FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 25TH MARCH 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 24 Mar 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 25TH MARCH 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Raza Ali Plate – Div. II – Class 5 – 1200M
HEADLINES :- The 4 year old filly from Altaf Hussain's yard has been untried in 5 starts till date and she hinted at some ability last time out when finishing on to be 3rd to Pacific Dunes over 1000M when dropped into this grade for the first time. She is expected to improve for the extra furlong and with A. Imran Khan declared to guide her, she stands an excellent chance of gaining her first success against mainly exposed and older handicappers.
DECCAN KING :- The 5 year old gelding had dropped down to a very attractive handicap mark and took advantage of it to score his maiden success after 14 starts when scoring over this trip in January with the same rider up. He followed up that win with a battling close 2nd to Super Bolt a month ago and is now weighted to gain revenge. He seems to have maintained form and fitness and is expected to be involved again today .
ISINIT :-The 5 year old topweight has been threatening to strike for some time now and is unlucky to still be a maiden after a string of good performances off her current mark. She bounced back from a couple of indifferent performances to finish a close 3rd to Knight's Quest last time out and has a more positive jockey booking today in the form of D.S. Daman. She looks fit and well and is sure to be in the firing line .
MILWALKEE :-This 4 year old sister to Spirit of Mercy and Hidden Power has run on 9 occasions, finishing 2nd just once over this trip in August. She has had 4 runs this season over varying trips and finished a close 5th over 1000M last time out. She still seems to be finding her feet but is capable of improvement and bears watching with rookie apprentice H. Zeeshan astride. She looks a good outsider .
WILDHORN :- The last 4 year old in the line up, he is a 10 race maiden who has been tried over varying distances without much success, his best effort till date being a 3rd place finish over 7 furlongs back in October. His 2 runs this season have been unconvincing and he needs to show a little bit more on the track before he can be considered seriously.
SUPER BOLT :-A 7 year old veteran of 32 races, he gained his maiden success on just his penultimate start when he wore down Deccan King over course and distance with the same rider on board. He maintained his form when finishing 3rd to Rare Silver and Blavatsky last time out but looks exposed and more of a place contender in this field .
CONCLUSION :-The 4 year old filly Headlines looks set to shed her maiden tag with normal progression from her last run with A. Imran Khan up and is as confident a selection as one can get in this grade. Deccan King and the promising Isinit look the main dangers .
Race No. 2 :- The RadhaSigtia Trophy – Class 2 – 2400M
RAEES :- This 4 year old gelding from ImtiazSait's yard has really come into himself this season since stepping up to staying trips and has won 3 races on the trot which have seen his mark sky rocket from 25 to 67 and he may not have stopped improving as yet. All his 3 wins have come over this trip, last time out when decisively beating Uncle Scrooge and Flying Dragon. He looks in the pink of condition at present and although he is facing his toughest task yet, he comes into this in terrific form and is very hard to oppose .
PALATIAL :- This dickey legged 6 year old from C.D. Katrak's yard has had problems throughout his career and has only now been showing glimpses of his true ability. He annihilated class IV opposition on his first attempt at this trip in Pune and followed that up with a smooth success over a mile on reappearance. He was questionably ridden on his penultimate start where he finished ¾ length behind Mathaiyus giving weight and a beating to Vulcan who won decisively last week. He looked to bite off more than he could chew when outclassed in the Eclipse but this looks decidedly easier and he is strongly fancied with A. Sandesh booked to ride .
FROSTY :- This 4 year old filly by Cape Cross from Vishal Gaikwad's yard has performed modestly in her short 8 race career till date, winning twice over a mile and 2000M respectively. She finished 2nd to Veronese in the Hyderabad Oaks before managing only 7th place in the Indian Oaks and has been rested since. She looks out handicapped against Palatial on a line through Vulcan and may find it difficult to concede weight all around here .
SABIQ :-Is another older horse who has hit good form and is bidding for a hatrick after back back to wins over 2000M in her last 2 starts. However, she looks up against it in this company and even though she stays this far and has the services of P. Trevor, she looks likely to fight it out for minor honours .
CONCLUSION :-Palatial looks the choice on form out here but Raees has been progressing rapidly over this trip and may have enough improvement left in him to complete the 4 timer. The race appears to be between this pair .
