FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 15TH APRIL 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 14 Apr 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 15TH APRIL, 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The T.M. Goculdas Plate Class II 1400M
STREETJAMMER :-The 5 year old from Dallas Todywalla's yard has a good record of 3 wins from 15 starts and usually tends to be quite consistent over middle distances. He has already raced 4 times this season, performing well on each occasion. He finished a good 3rd over 7 furlongs on the opening day but then took a break, reappearing only in February where he won in good style over a mile, beating Batman and Eiger's Tiger convincingly. He followed that up with a close 4th to Multiglory under a penalty and last time out travelled strongly for a long way before going down fighting to Miss Saigon by three parts of a length. His looks and condition have been impeccable since his return, he is working well and should be able to dictate the pace in this small field so he stands an excellent chance to score with regular rider J. Chinoy up
TRAHERNE :- Also 5 years of age and from S.K. Sunderji's yard, he has a similar good record of 4 wins from 13 starts and comes into this race fresh off a win over a mile in this class where he got up late to collar Khayyam and Pugnacious to score. Prior to that he had been placing consistently over middle distances and comes into the race in good form. C.S. Jodha retains the ride and he looks to have a strong chance to repeat.
ALISHA'S PET :- Yet another 5 year old mare with a good record with 3 wins from 12 starts although she has been racing mainly over 6 furlongs recently. All her 4 runs this season have come over 6 furlongs but she comes from off the pace so should not be bothered by the extra furlong. She won on her 2nd start of the season in a fighting finish from Benezeer and is just a neck better than Streetjammer on that line. She has since had two good placed efforts, last time finishing a close 3rd to Governor General. In form apprentice S.A. Amit is on board and she looks set to run a big race
PAPAKURA :- Used to be very effective over this trip but age seems to be catching up with him at 8 years of age and he is not the force that he once was. He has been mainly out of form this season, has been dropping in the weights and even though Dashrath Singh is an encouraging jockey booking he looks a rank outsider and will find it very hard to score here.
CONCLUSION :- Streetjammer, Alisha's Pet and Traherneall looked very closely matched on paper and it could be anyone's race. A slight edge is given to Streetjammerwho likes to front run and should be able to control the gallop from the front which could prove to be crucial. If it develops into a sprint, Alisha's Pet has the best turn of foot and looks a big threat
Race No. 2 :- The J.D. and Peggy Banatwalla Trophy Terms, 3 Years Old Only 1600M
TEXAS GOLD :- He is quite experienced with 5 runs already this season, winning once and placing on 3 occasions. He won readily over 1200M on his 2nd start a race in which Gloriosus made his debut and finished 4th about 5 lengths away. Stepped up to 7 furlongs for the first time last time out, he ran a cracker of a race conceding 5 ½ kilos to 2 good fillies and briefly looking a likely winner before finishing a close 3rd beaten only half a length. That run suggested that he was capable of tackling this longer trip, he is working superbly and NeerajRawal has been in great form this season. He looks the one to beat, provided the additional furlong does not stretch him unduly
GLORIOSUS :- This China Visit gelding from ImtiazSait's yard has raced 3 times till date, showing good improvement with every run. He finished about 5 lengths behind Texas Gold on debut over 6 furlongs and was a shade disappointing when fancied over 7 furlongs next time out finishing 3rd to Bigsur and Rochester. Stepped up to this trip last time out, he won in good style with Trevor in the saddle, easily beating My Precious and We Break The Rules. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness and with Trevor retaining the ride and Imtiaz going for his championship, he looks one of the main contenders
DAUGHTEROFTHESUN :- She is a fashionably bred got abroad filly from MaleshNarredu's yard by Doctor Dino out of La Sayida, who was raced twice until date. She finished an eye catching 4th on debut over 1200M finishing on strongly behind Gentillesse and about 3 lengths clear of Altus who was also making her debut. Stepped up to 7 furlongs next time out, she ran disappointingly when finishing a little over 5 lengths behind Texas Gold on the same Terms. The step up to a mile should be in her favour but on the down side, she is having her 3rd quick run in succession so in spite of Sandesh being booked, beating the 2 winners looks tough and she appears to be a place prospect
COLLEGIUM :- This son of 1000 Guineas winner Alma Mater has raced 3 times till date and has been showing modest progression in each of his runs. His last 2 runs have been over 1400M, finishing 4th in the Breeders' Produce Stakes to Tutankhamun and then 3rd to Manifold last time out which appears to be strong form. He would be given an each way chance at the weights but does not appear to be improving enough to be able to win this and should fight it out for minor honours
ARTUS :- She is a well bred filly by China Visit out of Altimara which is already an extremely successful line having produced the champion Multi Classic winner Xisca who excelled for distance trips. She had an educative run over 6 furlongs where she was not unduly punished and finished 6th some way behind Daughterofthesun. The step up to a mile will surely be in her favour and she looks an interesting outsider who could spring a surprise
