FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 27TH JULY 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 26 Jul 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 27TH JULY 2017.
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The A.J. Wadia Plate – Div. II – Class IV – Distance 1400M
CARNIVAL :-appears the obvious starting point in what looks to be a competitive opener. Hailing from the powerful yard of Pesi Shroff, the grey daughter of Mull of Kintyre began her racing career only in March and after an educative debut run, she was seen making good late headway under tender handling to finish a close 4th to Drogo over a mile last time out. She is likely to have improved appreciably over the summer and should be seen in a much better light now off a reasonable handicap mark. Kishore Kadam has ridden some good winners for the yard and she looks to have a good chance if showing further progression.
CRISTO BOSS :- This 4 year old Royal Gladiator gelding has raced 9 times till date without a win but he has only been earnestly tried on 2 occasions, both times over today’s trip and both times ending up as the runner up. His last effort in Mumbai was probably his best effort when he came with a strong late run to be a close 2nd to Brothersofthewind, going down by just half a length. He appears to be fit and well judging from his recent track work and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle, he probably looks to be the form pick.
COMIC TIMING :-This 4 year old filly from AdhirajsinghJodha’s yard has a similar profile to Cristo Boss, being a 9 race maiden and having been tried over a variety of trips. His best effort came on this course last October when finishing a close 3rd in the Rajendrasinhji Million over a mile but he has run 3 very ordinary unplaced races in Mumbai. His recent track work has been encouraging suggesting that the break may have freshened him up and Neeraj Rawal is a positive jockey booking. He should be considered each way and looks to have a good chance to place here.
MOCASSIN :-This full sister to Jefferson is the unknown quantity here but catches the eye on pedigree. She finished 7th to Gentillesseon debut over 6 furlongs in Mumbai but clearly was out for an airing that day and is expected to improve appreciably for the experience. She makes her handicap debut off a rather lenient mark of 27 and has maximum scope for progress. She has been working well in the build up to this run and P. Trevor takes over from R. Ajinkya. She looks the dark horse in this field and definitely must be considered especially if she is prominent in the market although 3 year olds tend to need a run on the Pune track
TIMELESS DEEDS :-This Narendra Lagad trained 3 year old has not quite gone on from her unfancied debut win over this trip where she won from end to end, beating Zanara and Gold Bond. Her subsequent efforts have been poor and she now has questions to answer shouldering top weight here but the booking of A. Imran Khan is a positive. She could run into a place but winning looks tough in this field.
AURODEN :- The 4 year old gelding in the care of young Shazaan Shah has raced 4 times till date, twice apiece in Mumbai and Pune. He showed signs of some ability on his last start in Mumbai over this trip when finishing 3rd to New England although beaten by 7 ¾ lengths. He looks capable of making further progression although the booking of 5 kilo claimer H. Zeeshan today suggests he may be out for an airing. He is another who could run into a place.
MASTER SERGEANT :-Coming from the tiny yard of Vinesh, this 4 year old is a maiden after 8 starts but has been threatening to strike in his last couple of efforts albeit in the lower class. He finished 3rd to Brazos over a mile with this rider up on his penultimate start and followed that up with a good 2nd over the same trip, beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Star Scholar. However, he has been upped in grade now and looks a rank outsider.
CONCLUSION :-A tricky start to the season. Cristo Boss appears to be the form pick and along with the unexposed duo of Carnival and Mocassinappear to be the chief contenders.
Race No. 2 :- The Arts Plate – Div.II – Class IV – Distance:- 1000M
ELYSEE :-Although 3 year olds running for the first time in Pune is a strong deterrent, this 3 year old daughter of Phoenix Tower could prove to be too speedy for this bunch, in spite of having a terrible draw in Stall 14. She was an impressive course and distance winner on debut back in October when ridden by the same rider and clocked an impressive time of 0.58.52 that day. She finished 3rd in her next 2 starts over 5 and 6 furlongs respectively and having Juggernaut well held on a couple of occasions that the pair have met previously. Her last run was a shade disappointing when only 5th in the Vivono Million but she should have been freshened up by the break and seems to hold this bunch on form.
JUGGERNAUT :-Appears to be the most obvious danger and is much better drawn in Stall 4 but looks totally up against it, having finished way behind Elysee on the couple of occasions that the pair have clashed previously. He raced 4 times in Mumbai, scoring a solitary pillar to post success on his 2nd start when he won completely unfancied. Narendra Lagad usually has his string very fit and well prepared early in the season and he is working well so could strike if Elysee is not fully wound up or is undone by the draw. Otherwise, he looks the probable runner up.
