FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR FRIDAY, 28TH JULY 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Agni Plate – Class V, 5 Years Old & over – Distance :- 1000M
ASAHI :- 8 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan is a 43 race veteran having won on 2 occasions but he still maintains his zest for racing. He finished a flying ¾ length 2nd to Crystal Ball over this trip last time out in Mumbai with Rich N Rare 1 ¼ lengths adrift. He should hold that rival at the weights and Sandesh gets along particularly well with him. In spite of top weight he looks one of the principal contenders in a very competitive opener.
PADMAKOSA :- Is another fully exposed 7 year old mare from Subhag Singh’s yard who has been successful on 2 of her 30 starts but appears to be a little unreliable and lacks consistency. Both her victories have come over the minimum trip, the last one on this track back in October off a mark of 16. She now races off a mark of 21 so could be competitive and P. Trevor is a big plus in the saddle. She has strong claims if putting her best foot forward.
COUNTRY’S EMPRESS :- She is a 5 year old mare who recently moved to Arif Patel and although unplaced in 8 starts, she has run quite suggestively on a couple of occasions. Her last run back in January was quite suggestive as she finished on leisurely to be 4th just behind Padmakosa with a feeble claimer on board. She has more scope to improve than many of these and if showing some improvement for her new yard, she looks to have a good each way chance.
GENEROUS LADY: - This 5 year old mare from C.D. Katrak’s yard is winless in 18 starts and has been woefully out of form at present finishing well down the field on her last few starts. She had been running promisingly off this mark prior to that and if the break has freshened her up and she returns to her best form, then she can get competitive and be involved. Neeraj Rawal is a positive jockey booking and she must be considered.
RICH N RARE :- 5 year old mare from Narendra Lagad’s stable who has been frustrating to follow as she has threatened to score over this trip on a number of occasions, only to find one or two too good every time. She finished 3rd on her last start over this trip 1 ¼ lengths behind Asahi and it looks tough to reverse that form on the terms. However, she is normally ridden by a 5 kilo claimer so having Dashrath Singh on today is a big positive, she looks fit and well and today might be the day that she finally manages to shed her maiden tag.
ROYCE :- Another 5 year old from M.K. Jadhav’s yard who has done nothing in 10 starts till date but does not appear to have been seriously fancied as yet and has been dropping down in the weights as a result. He showed a little ability on his last start when finishing on to be just outside the frame over 1200M about 5 lengths behind Rich N Rare. He is an unknown quantity and could be an interesting outsider to keep an eye on.
HORSE POWER :- Has been looking extremely well handicapped for a long time now but has failed to show any sparkle of late and has been running miserably. She began handicaps on a mark of 37 and is now rated 9 so if she can find her galloping shoes, she looks extremely well weighted to score. S.J. Sunil takes over from a 5 kilo claimer and she is another dark horse who could upset
CONCLUSION :- Extremely competitive as these type of contests usually tend to be but the race should be between Asahi, Padmakosa and Rich N Rare
Race No. 2 :- The Enlightenment Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1800M
FLASHING HONOUR :- This 5 year old gelding from the powerful yard of Karthik Ganapathy has developed into a useful handicapper and is usually effective over middle to long distances. He is a winner of 2 of his 24 starts, both his wins being over a mile so this trip looks quite suitable. He was running relatively well during the Mumbai season except for his last run and with P. Trevor booked, connections appear to be fancying their chances. He should run well.
OLLY BOY :- 5 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been campaigning mainly over longer trips of late but has won over this distance before and is usually quite consistent over staying trips. He does have the measure of Flashing Honour on an earlier meeting and can be involved if running upto his best. D.S. Daman is good value for his claim and Olly Boy should be in the firing line.
DROGO :- 4 year old colt trained by Imtiaz Sait who had been running with promise for some time now without winning but duly delivered over a mile last time out, taking his time to get going but moving very strongly at the finish. He should gain some confidence from that win and has been working well of late. His style of racing suggests that he should relish this extra furlong and with good scope for further improvement, he looks a leading fancy to go in again.
RESPECT :- The 4 year old is a full brother to Multiglory but has generally been disappointing overall, failing to win in 11 attempts till date and having been tried over a variety of different distances. His best form has been over 7 furlongs till date but he has run fairly well over this trip and might have been rejuvenated by the break. He is worth considering but looks more likely to place and is best watched for now.
HARMONY :- This well bred 5 year old mare has had very limited racing with just 6 prior starts and recently changed hands into Narendra Lagad’s stable. She probably needed her last run after an extended lay off and ran prominently before weakening when fitness became a factor. She is expected to progress and improve for that run and could be the dark horse in the race with stable jockey Dashrath Singh in the saddle.
