FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 22 Sep 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1:- The Menorah Plate – Div. II – Class IV , 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M Jockeys will not be permitted the use of whip
ARSENAL :- Is a 5 year old gelding from the stables of Shazaan Shah who was raced 20 times till date with just a solitary success which came in Mumbai back in March 2016 over 7 furlongs off a rating of 22. Arsenal has been out of form mainly since his win but did finish a little closer in his last start and in this older horses contest with H. Zeeshan on board, she could be considered as an outsider if regaining some of her old form.
SUPER ICON :- Experienced 6 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed, he is one of the few horses in this field who has very good current form which is a big positive, having run well all his 3 prior starts this term. Overall he has 2 wins to his name from 30 starts but one of those came last time out over course and distance where he easily beat Adele and Lilac Time to win in good style. His penalty for that win is practically negated by his rider's 5 kilo claim and S.Jaykumar will be confident having ridden a winner just last week. He is working well and looks the one to beat.
RICH N RARE :- Moody and erratic 5 year old mare from the yard of Narendra Lagad she took forever to get off the mark and after a string of close placed efforts in sprint races, she finally gained her maiden success at the 22nd attempt where coincidentally, she beat Super Icon by 1 ¾ length in receipt of 5 ½ kilos. However, she then ran poorly next time out so clearly does not look completely straightforward. She is closely matched with Super Icon on their last running and with M. Ayyar replacing N.B. Kuldeep in the saddle, if she runs upto her best then she could well be in the reckoning but she comes with risks attached including jumping out sluggishly from the gates.
BAY OF LOVE :- Is a 7 year old gelding from the yard of H.J. Antia who does not enjoy that many winners nowadays. Bay of Love has run 27 times, with 2 wins to her name, one of those coming over this trip back in December. He has run 4 times this term with his best effort being his first run on the opening weekend where he finished 2nd to Adam's Beginning over this trip. He has run 3 times over 1400M since then without success and now drops back to this trip and it is interesting to note that Kishore Kadam who was up for his first run is reunited with him for the first time since then. Bay of Love should be fit enough and looks a reasonable each way contender here.
SAIL PAST :- 6 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad yard, he appears to be the more fancied of the yard's 2 runners here with Raghuveer Singh taking the ride today. Sail Past has run 31 times till date with 2 prior wins but he has come down considerably in the weights since his last victory and is now back at his last winning mark. He has run 3 times already this season and has been improving steadily with every run, last time out finishing 3rd over 1400M to Rain Dance where he ran a forward race. He should have the speed to cope with this shorter trip and looks a strong contender for an in for yard.
WINDS OF CHANGE :- He is now 8 years of age from the stables of Vijay Kasbekar but can still raise an effective gallop as he has shown in his last 2 starts. He is a veteran of 61 races of which he has won 2 but he ran with promise on his last start in Mumbai and again on his reappearance run here just last week where he finished a close 3rd to Name of the Game. He has been turned out again very quickly and K. Nazil replaced C.S. Jodha in the saddle but he is another worthy of consideration if running upto the same level again.
CONCLUSION :- A wide open older horses contest. Super Icon appears to be in good form, won decisively last time out and looks likely to score again. Sail Past has come down appreciably in the scales and hinted that he was ready to strike last time out. He looks a danger as does the 7 year old Bay of Love.
Race No. 2 :- The In The Spotlight Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 2400M
REMEMBER ME :- 7 year old gelding from the yard of Nirad Karanjawala, he has appeared to be in the grip of the handicapper for some time now and has been struggling to hold his own off his current mark. He has run 45 times with 4 wins to his name but his last win was way back in August 2015 and he has never won over a distance beyond 7 furlongs although he has placed over 2000M. He is tackling this gruelling trip for the first time but has a good rider up in the shape of A. Imran Khan and is taking on rivals who themselves have questions to answer so he could run into a place although winning looks very difficult.
SQUARE MOON :- 6 years of age and a confirmed stayer from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha, this colt will have no problems getting the trip and could bounce back to form against this weak opposition. He has won 4 times in his 24 starts and was in good form in the latter half of the last Pune season, winning over course and distance in August and then running a game 2nd in the Suresh Mahendra Trophy. He wintered in Kolkotta where he ran well once in 4 starts finishing 2nd over 2200M. Last time out he ended a faraway 3rd to Star of Harmony but he is quite capable of bouncing back now with S.A. Amit in the saddle.