MALAVIKA :-This once raced 3 year old from Altaf Hussain’s yard looks fashionably bred by Ace out of Arabian Lady. She finished midfield to Gold Field on her debut in Mumbai but was not fully wound up that day, ending up 6th about 8 ½ lengths behind the winner. She is likely to improve for that experience and has the potential to improve on her good pedigree but there does not seem to be much track work here as well and hence she may be a touch short on fitness. She could run into a place in this field lacking strength in depth.
SUDARSHAN CHAKRA :-This 6 year old gelding from Zadmal Singh’s yard is lightly raced for his age having had just 8 starts and stepped up markedly on his previous efforts when scoring a shock 20/1 win over this trip in Mumbai. He finished mid division in his next effort over 1200M and was withdrawn last time out. He could still have some improvement having raced so sparingly although he too has been drawn very wide in stall 15. He is worth considering as an outsider but does not look totally straight forward.
AME :- The 5 year old gelding from M.K. Jadhav’s yard has just a solitary win to his name from 24 starts and is usually more effective over 6 furlongs although he did fail by a whisker over this trip back in September. He showed he was in good form when finishing a close 2nd to Q’E’D on his last start in Mumbai over 1200M but has been upped in grade now. He too could fight it out for minor honours.
TIME OF MY LIFE :-This 4 year old Varenar filly is a 9 race maiden but she has been running with promise in her last couple of starts albeit over longer trips. She finished 3rd to Go Marissa Go over 7 furlongs on her last start and her recent track work has been good so although she is likely to find this stiff 5 furlongs on the sharp side, she should be doing her best work in the closing stages and can be considered in what looks a weak field.
CONCLUSION :-Elyseelooks quite outstanding on paper and should win this quite convincingly in spite of the wide draw. Juggernaut looks likely to follow her home while Malavikais also unexposed and should be respected
Race No. 3:- The Fair Haven Trophy – Class I – Distance:- 1400M
LONDON :-The 4 year old Malesh Narredu trained ward has already developed into a very useful performer and is yet to leave the frame in 6 starts till date. After winning his first 2 races convincingly, he went down by a whisker to Sky Mine in the Rajendrasinhji and was unlucky to lose the Golconda 2000 Guineas to Germanicus by a short head. He went on to run 3rd in the Hyderabad Derby where stamina probably became an issue and looked a tired horse when last of 4 in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy, finishing 4th to B Fifty Two but only beaten 2 ½ lengths. He receives 6 kilos from Germanicus today which should tilt the scales in his favour and has the talented P Dhebe in the saddle. He looks to have an excellent chance to get back to winning ways and is strongly fancied.
GERMANICUS :- Lion hearted colt who has been relatively low profile but has acquitted himself admirably in several of the top races, winning 5 of his 12 starts and is a dual classic winner, having scored in the Hyderabad 2000 Guineas and Derby. His form figures in Pune read 1-1-2 in 3 starts having won twice over a mile last season and then finished 2nd to Accolade in the Pune Derby. This trip will clearly be on the sharp side for him and conceding 6 kilos to London over this trip looks very tough but he is the class horse in this field and with Sandesh up, is very dangerous to ignore.
HOLY SMOKE :-He looks the best of the older horses in spite of carrying an extremely heavy weight having rattled off 5 wins in a row when at the top of his game and has been battling against the handicapper since then in all the top terms races. He drops back into a handicap for the first time in a while and hence must be respected with D.S. Daman taking a valuable 2 ½ kilos off. He usually goes well fresh and seems to like the Pune track.
TRAHERNE :-Owner mate of London who has been in rousing form in the Mumbai season and is bidding for a hattrick after 2 solid wins in his last 2 starts. He is taking on much tougher opposition today and this will be his sternest test yet but he was in great heart towards the end of the season and if resuming in the same vein, he could test the others so should not be left out of calculations. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and he looks a good outsider.
STARISTOCRAT :-This 6 year old Multidimensional gelding appears to be in the handicappers grip at present and will need some respite before he can make a mark again. He was running with credit in similar contests in the last Pune season without looking like he would win. He travelled to Kolkota for a solitary run in March and has not raced since so is probably out for an airing and looks likely to need this.
