FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 8TH APRIL 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 07 Apr 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 8TH APRIL 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The H.R. Shantidas Trophy Class III 2000M
RAEES :- This 4 year old gelding from Imtiaz Sait's yard showed dramatic improvement when stepping up to staying trips and rattled off a hattrick of wins over 2400M and then went down fighting to Palatial in the bid for the four timer. This drop down in trip is not ideal but he is in cracking form at present and looks a leading fancy to win again
SABIQ :- This 6 year old too has been in cracking form at present and scored back to back wins over this trip, last time beating Elegant Beauty who has franked the form since. He then finished behind Raees over 2400M last time out but would be more effective back down to this trip and should be much closer today with Neeraj Rawal up
MULTIGLORY :- The 5 year old gelding from S.K. Sunderji's yard is a winner of 4 of his 17 starts and won 2 races on the trot over middle distances before finishing last of 3 to Pugnacious just last week. Turned out again quickly over this longer trip and with P. Trevor taking over from Dashrath, he cannot be ignored
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the small field, this still looks quite competitive but Raees is taken to continue his fine winning run and return to the winner's circle
Race No. 2 :- The J. Robinson Plate Terms Maidens 3 Years Old Only 1800M
LORD OF THE SEA :- Has had 3 runs till date showing modest improvement without really progressing but still seems to have the best form in this field. He finished a good 2nd to Perfect Star over a mile on his penultimate run and finished only 5th in the Shapoorji Pallonji Colts Championship but was beaten just 1 ½ lengths. The extra furlong should be to his advantage and he has leading claims with Neeraj Rawal up
LADY BE GOOD :- Had an educative run on Derby Day in the B.K. Rattonsey Million and then was seen finishing on over 7 furlongs to be 3rd to La Magnifique a couple of weeks ago which indicated some improvement. Likely to unlock further improvement on the step up to this trip and provided the race is not coming too soon after her last run, she looks a big threat with Sandesh in the saddle
GOLD BOND :- The Dean's Kitten colt from Imtiaz Sait's yard made a promising debut when finishing a close 3rd to Timeless Deeds over 7 furlongs but then finished well behind Lord Of The Sea upped to mile next time out. Has been given time to improve since that run but looks tough to reverse form with Lord Of The Sea and may have to settle for a minor berth today
LUCKY LUCIANO :- Finished unplaced on debut over 1200M about 3 weeks ago but is sure to improve for that run and strip fitter. Has been working well since the run indicating he has improved and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye. He is open to improvement over this longer trip and could be an interesting outsider
CONCLUSION :-Lord Of The Sea seems to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark and is fancied most with Lady Be Good looking the main danger
Race No. 3 :-The S.A. Wahid Plate Div. II Class IV 1400M
BRABOURNE :- Very highly regarded by her connections and has run 3 times till date, building on her good maiden effort when winning convincingly in Pune. Returned after a long lay off and appeared to be lacking fitness in the closing stages when finishing a close 3rd to Angel Girl last time out. She should improve for that run and strip fitter so although the 60 kilo weight is a bit disconcerting, she seems to have found a weak field and looks a strong fancy to score with Trevor booked
NIGHTFALL :- The 4 year old has been unplaced in 8 starts till date but made some progress from the rear to finish just behind Brothersofthewind last time out. Has been getting fit with his racing and he could be an end of the season surprise with N Rawal now taking over so keep an eye on him off this low weight
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :- The 4 year old is a 7 race maiden who ran a good 3rd over this trip on his seasonal reappearance finishing 3rd to Star Comrade but has not quite built on that and in spite of Trevor being booked last time out, he ran poorly to finish 5th to Spiridon last time out. Has questions to answer with Neeraj Rawal now taking over but is capable of improving and should not be ignored
COMMANDPERFORMANCE :-Returned from a year off this season and has been steadily coming to form and finished on nicely to make the frame over a mile behind Celestial Light with the same rider up. That run indicated that he was finding some form and if he can build on that last effort then he can be involved in this weak looking field
CRISTO BOSS :- The 4 year old comes from the small yard of Vijay Kasbekar and is winless in 8 starts till date. He was gambled upon on his last run during the Pune season but could only finish a distant 2nd to Marvel. He has shown gradual improvement in his 2 runs this term finishing 4th to Nelson's Blood over a mile last time out and with Kishore Kadam taking over from J.E. Pereira, he is worth keeping an eye on and could strike as he is working quite well