Race No. 3 :- The Samuel Nathan Plate – Class 3 – 1600M
ELEGANT BEAUTY :- This 4 year old filly joined MaleshNarredu's yard midway through the Pune season and promptly scored a narrow short head success over Fabio back in October over 7 furlongs. She finished on from the rear in her first two starts this season making late progress which prompted a step up to 2000M last time out. She came with a rattling run to take over the running but was worn down by Sabiq close home. Dropped back to a mile now and working well, she looks a leading contender to score in this small field and is strongly fancied with P. Trevor booked .
NELSONS BLOOD :-Began racing just this term and is an enigmatic customer who clearly has ability. On just his 2nd career start, he ran an excellent 2nd from the front over a mile, leading for a long way before being pegged back by Star of Harmony late in the day. Hold up tactics were attempted when he ran as a hot favourite next time out but he disappointed finishing a tame 4th to Elsa. Given a more positive ride over this trip last time out, he showed marked improvement to score a stylish maiden success, clocking a decent time in the process. He could very well improve again and looks a danger to all if ridden positively again .
GLORIOUS EYES :-This 4 year old filly from ImtiazSait's yard clearly has ability but has also proved to be quirky and unreliable. After looking a sure fire winner when going down narrowly on her seasonal reappearance, she ran 2 dismal races before suddenly striking form and scoring with aplomb over 7 furlongs in February, easily beating Hunting Pleasure. She finished 5th in this grade to Vice Admiral last time out and if running upto her best, could trouble the 2 market leaders .
UNCLE SCROOGE :-The 5 year old has been seen to be at his best over much longer trips and may find things happening too soon over this mile trip. He has not looked at his best this term and last time out, attempted to make all the running over 7 furlongs, ending up 4th in the end. He looks to be trying to rediscover form and would be a rank outsider at best .
CONCLUSION :-This should be between Elegant Beauty and Nelson's Blood with the edge given to the former as she appears more reliable. Glorious Eyes can trouble the pair if in a galloping mood
Race No. 4 :- The Tulipa Plate – Div. II – Class 4 – 1400M
SPIRIDON :-The 4 year old has raced 5 times till date and showed good improvement over this trip this season. He finished 2nd to Classicus (who has franked the form) on seasonal debut before winning his maiden readily beating Wild Jack and Signor comfortably. He found the mile stretching him last time out but has been well prepared since and dropped back to 7 furlongs and with A. Imran Khan in the saddle, he looks set to resume his progress .
DOLPHIN :- This 4 year old filly has been sparingly raced, running 4 times till date and made a promising run on her penultimate start when finishing on to be a close 3rd to Lady In Red over 6 furlongs. She was abruptly pulled up though on her last run on Derby Day so needs to prove that all is well but seems to have recovered judging from her recent good track work. She is very closely matched with Spiridon on a line through Wild Jack and looks the main danger if she is fit and well
VIKING :-Is an interesting and well bred 4 year old from S.A. Waheed's yard who has been working well for a long time now and seems to be improving steadily. He finished 3rd to Nelson's Blood and Pretty Angel over a mile last time out and if he can build further on that last run, then he is likely to be involved with NeerajRawal retaining the ride.
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :-Has been quite highly regarded by his small stable although his performance on the track has been just modest till date, placing twice from 6 starts without a win. He finished well behind Spiridon on his penultimate run before running down the field dropped back to 6 furlongs. The booking of P. Trevor is a big positive but he will need to show significant improvement if he is to be a factor and looks more of a place prospect .
KING OF KILLEN :-Is a 9 race maiden who has been competing mainly over sprint distances so far and does not appear to be improving significantly. He finished 3rd to Forever Yours over 1000M last time out in the lower class but has now been upped in grade and in trip so looks to have it all to do. It is interesting that A. Sandesh has taken the ride and he could be a lively outsider .
CONCLUSION :-Spiridonis expected to get back to winning ways at the expense of Dolphin who could be a threat if back to her best. Viking looks a progressive sort who could be a danger if improving again .
Race No. 5 :- The Jimmy Bharucha Trophy – Terms – 3 Years Old Only – 1200M
KRAMER :-The MaleshNarredu trained son of Phoenix Tower looks the obvious starting point in this contest, seemingly progressing with every run. He was unfancied on debut but came with a strong late finish to be 2nd to Oracle over 1000M and duly built on that next time out, showing good battling qualities to hold off Lady Sergeant and score in spite of drifting out in the straight. He is likely to relish this extra furlong and looks a leading fancy to make it 2 in a row. Meydana his dam produced two nice sorts already in the form of Poet who won 2 of his 3 starts in Mysore and Be Ready who was a winner of 1 race out of 2.
