FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 2ND APRIL 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 01 Apr 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 2ND APRIL 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The R. R. Komandur Plate – Class III – 2000M
STAR OF HARMONY :- This well bred 4 year old, a half sister to Clinton and Romantic Liaison began her career in Bangalore before travelling to Mumbai just before the Derby weekend. She won fluently over a mile on the Derby Saturday, easily beating Nelsons Blood and Classicus and was sent out a short priced favourite next time out when she ran erratically in the straight and just lost out to Relentless Pursuit over 9 furlongs. She has been well rested since then, working very well and with P. Trevor in the saddle and the extra furlong to her advantage, she looks set to return to the winner's circle and will be hard to beat.
FLYING DRAGON :- This well bred 5 year old from S.S. Shah's yard has won 2 of his 20 starts till date but has placed on 12 of the other 18 occasions underlining his consistency. He has been campaigned over a variety of trips ranging from 1400 to 2400M but has best form has been over this trip. He raced just once over this trip back in December when finishing an excellent close 2nd to Vulcan in a blanket finish. He looks fit, has been working well and looks the main danger dropped back to this trip for the first time since that run .
JAGER BOMB :- This 6 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait has just 1 career win to his name in 22 starts but has been quite consistent over staying trips overall. He returned in February after a short break to run 4th over 2400M and then improved on that when finishing on well to be 2nd to Othello last time out. He is likely to improve again and runs with a strong each way chance
GLORIOUS OPINION :- The 8 year old gelding is a 55 race veteran who has been running consistently of late but has seemed to be in the handicappers grip for some time now. He has run thrice this season over varying trips, finishing 2nd over 1400M on reappearance then running only 7th over a mile and last time out upped to this trip he finished on to be 3rd behind Sabiq and Elegant Beauty. He looks fully exposed and should fight it out for minor honours
CONCLUSION :- Star of Harmony, the only 4 year old in the field should win this and continue her progression. Flying Dragon and Jager Bomb should fight it out for minor honours
Race No. 2 :- The Hyderabad Race Club Trophy – Class I – 2000M
MATHAIYUS :- The 4 year old from Pesi Shroff's yard has been a late bloomer but quickly developed into a Classic contender, winning both his lead up races ME but played up in the gates in the Derby and was withdrawn. He was pitted against just a solitary rival last time out and won as he pleased and faces similar conditions again today. He should win this just as easily and looks a proverbial good thing
MEKONG DELTA :- the 4 year old has just 1 win to her name from 11 starts but ran some cracking races over a mile early in the season before finishing a disappointing 5th in the Oaks. She has been trying to come back to form, placing in 2 mile races since and should follow Mathaiyus home but will find it next to impossible to beat him
AL SHAMSHEER :- The 6 year old gelding from Narendra Lagad's stable has won 3 of his 22 starts but has been woefully out of form lately and is usually effective over much further. He looks to be on a weight reducing mission but could claim some valuable stake money
MOUNTBATTEN :- Another 8 year old who has been completely out of form and seems to be running every week to achieve some fitness. Could be in the race to ensure a strong pace for Mathaiyus but looks a complete outsider
CONCLUSION :- Mathaiyus once again faces virtually no opposition and is expected to come in alone with Mekong Delta the only effective rival in the race
Race No. 3 :- The Bahrain Trophy – Terms Indian Horses 3 Years Old Only – 1000M
GOLDIE'S PET:- This Dallas Todywalla trained 3 year old quickly established herself as an above average 5 furlong specialist with 1 win and 2 good 2nd's over this trip in 4 starts till date. She finished 2nd to Wise Child on debut before easily beating God's Own to win her maiden next time out. She came up short in the Gool S. Poonawalla but then nearly pulled off a 6 furlong win when nabbed right on the line by Bottega Louie. She has been working extremely well since the last run and back down to the minimum she looks a very strong contender to score with in form P. Trevor booked again. Goldie's Pet is a half sister to Terms and Conditions who won 3 sprint races in Delhi and also Vijays Jet and Bright Future who won twice in her 8 race career for Pesi Shroff