AL SHAMSHEER :- Narendra Lagad trained 6 year old gelding who is also a confirmed stayer but has been quite out of form for some time now although he was not too far behind Square Moon last time out and can turn the tables on him today. His wins usually come when tearing away to a large lead and out staying his opposition and although he has not been going to the front in his recent races, he looks likely to do so today, running practically at a feather weight. Raghuveer Singh is a good front running rider and if he takes a long lead from the start, he could just return to the winner's circle.
RAEES :- The youngest horse in the field by some way, this 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait appears to have found a wonderful opportunity to get back to winning ways. He looked very progressive once striking form in Mumbai, rattling off a hattrick of wins and generally running well over this trip. He was probably in need of the lung opener on his reappearance run over 1800M where he was well backed but could only finish 4th to Exodus although he had Square Moon and Al Shamsheer well behind that day. He will be fitter and sharper today, will relish this step back up in trip and with his recent good work and C.S. Jodha to guide him, he looks likely to start a short priced favourite.
CONCLUSION :-The 4 year old Raees is a confident selection taking on a field of mainly older and out of form horses and should win this convincingly. Al Shamsheer running practically bareback has the potential to spring a surprise if he runs away to a big lead.
Race No. 3:-The Dancing Glances Plate – Class IV and V – 3 Year Olds only – Distance :- 1400M
GENTILLESSE :- Sister to Confiance from the stables of Sanjay Kolse, this filly has always been held in high regard by her connections and has performed well in her limited career so far. She was a firm favourite on her racing debut back in January but found the 1000M trip sharp and finished 3rd to Juggernaut and was off the track for 2 months. She returned in March over 6 furlongs and duly gained a no nonsense maiden win beating Sassy Lass and Sereno which is just modest form. She again had a long break, reappearing 3 weeks ago, again over 6 furlongs and being no match for the fitter Gran Paradiso but finishing on nicely to be a good 2nd. She is sure to improve for that run and should appreciate the step up in trip so with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, she is strongly fancied to regain the winning thread in spite of shouldering top weight here.
LILBETH :- Comes from the in form stable of Narendra Lagad and has run 4 times till date, making not much of an impression in 3 starts in Mumbai but then appearing to have improved considerably over the summer and making a winning reappearance on this track back in August, coming with a late run to wear down Silk Baby and Kodiak Queen over 1200M. She has been brought along steadily since then and her last few workouts have been quite pleasing. She only has a 5 kilo penalty to contend with and with Dashrath Singh also in sparkling form in the saddle, she looks a strong contender and should make a mighty effort to repeat.
COSTA BRAVA :- Inexperienced gelding from the powerful yard of Pesi Shroff, he made a most pleasing debut albeit in a weak 6 furlong maiden 3 weeks ago where he was ridden by Akshay and made good ground from the rear before having his run hampered by the winner and ending up a close 2nd. Yard's runners tend to improve considerably from first run to 2nd and Suraj Narredu now takes over in the saddle which is a big positive. He is likely to leave his debut run well behind and must be strongly considered as an unexposed improver although he does need to improve on the bare form but has the scope to do so.
SOLO MISSION :- Representative of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy from the yard of Karthik G. he is one of the most experienced of these with 5 runs till date but is still a maiden and has not given too much encouragement yet. His best effort has come over this trip back in Mumbai where he finished 2nd to Cerrado but he was beaten 7 lengths that day and his 2 starts in Pune have been lacklustre. He should make some improvement but with Bhawani Singh up and the yard not in the best of form, he looks more of a place prospect today and it looks tough for him to beat his less exposed rivals. Rank outsider.
SKYSURFER :- Surfrider filly from the stable of Hosidar Daji she has run twice till date, making her debut over 1000M back in December and then returning from a lengthy absence to finish 4th to We Break The Rules over this trip. She has been working well since that run and is likely to improve on just her 3rd career start. C.S. Jodha now takes over in the saddle and she is another who looks likely to fight it out for minor honours but will have to show significant improvement to be considered from a win standpoint.
CONCLUSION :- This should be very close between Gentillesse, Lilibeth and Costa Brava with the Pesi Shroff ward just getting the nod in the hope that he will come on considerably for his debut effort where he could possibly have won if getting a clear run. Both Gentillesse and Lilibeth look very real dangers but the race should not go out of this trio.
