FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 15 Sep 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Adam’s Treasure Plate – Div. II – Class V – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
ETERNAL LOVE :- Untried 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav who has raced 5 times till date over sprint trips and has nothing to show for her efforts so far. She had a lung opener already this season to get a feel for the track. The interesting point to note here is that she has been ridden by 5 kilo claimers in all her starts so far but N.S. Parmar who is a much better jockey has been declared to ride today and she has been given plenty of prep work since her last start. She is running in the lowest grade in a relatively weak field and so she is worth considering as an unknown quantity who could improve, especially if there is money for her.
GOLDSMITH :- Is an exposed 5 year old gelding from Hosidar Daji’s stable who has raced 16 times so far with a solitary win to his name which came back in October last year over 1000M. He was well fancied over 7 furlongs just last week but could not quicken after travelling well upto the bend and is now dropped down slightly in trip. K. Nazil was on board on his penultimate start over 1200M where he finished an unconcerned 4th and is in the saddle again today. He has been working very well and looks to be one the leading contenders in this field.
DIVINE SPARK :- He is a 6 year old gelding trained by Altaf Hussain who has only raced 10 times till date and he showed some zest for racing for the first time on his reappearance run here when racing prominently throughout and keeping on to be a close 5th to Super Icon. He could make some more progress for that effort and with A. Imran Khan replacing Vishal Bunde in the saddle, he should be right there at the finish if showing a little more improvement. He is untried till date and hence merits consideration.
ARC OF PASSION :- She is a 4 year old filly from the yard of S.N. Joshi who is a still a maiden after 11 starts. However, she seems to have improved over the summer as she ran her best race yet on her reappearance over course and distance when finishing a good 3rd to Adam’s Beginning in a race which has already thrown up a few winners. She has been working quite well since that run and in this weak field, she merits serious consideration if she is able to progress again. Amyn Merchant keeps the ride and she must come into calculations.
RISING CONCERT :- 5 year old gelding from the in form stable of Narendra Lagad, he too is a winner of just 1 of his 22 starts and like Goldsmith, he was a winner over 1000M last October. His subsequent runs have been poor but last time out he finished just outside the frame in a similar contest over 5 furlongs and he should not be bothered by the additional 200M. T.S. Jodha keeps the ride and he looks an each way contender.
CONCLUSION :-A very weak contest to get things underway and probably one best avoided from a betting standpoint. With the experienced handicappers looking quite exposed it may pay to focus on the 4 year old Arc of Passion who ran a forward race on her earlier run this season and has some scope for improvement. The unexposed duo of Divine Spark and Eternal Love can also be involved if showing some improvement.
Race No. 2 :- The Enaksi Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1000M
FREE SPEECH :- Is a well bred 6 year old gelding from Trainer H.J. Antia’s yard who began his career with back to back successes and although running well several times after that, his failed to add to those preliminary successes. He has run twice this term, both times over 6 furlongs and has finished 4th on both occasions. At present, he looks vulnerable off his current handicap mark and is taking on some good younger horses. He looks likely to run into a place again at best and will need a drop in the weights and to tackle older company if he is to add to his previous victories. Rank outsider with regular rider N.Nadeem up again.
FLAMBOYANT FLAME :- 4 year old filly who began her career with Dallas Todywalla before being shifted to the care of Malesh Narredu midway through her career. She has raced 13 times till date with 2 wins to her name, both of them coming over this trip. She ran run twice this season, running a very good race first time out when 2nd to Makino but then going back on that run dropped to this trip and only 4th behind House of Commons last time out. She too looks a little exposed and the yard appears to have a stronger contender in Arabelle.
ARABELLE :- Another 4 year old trained by MaleshNarredu she has been slowly working her way back into form after going somewhat off the boil in her last few starts. She has been working extremely well from the beginning of the season and showed signs of some progress last time out when showing early speed before retiring with 5 kilo apprentice up. Y.S. Srinath now takes over in the saddle and she looks to have an excellent chance to make it back into the winner’s circle.
WILD FIRE:-3 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who had been trying to shed her maiden tag for some time over distances between 1000 and 1400M without much success. However, her last run was a revelation and she looked a different filly, showing blinding speed and shattering the 5 furlong course record on the way to an astonishing 14 length maiden win. Admittedly she had very little opposition to face that day and this is much tougher plus she has to carry a stiff 10.5 kilo penalty for that astonishing performance. However, she is clearly vastly improved and may just run these rivals off their feet as well so looks a very strong contender.