CONCLUSION :- Texas Gold showed a terrific turn of foot over 7 furlongs last time out nearly beating Daffodils and Forest Fairy conceding 5 ½ kilos and if he can harness his energy over the additional furlong then he should be able to beat this field. Gloriosuslooks to be the main challenger with Artusan interesting and well bred outsider
Race No. 3 :- The Ronaldo Plate Class IV 1600M
ARABIAN STORM :- This once raced 4 year old from the Pesi Shroff yard is again nicely bred coming from a very good and well established family who have produced the likes of Arabian Knight and Arabian Prince. He was given an educative run over 7 furlongs three weeks ago where he improved leisurely under a kind ride to finish up 5th to Angel Girl. He is sure to have learnt plenty from that experience and strip fitter and the step up to a mile will be in his favour. The yard's runners improve considerably from first run to 2nd and hence he looks to have an outstanding chance to shed his maiden tag with Trevor up again
IRISES :- Is a very highly regarded and lightly raced filly from AdhirajsinghJodha's yard who has raced 3 times till date. She had an impressive winning debut over 1400M in October and was thought to be a possible 1000 Guineas candidate but suffered a setback and ran very poorly in her lead up race finishing only 6th in Class IV. She was then rested and prepared for her next run, reappearing in March where she ran a forward race and finished 2nd to Celestial Light. She still seems to be finding her way back to form but should improve for that last run and looks a big danger to all
FIRENZE :- This 4 year old from S.K. Sunderji's yard is still a maiden after 6 starts but there is a suspicion that we have not seen the best of her as yet. She ran a couple of good races in Pune and then ran a promising 3rd to Sussex Pride over this trip suggesting she was ready to strike. Her next run is best ignored as she was kept at the rear of the field and given way too much to do when a hot favourite and last time out was a better effort, when finishing on strongly and going down to Kiss From A Rose by ½ a length in the lower class. She steps up in grade without a win but looks in good form and must be considered a danger
KING OF KILLEN :- This 4 year old 11 race maiden from the small yard of C. Rajendra was campaigned over sprints mainly in the early part of his career but was stepped up to 7 furlongs the last twice and has showed good improvement, both times coming with a late run to finish up 2nd. Last time out ending up 3 lengths behind New England. This is his 3rd run in relatively quick succession but it is hoped that the step up to mile will unlock further improvement and he must be given a good each way chance
CARE FREE :- This 6 year old mare began racing very late in her career but although having no win to her name yet, she has had a successful Mumbai season with 4 placed efforts over trips ranging from 1600 to 2400M. Her best effort was when going down narrowly to The Other Song over this trip in January and she showed she had maintained her form when going down by a little over a length to Jager Bomb just last week. She comes into this race in good form and although taking on some potentially useful types, she must be considered and should be involved again
SHIVALIK SKIES :- Another 6 year old who had gone 18 starts without a win but showed significant improvement last time out when shedding her maiden tag at the 19th attempt over course and distance, putting in a good late burst to nose out Star Ace in a weak Class V event. She needs to improve appreciably on the bare form but should gain confidence for the win and with only a 5 kilo penalty to contend with, she merits consideration and should try to repeat
CONCLUSION :- The well bredArabian Storm is expected to make the normal progression from is debut run and is fancied to win this from the potentially useful Irises who should benefit from her last run and strip fitter today. Firenze although a bit below these two in form ran promisingly last time and must be respected
Race No. 4 :- The Jockeys Trophy Terms, Maidens 3 Years Old Only 1000M
ARC SHINE :- Comes from the small yard of S. N. Joshi and has had 2 starts till date after being withdrawn on her intended debut. She finished midfield on her first run but then showed good improvement over this trip last time out when running a forward race and kicking on to be 4th to Princess P with the same rider up. She appears to be working the best in what looks a relatively weak maiden here and hence looks to have an excellent chance to gain her maiden win for her small yard. On the pedigree side, the mare Scholarship has already produced some useful types at other centres such as Charge Away (7 wins), Golden Tricks (9 wins) and Sadajit (5 wins) and hence she looks to have a good chance
NEXTSTAR :- The grey daughter of Stern Opinion from ImtiazSait's yard has also run twice and was fancied on both occasions but disappointed somewhat. She made her debut over this trip back in March and finished just outside the frame behind Kramer and Lady Sergeant. Upped to 6 furlongs next time out, she failed to show speed in spite of having the rail draw and again finished 5th to Lady Sergeant without showing much improvement. However, this field looks a lot weaker than the ones that she tackled earlier, she could still improve and with C.S. Jodha up, looks to have an excellent chance to make it 3rd time lucky