CONCLUSION :- Brabourne looks the class act in this field and should win this easily in spite of top weight. If she were to falter then it looks very open withCommandperformance and Nightfall both interesting alternatives
Race No. 4 :- The Style Cracker Juvenile Gold Cup Terms Maidens 3 Years Old Only 1400M
STARI GRAD :- This colt looks a well bred debutant from the Pesi Shroff yard and is expected to have a bold show on debut. He is by Phoenix Tower who has already proved himself to be a successful juvenile sire and the mare produced another potentially good half brother in the form of Hasta La Vista who ran just one race and never saw the race course again. He has been showing out pleasingly in his preparatory work and with P. Trevor booked, he could be too classy for this lot
TURNING POINT :-This Surfrider filly also has a nice pedigree and would probably be the form pick here having run an encouraging race on debut. She had been working exceptionally well on track but looked inexperienced in the race and the penny dropped very late in the day and she was making good ground towards the end, finishing 4th to Lord Commander over 6 furlongs. She is likely to have learnt from that run and has the benefit of experience now although it may be interesting to note that P. Trevor has jumped off her to ride Stari Grad which may be significant
STRONG VALUES :- Another debutant this one from the Dallas Todywalla yard who looks a nice sort on paper, being a half brother to Bold March who won the Breeders Produce Stakes and was runner up in the Mysore 2000 Guineas and 3rd in the Derby. Warsaw Pact herself was a St. Leger winner so there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree and he may eventually develop into a solid galloper. He has been well prepared including a Mock Race and has to be respected with Sandesh up
DAZZLING EYES :- Yet another debutant from a good yard representing powerful connections although she looks a touch short on fitness and may just need this introductory run. Western Aristocrat is a relatively new sire in India but the dam Splash of Colour has produced some decent types, the most recent one being Splash Proof who won 3 races from 10 starts in Kolkotta, the last two wins being over a mile. Dazzling Eyes will be ridden by Santosh G and looks an interesting prospect who should be considered
TOWERING STORM :- Made his debut in the same race as Turning Point finishing 2 lengths behind her but appears to have benefitted from the experience as he has been working very well since the run. He seems to have improved, also has the benefit of experience, and with C.S. Jodha up should be involved and can add some pep to the finish
CONCLUSION :-This looks a nice maiden with some well bred types from big yards making their debut. Stari Grad looks the part on paper and is taken to make a winning debut from Turning Point who ran a promising race and has the benefit of experience. Strong Values and Dazzling Eyes are also well bred and should be respected
Race No. 5:- The Blazing Saddles Million Class III 1600M
SHERLOCK :- This got abroad colt from Pesi Shroff's yard looked a promising prospect after his first couple of starts but appears to be returning from a setback as he finished an inexplicably tame 5th to Frivolous over 2000M back in January and is having his first run since. He was a facile winner of his maiden over a mile the time before and returns to that trip now. He has been solidly prepared and given time to recover, appears to be fit and well now and with P. Trevor up, looks set to resume his progress and is very strongly fancied to regain the winning thread
VOLANTIS:- This well bred 4 year old filly ran several promising races in Pune without being able to score but seemed to have gotten her act together this season. She won 2 races in a row on this track over 1800M and a mile, both times being delivered late and on the wide outside which seems to be the key to her. Forcing tactics saw a below par performance on her penultimate run but reverting to her earlier style saw her finish a flying close 3rd last time out to Vice Admiral and Pugnacious over this trip. She looks in good heart at present and could be a big danger if ridden in the right manner
ET VOILA :- Like Sherlock, the 4 year old top weight looks a promising prospect, winning her first 2 races at other centres quite easily and finishing a close 3rd over this trip back in December ending 1 Ύ lengths behind She Is Special and San Martino. She was then upped massively in grade to contest the Oaks and understandably found that too tough a task at this stage. She has been rested and solidly prepared since then and back down to a more realistic level, she could be a force to reckon with
DANCING LORD :- The 5 year old colt who was trained by C. Rajendra in the early part of his career but seemed to lose his way, bounced back to form in no
