FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 6TH AUGUST, 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 05 Aug 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 6TH AUGUST, 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Radiant Plate – Class V – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1800M
STAR SCHOLAR :- The 4 year old from Dallas Todywalla's yard has raced 17 times till date and came to hand only in the latter half of the Mumbai season, gaining his maiden success on his penultimate start and having been very consistent in his last 4 efforts. He scored over a mile in April beating Master Sergeant by 1 ¾ lengths with Paradise back in 4th that day. He then chased home Frosted over 1400M on his last start, ending up a respectable 2nd. He appears to be the only one in this field with consistent current form and with P. Trevor to guide him, looks to have an excellent chance to gain another victory.
PARADISE :-This 5 year old from Subhag Singh's yard is relatively lightly raced having had just 9 starts and is yet to do anything of note. However, she did lead for a long way when finishing 4th to Star Scholar on her last but one run and did not run too badly dropped to 6 furlongs the next time. She may be able to dictate the gallop in this small field and if T.S. Jodha is able to get the fractions right then she might be able to steal the race from the front.
SIR SONG :-He is the most exposed in this field, being a veteran of 31 races with just a solitary win to his name which came in August 2015 over a mile and off a mark of 21. He does not appear to be completely straightforward but he has gone close on a couple of occasions over a mile subsequently so this slightly longer trip should be in his favour. He is very well handicapped on the pick of his form but there is no guarantee that he will run upto his best so he comes with risks attached. S.A. Amit takes the ride.
SILVER EDGE :-This 5 year old colt from C. Rajendra's yard has raced 14 times till date and showed some ability on his penultimate start when finishing a close 2nd over a mile to Brazos. He is very closely weighted with Star Scholar on a line through Master Sergeant and if he runs upto that level then he must be given a good chance with Prashant Dhebe in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- An extremely open looking event which is best left alone from a betting standpoint with any one of the runners able to make claims to score.
Race No. 2 :- The Cabriolet Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1600M
COLLEGIUM :-Nicely bred 3 year old gelding from S.K. Sunderji's yard who is the highest rated of these 5 and appears to have the strongest form. After been given an introductory run he ran a fine 4th to Tutankhamun in the Breeders Produce Stakes and followed that up with a 3rd behind Manifold and Mygrator next time out. His last effort over this trip was a shade disappointing when he could only finish 3rd to Texas Gold but he still appears to have the best form and has been working well of late. NeerajRawal has been booked to ride and he appears to be a leading contender.
SHAKIN STEVENS :-This gelding by Arazan out of Queen of the Turf has had a solitary run in Mumbai where he was very green and inexperienced over 6 furlongs and finished well behind the winner Cambridge. He is sure to have learnt plenty for that experience and the step up to this trip appears much more suitable on pedigree. He has been working very well on the Pune track and has the potential to be smart so although there is no form to go by, he must be seriously considered with Prashant Dhebe up.
DAUGHTEROFTHESUN :-Fashionably bred got abroad from the powerful MaleshNarredu yard but she has been disappointing in 3 career starts till date. She ran promisingly on her maiden start over 6 furlongs when finishing an easy unextended and close 4th behind Si Gentillesse but then was disappointing when turned out again over 1400M 2 weeks later ending up a poor 4th of 5 to Daffodil. Entered 2 weeks later over a mile, she appeared to take a further backward step finishing well down the field. It is possible that she was being raced too soon and she could have been freshened up by the break. She looks a bit short on prep work here as well and would probably need this run so she must be considered an outsider here.
ZANARA :- Made her debut back in December over 1400M and got the hang of things very late, staying on strongly in the closing stages and only just failing to peg back Timeless Deeds, ending up a good 2nd. However, when strongly fancied next time out in a Million race on Derby Day, she was one of the first ones off the bridle, was struggling from before the bend and ran an absolute shocker. Clearly something was amiss that day and she is worth giving another chance to. Her recent trackwork has been excellent suggesting that she has improved and with P. Trevor up, she could make amends now.