GOD'S OWN :-The Narendra Lagad trained Diffident filly looks the other one to consider on form and she too, has showed good improvement with every run. After making her debut in Pune, she finished a good 2nd to Goldie's Pet over 1000M and then scored a decisive maiden win over Lord Commander who has gone on to frank the form. She has been working well since her last win, comes into this in good form and must be respected. She is a full sister to Magnum Opus and Jubilation, both of whom have performed modestly in Western India and is fancied with Dashrath Singh on board .
CAMBRIDGE :-Comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff stable and is a son of the Mighty Burden of Proof who is making his debut in an ordinary looking race. He has had just a couple of workouts and the booking of Kishore Kadam suggests that he may be out for an educative run. The dam Chimerique is the daughter of the mighty Littleover and the family appears to be a good one, although the full brother Courage too is yet to see the race course. He can upset on debut and should not be ignored .
RINCON :- Could only finish 11th on debut over this trip but was probably in need of that run and seems to have improved significantly judging by his subsequent track work. Trainer Faisal A. Abbas is not known for many juvenile winners but Rincon is expected to leave that running well behind today. He is a half brother to Sky Mine who has done very well in Western India and looks a promising prospect .
WILSHIRE :-Debutant from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has his juveniles in forward condition this season. He has been given enough preparatory work to be fit enough on debut and could make the form horses gallop. Wilshire is by Phoenix Tower out of Kalpita who was a promising brood mare in the UK and produced one other filly in Western India, Copenhagen who was trained by Dallas Todywalla and had one 2nd and two 4ths to her name in 3 career starts. Wilshire will be ridden by NeerajRawal and should be considered .
CONCLUSION :-Kramer looks the best here with God's Own expected to give him some resistance. Wilshire looks the fittest of the debutantes and is respected along with the well bred Cambridge .
Race No. 6 :- The Tulipa Plate – Div. I – Class 4 – 1200M
BRABOURNE :-In spite of returning after a lengthy absence, this sparingly raced 4 year old filly from ImtiazSait's yard appeals the most. She made her debut back in September in a hot race and caught the eye by making good late headway to finish 5th. She duly built on that performance by scoring a cosy ¾ length victory over His Master's Vice over 1400M and has been brought along steadily since then. She has been showing out well in the morning trials of late and with Sandesh to partner her, she looks set to continue her uptrend off a reasonable opening mark .
ANGEL GIRL :-Once thought to be a Classic contender, she has a solitary win to her name from 10 starts and finished down the field in the Indian 1000 Guineas. She has run 2 decent races since returning to handicaps and found 6 furlongs too sharp when a late finishing 3rd to New England last time out. Step back up in trip will suit her and with useful apprentice claiming 2 ½ kilos, she runs with a strong chance .
SIR DESMOND :-Highly regarded for some time but unperformed, he seems to have found his feet this season and gained a fluent maiden victory last time out. He has been working exceptionally well since then suggesting that he has improved further and a statutory 6 kilo penalty may not be enough to stop him from repeating. He has the services of Hyderabad ace Akshay Kumar today but on the negative side, he can be quite a handful to load into the gates .
ARABIAN STORM :- Is the most interesting contender in the field, he is making a belated racing debut but represents the powerful combination of Dr. Vijay Mallya, Pesi Shroff and P. Trevor and catches the eye on paper. Arabian Rose was a high class race mare in her own right and has thrown several useful animals already, the best of them being Arabian Prince who won the Golconda Derby, The Bangalore St. Leger and the Stayers Cup. The family seems to have done all of it's winning at a mile and over but 7 furlongs is a reasonable starting point. He has only had a couple of workouts and may need this run but could be the class act in this field and must be respected .
SILK BABY :-This 4 year old filly had been performing quite consistently until her last run as favourite where she ran quite dismally and finished way down the field. She has been rested since then and with Bhawani Singh up, she may be going in for a trial run and is best watched today although she could be involved on the pick of her form .
GRAPPA :-Is another fashionably bred 4 year old colt who was given an introductory run over a mile on debut where he was prominent until the bend before fading. He is likely to improve for that run and strip fitter and with N.S. Parmar taking over from Vishal Bunde, he looks a dark horse who could spring a surprise .