OPTIMUM :- Is a brother to Acker Bilk and Oscillation, both owned by the same connections and comes from the yard of promising young trainer Shazaan Shah. He ran promisingly on debut when 4th to Benefactor over 1200M but disappointed next time out when only 7th behind Lord Commander. He has been working fairly well and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye but he is not sure to be suited by the drop in trip, so although warranting consideration in this weak maiden, he has some doubts surrounding him
SAFFRON FLOWER :-She has raced just once, running a promising race on debut when finishing a leisurely 5th to Pokerface over this trip back in February but she has not raced since and there is no recent work so fitness appears to be a concern. She should improve for that run and is a sister to Stand and Dance who did well over this trip so is another who could be considered here
ART O WAR :- He has already raced 5 times till date over longer trips and is unplaced on every occasion, having finished 4th twice over a mile. He has not showed any speed so the drop to this trip is unusual but Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle today and he has been working quite well so although quite exposed, can be considered each way here
CONCLUSION :- A weak looking maiden with not much form to go by. Nextstaris a tentative selection having run in better company earlier and with Imtiaz going for a championship win while Arc Shine ran a promising race and could strike for her small yard
Race No. 5 :- The JehanNuma Plate Class V 5 Years Old & over 1200M
PARADISE :- The 5 year old from Subhag Singh's yard is an 8 race maiden who did not show any form in her first few starts. However, she has run a forward race the last twice, shortly after entering handicaps and last time out with the same rider, she led for a long way over a mile, was only collared close home and kicked on to finish 4th. The shorter trip will be to her liking and she has bagged the plum No. 1 draw so she has an excellent chance to build on the last run and score here
WINDS OF CHANGE :- This 8 year old from Amjad Khan's stable is a 59 race veteran but showed he still has zest for racing when nearly pulling off a smart gamble last time out coming with a strong run and losing out in the finish to A. Sandesh. That run was after a long lay off so he should benefit from it and must be strongly considered to go one better today in possibly what may be his last run
ADVANCE TO CONTACT :- Is another aged 7 year old who has won thrice in 41 starts but his mark has tumbled down recently due to a string of poor efforts and he is looking extremely well handicapped on the pick of his form. He was weighted as high as 49 in his peak so 25 looks a very attractive mark and he ran a couple of suggestive races in December so he must merit each way consideration
EAGLE SPIRIT :- This 5 year old is unplaced in 9 starts till date and has not raced since January so is returning from a break which it is hoped will have freshened her up. She has a couple of 4th placed efforts over sprints earlier in her career and has been solidly prepared now and given 2 Mock Races so she should be ready to go. C.S.Jodha is an unusual and promising booking for the yard and a big run is anticipated out of her.
Q'E'D :- Has raced only 7 times till date and began her career in very promising fashion with 3 good placed efforts but apparently has had numerous setbacks since then and is working her way back into form. She had a solitary run this Pune season and one run back in February, finishing down the field on both occasions. She clearly has a lot to prove but is quite unexposed and could have the potential to score if rediscovering some form so looks a dark horse who could be chanced at a long price if she is looking well in the preliminaries.
MONZA :-Another who significantly higher rated in his younger days and has plummeted down the weights with a string of poor performances. He was a Class I animal at his peak rated 88 so his current rating is laughable and he did run relatively close to the frame in his last 2 starts. D.S. Daman takes a valuable 2 ½ kilos off and he has to be respected now dropping into the lowest grade
CONCLUSION :- A typical trappy Class V event. Paradise is fancied as she seems to be progressing nicely, led well into the straight over a mile last time out and has been handed the rail draw. Winds of Change looks a big danger if in the same mood as last time while there is a host of other interesting challengers in the fray
Race No. 6 :- The Display House Sprint Class III 1200M
FRANZ FERDINAND :-Highly regarded colt from the Pesi Shroff yard who had been sparingly raced so far and was unlucky not to score last time out when getting going too late and just failing to catch Ancient Glory over this trip. Has been brought along steadily since then, been working very well of late and looks likely to get back to winning ways off a reasonable mark
GREY FLANNEL :- Tough and consistent sprinter who has really come into her own this season, running well on almost every occasion and winning smoothly last time out in the lower class. Appears to have maintained her form and fitness and with Trevor retaining the ride, she should make a brave bid to repeat against this tougher opposition
SPARKLING EYES :-This 4 year old from ImtiazSait's yard began her career in sparkling form but has not quite gone on from that and does not look completely straightforward. She has run 5 times this season and her last effort when finishing on to be a close 4th to Ladislaus suggested that she could be finding some form. She has been working quite well and should be given a good each way chance to score in this competitive contest