CONCLUSION :-London looks to have a strong chance to win this with a 6 kilo pull in the weights and over a trip that should favour him the most. Classy Germanicus would be the most obvious danger and can strike in spite of being way out on the scale. Of the rest, Holy Smoke looks the main danger in spite of top weight
Race No. 4 :- The A.J. Wadia Plate – Div. I – Class IV – Distance 1400M
DOMINATION :- This 4 year old gelding from the MaleshNarredu yard has raced 12 times winning just once over 6 furlongs but has some useful form to his name overall. He did a stint in Delhi finishing 4th in the North India 2000 Guineas and 7th in the Derby and the exertions probably showed in his last 2 starts in April once returning to Mumbai. The break should have freshened him up, he has been showing out very well in the morning trials and back in Class IV, he looks to have an excellent chance to resume his progress and earn another bracket.
JUDICIOUS :- The 5 year old mare trained by C.D. Katrak has 2 wins to her name from 11 starts till date, both wins coming over this distance. She pipped Glorious Eyes and Beach Game in a blanket finish back in December and since has run unplaced twice in the higher class. Dropping back into Class IV is a positive, P. Trevor takes over in the saddle and she has been working very well so she looks set to run a very big race and would be one of the principal contenders.
DARK GOLD :- The 4 year old got abroad from S.K. Sunderji’s yard has yet to show his best as he has raced just thrice till date, and showed he has ability when winning smartly over this trip on his penultimate start, beating Wild Jack and Sporto quite convincingly. He finished tailed off in his only other start back in February so likely something was amiss then and he has been given time to recover from that run. His recent trackwork has been very eye catching and he is the unknown quantity here and could be open to further improvement.
FURIOUS N’ FAST :- Broke her maiden over 6 furlongs on this track last season and has been competing well over longer trips without winning since then. She finished 2nd to Eternal Sunshine over 9 furlongs last time out beating Eiger’s Tiger in the process but should not mind the drop in trip. She too has been working well and with A. Imran Khan booked to ride, she merits each way consideration and can be involved.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :-Had to wait 35 starts before he finally shed his maiden tag and his 2 subsequent runs have been unplaced efforts so he is clearly not totally straightforward and looks very difficult to recommend him from a win perspective. However, 7 furlongs seems to be his best trip at present and with N.S. Parmar in the saddle, he could fight it out for a minor berth.
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :-His connections have always had a high opinion of this 4 year old Rebuttal gelding but he had not quite lived upto expectations until his last start where he scraped home over this distance from the fast finishing Cristo Boss. He is likely to have gained confidence from that win and 4 ½ kilo penalty does not seem too steep. Hanumant Singh is an interesting jockey booking and he could be involved and merits consideration.
ELSA :- Began her career with Faisal Abbas before being switched to Subhag Singh a few runs ago and after showing promise over sprints early in her career scored a shock pillar to post win on her penultimate start over a mile at odds of 30/1. She could not follow up in her next start dropped back to 7 furlongs and has to prove that win was not a fluke effort. T.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle and she looks an interesting outsider who could be included in Jackpot Pool selection.
PRINCESS ATHENA :- Is a nicely bred 4 year old filly by Arazan out of Rivage and has been unplaced 4 times over sprints till date so it is interesting that she is now stepped up to this trip for the first time, she has been showing out well on the morning track and S.J. Sunil takes over in the saddle from a 5 kilo claimer. She looks an unexposed type who could upset at the low weight and should be closely monitored in the betting.
CONCLUSION :-Domination and Judicious look likely to fight it out for premier honours with the unexposed pair of Dark Gold and Brothersofthewindalso looking dangers if they can unlock some improvement. The well bredPrincess Athena also merits watching from the foot of the weights and can cause a stunning upset.
Race No. 5 :- The Arts Plate – Div.I – Class IV – Distance:- 1000M
YELLOW DIAMOND :-This 4 year old filly from Vishal Gaikwad’s yard has been lightly raced and has made steady progression with every run. She ran an excellent close 2nd to Cyclone over this trip on her penultimate start and duly followed that up with a facile maiden victory at odds on beating Beneficial and Snowy Peaks quite comfortably. She has not raced since December which is a bit of a worry but her couple of workouts have been pleasing, she looks a progressive sort who should have improved again and should be a leading contender to continue her progress with Sandesh up. Badly drawn in 11 although most of the principals appear to be drawn wide.