LINCOLN :-Classy 3 year old colt trained by Pesi Shroff, he showed his quality by scoring an impressive 4 ¼ length maiden win on just his 2nd start before failing to stay the longer trip and finishing down the field in the Poonawalla Million. He has been rested and well prepared since then and his recent workouts have been impressive but he is entitled to need this run after such a long lay off. He looks an interesting prospect and is receiving weight from many of the principals so if he is fit and well, then with A. Sandesh up he looks quite capable of resuming his upward curve. He also has the maximum scope for improvement amongst most of these.
SAFDAR :- He is a 4 year old colt from Rehanullah Khan’s yard who has raced 8 times till date with 1 win and two 2nds to his name. His previous form suggests that he is best over 6 furlongs and he is likely to find this trip on the sharp side. He too is returning from a presumed setback having not raced since February and his recent work and Mock Race suggests that he will need this outing. N.S. Parmar is booked to ride but he too looks an outsider who could place at best.
CONCLUSION :- With Wild Fire facing a stiff penalty and tougher opposition and Lincoln although looking potentially smart, running after a long absence, it may pay to side with Arabelle today. She has a fitness advantage, has been working exceptionally well and has the services of Y.S. Srinath in the saddle and may be available at attractive odds to boot
Race No. 3:- The Eloise Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1800M
IN MY DREAM :- Highly regarded 4 year old filly trained by C.D. Katrak she has not quite fulfilled connections’ expectations in 8 starts until date. She seems to be slowly coming to form this term, running 4th and then 3rd in her last 2 attempts in similar company and is now stepped up in trip. She is conceding weight to some in form and potentially smart types and may need a slight drop from her current mark before she can return to winning ways. Suraj Narredu is up again and she can battle it out for minor honours.
SIMON SAYS :- A son of the mighty filly Venus Arising, this 5 year old gelding trained by HosidarDaji appears to be a late bloomer and finally seems to be coming into his own this season. He is bidding for a hattrick after 2 very impressive victories this term, first easily beating subsequent winners Lord Grantham and Lady Be Good over a mile and then taking a 7 ½ kilo penalty in his stride when scoring a fluent win over Lord of the Sea over 2000M in this class with Drogo a poor 4th that day. He is up a further 6 kilos for that win but looks in terrific form at present and may take some stopping with Sandesh retaining the ride.
UNFORGETTABLE YOU :- Another potential Group race 4 year old filly trained by MaleshNarredu, she suffered an injury in last year’s Pune Derby and was off the track for a long time but made a triumphant return in the Independence Million a month ago where she outclassed the opposition to defy top weight and in with a bit in hand. She is sure to improve appreciably for that run and still has scope to improve substantially.
DAFFODIL :- Impeccably bred 3 year old filly from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, she has been going from strength to strength with every run and is another who is bidding for a hattrick after 2 fluent wins the last twice. She looked to have plenty in hand when easily beating Class IV opposition over a mile on her reappearance and Vitesse and Zanzibaar who finished 2nd and 3rd that day, have gone on to frank the form and win subsequently. She has been working extremely well, looks to be very much on the upgrade and with Neeraj Rawal retaining the ride, looks a leading fancy and should continue her progression.
COMIC TIMING :- 4 year old filly from Adhiraj Singh Jodha’s yard she too appears to have come to hand this season, winning both her starts quite resolutely. After coming with a strong late run on the opening day of the season to collar subsequent winner Auroden close home, she showed further improvement when making all over a mile last time out to beat Star of Harmony and Brabourne. She appears to have maintained her condition well and with her regular rider Neeraj Rawal opting to ride Daffodil, C.S.Jodha has been booked to ride. She looks likely to dominate again in this small field off bottom weight and could be dangerous if allowed her own way up front.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the small field, this looks highly competitive with almost all the runners coming into this in good form. Daffodil and Unforgettable You both look quality fillies in the making and are expected to fight out the finish, with it being very difficult to make a choice between the pair
Race No. 4:- The Mysore Race Club Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
ADMO :- This 3 year old colt trained by Nosher Cama is the highest rated amongst these maidens and also appears to have the best form, having run with promise on 3of his 4 starts till date, the only exception being an inexplicably poor run over a mile on his 2nd of 4 starts. He warmed up for this race by finishing a close 2nd to Bataleur over course and distance last time out and the winner is thought good enough to contest the S.A. Poonawalla Multi Million tomorrow so he looks to have lost to an above average type. He should be fitter and sharper for that run and with P.S. Chouhan up, looks set to continue his stable’s good recent run and is a leading fancy to score.
GRAND ACCORD :- 3 year old debutant from the powerful yard of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy and Kathik G, he has been well prepared to be fit enough first time out and has been given the experience of a Mock Race where he finished 3rd to Pure Zinc. He is likely to need this run and the stable has been in poor form of late which tempers enthusiasm somewhat. A. Sandesh has been booked suggesting that connections are strong but he may just need this introductory run.
