FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 19TH MARCH 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 19 Mar 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 19TH MARCH 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The P R Mehta Trophy _ Class 3 – 2400M
VULCAN :-Has raced 9 times in his brief career, winning on 2 occasions both over 2000M. He was highly campaigned, contesting both the Pune Derby and the Indian Derby so connections obviously have a very high opinion. He was prominent in both races before fading and this task looks much easier. On his penultimate run over this trip, he finished a close 3rd to Mathaiyus and Palatial and that form looks good enough for him to win this. With Trevor up, he looks hard to beat
GERANIUM :-The grey filly from Vishal Gaikwad’s yard has scope to improve after just 4 starts and was a gritty winner over course and distance last time out, beating Othello in a fighting finish. She has not been harshly penalized for that win and although she needs to show marked improvement on the bare form, she is in receipt of 5 kilos from Vulcan and could prove to be a big danger
JUNE :-The 5 year old from NiradKaranjawala’s yard is much more exposed than her 2 rivals, having won 2 of her 17 starts. She has raced over distances ranging from 1000M to 2400M with her wins coming over 1200 and 1600M. She likes to dominate so this small field may play to her strengths but she looks a good outsider at best and will probably trail in 3rd of the trio
CONCLUSION :-This looks a straight fight between Vulcan and Geranium with the former having the edge on form and the latter more scope to improve
Race No. 2 :- The R M and Rukhmani Goculdas Million – 1400M
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :-The 6 year old from Pesi Shroff’s yard has already established himself as top class Middle distance horse. He is a winner of 9 of his 29 starts and except for one, all his wins have come over this trip. He tried the drop to sprinting this season and finished a close 3rd to Dancing Prances in the S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship after a brief stint in Kolkotta. He finished 6th in the Sprinters Cup and then a day later a close 3rd to Bold Command in the Suresh Mahindra Multi Million. He looks the class horse in this field and looks a leading fancy to win this
DANCING PRANCES :-Another high quality sprinter in his own right, the 7 year old from Altaf Hussain’s yard has won 15 of his 31 starts, a terrific strike rate and set a record by winning 3 consecutive S.C. Jain Sprinters Championships. However, he has looked a little vulnerable this season and not the force of old, so although he receives 2 kilos from Your Royal Majesty, suspicion he may find one or two too good today. He has to be respected nonetheless with his regular partner A.Imran Khan flying down to partner him
CELTIC PRINCE :-This 6 year old gelding had a patchy career earlier but has hit tremendous form this season and comes into this at the top of his game. S.A. Waheed has done an excellent job this season with Celtic Prince winning 3 of his 5 starts and finishing a close 2nd and 3rd on the other 2 occasions. Last time out on Derby Day, he won from end to end, setting a very fast time in the process. He is out with Your Royal Majesty and Dancing Prances on the scale but is in cracking form and it would be no surprise if were to upset the more fancied pair
BRAHMACHARI :-Began his career in very bright fashion and quickly moved up the ranks to reach the highest class, mainly over sprints although he has won over this trip as well. He finished an excellent close 3rd to Dancing Prances in the S.C. Jain last year, beaten ¾ length in receipt of 2 ½ kilos but seemed to lose his way since then. Drop to a handicap helped last time out when he came with a strong run to score over 6 furlongs and comes out much better than Celtic Prince on a line through Paramour. He is turned out again quickly, looks well placed on the scale and could be a big danger as well
CHAMPAGNE :-The 5 year old mare from Rehanullah Khan’s yard hit a purple patch starting this time last year where she rattled off 5 wins in 6 starts although they were all over sprints. She has run modestly over 7 furlongs until date and although she runs off a low weight, it looks tough for her in these conditions and she looks a rank outsider
CONCLUSION :-The 2 old warhorses Your Royal Majesty and Dancing Prances should have another epic battle with the edge to the former. However, Celtic Prince is in rousing form and could defy the handicap while Brahmachari returned to form last time out and also must be respected
Race No. 3 :- The Forbes Breeders’Juvenile Fillies Championship (Grade 3) – Terms 3 Years Old Only – 1600M
SUMMER RAYS :-She looks the form choice of many here and would be one of the favourites to win this race for the Sponsors in their own colours. She won her maiden in impressive fashion over 6 furlongs before chasing home Ruffina in the Gool S. Poonawalla finishing a respectable 2nd. She then finished on to be 5th in the Poonawalla Breeders Multimillion over 7 furlongs and should not mind the step up to a mile. She has been working very well and with SurajNarredu to guide her, looks set to return to winning ways. Summer Rays’ dam Donttellmewhattodo has also produced Ninja, a full sister who has run only 3 times placing 3rd on one occasion so there is not a lot to go from the pedigree front but he style of racing suggests she will stay the trip
