FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 5TH AUGUST, 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 04 Aug 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 5TH AUGUST, 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Air Dash Plate – Class V, 4 Years Old and Over – Distance :- 1400M
DUSKY SIREN :- Is a 4 year old from the small stable of Subhag Singh. She has raced twice till date, both times over 6 furlongs back in April and building on her debut run when finishing 5th of 9 to Odessa last time out. She drops in grade down into the lowest class and has the scope to improve after just 2 starts hence is worth considering each way with T.S. Jodha taking over now.
COMMANDPERFORMANCE :- This 4 year old from Dallas Todywalla’s yard is a full brother to the well performed Magnificence but has yet to strike in 5 starts till date. He returned from a year off since his debut to race 4 times in Mumbai with his best performance being a modest 4th to Celestial Light over a mile. He too is eased in grade and with Trevor in the saddle and a weak looking field to tackle must be given a strong chance here.
BLAVATSKY :- This 6 year old from C.D. Katrak’s yard has raced 21 times till date with her solitary success coming way back in July 2015 over a mile and off a mark of 26. Her runs have been mostly in and out since then although she did show she retained some ability when finishing 2nd to Rare Silver over 1200M back in March. She is not completely reliable but looks well handicapped on her best form and with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride, she must be considered.
ABU AL BUKHOOSH :- This 4 year old is an 18 race maiden having placed on 4 occasions and has been tried over a variety of trips without success. He has been woefully out of form until date and although he has dropped considerably in the scales, it is hard to recommend him unless he shows some spark. He looks a complete outsider.
ALFONSO :- This Narendra Lagad trained 5 year old has run 22 times till date with just 1 victory to his name. His win also came back in September 2015 over course and distance with the same rider up off a mark of 23. He is now racing off 14 so looks well handicapped in that sphere but he has given no encouragement in recent runs and hence is hard to support.
CONCLUSION :- A very trappy looking opener with none of the horses having current form to go by and hard to recommend anyone here. Commandperformance is just a tentative selection on his attractive pedigree and scope for improvement. Dusky Siren is unexposed while both Alfonso and Blavatsky can also strike if returning to their winning form.
Race No. 2 :- The Strengthtostrength Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1400M
CHIZZLER:-4 year old from Malesh Narredu’s yard who began his career only in February and quickly developed into an exciting prospect by winning his first 2 starts over this trip quite fluently. He outclassed the opposition, landing a good gamble on debut and then followed that up with a victory over Miss Saigon in this class. He failed in his hattrick bid when going down to Sawgrass and Dancing Lord but it is felt he was not at his best that day and usual front running tactics were not employed so that run is worth overlooking. Fresh from a break, he looks set to resume his progress and in spite of top weight, looks the one to beat with Sandesh in the saddle.
SPIRIDON :- Another progressive 4 year old from Altaf Hussain’s yard, he has raced 6 times till date, but seems to have come to hand during the last Mumbai season where he won 2 of his 3 starts. He was a stylish winner of his maiden over this trip back in January and then after failing over a mile next time out, bounced back to winning ways back down to this trip, easily beating King of Killen and Sail Past. He has been working extremely well of late suggesting he has improved again and looks a big danger to Chizzler with A. Imran Khan up.
SMART N NOBLE :- At one time thought to be a Classic prospect, this 4 year old has not quite lived up to his billing with just a solitary win to his name from 14 starts that win coming in a maiden back in March 2016 over a mile. He came up well short in both the Mysore Colts Trial Stakes and the Pune Derby and looks on a stiff mark for what he has achieved so far. He is having his first start since December and looks a rank outsider here.
BRABOURNE :- This 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait has raced 4 times till date and has probably yet to display her full potential. She was hard pressed to win her maiden over course and distance back in October beating His Master’s Vice by ¾ length and was not seen out again until March. She finished a close 3rd to Angel Girl and Zanzibaar on her comeback but was disappointing next time out as a hot favourite when beaten 2 ½ lengths by Brothersofthewind and Cristo Boss. She has been working very well in Pune and is in receipt of 8.5 and 9 kilos from the other fancied runners which should tilt the scales in her favour. Prashant Dhebe takes the ride.