GOD’S OWN :-This Narendra Lagad trained Diffident 3 year old filly has had 5 starts till date and has shown good speed on most occasions. After finishing 3rd to Elysee on debut she chased home Goldie’s Pet before taking advantage of a straightforward opportunity to record her maiden success in a small field. She found herself outpaced in the Bahrain Trophy but begins handicaps on a reasonable mark and should make a bold bid with Dashrath Singh up. She too is drawn wide in Stall 14.
PRINCESS P :-She has raced 4 times till date, thrice over this trip with the only exception being when used as a pacemaker in the Poonawalla Breeders Million. She showed steady progression with every run and won her maiden race readily last time out, toppling odds on favourite Gazino in the process. She looks a decent handicap prospect and is working well so should make the short list with P Dhebe up. She too has a bad draw in Stall 15.
CRYSTAL BALL :-Skillfully brought down in the scales to an attractive mark and scored the first time she was truly fancied when winning authoritatively in Class V, beating Asahi by three parts of a length. 4 ½ kilo penalty looks quite reasonable, she seems to have maintained her form and fitness and seems to have a relatively good draw in Stall 6. A. Imran Khan is a very positive booking and she looks set to make a bold bid to repeat.
DAZZLING DOLL :-Well bred debutant from the Altaf Hussain yard who has been working quite well and looks a good outsider who could spring a surprise and is worth keeping an eye on with decent rider up for debut.
AURORA AUSTRALIS :-10 race maiden who has been tried over a variety of trips ranging from 1000 – 1600M and has run a couple of good placed efforts over sprints. On the face of it, 5 furlongs appears to be on the sharp side for her but she is working well and can be considered each way in this large field. 5 kilo claimer and Draw No 16 are both deterrents
CONCLUSION :-Yellow Diamond appears to be a classy sort and should win this if she is fit and ready to go after the long break. In case she is found wanting, then Crystal Ball and Princess P look the immediate dangers
Race No. 6 :- The Carbon Star Plate – Maiden 3 year olds – Distance :- 1000M
ASCENSION :-She appears to have the strongest form, having raced 4 times all over this trip and finished 2nd on 2 occasions and 3rd once. Having been runner up Lincoln and Poker Face, she finished a good 3rd to Gold Field and Queens Best which looks like strong form. He recent workouts have been good and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, she looks to have a strong chance to shed her maiden tag.
SHAMWARI :-This Excellent Art 3 year old trained by Vishal Gaikwad has raced twice till date and also boasts some strong form. She finished 3rd to Oracle and Kramer on debut, both of whom have gone on to frank the form handsomely before ending up 3rd to Lord Commander and Manzanita upped to 6 furlongs. She looks to have more scope to improve than Ascension but may slightly less fit than her today. N.S. Parmar takes the ride and she looks a leading contender.
MAGIC DUST :-She has raced thrice till date over longer distances so she may lack the speed for this stiff 5 furlongs but is the highest rated in this field. After 2 unplaced efforts, she was well backed when finishing on late to be 2nd to stable companion Orion’s Belt last time out and should be finishing on the strongest towards the end. She is working well and must be considered.
PERFECT BALANCE :-Unraced Tariq filly from the Altaf Hussain yard who has shown out well in a couple of workouts and the mare has previously thrown 2 decent performers at other centres. A. Imran Khan booked for debut and looks set to have a bold show.
TOWER BRIDGE :-Finishedtailed off on debut back in January but is a half sister to Airco who looks a nice sort on pedigree and is sure to leave that running well behind. Looks a decent sort on paper and with P. Dhebe booked for the ride, must come into consideration and expected to run a whole lot better today. Looks one to keep an eye on.
STAR ANISE :-She was given an easy educative run back in March when finishing 5th to Princess P over this trip and she is sure to have learnt plenty from that and stripped fitter. Yard usually has their juveniles quite forward early in the season and hence she runs with a good each way chance.
CONCLUSION :-3 year old maidens tend to be quite tricky especially earlier on in Pune. Ascension and Shamwariappear to have the best form but both Perfect Balance and Tower Bridge have plenty of potential and could upset the applecart .
