FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 26TH MARCH 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 25 Mar 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 26TH MARCH 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Jayant M. Shah Plate – Class 4 – 2400M
OTHELLO :- He is a half brother to Rigoletto, Reynolds and Cabriolet and a full brother to Berlusconi and this is a line which is proven over distance trips so it was no surprise to see him show marked improvement when stepped up to this trip last time when he finished a close 2nd to Geranium, a length clear of Kitty Hawk to whom he concedes ½ a kilo today. He is expected to improve further this just being his 6th career start and is strongly fancied to get off the mark today.
KITTY HAWK :-Is a 4 year got abroad filly from Adhiraj Singh Jodha's stable who has a similar profile to Othello, being winless from 5 starts. She too has shown great improvement once stepped up in trip and there is not much to choose between her and Othello on that last run. She appears to have maintained her condition and it should be very close between her and Othello again today .
CARE FREE :-She has also raced 6 times in her career but in contrast to the other two, she is 6 years of age so there is less scope for improvement. She has run two good races over a mile in her last two starts, finishing 2nd and 3rd and now takes a big step up in trip. Her manner of racing suggests she is likely to stay and she could make the finish interesting with the in form C.S. Jodha aboard .
JAGER BOMB :-The 6 year old who is a full brother to Janis Jay, has only 1 win to his name from 21 starts but was performing with credit over this trip towards the end of the Pune season. He has been slowly coming to form this term and returned from a 2 month break to finish 4th behind Othello and Kitty Hawk last time out. It looks tough for him to reverse the form with the 2 younger horses but he should come on from that run and with Sandesh taking over, he could be in the firing line as well.
RED FORT :-The 6 year old was highly regarded in his youth but his career was hampered by a number of setbacks and he is a winner of just 1 race from 18 starts. Last time out in an extremely weak field he stayed on strongly over this trip and just failed to get up. He steps up in grade today against tougher opposition and looks more of a place prospect.
CONCLUSION :-Othello and Kitty Hawk are closely matched on their last run and whoever improves more will win in all likelihood. Jager Bomb cannot be ruled out with Sandesh on top and Care Free could be a fly in the ointment if staying the trip well .
Race No. 2 :- The Cursetjee Dhunjishaw Trophy – Class 2 – 1400M
MISS SAIGON :-The grey daughter of Rock of Gibraltar was unbeaten in her first 3 starts and was extremely unlucky to lose that record when completely blocked in a large field all the way up the straight and yet finishing a close 3rd to Carbonara with whom she is better off with at the weights today. She then attempted to give heaps of weight to the progressive Chizzler and ended up a gallant 2nd. Having maintained her condition well, she looks to have found a good opportunity to regain the winning thread and looks set to earn another bracket with Neeraj Rawal taking over .
BENEZEER :- The 5 year old has been sparingly raced in her career so far with her first run usually being her best and she has run with promise both starts this term, finishing 2nd on both occasions over 1200M. This extra furlong should not trouble her, she has been working very well and looks the main danger here .
CARBONARA :- The 4 year old is a full brother to top class sprinter Attila and looked a promising juvenile but ran disappointingly in both the Hyderabad and Indian 2000 Guineas and was gelded thereafter. He returned to score narrowly from Sawgrass in his first run back from gelding with Miss Saigon 3rd that day having gotten no run in the straight. He finished well behind Miss Saigon last time out and has work to do to reverse that form. He merits each way consideration .
STREETJAMMER :-The 5 year old from Dallas Todywalla's yard has been a good performer winning 3 times from 14 starts till date. He returned from a 3 month break to score a stylish victory over Batman and Eiger's Tiger over a mile and followed that up by finishing a close 4th to Multiglory next time out. He looks fit and well and should be able to dominate in this small field so could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead .
CONCLUSION :- Miss Saigon looks to have found a good opportunity to return to winning ways with Benezeer looking the main danger
Race No. 3 :- The Manyatta Plate – Class 5 – 1600M
DEM SAO :-The well bred 5 year old daughter of Royal Kingdom has had just 5 runs till date and is returning from a significant break having last raced in December. She appears to have been well prepared though and is relatively unexposed so looks to have a good chance in this field if she is fit and well .
HURACAN :-Began his career with ImtiazSait but did not quite build on his maiden win over 2000M and moved to Subhag Singh's yard. He appears to have come down significantly in grade and looks well handicapped at present. He had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and with P. Trevor now taking over in the saddle, he could have a strong say and must be respected .
OSCILLATION :-The 5 year old is a 17 race maiden although he has looked close to changing that this season. He finished a close 3rd on his seasonal reappearance over 1800M but then ran disappointingly when favourite over 1400M next time out, finishing a poor 4th. The extra furlong may be to his advantage and he is likely to be involved .
SECRET FLAME :-Compared to some of the others, she has had plenty of racing with 32 starts till date, winning twice over similar trips. She has finished just outside the frame in her last 3 starts and although she does not appear to be improving much, she could run into a place and can be considered in what looks a weak field .