HEDWIG :-Sparingly raced grey 5 year old filly who won over this trip early in the season and followed that up with a very close 2nd to Exodus where she looked a winner and was pipped literally on the last stride. Her last run towards the end of February was poor and she has been given a short break to freshen her up. She looked progressive before that last run and if resuming in her early season form she could be quite a handful with Akshay Kumar booked to ride
CICITALIA :-Picked up form towards the end of Pune, winning fluently over this trip on her last run there and had 3 early season runs this term without much success. Returning from an almost 3 month layoff but she has been moving well in the morning trials, looked neatly placed on the scales and with NeerajRawal in the saddle, she looks a danger to all at the low weight
CONCLUSION :-Franz Ferdinand could have too much class for this lot and looks set to resume his winning ways. Grey Flannel and Sparkling Eyes head the list of potential dangers
Race No. 7 :- The Trainers Trophy Class IV 1000M
LOCARNO :- Speedy 6 year old mare who looked on the way back to finding some form last time out when finishing a close 3rd to Alfredo over this trip just ahead of Romantic Lass with a feeble rider up. She has picked a good draw at Gate No. 2 and NeerajRawal now takes over in the saddle. The yard has been firing in winners of late and hence she merits serious consideration
SMART CHOICE :-The 5 year old who began her career with Pesi Shroff and has now moved to Vijay Kasbekar has shown good form for her new yard and landed something of a smart gamble last time out, winning decisively over this trip. She had a bit in hand that day and a 5 ½ kilo penalty may not be enough to stop her. She is taking on tougher opposition today but looks in good form and has to be respected.
AINRA :-Took advantage of her extremely lenient mark to win in the lower class last time out although she needed Sandesh's powerhouse finish to prevail over Winds of Change. The last time she won, she followed it up immediately and connections will be hoping that the same thing happens this time out. Sandesh keeps the ride and she should make a brave effort to repeat
ROMANTIC LASS :- Has been struggling in the higher class for some time now but drop to this class saw an improved effort last time out when she finished on to be 4th just behind Locarno. Could improve and build on that last effort with Trevor now booked to ride but 62 kilos is a heavy impost for a small filly which is a bit disconcerting. Given an each way shout
SPEED OF SOUND :-This 5 year old mare has had a bit of an up and down career so far and very seldom runs 2 similar races. She finished a good 2nd to Wonder Story last time out in a race which has worked out well but then subsequently ran very poorly behind Power Shadow where several of these finished ahead of her. She has had a short break since then and could go well fresh but it not totally reliable and the percentage call would be to oppose
RARE SILVER :-Unexposed 5 year old who hit form in the middle of the season, scoring a maiden win very fluently over 6 furlongs on penultimate start and not disgraced over 7 furlongs under a penalty last time out. She looks the type to keep on improving and with C.S. Jodha the stable rider in the saddle, she has to be respected and could bounce back although the trip looks on the sharp side
BLITZKREIG :- Speedy but enigmatic 5 year old who has not quite built on his impressive maiden win over this trip on debut but has run some good races over this trip without quite winning. Been totally out of form of late but looks well handicapped at present and can spring a surprise if fit and fresh after a short break
CONCLUSION :-This looks highly competitive with several having a claim to win and Smart Choice is just a tentative selection
Race No. 8 :- The A. Hoyt Plate Class V 1400M
TREVELYAN :-This 4 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff yard has raced 5 times till date and seems to be taking his time to come to hand. He ran poorly on his reappearance in December and was given time to come to hand, running his next race in March where he ran much better. He finished just outside the frame last time out over 1200M behind Fringe Benefit and now eased into the lowest class and with NeerajRawal up, he looks set to shed his maiden tag
STAR SCHOLAR :- Seemed to catch form in his last few runs and finally gained a long overdue maiden success last time out although he finished 2nd and won the race in the Stewards Room. He is turned out again quickly and should make a bold bid for a quick encore
FROSTED :- Lightly raced 4 year old from ImtiazSait's yard who is an 8 race maiden but ran promisingly last time out over a mile when finishing 4th to Brazos in a race
which has worked out well. Should improve for that run, is working quite well and if she builds on that last performance then she could have a say here
STAR ACE :-Has been threatening to strike for some time now and went agonizingly close last time out over a mile when just failing to reel in Shivalik Skies. Slightly shorter trip should not be a problem and if progressing again then could finally gain a maiden success
WILDHORN :- The 4 year old gelding from B. Prakash's yard is a maiden from 11 starts but has run a couple of promising races over this sort of trip. He finished a close 5th to Super Bolt over 6 furlongs last time out and if coming on from that run, then he could go very close with this extra furlong likely to suit him
CONCLUSION :-The top weighted Trevelyan has been dropped into the lowest grade and looks to have a good chance to shed his maiden tag here. Stable companions Star Scholar and Star Ace look most likely to trouble him
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