SAGITTARIUS :- Another debutant this one from the Sanjay Kolse yard, he too has a nice pedigree by Arazan out of Glorious Breaker who has already produced some useful types over middle distances such as Rare Rhythm and Glorious Reward. He has been showing out well in the morning trials and with Y.S. Srinath booked to ride, he looks a potentially smart type who must be considered in spite of the lack of experience.
WILSHIRE :- From the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji, he has raced twice till date, once apiece in Mumbai and Pune and has finished midfield on both occasions over 1200M. He finished 4 ¾ lengths behind Bunting on her only run here this season and her subsequent work suggests that he has improved. He is likely to appreciate the step up to 7 furlongs and A. Imran Khan takes over from P. Trevor who is away. He looks likely to improve and merits serious each way consideration.
HUZZAH’S GRACE :- 3 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she has raced thrice till date, twice this term and has been slowly making progress with her racing. Unplaced on her reappearance run, she showed good improvement last time out when making good late progress upped to this trip to finish 3rd behind Powerhaus and Knight’s Quest. The dam Radical Velocity has produced ordinary types till date so there is not much promise on the pedigree front but she looks the type to keep progressing and could fight it out for minor honours with Prashant Dhebe retaining the ride.
MASQUERADE :- Got abroad filly trained by Pesi Shroff, she was given an educative run in Mumbai where she looked very green and inexperienced and she has been given time to come to hand since then. She is having her first start this December and only appears to have been given a couple of easy workouts so it is a big ask for her to win this first time out. She appears to be out for an airing today and whatever she does today, she is likely to improve markedly next time out. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and she must be respected but would have to be exceptionally better than these to win today. Dark horse.
CONCLUSION :- Admo has been showing good progression and with a fitness advantage and the yard in good form, he looks the most likely winner here. Both the debutantes Sagittarius and Grand Accord could be potentially smart and are worth keeping an eye on and chancing if they look fit in the paddock.
Race No. 5 :- The Yogender Singh Trophy – Div.II – Class IV 4 Years Old & Over – Distance:- 1400M
FOREST FIRE :- A half brother to the brilliant Astapi and a full brother to Lord Arazan, this 4 year old gelding trained by Karthik G. has been slowly progressing with his racing and appeared to be crying out for more galloping ground right from an early stage. He shed his maiden tag on his last start in Mumbai over 2000M where he had to be hard ridden from well before the bend to just get up and pip Star Scholar by half a length. However, he appears to have flourished over the summer and moved very attractively in a recent Mock Race suggesting he has improved significantly. A. Sandesh has been booked to ride and in spite of top weight, he looks a very strong contender to succeed again
GODSENT :- Nicely bred 5 year old trained by AdhirajsinghJodha who clearly has ability but is also quirky and temperamental as indicated by his record of just 1 win from 15 starts till date. He looked like scoring a huge upset over 1200M last time out when coming with a threatening run but refusing to pass the hard ridden favourite Miss Moneypenny and went down by a narrow margin. His win came over a mile so the additional furlong should not trouble him and A. Imran Khan is a positive replacement for NirmalJodha. He must be considered if running upto the same level but is a moody customer and comes with risks attached.
ARABIAN STORM :- Fashionably bred 4 year old who recently joined Narendra Lagad’s yard from Pesi Shroff and looks a nice sort on paper. He ran a forward race on his first start for new connections and kicked on to finish a close 4th behind Zanzibaar with Frosted back in 6th about 2 lengths further away. He is having just his 4th start so is sure to improve significantly for that run and although he is turned out again quite quickly and the family really seems to come into it’s own over distance trips, he looks likely to progress and looks one of the main contenders with Dashrath Singh retaining the ride.
FROSTED :- Improving 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she showed good resolve to win fluently over this trip on her last start in Mumbai and was probably in need of the run last time out when finishing up 6th about 2 lengths behind reopposing Arabian Storm. There is no obvious reason why she should reverse that form on similar terms here but she should benefit from the lung opener and is expected to be in the firing line again today.
BLAVATSKY :- 6 year old mare from the C.D. Katrak yard, she is a veteran of 23 starts and took advantage of her lenient handicap mark to gain her 2nd career victory on her first run this season, beating Commandperformance and Alfredo in a battling finish. She ran poorly on her next start in this class and looks up against it with the younger horses. Neeraj Rawal who was up for the win returns to replace R. Ajinkya and she will try hard to gain another victory but looks more likely to be a frame contender.