Race No. 7 :- The P. Hadow Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1200M
SKY MINE :-Has looked promising in limited career so far with 3 wins to his name from 8 starts. He won twice in Pune over longer distances, giving weight and a beating to London in the Rajendrasinhji Million and travelled to Delhi for the North India Classics but could not figure in either the Guineas or the Derby. Reappears at a much more realistic level, should go well fresh and in spite of being drawn badly in Stall 15, looks set to resume his upward curve with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
IRISH BAILEY :-Half sister to B Fifty Two who has been progressing steadily up the handicap ranks but unlike her sibling appears to be an out and out sprinter. She has won 2 of her 7 starts till date and has been running well the last twice off her current mark. She usually goes well fresh, her prep work has been excellent, and with P. Trevor booked to ride, she looks one of the leading fancies to earn another bracket.
SHAOQING :-Speedy 4 year old filly from the Altaf Hussain yard who has 2 wins to her name out of 5 starts and seems to run alternate good and bad races. She has been blazing the track in the morning trials of late and Vishal Bunde takes a valuable 5 kilos off. She looks fit and well and is another who must be considered in what looks an extremely competitive and open sprint .
STARDOM CALLING :- Tough and consistent handicapper who has been running well in defeat in plenty of similar contests and appears to need some help from the handicapper before being able to get back to winning ways. She should run well again and be involved but may need a slight drop in the scales at present. Each way contender.
MAKINO :- Has won 2 of his 11 starts with his most recent win in Mumbai coming over 7 furlongs but he is also effective over this shorter trip, splitting Shaoqing and Irish Bailey when they all ran together over 6 furlongs in Mumbai. He too has been working very well, Neeraj Rawal is booked for the ride and it would be no surprise to see him emerge victorious.
ADELINE :-Has been running well over this trip, winning 2 of her 6 starts and comes into this off a fine win over Airlift and Grey Flannel last time out. Another who appears to be progressing nicely and runs with a strong each way chance.
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :-Was a back to back winner over this trip in Mumbai before losing her way with a series of indifferent efforts. She could have been sharpened up over the break and Sandesh has been booked to ride so connections must fancy their chances again and she comes into the reckoning.
CONCLUSION :-Another extremely competitive affair with several looking to have a chance. Sky Mine is just a tentative selection in the hopes he has regained his old sparkle after the break.
Race No. 8 :- The Bud Royale Plate – Class V – 4 Years old & over – Distance :- 1200M
DAM’S BEGINNING :- This 4 year old filly from Magansingh P. Jodha’s yard has looked like striking on a number of occasions but is still a maiden after 7 starts. She finished on to be a good 2nd to Ridgewood Star over this trip on her penultimate start and last time out ended up a faraway 4th to Odessa in the higher class. She returns to this grade now, has been working well and looks to have a good chance to finally revoke her maiden status with D.S. Daman up
PETRONIUS :-4 year old Phoenix Tower gelding who began his career with MaleshNarredu and flattered to deceive on a number of occasions without success and he has now changed hands to C. Rajendra’s yard. His best effort in 6 starts came when a late finishing 2nd to Democrat over 1000M. He has been working quite well of late, new yard may have unlocked some improvement and looks primed for a bold show with NeerajRawal in the saddle.
SYNCHRONICITY :- Fashionably bred 4 year old from Faisal Abbas’ yard who works brilliantly in morning work but makes heavy weather of reproducing it on the track and has been overturned as a firm favourite on a couple of occasions. Her best efforts have come over course and distance last season when finishing 2nd on 2 occasions but she hasn’t raced since December so may just need this run after the long break. She too has been working well and stable rider C.S. Jodha is declared so she must come into consideration.
APPLE BETTY :-Looks a real speedster on pedigree but has done little of note in 7 starts till date although last time out she was only beaten 4 ½ lengths when finishing 6th to Ainra with Silver River 3rd on that occasion. She is another who could have improved over the break and merits each way consideration in this low grade.
PROMINENCE :- 4 year old filly who has been un placed in 4 starts till date but her mark has come down as a result and she appears to be working the best in this field and also has been given plenty of prep work so should have a fitness advantage over the rest. She has bagged the plum No. 1 stall and if she reproduces her good work then she should be in the firing line.
GOLDEN ORCHID :-4 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard who catches the eye on pedigree but has done little of note in 5 starts so far over varying trips. Not much to recommend her on the face of it, but P. Trevor takes over for the first time today and she is running in a low grade so warrants respect on that score.
CONCLUSION :-This looks strictly between Adam’s Beginning and Petronius on form with the latter given an edge to make a winning debut on his first start for C. Rajendra. Prominence can figure if reproducing her excellent track work while Golden Orchid could be a different proposition with Trevor up for the first time.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