SHIVALIK SKIES :-The 6 year old mare from Vijay Kasbekar's yard is an 18 race maiden who has been woefully out of form for some time now, but gave signs that she was finding some form last time out when finishing 4th to The Other Song over this trip last time out. That run was 2 ½ months ago so she returns after a break but if building on that effort, she could be a lively outsider .
ROYCE :- The 5 year old got abroad gelding from A.M. Jadhav's yard has been tried almost exclusively over sprints in 7 runs till date and is now stepped up in trip appreciably, trying this longer trip for the first time. Whether he will show improvement is anyone's guess but he can improve after just 7 starts and may be a dark horse who can upset .
CONCLUSION :- As usual, an open looking Class V contest with Huracana tentative selection as he will well handicapped and the combination of P. Trevor and Subhag Singh has been good this season. Oscillation is the only one with current form and also should be respected .
Race No. 4 :- The D.W. Reid Plate – Class 3 – 1200M
MAGICAL MEMORY :- The dark bay filly has raced 8 times but has not yet been able to repeat her impressive debut win which came over this trip although she has run creditably in defeat on a number of occasions. Her form coming into this race has been good finishing a close 3rd to Allora and Benezeer last time out. Sandesh has been booked to ride today and she looks to have an excellent chance to earn herself a 2nd bracket with the ImtiazSait stable in top form this season .
IRISH BAILEY :-She is a half sister to B Fifty Two who returned from a long lay off to run with credit this season, winning twice in 4 starts. She looked very impressive when winning stylishly over this trip in the lower class but was behind Magical Memory in race No. 121 in her only previous attempt in this class and will need to improve greatly to reverse the placings .
HOUSE OF COMMONS :-Was beaten as a short priced favourite in each of his first 3 career starts before being used as a pacemaker in the Indian 2000 Guineas. Dropped to 5 furlongs last time out and ridden from off the pace, he showed a nice turn of foot to win convincingly and this may just be the key to him. He is capable of showing further progress and is quite capable of winning again so looks a live danger .
ARAKAWAH :-Has only 1 win to his name in 14 starts till date but has been running some suggestive races of late and could pop up in one of these contests very soon. He has finished a close 3rd in last 2 starts over 1000 and 1200M respectively, beaten by Ladislaus and Flashy Wings last time out. He has been working very well for some time now and could be a danger from the foot of the scale.
AN JOLIE :- The 6 year old mare has won 2 of her 19 starts and has been out of form for some time now but showed some promise on her last run when she made late headway to finish up 3rd and looks much better placed than Arakawah on a line through Flashy Wings. She needs to improve from that last effort and with in form apprentice Santosh G taking a valuable 2 ½ kilos off, she cannot be ignored .
CONCLUSION :- Magical Memory looks to have found a good spot to gain a 2nd career success and regain some confidence while House of Commons could be a danger as he looks like he is just coming right. Top weight An Jolie also looks well handicapped and is worth considering .
Race No. 5 :- The Memories Of You Plate – Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – 1000M
GAZINO :-The 3 year old from Nosher Cama's yard has run thrice till date and has performed reasonably well on each occasion. He finished 3rd on debut over 6 furlongs before running 4th stepped upto 7 furlongs. Back down to 6 furlongs last time out, he ran a forward race and kicked on to be 3rd to Benefactor. That looks the best form in this field and with Sandesh in the saddle he looks a strong contender to get off the mark Gazino's sister Secret Flame has done her winning over middle distances but he appears better suited to sprints .
WILD FIRE :-Has the most experience in this field having had 4 runs already and ran her best race dropped to this trip when finishing a close 3rd to Poker Face last time out. She has been working well since the last run and although the form looks just modest, she would have a good chance in this field. Generous Grey also produced Generous Lady and Impressive Dude, both of whom have not done much on the track.
PRINCESS P :-Has had 3 runs till date, placing in ordinary sprint maidens on the first 2 occasions without showing much improvement and then being used as a pace setter in the Poonawalla Million. She has been kept fresh since that race and has P. Trevor in the saddle today so merits serious consideration although she needs to improve on her current form. Torque, the dam has also produced Mahiki who performed quite well over sprints and she has a good each way chance .
BROOKLYN BRIDGE :-The 3 year old from Narendra Lagad's yard was unplaced on debut over this trip. He was then tried over a mile and led till the bend before retiring suggesting he would be better over this sharper trip. He should have gained some fitness from those two runs and could be a dark horse here.
STAR ANISE :-Is one of 2 debutants in this field and has been solidly prepared with plenty of work to be fit enough for her debut run. She would not have to be exceptional to win in this field and is one to take very seriously if looking fit and ready in the preliminaries .
CONCLUSION :-Gazinoappears the clear pick on form and looks to have a clear advantage over the already raced horses. The debutant Star Anise has been working well and looks the main danger
Race No. 6 :- The Tata Housing Turf Championship (Grade 3) – Terms – 4 Years Old & over – 1800M
COMMODORE :-Has had a bright career so far winning 50% of his races and finishing out of the first two just once in 8 starts. He looked out of sorts when easily beaten by Severus on his reappearance but put in a much better effort to easily account for Arlene over 2000M next time out. Upped to Group Company in the C.N. Wadia, he defied the terms to run a great race before possibly being out stayed by Jack Frost close home. This drop in trip should suit him and Columbiana has to concede 8 kilos to him. He is working very well and looks a strong fancy to gain a first Group Race success .