ORACLE :- Is trained by Nazak Chenoy and showed blinding speed to score and emphatic 2 ¾ length victory on debut clocking 0.58.75 seconds in the process. The runner up Kramer has won twice since so the form looks strong. Oracle is likely to improve appreciably from her debut run and looks a very strong fancy to maintain his unbeaten record and make it 2 wins from 2 with C.S. Jodha up today and a nice draw in Stall 4. Oracle is by Phoenix Tower who is already a proven sire while the dam Age of Magic has produced 2 previous foals – Ashwa Rana who has placed once in 5 starts and Edge of Eternity who was a winner of 1 of her 11 races
WISE CHILD :- Small in stature but looking to possess plenty of speed, Wise Child was an impressive winner over 1000M on debut, coming with a late run to beat Goldie's Pet by a long neck. He then came up short over 1200M in the Gool S. Poonawalla, but again finished in front of Goldie's Pet. He has been rested since then, is working well and looks set to take on Goldie's Pet again today although she may have improved past him by now. Excellent Art is already proven as a speedy juvenile sire while the dam Elena was a crack 5 furlong sprinter herself
MISS MONEYPENNY :- This 3 year old from Imtiaz Sait's yard has raced thrice till date but only once over this trip where she won her maiden unfancied on debut, beating Lincoln and Elysee with a strong late run. She then finished a creditable 4th in the Gool S. Poonawalla where she was ahead of Wise Child and Goldie's Pet but then ran poorly when 4th again in the Vivono Million where Goldie's Pet decisively reversed the form. The drop back to the minimum may suit her but she needs to improve a lot to gain revenge on Goldie's Pet. Miss Moneypenny is a half sister to Maleficent who did very well for Pesi Shroff and there are strong signals of speed from the pedigree side
POKERFACE :- This got abroad half brother to Jigsaw finished last behind Juggernaut on debut but was gross that day and showed marked improvement next time out where he beat Ascension and Wild Fire convincingly, clocking a good time of 0.58.94. He needs to show improvement on the bare form but can only progress again and looks an interesting outsider who could run well at a price
CONCLUSION :- Goldie's Pet looks the form pick here but she could have her hands full with the unbeaten Oracle who showed blinding speed on debut and is expected to show further improvement. Wise Child and Miss Moneypenny both look live dangers and must be respected as well
Race No. 4 :- The Satinello Trophy – Maiden Indian Horses, 3 Years Old Only – 1200M
ICE DANCER :- She has raced just once till date over 1000M where she was in the rear in the early stages but made significant late headway once the penny dropped and finished on in eye catching fashion to be 3rd about 2 ½ lengths behind Lady Sergeant who reopposes today. She is likely to improve appreciably and strip fitter and with P. Trevor in the saddle and a good draw in 2, she looks to have an excellent chance to shed her maiden tag.
LADY SERGEANT :- Has run thrice till date and has performed creditably on all 3 occasions, her best effort coming last time out where she ended a close 2nd to Kramer with Ice Dancer making her debut, 2 ½ lengths away. She had earlier finished 4th to Awesome Hooves in the B.K. Rattonsey Million so appears to have the best form, but may find it hard to confirm the form with Ice Dancer who is open to much improvement. That being said, she is solid and consistent and looks one of the main contenders
NEXTSTAR :- The 3 year old from Imtiaz Sait's yard was not unfancied on debut but looked green and began to get the hang of things very late. She ended up 5th about 1 ½ lengths behind Ice Dancer and she too is open to plenty of improvement. She has been catching the eye in her morning work and has bagged the plum No. 1 rail draw so looks to have a strong chance and is expected to give a much better account of herself today. She is a full sister to Mr. Bahubaali who has performed with credit in Hyderabad and Bangalore and looks an exciting prospect
MANZANITA :- Made her racing debut just 2 weeks ago over course and distance and gave a good account of herself finishing on late to be 2nd to Lord Commander. She should improve markedly from her debut effort but this race may be coming a little too soon for her which is a concern. She is also drawn wide at 11 and Dashrath Singh retains the ride
FAIR WARNING :- Showed good speed on debut over 7 furlongs, leading for a long way before fitness became an issue. She has been brought along steadily since that run and is expected to improve although the drop in trip may not be ideal. Fair Warning makes good claims on the pedigree front as well with his sire Win Legend having sired this year's Derby winner and the dam Annakita one of the top mares at the farm. He is a full brother to Anantanivaro who has won twice and placed 5 times in 9 starts till date with Sunday Storm and Elegant Approach also being well performed siblings. He looks an interesting outsider with in form Neeraj Rawal booked