Race No. 4 :- The Nirmal Ruia Gold Trophy – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
ACCOLADE :- Last year's Pune Derby winner who bounced back to form after a string of disappointing performances to just get the better of stable mate Your Royal Majesty in a thrilling finish to the Turf Club Trophy last month. Overall he has 5 wins and 3 seconds from 11 starts but was disappointing in Kolkotta where he finished 2nd in the 2000 Guineas and a well beaten 3rd in the Derby. He then ran some scratchy races in Bangalore during the summer before bouncing back here last time out. He conceded 5 kilos to Your Royal Majesty that day and now has to concede 7 but looks to have come on from the last run and may well improve past him again. A Imran Khan takes the ride in the absence of P. Trevor and he looks a leading contender.
COLUMBIANA :- Malesh Narredu trained 5 year old who has an excellent overall record with 8 wins and 8 seconds from 23 starts and has proved versatile with regards to trip although he drops down dramatically in distance now. He was a fluent winner of the Eve Champion Trophy and then chased home Temerity over 2400M last time out so is likely to find things happening a bit too quickly here. He did finish a flying 2nd over 1400M last season but has been racing over much further generally so even though he is in top form and Yash Narredu takes over in the saddle, he looks the outsider of this quartet.
PHOENIX TIGER :- Top class miler from the stable of Dallas Todywalla, he would have looked a good thing to win this at the peak of his form but is on his way back from a setback which kept him off the track for over a year and needs to show that he has returned to peak condition. He reappeared after almost 15 months in the Pune City Gold Cup and clearly lacked fitness when finishing 6th about 4 ¾ lengths behind Your Royal Majesty. He is likely to improve for that run and theoretically a 5 length improvement would put him bang in the firing line but he has had just one easy spurt since the run so fitness would remain a concern. Suraj Narredu takes over in the saddle and if he has progressed sufficiently from his last run, then he is bang there with a chance but that appears to be a big question mark.
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :- Gallant 6 year old stable companion of Accolade who excels over this trip and has gone down fighting by narrow margins on both starts this term. He lost out by a whisker to Accolade on his reappearance and then was again collared in the dying strides by Alaindair in the Pune City Gold Cup with Phoenix Tiger back in 6th. He is clearly the best handicapped runner in this field and must be respected with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle but may just find his younger stable companion improve past him. Handicap choice.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the small field this looks a fascinating affair. Your Royal Majesty has run well both starts this term and is the best handicapped horse in the field. However, Accolade was an impressive winner over him last time out and may be able to improve enough to offset his 2 kilo penalty. Phoenix Tiger clearly needed the run last time out and only needs to find a 5 kilo improvement to be in with a great chance and he cannot be ruled out either.
Race No. 5:- The Change of Luck Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
ODESSA :- 4 year old colt trained by Malesh Narredu, he has raced 5 times so far with 2 wins to his name and has scope for further progression. He made a pleasing debut last October when finishing 3rd over 1400M but then ran poorly in Mumbai when fancied over this trip and was given time to come to hand since then. He reappeared at the end of the Mumbai season over 6 furlongs and came with a powerful run to score under a whipless apprentice, repeating that feat on his reappearance here, again over 6 furlongs. However, with P.S. Chouhan up, he failed in his hattrick bid last time out, running a poor 6th to Yanna Rascala and is now again upped to a mile. He has been working extremely well of late suggesting that last run was just a minor blip but he is conceding weight to some other potential improvers over an uncertain trip and is probably best watched today.
BRABOURNE :- Highly rated 4 year old filly owned by Shapoor Mistry and trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has won twice in 6 attempts so far, one of those wins coming on her reappearance run in Pune where she took advantage of her low weight to beat Chizzler and Spiridon convincingly over 1400M. However, she was found wanting next time out when only 3rd to Comic Timing over this trip and has been kept fresh since then with no noted trackwork. She merits each way consideration in this field and clearly can be involved but one or two of the others appear to have more convincing claims. Prashant Dhebe who rode her on both her earlier starts this season is up again.
TEXAS GOLD :- One of two 3 year olds in the field, this one is trained by Hosidar Daji and is a winner of 2 of his 7 starts. After campaigning over sprints in the early part of his juvenile season, he showed tremendous improvement when upped to middle distances and was a very impressive winner over a mile on his last start in Mumbai. He possibly needed the outing on reappearance when racing towards the rear and making late progress to finish 4th behind New England in a good field. He is likely to benefit from that experience, has been working very well of late and with A. Imran Khan in the saddle, looks a very strong contender to strike in this competitive event.