CONCLUSION :-The well bred Zanara is worth giving one more chance to make amends for her dismal last run and is taken to score from the more exposed but consistent Collegium. Shakin'Stevens is the dark horse
Race No. 3 :- The Hurricane Plate – Div. II – 3 Year Old Maidens – Distance :- 1200M
CAMOUFLAGED :-from the yard of Faisal Abbas was one of the first 2 year olds to race from the current crop making his debut back in October where she finished 4th to Elysee and Sweet Music. He then possibly aimed too high when contesting the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million on Derby Day where he finished well behind Gallant Knight. He still has plenty of scope to improve on just his 3rd start but looks unlikely to reverse the form with Gallant Knight. He is a half brother to Merabella and he could run into a place
GALLANT KNIGHT :-The 3 year old Colt by Arazan out of Star Angel appears to be highly regarded by the M.A.M. Ramaswamy stable and made his debut in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million on Derby Day where he finished a respectable 5th behind Awesome Hooves and beating reopposing Camouflaged quite easily. He is expected to improve appreciably from his first run to his second and his last workout on the Pune course was extremely impressive. His full sisters Justice Angel and Striking View were both well performed so the line has already done well. He has the services of A. Sandesh in the saddle today and looks one of the leading fancies to win this.
IN IT TO WIN IT :- Once raced Sedgfield colt from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who made his debut over 7 furlongs back in March, finishing midfield behind La Magnifique over 7 furlongs. He should have improved for that effort but still appears to be coming to hand judging from his recent trackwork. He is a full brother to Makino and should develop into a decent type but looks a minor berth contender for today. D.S. Daman takes the ride.
MYGRATOR :-Beautifully bred by Excellent Art of the champion filly Haunting Memories, this colt is easily the best performed of this bunch and has leading form claims to win this. He finished ¾ length 2nd to the brilliant Manifold on debut and that form has been franked in no uncertain terms. He was disappointing upped to a mile in the Breeders'Juvenile Colts Championship but then redeemed himself in Bangalore dropping back to this trip when runner up to the well regarded Prevalent Force. He should be fit enough coming down from Bangalore, has Yash Narredu in the saddle and looks to have an excellent chance to shed his maiden tag now.
TAR HEEL :-Son of Varenar from the Imtiaz Sait yard who ran a decent race on debut back in April, improving leisurely from midfield to finish 4th to Orion's Belt over this trip. He is likely to have improved for that experience and should be much fitter and sharper today. He has been brought along steadily since then and may still need this run to progress further but he merits each way consideration. The dam Charlotte Point has thrown some average performers abroad and this is her first foal in India.
TOWER BRIDGE :- This well bred daughter of Phoenix Tower will have a fitness advantage having raced just last week and finished on nicely to be a good 2nd to Shamwari over 1000M. She has the huge advantage of having already raced on the Pune track and although she is turned out again very quickly, she looks to have a fine chance to go one better with the additional furlong sure to suit. She comes from a fine family with her full brother Kingoftheworld the winner of the South India 2000 Guineas and her half brotherAirco a class I performer in Western India. She looks the one to beat .
CONCLUSION :-Tower Bridge is expected to improve for her lung opener last week and looks the one to beat. Mygrator looks a big danger coming down fit from Bangalore and with good form to his name and Gallant Knight is highly regarded and completes the short list
Race No. 4 :- The Pune Bookmakers'Association Ltd. Turf Club Trophy (Grade 3) – Terms – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
ACCOLADE :- Winner of last year's Pune Derby and the Poonawalla Multi Million, but could not go on to achieve Classic Glory this season. He was well beaten in the Kolkotta Classics by Whomakestherules and Hall of Famer and then returning to Bangalore he has performed below in 3 runs back down at 6 and 7 furlongs, last time only able to finish a distant 4th to SerjeantAt Arms. He has something to prove, conceding weight all around and maybe best watched until he shows some of his old spark.
DANCING PRANCES :-The 7 year old is now a 32 race veteran and has an impressive strike rate of almost 50% having won 15 races in all. He has been performing at the top level over 6 and 7 furlongs for many years now and is a Multiple Group race winner. However, towards the end of the Mumbai season he just began to show signs that age is catching up with him and he may be vulnerable to younger types. He is expected to run a cracker again and is working well so should not be ignored.
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :-Pesi Shroff trained 6 year old who is another 7 furlong specialist and has performed admirably in his 30 race career, winning 9 times and finishing in the first four on as many as 24 occasions. He returned to Mumbai after a stint in Kolkotta to finish 3rd to Celtic Prince and Dancing Prances over this trip. There is a suspicion that age is beginning to catch up with him as well and he looks a little short on prep work as well. Upset chance only.
CELTIC PRINCE :- One of the most improved older horses last Mumbai season winning 4 times in 6 starts and seeing his rating catapult from 58 to 106 capping his season with a brilliant win over a couple of these in the RM and Rukhmani Goculdas Million. He looks to be in the form of his life at present, is working superbly and looks one of the main contenders to continue his fine run with J. Chinoy up .