DUSKY SIREN :- Lightly raced 4 year old from the small stable of Subhag Singh, she was well backed on reappearance in the race won by Blavatsky but could not make much of any impression and finished a well beaten 4th. She has scope to improve after just 4 starts and Bhawani Singh takes over in the saddle today but she needs to show some more spark on the track before she can be seriously considered and she is a rank outsider here.
CONCLUSION :-The well bred Arabian Storm is fancied to build on his last run and gain a maiden success from the well bredForest Fire who moved impressively in a recent Mock Race. The quirky Godsentis very capable if in the right mood and is also feared
Race No. 6:- The Adam’s Treasure Plate – Div. I – Class V – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
GLORIOUS THUNDER :- 4 year old gelding from the Dallas Todywalla yard he began his career promisingly but could not earn a maiden success and seems to have lost his way in his last few starts. He is now dropped in grade into the lowest class having run unplaced in 2 starts this term in Class IV. He appears to be gaining fitness with his racing and Neeraj Rawal who was up last time retains the ride which is interesting so he can be considered in this lower grade but again is one who needs to show some spark before he can be fancied.
HIGHLAND PRINCESS :- Shazaan Shah trained 4 year old filly,She has run well each time she has been tried in this grade over sprints and was a bit unlucky not to win over 1000M last time out, shocked by Tally Ho close home. She should not be troubled by the additional furlong, is working well and is now strongly fancied to gain an overdue maiden success. H. Zeeshan has ridden some good races already this season and claims a valuable 5 kilos.
NAME OF THE GAME :- 5 year old mare from the small yard of C. Rajendra who’s overall profile of just 1 win from 19 starts is quite unconvincing but her solitary success came in this grade and over this trip when dropping into Class V last December and she returns to it now after some unsuccessful attempts in the higher class. She has no current form to recommend her chances but should be fit enough after a couple of starts this term and the booking of Dashrath Singh looks interesting. Her last couple of workouts have been quite good and she merits each way consideration now with yard in top form.
ROYAL MEWS :- She is a 4 year old filly who has raced 5 times till date with her runs being well spaced out so far. She showed signs of coming to hand last time out when finishing on late to be a fair 4th to Super Icon just behind Lilac Time who was 3rd that day. She should be able to improve on that run which was her first in some time, and with Sandesh retaining the ride and the scope for further improvement, she also looks one to consider in this open looking contest.
HEADLINES :- Another unexposed 4 year old this one trained by Altaf Hussain she is still a maiden after 6 starts and was withdrawn on her intended reappearance last month so has had some more time to prepare. She ran one promising race in Mumbai when 3rd over 1000M but then failed next time out over 1200 and is having her first start since then. She may just need this after the longish break but has been working very well and has the in form A.Imran Khan up so is another who is worthy of each way consideration.
LILAC TIME :- 8 times raced 4 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad stable, she caught the eye in her last start when making significant late headway from the rear to finish a notable 3rd to Super Icon just ahead of Royal Mews and she has been showing out well in morning work for some time now. Raghuveer Singh is a rare booking for the yard and if she is able to build on that last effort, then she looks to have an excellent chance to earn a bracket for herself.
CONCLUSION :- Lilac Time caught the eye with her finishing effort last time out and with the yard bang in form, she is a tentative selection in what looks an extremely open contest.
Race No. 7 :- The Alexandress Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
DURHAM LAD :- He is a full brother to My Blessings who began his racing just this season and is having his 3rd quick race in the space of a month. He has not really showed a lot of speed in his 2 starts till date but did improve a bit from his maiden effort when making the frame over 6 furlongs a couple of weeks ago. He should progress again and the switch from NirmalJodha to Yash Narredu is a positive one so in a race where there is not much form to go on, he is worthy of consideration and can be involved.
EXCELLENT GOLD :- From the in form yard of Narendra Lagad and has a speedy pedigree being a half brother to Harvey who has had 2 runs in Mumbai where he has finished outside the frame. However, he has been given time to improve since then and his last few workouts suggest that he has indeed improved. A. Sandesh is a rare booking for the stable so connections are obviously strong and he must be seriously considered in spite of the long absence.
HOPEILICIOUS :- S.S. Shah trained son of Ravel has run four times till date and finished a notable 4th on his first run on this track, prominent throughout and keeping on well in the straight behind Bunting and Take Five. He is expected to improve for that first run in some time and his recent track work has been quite noteworthy. A. Imran Khan retains the ride and he looks a strong contender in this field which lacks strength in depth.