Race No. 3 :- The Gaea Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
FRIVOLOUS :- One time Classic hopeful from the Malesh Narredu yard, he has a 50% strike rate in 4 starts till date. He looked a star in the making when easily accounting for 1000 Guineas winner Mrs.Patmore on debut on this track but then flopped inexplicably in his lead up race, finishing a tame 3rd. He could only manage 5th in the 2000 Guineas but then bounced back with a smooth performance over 2000M on his last start, beating Multiglory comfortably by 2 ¾ lengths. He appears to have been well prepared for his seasonal debut and looks a leading fancy to continue his progression. Yash Narredu takes the ride and he looks the one to beat.
SUSSEX PRIDE :-Has been the pride of Subhag Singh’s stable and showed phenomenal improvement in the latter half of the Mumbai season, winning 3 of his last 4 starts and continuing to improve with every run with his rating rising from 21 to 58. It remains to be seen whether he has managed to maintain his condition over the last few months but he was clearly on the upgrade when last seen and may not have stopped improving as yet.
SAWGRASS :- Tough and reliable 5 year old mare who seldom runs a bad race and has developed into a consistent handicapper over middle distance trips. After a couple of near misses, she was rewarded for her consistency last time out over 7 furlongs when scoring over Dancing Lord and Chizzler. She lacks the scope of the younger horses but is quite reliable and with A. Imran Khan booked to ride, she runs with a good each way chance
GLORIOUS ANGEL :- Well bred 4 year old from Altaf Hussain’s yard who is very lightly raced and has a good record of 2 wins from 5 starts. She won decisively in Class IV on her solitary start in Mumbai and then travelled to Bangalore to contest a Million race on Invitation Cup weekend where she could only finish 4th beaten about 8 ½ lengths over 7 furlongs. She is stepping up to a mile for the first time but is a half sister to Ageless and it is interesting that a 5 kilo apprentice has been booked to ride. She could be an interesting outsider and may go well at a price.
NELSON’S BLOOD :- This 4 year old representing powerful connections began his racing career at a late stage and this half brother to Classic winner Laurita has raced exclusively over a mile till date, winning once in 5 attempts. He finished 3rd in his last attempt to Elegant Beauty and could have improved further over the summer. Sandesh takes over for the first time today and in receipt of weight from most of these, he may attempt pillar to post tactics and could be a danger to all.
CONCLUSION :- Frivolous appears to have regained his form and looks set to take this on route to better things. Nelson’s Blood could be continuing to improve and appears to be the main danger
Race No. 4:- The Dr. S. R. Captain Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1400M
ARTISTIC :- Well bred 4 year old Mull of Kintyre filly who has performed admirably till date, winning 4 of her 7 starts mainly over sprint trips. After scoring with authority conceding weight all around in her last start in Mumbai she travelled to Delhi to contest the North India Derby and performed with credit ending up a close 3rd and only beaten a length. The fact that she has had only a couple of workouts and that Amyn Merchant has been declared to ride may suggest that she is out for an airing and the yard has a stronger contender in Pugnacious but she is clearly very classy and would be dangerous to ignore.
PUGNACIOUS :- Appears to be the more fancied of the stable mates and had good credentials to score himself. He has showed consistent improvement throughout the last 1 ½ seasons and won readily over a mile last time out, overall winning 4 of his 11 starts overall. He has been working quite well in the build up to this race and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye. He looks a leading contender.
LADISLAUS :- The 4 year old gelding from S.K. Sunderji’s yard has developed into a consistent handicapper although he appears to have better form over 6 furlongs than over this trip. He went down by a whisker to Turf Dancer in his last start over 1200M with Carbonara back in 3rd and the pair look very closely matched again today. He usually works very well and if A. Imran Khan can harness his energy over the additional furlong then he should run a very big race.
STREETJAMMER :- Owner mate of Pugnacious from Dallas Todywalla’s yard who has also been performing very well during the Mumbai season but appears to be in the handicapper’s grip at present. He returned from a 3 month lay off to score a fluent victory over a mile and in his last 2 starts, has finished a good 2nd over this trip on both occasions, to Miss Saigon and Traherne. He likes to dominate so may well set the race up for Pugnacious but has a lot of ability and is capable of winning in his own right.
CARBONARA :- This fashionably bred 4 year old full brother to dual Sprinters Cup winner Attila was a Classic hopeful at one stage but has not looked completely straightforward and was gelded after finishing only 8th in the 2000 Guineas. He returned to win over 1400M in Class III, pipping Sawgrass and Miss Saigon but since then has again run inconsistently in 3 starts over 6 and 7 furlongs. He looks well placed on the scales with both Ladislaus and Streetjammer and has been working quite well so looks a danger to all off the low weight with talented P. Dhebe being booked to ride
CONCLUSION :-Pugnacious is picked to score from the well handicapped Carbonara who looks an obvious danger if running upto his best form. Top weight Artistic should not be ignored
Race No. 5 :- The Antonios Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
GOLD BOND :- This 3 year old from Imtiaz Sait’s yard ran promisingly on debut over this trip when finishing 3rd to Timeless Deeds and Zanara but then failed to build on that in 2 subsequent trips over longer distances. The return to this trip is likely to suit him and he has been working quite well of late so he looks to have an each way chance here with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
MAN OF WORD :- He has also raced 3times till date and has been showing steady progression and improvement with every run. After 2 modest runs over 6 furlongs, he improved for the step up to this trip when chasing home La Magnifique and ending a good 2nd. He has been showing out very well in the morning trials suggesting that he has improved further and with A. Imran Khan being booked for the ride, he looks to have a strong each way chance.