ZANZIBAAR :- Is the most exposed runner of this lot having run 16 times already and although he is in good form he lacks the scope to make considerable progress from here. He has done well whenever dropping into Class IV as he showed last time out when getting the better of Pacific Dunes in a close finish with Mount Mckinley back in 5th. However, both his wins have come in the lower class and he has generally struggled under his penalty so although he comes into this race with a win under his belt, he looks up against it with C.S. Jodha in the saddle and is likely to battle for minor honours
MOUNT MCKINLEY :-Very highly regarded sort he made an impressive winning debut on this track last season but then had a setback and reappeared last time after almost a year. He was well fancied last time out and was in the firing line well into the straight before fitness probably began to tell and he weakened to end a close 5th, about a length and a quarter behind Zanzibaar. He is expected to improve substantially from that run and should comfortably turn the tables on Zanzibaar today and provided that he remains fit and well, he should take all the beating now and looks a very strong fancy with in form Dashrath Singh booked to ride.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH :- Twice raced 3 year old from the yard of Altamash Ahmed, this got abroad filly had 2 runs in Bangalore and was an impressive winner over 1400M on her last start, winning with authority. She appears to have been handed a stiff mark for her handicap debut so although she is open to plenty of improvement and seems to have maintained her condition, she looks to have a tough ask today with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-This again looks very competitive and it is hard to pick a winner but the 3 year old Texas Gold and the highly regarded Mount Mckinley are short listed and should fight this out between them. The latter should win this if fit and well but as he is potentially not the soundest after a year off the track, perhaps Texas Gold is a safer option .
Race No. 6:- The Radio One Run – Terms, Maidens 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1000M
BESHIKTASH :- Comes from the yard of S.K.Sunderji and has raced twice till date, both times in Mumbai. He ran a notable race on debut when chasing home Ruffina over 6 furlongs but then ran poorly upped to 7 furlongs next time out when finishing 4th a long way behind Glyndebourne and has been off the track since then. Returns after a long absence with a change of name and with A. Imran Khan up and if taking to this drop to the minimum trip, he looks a strong contender to score.
INVICTUS MANEO :- Speedily bred debutant from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard who is a full brother to Mr.Fogg's who has won 3 of his 6 starts in Kolkotta so far and has been given plenty of prep work to get him fit enough first time out. Booking of Dashrath Singh suggests that connections fancy their chances and likely to have a bold show on debut. Interesting.
ARC SHINE :- 4 times raced grey filly from the small yard of S.N. Joshi, she has been progressing steadily with her racing and is probably the only one of these with current form. Finished on well to be 2nd to Touch Me Not last time out and with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride for the first time, she sets the form standard and looks a strong fancy.
EPIPHANY :- Full sister to Zander and Yellowzone so plenty of speed in the pedigree and looks another well bred sort representing powerful connections and from the stable of Nazak Chenoy. Looks to have been given sufficient work to be ready to win first time out and must be seriously considered in what looks a relatively weak maiden.
NEMBE GREEK :- Faisal Abbas trained 4 times raced filly who has been slowly progressing with her racing and last time out managed to finish 3rd over 1200M behind Bunting and Take Five. Looks quite capable of progressing again and could make a bid for minor honours but looks vulnerable against the unexposed debutantes from good yards.
TESSA :- First foal of Tea Break to race in India with the mare coming in foal to Poet's Voice and looks an interesting type on Pedigree. Has had only a couple of workouts so this Pesi Shroff ward owned by the Shirke's looks likely to need this lung opener but could be a potentially classy type and with Kishore Kadam in the saddle, needs to be watched closely especially if there is money for her.
CONCLUSION :- Arc Shine sets the form standard here but it is modest at best so it would probably pay to side with one of the unraced debutantes here. Invictus Maneo and Epiphany both appear to have been well prepared and have the credentials to be able to win this first time out. Tessa also looks very interesting but seems a bit short on work and the newly named Beshiktash can trouble one and all if suited by the drop to the minimum.
Race No. 7:- The Sweet Memories Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 2000M
BABY FACE :- Comes from the yard of Magansingh P. Jodha and has run 5 times till date and appears to be crying out for more galloping ground so this longer trip should be right up his alley. He showed some improvement over a mile last time out when again making late headway to be 4th to Samarjeet and is expected to improve further over this longer trip. D.S. Daman now takes over in the saddle, he should be fit enough after 2 runs already this season and appears one of the main contenders here.