KOTOR:-Highly regarded son of Phoenix Tower who is a full brother to Magical Spell who was a top class 6-7furlong performer in Hyderabad winning 8 of his 26 starts and finishing 2nd on 7 occasions. However, he has done little of note in his 2 starts till date. He lost all his chances on debut when quietly fancied as he was away sluggishly from the gates and could never recover and possibly needed the lung opener on his first start on this track when not given too hard a time to finish 1 ¾ lengths behind Hopeilicious. He is expected to improve for that effort and Suraj Narredu has been booked to ride so he is another who could just be coming to hand and is worthy of consideration.
MONTECASINO :- Trained by Malesh Narredu, he too has had 2 starts in Mumbai and showed some improvement on his debut run when finishing up 4th to Nextstar in a weak maiden, beaten about 5 ½ lengths. He has been given time to improve since then and showed speed in a recent Mock Race to lead for a long way before finishing 2nd to Forest Fire so should be quite fit. P.S. Chouhan has been booked to ride and he has bagged the No. 2 draw so he could very well attempt start to finish tactics.
ALOHA :- Full brother to Domination trained by S.K. Sunderji, he has run 4 times till date without showing any noteworthy form finishing well beaten in distances ranging from 1200 – 1600M. However, last time out over a mile, he went to the front to lead till the bend before retiring so is interesting now tried at the first time over the minimum trip. He has been working quite well of late and if taking to sprinting, he could be a dark horse who could upset with R. Ajinkya in the saddle. Drawn 12 which is a disadvantage.
IMPERIAL BEAUTY :- Comes from the yard of Karthik G and has had 2 previous runs in Mumbai, over 6 and 7 furlongs, finishing mid division on both occasions and has not raced since then. There is no obvious why she should be considered here except that Neeraj Rawal has accepted the ride which is quite interesting. She has had just limited work and may be one to keep an eye on especially if there is money for her.
CONCLUSION :- Very tricky to figure out with several staking claims to improve and win. Best watched from a betting perspective
Race No. 8 :- The Yogender Singh Trophy – Div.I – Class IV 4 Years Old & Over – Distance:- 1400M
LORD ARAZAN :- Well bred and sparingly raced 5 year old who has ability but does not appear completely straightforward and has been tried over distances ranging from 1200 – 2000M with his best form appearing to be over 6 furlongs. He did run well over this trip on his last start in Mumbai when finishing a close 3rd to Rapid Girl and drops back into this class after 2 runs this season which should have gotten him fit. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride again, he has been working well and comes into consideration in spite of shouldering top weight.
IRISES :- Once thought to be a Classic type, she seems to have had multiple problems through her short career and is again returning after a long absence. She made her debut only in October last year and was an impressive pillar to post winner. However, she flopped badly next time out in Mumbai and skipped the 1000 Guineas as a result. Returning in March, she ran a good 2nd to Celestial Light over a mile but then again flopped on her subsequent start and was laid off again. She has been well prepared since then and looks the type to go well fresh so is worth fancying back down at 7 furlongs with Neeraj Rawal taking the ride.
DIBABA :- Both his wins have come off a mark in the early 20s and took advantage of his good handicap to come with a late run and collar Time of My Life over this trip with Sandesh up. He appears to have maintained his condition since the win and 5 kilo penalty seems fair so with Sandesh keeping the faith, he should try hard to progress and win again and must be considered.
TALLY HO :- After a string of failures with MaleshNarredu, he was sold into Narendra Lagad’s yard and immediately showed his liking for his new environment by coming with a sparkling run and stunning the field over 1000M last time out. Turned out again quickly over what seems to be a more suitable trip and he still possesses the ability to improve and can score a quick encore with Dashrath Singh replacing D.S. Daman in the saddle.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :- Another contender from the Lagad stable this 5 year old took forever to shed his maiden tag before finally achieving it over this trip on his 35th start. After several poor runs, he showed signs of coming back to form last time out when finishing on late to be 3rd to Gran Paradiso over an inadequate 6 furlongs. He is more exposed than most of these but A. Imran Khan has been booked to ride and he should make a bold bid to snatch another win back up to his favoured trip
DIVINE MAGIC :- Enigmatic 4 year old colt who we have probably not seen the best of just yet and ran promisingly just last week when finishing an unextended 3rd to Crystal Ball over this trip and is turned out again quickly with C.S. Jodha up again. Still early days on just his 8th start, he has been working well and has the potential to score so must be considered.
CONCLUSION :- As is typical of the final race on the card, this looks very competitive. Irises is given another chance to prove her connections high opinion of her as she usually goes well fresh and has Neeraj Rawal to guide her. Tally Ho who is also unexposed and open to plenty of improvement and Divine Magic head the list of dangers.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