CONCLUSION :- Brabourneis given the edge at the weights although her recent form has been disappointing but she is given another chance as she is working superbly and receiving a lot of weight. Both Chizzler and Spiridonlook live dangers and are capable of scoring as well.
Race No. 3 :- The Fine Arrow Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1600M
GLORIOSUS :- 3 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who looks to have been handed a reasonable opening mark. He has raced 4 times till date and after 2 placed efforts over shorter trips, relished the step up to a mile when winning his maiden quite convincingly albeit in a weak set. He was then no match for Texas Gold next time out but did finish 2nd ahead of Collegium and Artus. He concedes weight all around here but must be thrown into the mix with Trevor up. However, 3 year olds usually need a run to get used to the Pune track which is a slight negative.
IMPERIAL HERITAGE :- Nicely bred 4 year old who has raced 14 times till date and began his career with Dallas Todywalla but was sold to S.A. Waheed in the last Mumbai season. He showed good improvement for his new yard scoring a shock victory over 7 furlongs beating Gloriana and Signor. Last time out upped to a mile, he finished 3 ¾ lengths behind King of Killen making the pair very closely matched today. He could still unlock further improvement for his new connections and comes into the reckoning in a competitive handicap.
LORD GRANTHAM :-Fashionably bred got abroad from Vishal Gaikwad’s yard who has raced just twice till date and is returning from almost a year off the track. He made a noteworthy debut over a mile going down fighting to Smart N Noble but then flopped badly over 1400M on this course, jumping slowly and looking ill at ease on the track. He has been given time to recover from that and his recent track work has also been very easy. He clearly has the class to tackle this lot but fitness will be a concern after such a long absence. Sandesh takes the ride.
KING OF KILLEN :- This 4 year old trained by C. Rajendra is still a maiden after 12 starts but has placed on as many as 9 occasions and has been knocking at the door of late. Campaigned exclusively over sprints until his last few runs he showed improvement with a step up to 7 furlongs and then a mile and has finished 2nd in his last 3 starts. He is fully exposed so is less likely to improve than some of these but has been in good consistent form and looks to have strong chance to score.
LADY BE GOOD :- The other 3 year old in this field, she has raced thrice till date and looks a strong galloping type who has improved over more galloping trips. Unplaced on debut over 6 furlongs, she finished on late to be 3rd to La Magnifique over 7 furlongs and last time out again made late headway to be 2nd to Lord Of The Sea. Her form does not look as strong as some of these, her work is decent and she looks more likely to fight for minor honours here with Yash Narredu up.
CONCLUSION :- This looks quite competitive on paper. With 3 year olds running for the first time in Pune being a negative factor, it is hoped that Lord Grantham would have enough class to win this in spite of the long absence. Imperial Heritage and King of Killen are both closely matched and could strike if Lord Grantham is off his game, with an edge to the latter.
Race No. 4 :- The Potential Champion Plate – Unraced 3 Year Olds Only – Distance :- 1000M
JACKPOT :- Comes from the small yard of Vinesh and lacks the flashy pedigree of some of those from the larger yards. He is the first foal of Power of Love to race out of an Indian stallion – Royal Gladiator. He has been working fairly well and is given a small upset chance but looks up against it here.
TRUE GRIT :- Is one of 2 runners from the S.K. Sunderji yard and comes from a good family. He is a half brother to Iceglow and Ice Glacier both of whom have been solid performers with the latter a Classic winner. He has been solidly prepared for his debut run and has also gone a Mock Race in which he was 3rd until the bend but did not quite pick up when asked for an effort. One the face of it, 5 furlongs may be sharp for him but he definitely looks one of the frontline contenders with A.Imran Khan up.
CLYMENE :- Another debutant owned by the Dhunjibhoy’s but from the yard of Faisal Abbas. She is by Western Aristocrat who is as yet an unproven sire in Western India but her dam Magdalena is from the family of Rahy’s Serenade who has been very successful in India particularly for these connections. She has been showing the most speed amongst this lot in her preparatory work and looks the one most likely to succeed with Sandesh up.
LADY ALMEDA :- She is a got abroad from Malesh Narredu’s yard and is the first foal of Zafayra to race in India, coming here in foal to Lope De Vega who was a dual Group 1 winner in France. Most of the family who raced in Ireland were successful over middle distances so she probably looks like one who will eventually do better over further. She must be considered here but will most likely need this run.