POLYNEICES:-Has a speedy pedigree and this Shazaan Shah trained gelding has raced twice till date. She finished 4th to Pokerface about 2 ¾ lengths behind the reopposing Wild Fire on debut but showed improvement when stepping upto 6 furlongs and finishing 3rd to Cambridge and Sereno with Sweet Music back in 5th. He is expected to improve for the additional furlong, and although looking a bit short on prep work, can run into a place with Kishore Kadam an unusual booking for the yard.
ICE DANCER :- Made her debut over 5 furlongs back in March and finished on smoothly to be an unextended 3rd to Kramer and Lady Sergeant in what appears now to be quite a strong maiden. She stepped up on that effort when going down to Lady Sergeant by just ½ a length over 6 furlongs and is expected to improve further with the additional furlong. She seems to be going the right way at present, is working pleasingly and looks to be a strong fancy to make it 3rd time lucky.
SELFIE STAR :- Half sister to Silver Beauty who is the highest rated amongst these and looks head and shoulders above the rest on form. She ran a very close 3rd on debut over this trip to Caprisca and Themis when she lost out by being inexperienced and drifting out at a crucial stage. She then went on to run 4th to Themis in the Juvenile Fillies Championship finishing 2 ¾ lengths behind subsequent Bangalore Derby winner Manifold which is outstanding form. She should have improved over the break, has been working very well and with P. Trevor up, looks hard to beat here
CONCLUSION :- Selfie Star looks the standout on her Mumbai form and should win this convincingly. The progressive Ice Dancer appears to be the main danger along with the improving Man Of Word
Race No. 6 :- The Cacophony Plate – Indian Horses 3 Years Old Only- Distance :- 1200M
LORD COMMANDER :- Grey gelding from the BezanChenoy yard who has performed with credit in both his outings so far and is expected to improve further. He finished on well to be 2nd to God’s Own over 1000M on debut and then showed a smart turn of foot to win stylishly over this trip next time out, coming with a strong run to beat Manzanita and Shamwari. He has showed out well in a couple of morning gallops although Satish Nayak is a somewhat surprising jockey booking and may suggest that he just might need this run.
GOLDIE’S PET :-Is the highest rated of this lot and also probably one of the most experienced and performed well in most of her efforts over sprints but has to bounce back from an extremely poor last run. She is likely to be suited by the short Pune straight and if she can reproduce the effort when an excellent 2nd to Bottega Louie then she should stand an excellent chance to earn another bracket. Dallas usually has his horses ready to go first time out and with P. Trevor in the saddle and the plum rail draw, she will try and win from end to end.
ORION’S BELT:-Another twice raced improver who stepped up markedly from being unplaced on debut when winning with authority over 6 furlongs next time out although unfancied and in a comparatively weaker maiden. She needs to improve on the bare form but is working well and merits each way consideration with Dashrath Singh up.
SUMMER RAYS:-Made a very impressive and classy debut when scoring a facile and stylish victory over Cerrado over this trip and followed it up with a good 2nd although no match for brilliant Ruffina in the Gool S. Poonawalla. She ran disappointingly when upped in trip the next twice so return to 6 furlongs seems logical and she should be fresh and raring to go. She has been working well and looks a strong contender to bounce back to winning ways now.
SASSY LASS :- She comes from a small yard and is not as stoutly bred as some of these but it was hard not to be impressed with her debut effort when she motored home down the outside to be a flying late 2nd to Gentillesse over this trip. She is sure to have learnt from that experience and stripped fitter and although there is no recent track work which is a concern, she can give a scare to the more fashionably bred types and is worth considering as an outsider.
Race No. 7 :- The Zahra Plate – Class III, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
RIDER ON THE STORM :- This 7 year old has changed yards a number of times and has moved recently from Narendra Lagad to Vijay Kasbekar. This is his optimum trip and he has come down in the scales to close to his last winning mark. He finished 5th last time out only beaten 2 lengths by Mizilla Gold with Rosella finishing 2nd in the same race and with D.S. Daman in the saddle and a decent draw, he looks likely to run well and be involved in the finish.