ANGEL’S TOUCH :-She is a nice looking filly from the M.A.M. Ramaswamy yard who has raced twice till date and looks likely to improve further. She finished a close 3rd to Windsor Forest on debut which looks good form and then was thrown in the deep end too soon in the Poonawalla Million where she ran a forward race, ultimately finishing in midfield. She should appreciate the step up to a mile and has been working very well of late so looks a worthy contender here. Lady Moura herself was a brilliant race mare and the family has produced several notable progeny such as Oaks winner Sweeping Success, Chieftain, Ladyship, Forest Vision and AshwaDabang. P.S. Chouhan returns to ride her and she looks a big danger to all
THEMIS :- Made her debut in Pune over 1000M where she was unplaced but made an encouraging return after a long break when finishing on strongly to take 2nd just ahead of Selfie Star who was making her debut. That run was over 7 furlongs and her come from behind style suggests that she will appreciate more galloping ground. She is likely to strip fitter and improve and with P. Trevor taking over, she looks to have a very good chance. Lord Shanakill her sire was a high class performer upto a mile in the UK while her dam Soul Society produced some decent performers abroad
MANIFOLD :-The daughter of Multidimensional looks a typical improver from the Pesi Shroff yard and is also having her 3rd career start. She was given an educative run on debut when finishing 5th to Bigsur over 1400M but showed good improvement to wear down the runaway Mygrator over the same trip next time out. That form has not yet been tested but she seems to have maintained her condition and looks likely to relish the extra furlong. There is a slight doubt on the pedigree front as her full brother Pacific Dunes failed over middle distances and ultimately won his maiden over 5 furlongs but she looks a nicer specimen and must be seriously considered
SELFIE STAR :- The half sister to Silver Beauty had been working very well in the build up to her debut and was a warm favourite over 1400M. She came with a strong run to challenge the leaders but looked inexperienced shifting out under pressure which cost her and she ended up a close 3rd. She is sure to improve for the experience and is likely to leave that running behind. She reopposes Themis and it should be very close between the pair again. She needs to improve on the bare form but has a lot of scope and looks interesting
CONCLUSION :-This looks highly competitive on paper. Summer Rays appears to have the best form while Angel’s Touch has a fine pedigree and looks promising. Manifold is a typical Pesi Shroff improver and could defy the form while Themis and Selfie Star look promising as well
Race No. 4 :-The Racing World Trophy – Class 4 – 1600M
TROMBONE :-The 4 year old from S.K. Sunderji’s yard seems to have finally gotten her act together after a string of 2nd and 3rd placed efforts over varying trips. Last time out over 7 furlongs, she was settled off the pace and came with a powerful run to take charge and score with a measure of comfort from New England and Aeolus Maximus, both of whom won last week. She should gain confidence from the win and 6 kilo penalty may not be enough to stop her with Sandesh retaining the ride. She looks to have a good chance to repeat and is strongly fancied.
IRISES :- This nicely bred filly from AdhirajsinghJodha’s yard made her debut in Pune and was a stylish winner over 7 furlongs after which connections thought she was a likely 1000 Guineas candidate. However, she ran poorly on her debut run in Mumbai where she could not quicken up and ended a poor 6th. Connections chose to skip the Classic route and she has been given time to come to hand since then, reappearing now after a gap of 3 months. She is working fairly well and is still unexposed so must be respected if fit enough
CELESTIAL LIGHT :-Is a winner of one of her 10 starts, the win coming over 7 furlongs last Mumbai season but she does not look totally straightforward. She has finished 3rd in 3 of her 4 starts this term, last time chasing home Makino and Angel Girl and running upto form but without showing much progress. Trevor takes over for the first time today and she could be a danger to all if running upto her best but comes with risks attached
UNTITLED :-He has raced 6 times till date, thrice apiece in Mumbai and Pune and has shown no form to date but caught the eye in the paddock as being a nice specimen. He steps up to a mile for the first time after having raced only over sprints trips till date and Parbat Singh is an unusual booking for the yard so he looks a dark horse at the feather weight and is worth keeping an eye on
SMASHER :-Making his debut from the powerful Shroff yard and catches the eye on pedigree coming from a fine and proven family. He looks a little short on preparatory work and will probably need this lung opener as a learning experience and the booking of work rider Akshay suggests the same. However, he must be respected and must come into consideration