OUTSTANDING :- Is the 2nd runner from the Sunderji yard and has been working slightly better than her stablemate. Phoenix Tower has established himself as a top juvenile sire. This is the first foal of the dam Oasis Gold with the granddam being by Rainbow Quest so the pedigree looks quite decent. With Neeraj Rawal up and the plum No. 1 draw, she looks a strong contender.
CONCLUSION :- Clymene appears to be working the best of these and is taken to score from the Sunderji pair of Outstanding and True Grit/
Race No. 5 :- The August Handicap –3 Years Old only, rated 20 46 – Distance :- 1400M
CAPRISCA :- This thrice raced son of Xisca clearly deserves to be at the top of the handicap as he looks the best performed of this lot. After finishing 6th to Awesome Hooves on debut in the B.K. Rattonsey Million, he went on to win his maiden in fine style from end to end beating Themis and Selfie Star in the process. He then ran a cracker in the Breeders Juvenile Colts Championship over a mile, almost lasting out and only collared in the dying strides by Pure Zinc. He should be fit enough judging from his preparatory work and in spite of conceding weight all around, he looks the most likely winner with Trevor retaining the ride.
GLYNDEBOURNE :- She has raced twice and clearly has a lot of promise, although she has to bounce back from a below par performance last time out. She looked an exciting prospect when scoring on debut back in January when in spite of looking soft in the paddock, she got the better of the fitter looking Perfect Star, the pair pulling a long way clear of the rest. However, she ran extremely flat next time out in the Breeders Produce Stakes, never being able to land a blow and ending up only 6th. She has been given time to improve since that run and her prep work too has been limited. She may go well fresh and does look the main danger to Caprisca here.
WE BREAK THE RULES :-This full brother to Whomakestherules from C.D. Katrak’s yard has had 3 starts till date and is still a maiden. Finishing 5th to Timeless Deeds on his debut, he showed a little improvement to end up a faraway 3rd to Perfect Star and Lord Of The Sea over a mile on Derby Day and looks well held by Glyndebourne on that line. He then went on to run 3rd to Gloriosus over a mile again in a much weaker contest. He has been working fairly well and could contest for minor honours but it looks tough for him to trouble the top two.
SWIFTNESS :-From Magansingh P Jodha’s yard she has run twice till date, finishing a long way behind Caprisca on debut but then thought good enough to contest the Juvenile Fillies Championship next time out so she must have shown connections something. She gets 11 kilos from Caprisca on the scale and at the weights, she can be given a squeak to upset.
CONCLUSION :-This looks a straightforward opportunity for Caprisca and he should win this enroot to better things. Glyndebourne looks the one who could trouble him the most
Race No. 6:- The D.K. Ashish Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
EL TYCOON :- Speedy 4 year old colt from Vijay Kasbekar’s yard he has won once in 14 attempts so far, that win coming last year in a 6 furlong maiden contest on this track where he won comfortably from Milwalkee and Golden Eclipse. He has been in good form of late, placing in each of his last 3 starts over 1000M in Mumbai and going very close on his penultimate run when 3rd in a 3 way photo with Motherland and Fabio. T.S. Jodha takes the ride but there has been no recent trackwork so fitness will be a bit of a concern.
SILK BABY :- 4 year old filly from C.D. Katrak’s yard who has been successful once in 11 attempts but has usually been quite consistent over this sort of trip and off this mark. Her win came over 7 furlongs last Pune season back in August off a mark of 27 so she is not too much higher than that at present. However after finishing a close 2nd to Dhishoom over this trip back in January, she seemed to lose her way in 4 subsequent starts and it is hoped that she has been freshened up by the break. She has been moving well in her few workouts recently and looks to have a strong chance to bounce back to winning ways with Neeraj Rawal up.