LILIBETH :- Has raced twice till date finishing a close 4th behind Wise Child on debut over 5 furlongs but then only managing to finish mid field in the B.K. Rattonsey Million on Derby Day. She has been brought along steadily since that run and this is clearly a much easier contest. She looks the best of Narendra Lagad's runners and is another who could go well at a price and is worth keeping an eye on
CONCLUSION :- This is expected to be a close fight between Nextstar, Ice Dancer and Lady Sergeant with the one who improves the most expected to prevail. Fair Warning and Lilibeth both look interesting outsiders who would not surprise if they were to pass the post first
Race No. 5 :- The K. M. Munshi Trophy – Class II and III – 1000M
MINSTREL HEIGHTS :- The 4 year old gelding quickly established himself as a 5 furlong specialist from the Pune season and is a winner of 2 of his 12 starts with numerous good efforts in defeat as well. He is winless this season but finished a good close 2nd to Mt. Tianmen back in January and overcame an indifferent run in between to finish 2nd last time out to Cyclone. He has been freshened up since that run and 3rd placed Arakawah and 6th placed Alpine Express have both won since giving strength to the form. He should be fit and raring to go and has a strong chance to gain his first win this season
UNDISPUTED :- The 5 year old from S.K. Sunderji's yard has been running consistently this season without quite appearing to win and is coming off a string of placed efforts in similar contests. He has been running mainly in the higher class but has been eased in grade somewhat and has the in form P. Trevor up for the first time this term. He has a bit to find with Nascar on their earlier meeting this season but is working well and has to be respected
NASCAR :- The 5 year old mare from Imtiaz Sait's yard is all about speed and has won 4 of her 13 starts, most of those coming early in her career. She too is winless this term but finished an excellent close 2nd to Denny Crane on her last attempt at this trip and is slightly better off with 3rd placed Undisputed on that run. Her previous 2 runs have been over 6 furlongs so she drops back to her pet distance now. Raghuveer Singh gets on well with her and takes and invaluable 5 kilos off and with the yard firing in winners at the moment, she must be seriously considered
FREE SPEECH :- This dickey legged 6 year old is not the most consistent but has shown that he has plenty of ability when he is in a galloping mood. He won his first 2 races of his life but is yet to win since, although he has run several game races in defeat. He finished a very close 2nd to Wonder Story on his penultimate start albeit in older company before finishing 5th to Alpine Express last time out. He has the rail draw and is eased significantly in weight so merits each way consideration
INCENTIO :- Is a 53 race veteran who is getting on in years now but still has the desire to win as he showed when scoring in an older horses contest over this trip back in January. He has finished on late in a couple of races since then and although up against it in this field, looks a lively outsider who could spring a surprise if in a galloping mood
CONCLUSION :- Minstrel Heights is the selection here being a younger horse and well rested since his last run. Nascar the top weight and Undisputed are expected to trouble him the most
Race No. 6 :- The Switch Media Trophy – Class IV – 5 Years Old & Over – 1400M
MASTER OF TRINITY :- This 5 year old half brother to Ocean and Beyond has been raced sparingly in his 9 race career. Having his first start since August three weeks ago, he was seen making eye catching late headway to finish a close 5th just ¾ length behind the winner, splitting Grand Vitesse and Zoom Zoom. He is likely to improve for that effort and now running off what looks a lenient handicap mark, he looks set to shed his maiden tag if he can build on that last effort
RARE SILVER :- The 5 year old gelding had been untried till of late but began to show signs of coming to form in his last few starts and was an impressive wide margin winner over 1200M in the lower class last time out. He is expected to gain confidence from that win, seems to have maintained his form and fitness and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. The yard is in excellent form at the moment and he should make a big attempt to go in again
GRAND VITESSE :- Missed the entire Pune season due to a setback, made his reappearance only in January this year and has slowly been working his way back into form. He finished a flying close 3rd just behind Zoom Zoom on his penultimate start and entrusted to a strong rider for the first time on his last run, he finished on late to be a close 4th to Seacrets in a blanket finish. The extra furlong will clearly be to his advantage and with J. Chinoy retaining the ride, he looks one of the main contenders to score here