AURORA AUSTRALIS :- Is a 9 race maiden from the HosidarDaji yard but she has finished 4th on as many as 5 of those 9 occasions and her manner of racing has suggested that she has been crying out for a step up to this trip. She has been working well for quite some time now and if suited by the more galloping distance then she looks a danger to all, running off a low weight
CONCLUSION :-Trombone appears to be the form horse and can repeat if she has come right while the unexposed Irises could prove a big danger if fit and ready after the break. Both Untitled and Aurora Australis may be suited by the step up to this trip and must be respected too
Race No. 5 :- The Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Years Old only – 1600M
TIMELESS :- This strapping 3 year old gelding from S.K. Sunderji’s yard appears to be the clear form choice having excelled in each of his 3 starts. He came with a powerful late run to nose out Windsor Forest (winner since) on debut over 1200M and built on that when finishing a good 2nd to Tutankhamun in the Breeders’ Produce Stakes. He then confirmed that form by running a fine race to finish 3rd in the Poonawalla Million once again behind Ruffina and Tutankhamun – the leading juvenile colt and filly. He has been working superbly since that run and with the extra furlong probably in his favour, he looks the one they all have to beat. His sire Surfrider is a relatively new entrant into the Indian Breeding market while his half sister Dawning Hope was winless in 13 starts in Hyderabad but placed on 4 occasions over sprint trips
ROCHESTER :-Is another fine colt from the Sunderji yard who has finished a good 2nd on each of his starts over 7 furlongs till date. He failed to collar the more experienced Big Sur by a neck on debut and was then questionably ridden when finishing on from the rear to be a flying late 2nd to Windsor Forest over the same trip. That run suggests that there is not much to choose between him and Timeless and he too should be suited by the additional furlong. He appeals more than his stable companion on pedigree as Phoenix Tower is an already proven sire while the dam Krasnaya did well abroad and then threw Kolors who was a 7 furlong specialist in Hyderabad, winning 7 races and placing 3rd in the Golconda 2000 Guineas and the Deccan Colts Trial Stakes. Rochester will be ridden by SurajNarredu and also looks a strong fancy
MYGRATOR :-Is the least experienced of these and hence probably has the maximum scope to improve. He made his debut 2 ½ weeks ago as a hot favourite over 7 furlongs and led for a long way before being worn down by Manifold in a fighting finish so her performance in the Fillies Championship will be an indicator as to the strength of the form. Mygrator looks certain to improve significantly for that run and should not be troubled by the extra furlong. He too has an attractive pedigree by Excellent Art out of the brilliant Haunting Memories – a fine race mare in her own right. Mygrator will be ridden by A. Sandesh and must be seriously considered
LORD OF THE SEA :-Looks a relatively laid back and unflappable individual who still needs time to come to hand having raced twice till date. He finished a faraway 3rd to Perfect Star and Glyndebourne on debut over 7 furlongs and then showed progress when finishing much closer to Perfect Star over a mile next time out. The form of that race has taken a few knocks since so he will need to step up markedly on that run if he is to have a say and looks more of a place prospect. Dean’s Kitten too is a new sire while this is the first foal of Enamoured to race in Western India
BIG SUR :-Is a son of Win Legend – sire of Derby winner Hall of Famer and has shown progress in his 2 starts till date. He finished 3rd to Texas Gold and Cerrado over 6 furlongs on debut and then just managed to hold off Rochester over 1400M last time out. There is a suspicion that Rochester will have improved past him but he too is likely to progress and should be bang there on the bare form. He looks fit and well and will be ridden by Dashrath Singh.
CAPRISKA:- Has raced twice till date, making his debut finishing 5th in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million and building on that when holding off Themis and Selfie Star over 1400M next time out so again, the result of the Fillies Championship could have a bearing on his chances. He seems to be working well and P. Trevor retains the ride. Capriska too has a nice pedigree as his mother Xisca was a champion race mare and he looks likely to develop into a solid stayer as he matures
CONCLUSION :-S.K. Sunderji appears to have a very strong hand here and the winner should emerge from among the pair of Timeless and Rochester. Mygrator has maximum scope to improve and could be a threat and Big Sur too is bang there on form and must be considered
Race No. 6 :- The J. Rustomji Soparivala Trophy – Class 4 – 5 Years Old & Over – 1000M
ROMANTIC LASS :-Has a speedy pedigree and began her career in fine fashion, winning 2 of her first 3 starts. She seems to have been in the handicapper’s grip since then but is now dropped in grade and is back to the mark which she last won of. NeerajRawal takes over in the saddle, she should be fit enough after several runs this season and looks a big danger to all in spite of conceding weight all around.