uncertain terms when joining young Shazaan Shah's yard and has been running creditably in his last few starts. He won in good style over this trip a couple of starts ago and then ran creditably the next twice, last time just failing to hold off his old adversary Sawgrass, whom he had beaten earlier in the season. He looks to be holding his form well at present and merits strong each way consideration
SUSSEX PRIDE :- The 4 year old colt has shown significant improvement this season and is the winner of 2 of his last 3 starts, both times ridden by P. Trevor. He landed a smart gamble over a mile on Derby Day and then followed it up with an impressive win over 2000M last time out. He is dropped back in trip against much tougher opposition now but seems to be progressive and is very dangerous to ignore
VICE ADMIRAL :- This 5 year old gelding from Rehanullah Khan's yard has been very sparingly raced until this season where he seems to have found fitness. He too has been in top form winning twice over a mile, last time just holding off Volantis who is weighted to gain revenge. He appears to be in top form at present but penalty makes things tougher for him and he will need to improve significantly if he is to confirm the form. He comes into consideration but looks more likely to place today with Sandesh retaining the ride
CONCLUSION :- A highly competitive affair with several appearing to have a good chance. The lightly raced Sherlock is the selection here as he has been solidly prepared although he does have to make amends for a dismal last run. The in form Volantis looks to be the main danger if she is delivered wide and late while plenty of the others also stake good claims
Race No. 6 :- The S.A. Wahid Plate Div. I Class IV 1400M
NEW ENGLAND :- The 4 year old gelding from Imtiaz Sait's yard was fancied on a number of occasions this season but has taken his time to come to hand. He flopped badly the first time he was fancied over 7 furlongs finishing well down the field but gave a better effort when chasing home Trombone next time out. Dropped to 6 furlongs last time, he covered a tremendous amount of ground to collar the runaway Flag Flying from a virtually impossible position and win in the last stride. He is expected to gain confidence from that win and looks set to provide an encore back up at 7 furlongs with P.Trevor taking over from C.S. Jodha.
BACKSTREET BAY :- The 7 year old mare is a winner of 2 of her 21 starts but was rated as high as 54 in her prime so her mark of 37 looks extremely attractive. She has tumbled down the scales with a string of poor efforts but looked on the way back to her best when motoring home to be a close 4th to owner mate Power Shadow over 1200M last time out with a weak claimer on board. The booking of Neeraj Rawal now suggests that connections fancy their chances now and although it would have been preferable to find a race in 5 years old and over company, she looks in good nick and should be a danger to all
SIR DESMOND :- This well bred and highly regarded colt took his time to justify his connections faith in him but seems to have finally come to hand this season. He won his maiden race from pillar to post over this trip on his penultimate start and then followed that up with a solid first effort in this class when finishing ½ length 4th to Angel Girl just behind Brabourne who runs earlier in the day. He seems to be progressing nicely, is working well and looks to have a strong chance to earn another success in receipt of 6.5 kilos from New England
KING OF KILLEN :- This 10 race maiden from C. Rajendra's yard has mainly been racing over sprints and producing placed efforts without progressing much but showed good improvement upped to this trip last time out when making good late headway to finish runner up to Spiridon which indicated good improvement. He is still unexposed over this trip so could make further progression and running off a low weight, he looks to have a good each way chance
KNIGHT'S QUEST :- The 4 year old has been steadily working his way into form this season and finally gained a deserved success a couple of starts ago, coming with a strong late run to win well over 1200M. He has not been disgraced in 2 subsequent runs and should not be unduly troubled by the additional furlong. He looks fit and well and although lacking the scope of one or two of these, he should come into consideration and can make the frame
AURODEN :- The thrice raced 4 year old from Shazaan Shah's stable was heavily fancied on his seasonal reappearance in spite of returning after a gap of 5 months but was clearly found lacking in fitness and could only finish midfield in spite of A. Sandesh's best efforts. He is likely to leave that running well behind with the benefit of a run and is open to plenty of improvement on just his 4th start. Useful apprentice takes a valuable 2 ½ kilos off and he looks an interesting outsider