GOLD BOND :- Chestnut colt from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he has been withdrawn twice on his intended reappearance here and had run 3 times in Mumbai, showing promise on debut when finishing a close 3rd to Timeless Deeds, just 1 ¼ lengths behind Zanara but then did not show improvement on 2 subsequent starts over further. He has been working quite well for some time now and provided he does manage to race today, then he looks an interesting each way prospect with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
MASSIMO :- Comes from the yard of Pesi Shroff and looks to be taking his time to come to hand having raced twice in Mumbai and once here, all over 7 furlongs and still looking like he needs more time. Possible that some further improvement can be unlocked over this much longer trip, he should be fitter after the run and with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride, he could be involved if making further progress.
ALTUS :- Another well bred sort, this one from the Nosher Cama yard but has been generally disappointing in 3 runs till date. She has been gradually stepping up in trip since her debut and raced over 2000M last time out but looked one paced and finished 4th,1 ½ lengths behind Zanara. Just her 4th start now so she still has scope to improve and P.S. Chouhan retains the ride. She is capable of being involved in this open contest and is worthy of consideration.
FANTASY STAR :- This 3 year old from the Malesh Narredu yard comes from the quality family of Bold Majesty and Fond Memories and looks the part on paper but has been generally disappointing in both starts till date. She has been well fancied both on her debut over 1000M in Mumbai where she made no show and again on her reappearance over 1400M here where she was one of the first off the bridle and finished a dismal 4th to Knight's Quest. Hopes are mainly pinned on her improving with the dramatic step up in trip which her pedigree suggests will be suitable and although she has something to prove now, she has been working well and merits each way consideration with J. Chinoy an interesting booking.
ZANARA :- Comes from the yard of Dallas Todywalla and is the joint highest rated here along with Baby Face. She has raced 4 times till date, but has been generally below par after her eye catching debut when making late headway to be a close 2nd to Timeless Deeds and she appears to hold Altus and Gold Bond on paper. She began to gallop very late over 2000M last time out as well but that form has been franked by Swiftness winning subsequently and with Suraj Narredu up today, she looks to have an excellent chance to gain a maiden success.
CONCLUSION :- The two highest rated here Baby Face and Zanara appear to be the two most likely types here with an edge to the Todywalla filly as she has already tackled this longer trip.
Race No. 8 :- The Menorah Plate – Div. I – Class IV , 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M Jockeys not permitted the use of whip
DANCING PRINCE :- 5 year old gelding trained by Malesh Narredu who is a winner of 2 of his 22 starts and showed signs of finding some form last time out when running a forward race and finishing a relatively close 5th in the higher class. He has been working very well of late and now takes a drop in grade into the lower class so with M. Ayyar in the saddle, he looks to have a good chance to return to the winner's circle.
AINRA :- 7 year old mare from the yard of M.K. Jadhav who took advantage of her lenient mark to score last time out, showing increased stamina to last out over this trip for the first time. Comes into this race in good form and with S. Joseph up, should make a determined bid to win from end to end again.
GRAND VITESSE :- 5 year old gelding who is now trained by Hosidar Daji and has an uneven profile overall with a solitary win from 19 starts but ran some promising races over this sort of trip towards the end of Mumbai and was a close 3rd over this trip a couple of starts ago. Has been solidly prepared for his belated reappearance and if he is fit and ready to go then he is capable of striking for his in form yard with Santosh G in the saddle.
JARAMA :- 5 year old mare from the stable of S. Waheed, she has won only once in 16 starts but has been mainly untried and was very impressive when she won over course and distance last August. She has had a lung opener this season and been solidly prepared since then so with good apprentice Vishal Bunde booked, she looks to have a strong chance to gain another success and merits serious consideration especially if she is in the betting.
VITESSE :- 5 year old mare who has changed yards on a number of occasions and used to be effective over further but of late has been showing a penchant for shorter trips. Was a most impressive winner over 7 furlongs a couple of weeks ago, winning with a bit to spare that day so she comes into this in good form and with N Nadeem retaining the ride, she has to be respected in spite of the slightly sharper trip .
D' CCORD:- Lightly raced for her age having had just 5 starts till date and is the ward of Altamash Ahmed. No show in her only start this term but should strip fitter for that effort and had previously looked promising in her runs in Mumbai and Bangalore. She has the maximum scope to improve, S Jaykumar takes a valuable 5 kilos off and she is worthy of serious consideration in this field.
CONCLUSION :- As is typical of older horses handicaps, this looks wide open with several able to stake claims and is probably best watched from the sidelines. If one is forced to make a selection, D' Accord is put forward as a lightly raced potential improver.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