CONCLUSION :-Brabournelooks the most likely winner if she is fit and ready to go but if her fitness comes under question, she faces a host of interesting challengers like Arabian Storm, Grappa and Sir Desmond.
Race No. 7 :- The Raza Ali Plate – Div. I – Class 5 – 1200M
ARCTIC WHIZZ :- Made her debut back in March last year has had just one run apiece in Mumbai and Pune since then, her last run being back in February over 1000M where she made up a lot of ground from the rear to finish up a close 7th with a weak apprentice astride. She is open to plenty of improvement on just her 4th start, and with N.S. Parmar now taking over and racing in the lowest class, she looks one of the principal contenders to score .
ADAM'S BEGINNING :- Also a 4 year old, she has raced 5 times till date, running disappointingly last time out but finishing a good 3rd in her prior 2 starts this season. She needs to bounce back from that indifferent last run but is working quite well and merits strong consideration dropped back down to the lowest class .
ADVANCE TO CONTACT :-The 7 year old is a 40 race veteran but a string of recent poor efforts have seen him tumble down in the scales and he is now looking very well handicapped. He did show some zest for racing by finishing 3rd over this trip a couple of starts ago and if he has his galloping shoes on then he can pick them all up late with C.S. Jodha a positive jockey booking .
RIDGEWOOD STAR :-Has been running forward races over longer trips but now drops to a suitable 6 furlongs and P. Trevor takes over in the saddle which is a strong positive. He has raced just 7 times so has scope to improve and his recent track work has been quite exceptional. He has yet to show some spark on the track but must be respected .
BRITAIN :- Untried 4 year old who has had 4 runs till date, 2 apiece in Mumbai and Pune and has finished way down the field on all occasions prompting a demotion to the lowest class. It is significant that A. Imran Khan takes over in the saddle and although he has no form to go by, he is unexposed and could go much better today so keep an eye on him .
QUEEN RIA :-She is another interesting an unexposed 4 year old filly running in the lowest grade and having just her 3rd start so looks sure to improve. She finished 7th over 1000M on her seasonal debut with the same rider up but was prominent in the early stages and was only 4 lengths behind the winner in the end. She too can improve and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-This race looks filled with untried and unexposed 4 year olds and winner picking looks very tough as there is no form to go by. Arctic Whizz is just a tentative selection in a race which is best left alone from a betting standpoint .
Race No. 8 :- The Diego Rivera Plate – Class 4 – 1200M
AIRLIFT :-This well bredArazan gelding has raced 5 times till date and has performed better than his statistics suggest in some tough contests. He looked on the way back to form when finishing a flying late 2nd last time out and would have won in another stride or two. He should come on for that effort and looks to have a solid chance of returning to the winner's circle although he is drawn very wide at 14 which is a bit of a deterrent .
MADURO :-Has been alternating between Bangalore and Mumbai in 7 runs till date and has not quite built on his impressive maiden success over course and distance on debut last year. He took on Class 2 opposition in Bangalore last time out so this is a significant drop in grade, he is working well and looks a danger to all in spite of conceding weight all around .
LADY IN RED :-Has raced 4 times till date with her solitary success coming under a brilliant ride from David Allan over this trip on her penultimate start. She did not disgrace herself over 7 furlongs last time out and back down to this trip and with P. Trevor booked, she must be seriously considered and can bounce back .
SPORTO :-Is more exposed than some of the more fancied runners and his form too looks a little below this level at present. He finished 3rd to Democrat over 1000M last time out and looks to have his work cut out for him here. He can make the frame but winning looks tough
FASHIONABLE GAIT :-Left S.S. Shah's yard after scoring her maiden win over 5 furlongs on New Years Day and is having her first start for her new connections. May need this lung opener after the long lay off but is still relatively unexposed and should not be ignored .
TREVELYAN :- One of the lesser lights from the Pesi Shroff yard, he has raced thrice till date, running 2 decent races in Pune but finishing way down the field on his seasonal debut in December. He has been given time to come to hand since then, should be fitter and is likely to run much better today although he needs to show some spark before he can be supported. Looks a dark horse
CONCLUSION :-Airlift can take this with normal progression from his narrow miss last time out while Maduro drops significantly in class and looks a big danger.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