DAZZLING DANCER :-Has a similar profile to Romantic Lass and has run two respectable races in the higher class this season before being eased in grade. 5 kilo claimer who has been booked is not encouraging as his win percentage is very poor but she looks fit and well and must come into each way consideration
ALFREDO :-The6 year old from BezanChenoy’s yard is relatively lightly raced with just 12 runs till date and although he has only won once, he has placed on as many as 7 occasions so he is quite consistent. He finished a fair 3rd to Almost Magical a month ago over this trip and his recent track work has been very good. Back into older company and partnered by the in form Santosh G, he looks to have a strong chance as well having bagged the plum no. 1 draw
BARYSHNIKOV :-Is a very speedy customer when on song but is also unreliable which tempers enthusiasm somewhat. He had back to back wins over course and distance last April and ran a promising race a couple of starts ago when finishing 2nd to Mt. Tianmen and just ahead of Locarno. P. Trevor is an encouraging Jockey booking and his recent work too has been satisfactory so if in a galloping mood, he stands a good chance as well
LOGANO :-Appears to be the more fancied of the Mansoor Shah duo on Jockey bookings although Locarno appears to have better current form. The 6 year old mare has been winless and out of form for a while now but her mark has plummeted as a result and she is beginning to look well handicapped. She finished 6th some way behind Alfredo last time out but comes into consideration with S.A. Amit taking over from Pereira.
SPEEDO :- Is another unreliable sort with just a solitary win to his name from 23 attempts but he has run some decent races off this mark this term including when a very close 4th to Mizilla Gold where he finished just ahead of Baryshnikov with today’s rider on board. He is capable of in form and also should come into consideration
CONCLUSION :- Again this looks very open on paper with a tentative selection made on Romantic Lass in the hope that she will bounce back to form in this lower grade. Alfredo and Baryshnikov look the main dangers and are also respected
Race No. 7 :- The Pronto Pronto Plate – Class 5 – 1400M
FIRENZE :-Has an attractive pedigree and has been knocking at the door for some time now although she is yet to shed her maiden tag after 5 attempts. She finished a good 3rd to Sussex Pride and Sweeping Move on Derby Day and when hot favourite next time out, inexplicably raced last of all before making late headway to be just outside the frame. That run is best ignored and with NeerajRawal up now, she looks a very strong fancy to succeed
KISS FROM A ROSE :-Is another promising looking 4 year old from S.A. Waheed’s yard who has looked likely to score in her last couple of starts. She finished a good 2nd to Jetaway on her penultimate start and was not given the best of rides when 4th to Simona next time out. She comes into this race in good form, is working well and looks to have a good chance to shed her maiden tag
ALLEGRIA :- The lightly raced 4 year old filly made a promising reappearance on just her 2nd start in the higher class when improving leisurely to finish 5th to Trombone over 1400M. She is sure to improve substantially from that run and the 2nd and 3rd are winners since which gives the form a solid look. She is eased in grade, having just her 3rd career start and Trevor has an excellent strike rate when riding for the yard. She must be respected
BAKER STREET :-The 5 year old gelding has also been lightly raced and has 2 well spread out runs to his name over the last 12 months so must be recovering from a setback. It is interesting that the Shroff family have taken over ownership and kept him in training and he looked on the way back to form when finishing 4th over an inadequate 6 furlongs last time out. He should do better over this extra furlong, H. Zeeshan retains the ride and he looks interesting as he has also been working well
VITESSE :- The 5 year old mare gained her solitary career win over 2400M but has been campaigning over much shorter since joining Dallas Todyawalla’s yard and she ran a good race to be 4th over 1200M last time out. J. Chinoy now takes over from Vishal Bunde over this extra furlong, she too looks well handicapped and could spring a surprise
ARC OF PASSION :-Untried 4 year old filly from S. N. Joshi’s stable who has done nothing of note in 8 starts till date but has shown some improvement in her recent track work and has a positive jockey in the form of C.S. Jodha up for the first time. She could be the medium of a smart gamble and is worth noting if she comes into the betting. She is a dark horse who could upset
SECRET FLAME :-Did win over a mile early in the season with the same rider up and has been quite consistent in similar contests since then. She does look in the handicapper’s grip at present and will need to eke out some improvement to progress again but she looks in good nick and is worthy of each way consideration
CONCLUSION :-Firenze did not give her true running when favourite last time out and is expected to make amends with Neeraj in the saddle. Allegriais unexposed and can improve, eased in grade and having just her 3rd start while Kiss From A Rose has been knocking at the door and must be respected as well.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