MIZILLA GOLD:- This speedy 5 year old mare from S.A. Waheed’s yard has been in rousing form of late and has won 2 of her last 3 starts over this trip. She ran only thrice in Mumbai, winning smartly for Altaf Hussain in Class IV and then just failing to follow up by a whisker next time out, nabbed in the dying strides by Incentio. She then returned from a 3 month absence for her new trainer and won most convincingly, easily beating Rosella by 2 lengths. She seems to have maintained her form and fitness since then and the penalty may not be enough to stop her with Trevor up although she had been badly drawn in 15.
ALTUS :- 5 year old mare from the stable of AdhirajsinghJodha who wintered in Kolkotta where she placed continuously over sprints without being able to earn a bracket in 5 starts. She returns to her home centre in good form, gets a useful 5 kilo allowance from her claimer and is entitled to each way consideration in this competitive contest
ROSELLA :- Began her career in very encouraging fashion with back to back wins followed by a couple of good 2nd s in her first few starts and after losing her way somewhat after that, showed signs that she was returning to form when finishing on nicely to be 2nd to Mizilla Gold when unfancied last time out. She is now weighted to gain revenge, has been working very impressively of late and if she is able to build on that last effort then she will take a lot of beating.
INDIAN SERENADE :- Began her career with M.K. Jadhav and was unbeaten in her first 2 starts before presumably having a setback and losing her way completely. She shifted to her current yard during the Mumbai season and her last effort was encouraging when she finished just behind Rider On The Storm and about 4 lengths behind the winner Mizilla Gold. She has had a few decent workouts here and Dashrath Singh retains the ride so she looks to have a chance to make the frame if progressing from that last effort.
SPEED OF SOUND :- Temperamental mare from Arif Patel’s stable who gained a long overdue success last time out over this trip when getting up late to pip the reopposing Locarno who is now much better placed on the scales. However, that win was a step in the right direction and now that she has caught form, she may be able to build on that form. Neeraj Rawal is a very positive booking although she has been badly drawn in stall No. 13
LOCARNO :- Took advantage of her lenient mark the last twice to go desperately close, last time edged out by Speed of Sound close home. She is much better placed than Speed of Sound especially with her rider claiming an additional 5 kilos off and with a good draw in Stall 4 and running literally bare back, she could be a danger to them all.
CONCLUSION :-Rosella seems to have returned to form last time out and is weighted to turn the tables on Mizilla Gold who looks a very real danger in spite of her penalty. The feather weighted Locarno is also well handicapped and must be respected
Race No. 8 :- The Brunello Plate – Class IV, 4 Years Old only – Distance :- 1200M
AIRLIFT :- Well bred 4 year old trained by Faisal Abbas who was a most impressive maiden winner over this trip and after a couple of indifferent subsequent runs, has been the runner up the last twice over this trip, although well beaten by Triple Threat when favourite last time out. He has been catching the eye in the morning trials of late, working very well and although he has to defy top weight in this large field, he seems to have come back to his best and has to be respected with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
ODESSA :- Has raced just thrice till date, running a fair 3rd over 7 furlongs on debut but appearing to take a backward step when running very poorly over a mile in Mumbai. He was then given time to come to hand and relished the break, returning after 3 months off to win stylishly on handicap debut with a 5 kilo claimer up, easily accounting for Kookaburra by a little over 3 lengths. Has been penalized 6 ½ kilos for that win but appears to have improved significantly judging from his most recent track work and with an apprentice rider declared again, looks a quirky sort but given a strong chance for an encore.
RIDGEWOOD STAR :- Well bred sort who finally came to hand towards the end of the Mumbai season, winning convincingly over this trip in the lower class and just failing to follow up next time out when short headed by Democrat. He appears to be taking on tougher opposition this time but Trevor keeps the faith and he looks in good form so must be given a good each way chance.
GRAN PARADISO :- Is beginning to look exposed now after 10 starts and just a solitary success which came over course and distance last September. She has run some good races in defeat since then but appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present and will need to show some more improvement before she can be fancied for win purposes. Can run into a place with the assistance of A. Sandesh.
PACIFIC DUNES :- Winner of just one of his 7 starts and still not certain what his best distance is but his victory did come over this trip and all his other runs have been over either 6 or 7 furlongs so the return to this trip looks to be a plus. He has been working quite well in morning work and looks a dark horse who can upset if it turns out he is suited by dropping back to the minimum.
GLORIOUS THUNDER :- Began his career with great promise but failed to build on that and has been running very poorly in his last few starts prompting a change of ownership and name. He could possibly have been freshened up by the break and still early days so can improve but he looks a rank outsider who could be included for Jackpot purposes and may need to show something on the track to suggest he is finding form.
CONCLUSION :- The top weights Airlift and Odessa should fight this out amongst themselves. The consistent Ridgewood Star and the unexposed Pacific Dunes also merit consideration
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