CONCLUSION :- Top weight New England appears to be going the right way and is fancied to give Imtiaz Sait another winner in his quest for the Trainers Title with the improving Sir Desmond looking the main danger. 7 year old Backstreet Bay is very well handicapped and also should be respected
Race No. 7 :- The Aristos Plate Class V 1200M
QUEEN RIA :- The 4 year old has been untried till date, having had just 3 runs and caught the eye last time out when leading briefly in the straight before retiring with 5 kilo apprentice up. She is likely to improve for that run, S.A. Amit now takes over in the saddle and in this weak field she looks to have a strong chance to gain her first career win
DECCAN KING :- This 5 year old from H.J. Antia's yard gained a long overdue maiden success a couple of starts ago and has held his form really well since then finishing a close 2nd in his next 2 starts. N. Nadeem who gets on very well with him is up again today, he is one of the few in this race with current form and hence he deserves serious consideration and can earn himself another bracket
RICH N RARE :- This fully exposed 5 year old mare is still a maiden after 18 starts and has been almost completely campaigned over 5 furlongs going close on a couple of occasions. However, upped to this trip with the same rider up last time out, she ran very suggestively and finished on nicely to be a close 4th in spite of enduring a troubled passage in the straight. That run was very promising and if she can build on that then she can go very close to gaining that elusive first success
DIVINE ANGEL :- Another untried and unexposed 6 year old who has raced only 4 times till date and did show some zest for racing last time out when finishing much closer to the leaders. She is taking on a weak field and is an unknown quantity so could spring a surprise and should not be ignored
SAMURAI :- This 6 year old is becoming frustrating to follow with a string of close efforts this season over various trips but he remains a maiden after 20 starts. He has been running almost every week of late but is quite consistent and deserves to gain his first success so should not be ignored
CONCLUSION :- Queen Ria is an unexposed 4 year old who ran a very forward race last time out and if progressing from that run, she will take all the beating with a better rider up. Deccan King and Samurai are exposed but consistent and must be respected while Rich N Rare looks the dark horse here
Race No. 8 :- The Rustomji Byramji Trophy - Class IV 1200M
SHE'S A TIGER :- This 4 year old half sister to Phoenix Tiger has raced just twice till date and after finishing down the field on debut, she showed she clearly has ability when almost scoring and going down fighting to Slam Dunk in a bunched finish. That was just her 2nd run so she is open to significant improvement and looks to have an excellent chance to go one better now
MADURO :- The 4 year old from Altamash A. Ahmed's yard has been shuffling back and forth between Mumbai and Bangalore and has 1 career win to his name from 8 starts. After contesting a Class II race in Bangalore, he looked significantly eased in grade and was strongly fancied last time out but his rider did not appear too interested and he made very late headway to finish just outside the frame. That run can be taken with a pinch of salt and if ridden more prominently today, he looks a major danger to all
FRINGE BENEFIT :- The 5 year old has a disappointing overall strike rate with just 1 win to her name from 15 starts but she has been performing with credit on most of her runs this season. Last time out she finished a good 3rd with Amyn Merchant in the saddle and P. Trevor taking over today would indicate the strength of her connections. She looks well placed on the scales and should be given a strong each way chance
KODIAK QUEEN :- The 4 year old has raced 6 times till date, winning over this trip on her debut and returning to it for the first time since, having failed to impress in 5 subsequent starts over middle distances. She is returning from a short break which should have freshened her up and useful apprentice from the yard is in the saddle so she must be respected and could improve for the return to this trip
CAPTAIN :- Has been threatening to strike for some time now after being disqualified when passing the post first in Pune and both his runs this season have been quite promising. He has been working quite well of late and with in form C.S. Jodha in the saddle, he looks an interesting outsider
TREVELYAN :- This 4 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard has raced 4 times till date and looks to be one of the yard's lesser lights, not doing much of note so far. However, he did show some improvement last time out and in this weak field, should not be ignored with Neeraj Rawal up. He can run into a place if in a galloping mood
CONCLUSION :- She's A Tiger can give another winner to young Nazak Chenoy who's horses have been running well while Maduro would be a big threat if ridden more prominently. Fringe Benefit with Trevor up should also be respected
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