HOLY SMOKE :-Rose rapidly up the handicap ranks earlier in his career, completing the rare achievement of 5 wins in a row but has been struggling off his current mark since. Had a lung opener last week to get him fit for this race and must be considered but does not inspire confidence that he has it in him to gain another win at this point.
ST. ANDREWS :-Classy 4 year old who just seems to be coming into his own and is very lightly raced for this stage in his career. Was hot favourite for the Poonwalla Million after highly impressive maiden win but finished well down the field that day and returned after a year off the track. He proved his worth by finishing 3rd in the 2000 Guineas on reappearance and then 2nd in the Ruia and has easily won his last 2 starts over 7 furlongs since. He is completely out on the scales rated just 98 (compared to Holy Smoke 109 and Celtic Prince 106) but there is a strong feeling that he is improving rapidly now and can defy the terms. Strong fancy.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of being unsuited by the Terms, St. Andrews seems to be very much on the upgrade and is taken to defy the handicap and win his first Group race. Celtic Prince is feared most while the evergreen Dancing Prances can never be left out of calculations.
Race No. 5 :- The Conrad, Pune Salver – Class III – Distance :- 1000M
VICTORIO :- Speedy 5 year old from Sanjay Kolse's yard who has won 3 of his 17 starts and placed in his last 2 starts over 1000M. He finished 3rd to Free Speech and Wonder Story in a 5YO & over contest and then ended up 4th to Mizilla Gold, beaten about 2 lengths. He appears to be in the handicapper's grip at present and may need a little respite before he can return to winning ways. Looks vulnerable off top weight and may run into a place.
FLAMBOYANT FLAME :-4 year old now trained by Malesh Narredu who clearly has ability but has not been giving her best on every occasion and does not appear to be the most straightforward. She ran an excellent race last week when looking a winner over 1200M and only being collared close home. She comes into this with a fitness advantage and the drop in trip looks likely to suit her. Yash Narredu takes over from inexperienced apprentice and she looks one of the principal contenders to go one better.
HOUSE OF COMMONS :-Faisal Abbas trained 4 year old who has been very highly regarded right from the time of his debut and now seems to be justifying connections' faith. He was an odds on failure on the first 3 starts of his career but drop to the minimum trip and switch to hold up tactics seem to be the key to him the last twice. He scored an impressive maiden win over 1000M in the lower class and then followed it up with a smart 2nd over 1200M to Arakawah last time out. He still looks to be improving, is working exceptionally well and with P. Trevor in the saddle, looks a big danger to all. The yard rattled in a good double yesterday and look in top form.
BENEFICIAL :- The 4 year old gelding from S.K. Sunderji's yard has been showing steady improvement with his racing and both his wins came during the recent Mumbai season, last time out hard ridden but winning decisively in the end in the lower class, beating Philadelphia by ½ a length. He has a 4 ½ kilo penalty to contend with, half of which is negated by his rider's claim. He seems to be in good form judging from his recent workouts and should try hard for another win.
FLAG FLYING :-Well bred and lightly raced, this half brother to Heat Wave was a runaway winner over 1400M when first tried a couple of starts ago winning by a large margin. Dropped to 6 furlongs last time out, he established a runaway lead and looked a winner before being shocked right on the post by New England. No doubt he will find this stiff 5 furlongs very sharp but appears to have plenty of speed and could clearly be a dark horses who could spring a surprise. N. Nadeem gets on well with him and he could be one to consider as an outsider for the Jackpot Pool.
WISE CHILD :-His pedigree is all about sprinting with his dam Elena a 5 furlong record holder for some time and although he is small in stature, he has displayed plenty of speed in 3 runs till date. He made an impressive winning debut over 1000M beating Goldie's Pet and Texas Gold convincingly before finding 6 furlongs stretching him when only 6th in the Gool S. Poonawalla. He bounced back well to finish a neck 2nd to Oracle dropped to this trip again but looks to have been handed a difficult opening handicap mark. 3 year old running in Class III in Pune is clearly a negative but Sandesh is in the saddle and he is working well so could well dispel the myth and win again .
CONCLUSION:-This should be between the in form Flamboyant Flame and the progressive House of Commons.
Race No. 6 :- The Moosa M. Hoosein Trophy – Class IV – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
DIVINE MAGIC :- This 4 year old Rebuttal colt from ImtiazSait's yard has only run 5 times till date and although still a maiden, has gone very close on a couple of occasions. He caught the eye on only his 2nd start when dragging his rider into 4th place over 6 furlongs and was sent off a hot favourite over 1400M next time out where he was curiously ridden and finished on late to be 2nd by ½ a length. He had a limited Mumbai campaign, racing just twice and looked to coming to hand last time out over this trip when finishing 4th but only ¾ length behind the winner Motherland in a blanket finish. He has talented 5 kilo claimer Raghuveer Singh up today and in spite of lack of recent track work, he looks one to consider very seriously.