ZOOM ZOOM :- The 8 year old gelding is a veteran of 48 races and hinted that he was close to scoring on a couple of occasions this season, taking advantage of his very lenient handicap mark. He has run well both times over 6 furlongs and although he may find the extra furlong to be stretching him, he looks quite capable of turning up in one of these contests very soon
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :- Had been knocking on the door for an eternity and finally got off the mark at the 35th attempt, coming with his trademark late run down the outside to get up and beat Hunting Pleasure over this trip a couple of weeks ago. That win should have given him confidence and there is every chance of him providing a quick encore so he should not be ignored
DANCING PRINCE :- Has attempted this 7 furlongs trip just once in his 16 race career where he managed to finish 4th with both his wins coming over the minimum trip so it is interesting that he attempts for the 2nd time with this drop in grade and P. Trevor is an extremely interesting Jockey booking. He looks fit and well and if taking to the longer trip this time, he could topple them all
SIMONA :- This well bred 5 year old mare has not been too consistent in her career so far but she did manage a win over course and distance on her penultimate start, narrowly beating Knight's Quest (winner since) in the lower class. She did not run badly when 6th to Aeolus Maximus with this rider up, beaten only about 4 lengths and she could be considered with each way value here
CONCLUSION :- The lightly raced and well bred Master of Trinity should be capable of winning this if he can build on his eye catching last run. We may have yet to see the best of Rare Silver who is also fancied while Aeolus Maximus may just catch some form and is also not to be ignored
Race No. 7 :- The Royal Deeds Plate – Class V – 1000M
KNIGHT AT ARMS :- Has a similar profile to Knight's Quest who won recently for the same connections and he has been running some forward races over longer trips before his best effort last time out when finishing a good 2nd to Smart Choice, beaten just under 2 lengths. He is likely to build on that last effort now and with J. Chinoy taking over from Dashrath Singh, he looks a strong contender to gain a long overdue maiden success
AINRA :- The 7 year old mare from M.K. Jadhav's form has been searching for her form for some time now but has tumbled down the weights as a result. She is eased in grade into the lowest class now and she has not been beaten far in her last few runs in spite of finishing in mid field. Taking on weaker opposition now, she should be fit enough and is given a good chance to return to winning ways
REALITY :-Stablecompanion of Knight At Arms who is a winner of 2 of her 33 starts and has also slipped down to a very attractive mark at present. She finished on to be 4th to Forever Yours about 3 weeks ago and can improve on that run. Dashrath Singh now takes over in the saddle and she merits strong each way consideration now
AMAZON CAT :- Fully exposed and aged 6 year old gelding who has a solitary win to his name which came way back in December 2015. His 3rd behind Knight of Arms last time out was a step in the right direction and if he can build on that last effort, then he should be involved in the finish.
APPLE BETTY :- Is a lightly raced 4 year old with a fine sprinting pedigree and has to be respected coming from the powerful M. A. M. Ramaswamy yard. She has scope to improve after just 6 starts and her last 2 runs have been forward ones. She could be an end of the season surprise and from a good draw of 4, she must be respected
PROMINENCE :- Another 4 year old who has had just 3 runs till date the last one being in January and she has been given time to come to hand since then. Her recent track work suggests that she has made some improvement and although she has been entrusted to a feeble 5 kilo apprentice, she races against mainly exposed older horses and must come into consideration
ETERNAL DANCER :- Is unplaced in 8 runs till date but being a 4 year old she is unexposed and may be capable of improving. On her last start a month ago with Sandesh up she managed to finish 5th over 1200M and with stable apprentice now taking over, she could improve and run into a place
CONCLUSION :- As usual a tricky finale with very little clear form to go on. Knight At Arms ticks most of the boxes being a younger horses who has good current form and is selected over the aged warriors Ainra and Reality. Apple Betty and Prominence also have scope and should be watched closely
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
