very dangerous to ignore.
CONCLUSION :- This looks a tough contest on paper with several capable of scoring. Tough Enough is a marginal selection in the hope that he will build on his most impressive last win and is still unexposed while Grand Vitesse and Zoom Zoomhead the list of potential challengers
Race No. 7 :- The Six Speed Plate – Class III – 1200M
TURF DANCER :- The 5 year old mare trained by S.S. Shah was a back to back winner over this trip in Pune and ran an excellent 4th in a hot contest last time out behind Allora and Benezeerlooking to be rediscovering that form. She ran a good 2nd to Artistic over this trip earlier in the season although Sparkling Eyes is better handicapped on that run. Sandesh takes over in the saddle, she seems to be working very well and is strongly fancied in spite of conceding weight all around.
SPARKLING EYES :- Began her career in bright fashion with 2 wins in her first 3 starts but seems to have lost her way since then and has been running inconsistently. However she did run a close 3rd to Bounty Queen on her penultimate start and was not beaten a long way in a very hot contest last time out. Drop to 6 furlongs looks ideal, she is nicely placed on the scale and with an in form apprentice to guide her, she looks to have a very good handicap chance.
FLASHY WINGS :- A solid handicapper from the M.A.M. Ramaswamy stable who seems to run alternate good and bad races and has 2 wins and four 2nds to her name from 13 starts. She chased home Artistic over this trip last time out but Turf Dancer comes out slightly better on that line. She is expected to run well again and figure in the finish but seems more likely to place and winning looks tough.
QUEEN CREDIBLE :- Is an enigmatic 4 year old who needs things to go just right for her, best when she is held up off a strong pace and delivered very late. Both her wins so far have come over 5 furlongs although she could only finish 5th behind Cyclone last time out. She looks capable of winning over this additional furlong and is another worth considering.
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :-Was a back to back winner over this trip in the lower class, scoring stylishly on both occasions before running way below par on hatrick bid over 7 furlongs, falling behind at the start and never being able to land a blow. Still early days on just her 8th career start and return to this trip is a positive. Neeraj Rawal is booked for the ride and she is quite capable of bouncing back.
ARAKAWAH :- Quirky 5 year old trained by Altaf Hussain who has been fancied on a number of occasions but has only managed a solitary win over this trip in 13 attempts. Ran a forward race over 5 furlongs last time out hinting that he was getting ready to score and if building on that effort , he can be involved.
CONCLUSION :- Sparkling Eyes can regain the winning thread and looks well handicapped to prevail. Turf Dancer the top weight is expected to make a bold bid and Golden Eclipse can bounce back if forgiven the last bad run
Race No. 8 :- The Flareon Plate – Div. – Class V – 1000M
HIGHLAND PRINCESS :- The 4 year old from Rehanullah Khan’s stable has had just 5 runs till date and was strongly gambled upon on her penultimate start in this grade but just failed to hold Be Bold. She then ran in the higher class where she was unplaced but not beaten very far. Dropping back down to this grade and with Akshay Gaikwad claiming a valuable 3 ½ kilos, she looks a leading contender to shed her maiden tag and is strongly fancied.
APPLE BETTY :- Is another unexposed and lightly raced 4 year old who has a fine sprinting pedigree and showed some zest for racing on her last run in the same class when finishing a close 5th. She was withdrawn at the gates last time out but is an unknown quantity who should run very well today and merits close attention.
KING OF KILLEN :-He is a slightly more exposed 4 year old maiden who is winless in 8 starts till date but has performed relatively well over this trip and off this mark. He finished a faraway 3rd to Tough Enough last time out and while he can run into a place, he needs to show a little more before he can considered for win purposes.
ZION :-The 5 year old from young Adhiraj Singh Jodha’s stable has been threatening to strike on a number of occasions but has yet to manage a victory in 13 starts till date. He has run a forward race several times over this trip and after being entrusted to apprentice riders the last few times, it is significant that NirmalJodha who rarely rides nowadays has been declared. He could be a dark horse who could upset today so keep an eye.
FOREVER YOURS :- The 5 year old mare is another who has come down to an attractive mark and she ran 3rd on her penultimate start, finishing just ahead of Zion. She does not look the most reliable sort but comes into consideration and can be involved.
CONCLUSION :- The unexposed pair of Highland Princess and Apple Betty are expected to fight it out between them with the former getting a clear edge
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