PHILADELPHIA :- Speedy Varenar 4 year old filly who has been fancied almost every start and was basically disappointing until last time out when slapping on blinkers and adopting forcing tactics nearly saw her pull off a maiden win, leading all the way and only going down narrowly to Beneficial in the final few strides. She had a forward run in a Mock Race last week and should have been freshened up by the break. P. Trevor up again is a big plus although she has a wide draw in Stall 13.
WAY AHEAD :-Enigmatic 5 year old from C.D. Katrak's yard, he is a 12 race maiden but has finished 2nd on as many as 4 occasions. He has finished runner up a couple of times over this trip earlier in his career and back in March finished up 2nd to Seacrets by a whisker over 1200M. He had a lung opener last week to blow away the cobwebs and with A. Imran Khan now taking over and the plum No. 1 draw, he looks to have an excellent chance to finally earn a bracket.
MY BLESSINGS :-Lightly raced 4 year old filly who has done well on each of her 3 starts. She began her career back in August where she finished 2nd to Greek Goddess, beating the likes of Shaoqing and Aragon. She was not seen out again until March where she was just reeled in by Orla on handicap debut, going down by a short head over this trip. She ran 3rd to Democrat stepped up to 6 furlongs but should relish the return to the minimum trip and has been well prepared to be fit enough on seasonal debut. She looks in good nick and should run very well with Dashrath Singh an interesting booking for the yard.
SHAPE THE SCAPE :-This 5 year old mare from Mansoor Shah's yard does not always put her best foot forward but she managed to win impressively over 1200M the one time she was fancied back in October. She has steadily been brought down in the weights during the Mumbai season and looks well placed on the scales for an encore. S.A. Amit who rode her to victory is back in the saddle and she must come into consideration.
CONCLUSION :-This looks a difficult event with several chances. My Blessings is a tentative selection to beat Philadelphia
Race No. 7 :- The Hurricane Plate – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
BABY FACE :-He has raced thrice till date and has showed gradual progression with each of his runs. Making his debut over 7 furlongs in February, he finished a modest 5th to Caprisca in a good maiden. He then went on to run 6th to Lord Commander dropped to this trip before running his best race back up at 7 furlongs when 3rd to Turning Point, beaten 3 ½ lengths. He has been given plenty of prep work in the build up to this race and looks to have a strong each way chance with D.S. Daman declared.
DRAGONMOSS :- He has also raced thrice and has finished unplaced on all 3 occasions but connections clearly hold him in high regard as all 3 were tough contests including the Poonawalla Multi Million on just his 2nd start. He has plenty to prove in the way of form but this is a significant drop in grade for him and with NirmalJodha booked to ride, he looks a dark horse who can upset.
RINCON :-is a twice raced Mull of Kintyre colt from Faisal Abbas' yard. He made his debut in the same race as Dragonmoss, finishing just behind him in 8th place and then went on to run 5th to Kramer dropped down to this trip. Yard has their runners quite forward and ready to go this season and he too has been given plenty of prep work and has been showing out quite well. He has scope to improve on just his 3rd career start and is another to keep an eye on, especially if there is money for him.
ALOHA :- Is a nicely bred filly from S.K. Sunderji's yard who was well beaten in both her starts in Mumbai but looked backward and that stage and has been given time to come to hand. Her recent track work suggests that she has improved over the summer and with A. Imran Khan now taking over in the saddle, she is expected to leave that form behind and should be involved.
BUNTING :- Given an educative run back in February in a 5 furlong maiden where she finished 7th behind Pokerface and Ascension and has been given time to come to hand since then. She still looks to need some more improvement judging from her recent work but switch to A. Sandesh is a big positive and she is owned by powerful connections so could be a different proposition with a run under her belt.
HARMONY OF THE SEA :-She is another once raced, well bred potential improver from ImtiazSait's yard. She ran her maiden back in February as well and ended up midfield behind the speedy Kramer. She looks to have learnt plenty from that experience as indicated from her recent track work and yard has started the season in great form. Prashant Dhebe too has been among the winners already and hence she looks to have a big chance to shed her maiden tag now.
CONCLUSION :-An open looking maiden with several potentially useful types and not much form to go on. Harmony Of The Sea is taken to continue her yard's good form and earn a bracket.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