KODIAK QUEEN :- This 4 year old got abroad filly began her career in bright fashion, scoring an upset maiden win over 6 furlongs on debut last August, beating Fury and King of Killen. She finished 3rd in each of her next 2 starts in competitive middle distance handicaps but had a poor Mumbai season where she did nothing of note in 4 starts. Back to the centre where she has performed well and down to her winning trip, she is given a good chance to return to winning ways with D.S.Daman in the saddle
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HUZZAH’S GRACE :- Imtiaz Sait trained 3 year old who was given an educative run in Mumbai and is sure to improve for that effort and strip fitter. May need a lung opener in Pune and should build on this but has been working quite well and can spring a surprise as an unknown and unexposed improver with J. Chinoy in the plate..
EMOTIONLESS :- Nicely bred 3 year old from C.D. Katrak’s yard she has raced 4 times during the Mumbai season and showed gradual improvement with every start. Well down the field on debut over 1200M, she improved to finish 5th behind Windsor Forest and Timeless next time out. She again ran 5th behind Perfect Star upped to mile next time out before her best effort when 4th over 1400M behind Cerrado. She needs to show marked improvement on the bare form and can be considered as a place contender today.
LILIBETH :-This 3 year old filly from Narendra Lagad’s yard has raced thrice over sprints till date and has competed in some strong contests so looks to have been given a lenient opening handicap mark. She finished a close 4th on debut over 1000M behind Wise Child, Goldie’s Pet and Texas Gold, all of who have gone on to do well. She was then 7th in the B.K. Rattonsey Million before ending up 6th behind Lady Sergeant on her last start. Receiving weight all around and bagging the No 1 rail draw and with Dashrath Singh up and the yard in good form, she looks to have a strong chance to make a winning handicap debut.
CONCLUSION :-With none of the older horses able to make a decisive claim, it may pay to take a chance on Lilibethfrom the foot of the weights with the yard already in form. Silk Baby and Kodiak Queen both have questions to answer but are capable of bouncing back.
Race No. 7 :-The Ruben Star Plate – Class IV – 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
RAPID GIRL :- This well bred 6 year old mare gained her 2nd career win from 27 starts last time out, showing good resolve to get up and pip Relentless Pursuit by ¾ length over this trip with Simona and Sail Past well behind that day. She seems to have maintained her form and fitness as she has been working well on the Pune track and looks set to make a bold bid to repeat with her rider’s claim negating half of her penalty. She looks in good form and must be one of the main ones to be considered
MARVEL :- Well bred 5 year old mare who has won 2 of her 19 starts, her last victory coming over course and distance back in October where she won easily in the lower class. She has been battling the handicapper during the Mumbai season without success but does not look to far above her last winning mark and has been solidly prepared for this seasonal reappearance. R. Ajinkya gets along well with her and she has a strong each way shout here.
DIVINE SOLITAIRE :-Is now 7 years of age and we have to go back to March 2014 for his last win although he is at present handicapped well below that mark. He has come down considerably in the weights and what catches the eye is the booking of P. Trevor who is the first positive jockey booking for him in a long time. He has been sharpened up by a Mock Race last week and hence merits serious consideration.
ISINIT :- The 5 year old filly from the small yard of S N Joshi is winless in 15 starts but she has been knocking on the door for some time now, going close on several occasions. She finished an extremely close 3rd over 6 furlongs when last seen in Mumbai going down by ½ a length and a long neck to Super Bolt. The 7 furlong trip is not certain to suit her (has run poorly over it before) but she should be fit enough to go first time out and is another who comes into the reckoning in a tricky finale.
RAIN DANCE :- Another maiden who is beginning to look very well handicapped but is winless in 16 starts till date and does not always give his true running. He finished on late to be 3rd to Master of Trinity on his last start and if he able to build on that run then he may be able to be involved. However, he looks more of a place prospect and winning looks tough with S.A. Amit in the saddle.
ROYAL ÉCLAIR :- Enigmatic 6 year old mare who has won just once in 22 starts till date but her win over course and distance back in September was hugely impressive and she seems to have held that form in 3 subsequent starts since, finishing 3rd on 2 of those. She was withdrawn the last twice in Mumbai so fitness is a bit of a concern but if she returns in the same form, then she should have a very strong chance. She goes well with T.S.Jodha and must come into consideration.
CONCLUSION :-As in the case of most of these older horses races, this looks highly competitive and difficult to pick a clear winner. The winner should emerge between Divine Solitaire, Rapid Girl and Royal Éclair .
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