COLUMBIANA :-Is an enigmatic customer who has plenty of ability and also has a fine record of 7 wins and 7 seconds in 20 starts. His last run on this track saw him pip Alaindair on the post over a mile before travelling to Kolkotta and finally Bangalore where he finished 6th in the Invitation Cup. He probably has the best turn of foot which is a weapon in a tactical race but also has to concede weight to both his rivals. This trip should suit him and he too would fancy his chances .
B FIFTY TWO :-Has also proved that he belongs at this level with a string of creditable performances and gained a clever and tactical win in the Eclipse Stakes where he made all the running to outwit Alaindair. The 2400M trip clearly stretched him last time out and the small field, tactical race and drop in trip could be right up his alley. He could attempt pillar to post tactics again today and is very dangerous to ignore .
CONCLUSION :-In spite of just a 3 runner field, this looks puzzling to solve with any one of the trio capable of winning on his day. It might turn into a tactical affair and hence it is very hard to recommend a clear winner. Perhaps Commodore, being the most lightly raced of the trio and receiving weight, would have an edge .
Race No. 7 :- The Karl Umrigar Trophy – Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – 1400M
LA MAGNIFIQUE :-This attractively bred got abroad filly from the stables of Altamash Ahmed was a hot favourite on debut back in January but she could only finish a faraway 3rd to Timeless and Windsor Forest although that form is now looking extremely strong. She has been well prepared since that debut effort and showed improvement in a recent Mock Race as well. She looks fit and raring to go and with the benefit of experience, should take all the beating .
LADY BE GOOD :-Highly regarded daughter of Arazan who made her debut in a tough race like the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million where she could only finish 8th to Awesome Hooves but is sure to have learnt plenty from the experience. She has been working exceptionally well of late indicating that she has improved markedly and with A. Sandesh to guide her, she looks a danger to all and should run a very big race. The dam TootsieWootsie is by Sadlers Wells out of aDarshaan mare so the pedigree looks impeccable and she is the first foal to race in India .
ADONIJAH :-Pesi Shroff usually reserves one of his better youngsters for this race linked with his family and Adonijah looks a nice prospect. He is by Burden of Proof who has been a champion sire in India already and he is the first son of the dam Angel Child to race. He has had a few workouts so would not be fully wound up but clearly looks an exciting sort and has to be respected .
MAGIC DUST :-Made his debut over 6 furlongs but was clueless that day and finished well beaten but that must have been a lung opener and he should do much better over the additional furlong with Dashrath Singh taking over in the saddle. He too has worked quite well since the run and has a nice pedigree by Burden of Proof out of a mare called Callista who has thrown 2 decently performed foals named Zacara and Blossom who won 5 races in Hyderabad .
FORTITUDE :-Is also a well bred debutant from the Pesi Shroff yard who may be a touch short on fitness but must be respected. She has had a couple of decent workouts but may be out for an airing and looks sure to better whatever she does today. She looks a good outsider who could have the class to surprise on debut .
CONCLUSION :-La Magnifiqueand Lady Be Good look the best of the already raced horses but both the Pesi Shroff runners Adonijah and Fortitude catch the eye on paper and have to be considered as a danger .
Race No. 8 :- The Sion F. Nessim Plate – Class 4 – 1000M
DOUBLE NINE :-Has raced 9 times till date with 1 win to his name but has been running creditably over this trip in his last few starts barring the last one where he dropped away tamely and finished down the field. He needs to bounce back from that poor effort but is eased in grade and it is interesting that connections have opted for a 5 kilo claimer to ride. He should be respected if back to his best .
EL TYCOON :- Speedy 4 year old from the Vijay Kasbekar's yard who has looked ready to strike on his last 2 starts over sprints and should be winning one of these before too long. He finished an excellent close 3rd to Motherland and Fabio in a 3 way photo last time out and has been working well since. S.A. Amit takes a valuable 2 ½ kilos off and he looks set to earn a rare winner for his small yard .
ROCK N RIO :-The 4 year old has been running some impressive races including in the higher class but a win still seems to be eluding him. He too finished a creditable close 3rd to Alpine Express in the higher class last time out and is eased in grade although N. B. Kuldeep is one of the weaker 5 kilo claimers and he has been handed a wide draw at 11 which tempers enthusiasm some what .
JIMBO :-Is now 8 years of age but was rated as high as Class II in his younger days so has dropped significantly in the scales. He finished on from the rear to be just outside the frame last time out in a similar contest and the booking of P. Trevor suggests that connections fancy their chances. However, his come from behind style may not be suited by having the No. 1 draw and he will need the gaps to appear at the right time .
FOREVER YOURS :-Speedy 5 year old mare who likes to dominate proceedings and gained a narrow success in the lower class last time out. She comes into this race in good form and will make a brave attempt to repeat in this tougher grade although she too is drawn very wide at 13.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky finale with El Tycoon selected to continue his progression and get the better of Double Nine and Rock N Rio
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
