FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 23 Sep 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Jamshed Dalal Trophy – Class V – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2000M
CARE FREE :- 6 year old mare from the stables of Arif Patel who began racing late in her career and as a result has only run 12 times till date and is still a maiden. She has run 3 times already this season, showing a little improvement on her last start when she finished 3rd to Torrezzo over course and distance, 3 ¾ lengths behind Devoted and 2 ¾ lengths clear of Dazzle N Daze, both of whom reoppose today. Care Free will be ridden by D.S. Daman today and looks to have a fair each way chance in this field as she has shown that she does stay this far although she will have to find some improvement to be considered for win purposes.
IT’S A DEAL :- He is an untried 4 year old gelding from the yard of Faisal Abbas who has had 9 runs till date and has done nothing of note in any of those races. However, he has raced exclusively over sprints until now and his mark has plummeted as a result. He drops into Class V and the interesting points are this is the first time that he is being tried over a longer trip and the first time that he has a positive jockey booking in the form of C.S. Jodha. He is taking on mainly exposed and older handicappers and if he unlocks some improvement over this longer trip, then he could well be a factor and is worth a paddock check.
ALFONSO :- 5 year old gelding from the yard of Narendra Lagad who has only 1 win to his name from 23 starts but went very close to adding a 2nd one on his last start over 1400M where he was flying at the death and just failed to catch Blavatsky. He too is attempting this longer trip for the first time but comes into the race in good form and Raghuveer Singh claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos. He looks on a good mark at present and is one to consider.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :- Fully exposed 5 year old who is now trained by Shazaan Shah and is still winless after 22 attempts. He made some late headway over 1400M last time out to finish in the frame and his best run so far has come over 1800M so he is worth trying at this longer trip. Dashrath Singh gets a leg up today and he is another who is worthy of each way consideration.
DEVOTED :- Another exposed handicapper, this 5 year old colt from the stable of Ivor Fernandes is without a win in 18 starts but he ran encouragingly over this trip last time out to finish runner up to unexposed Torrezzo and clear of Care Free who was 3rd that day. That effort suggested that he was capable of winning a race of this nature and Neeraj Rawal now takes over from N.S. Parmar which is a positive. He looks to have maintained his form since that run and gives his stable an opportunity for a rare winner.
CONCLUSION :- A race which is probably best alone but for those willing to have a touch at long odds, it might be worth taking a chance with It’s a Deal here. The 4 year old from Faisal Abbas’ stable has been untried so far and for the first time is attempting a much longer trip and has a good rider on in the form of C.S. Jodha. He could spring a surprise at a price. Devoted appears to be the form pick if he can build on his good 2nd last time out while Happy Birthday and the well handicapped Alfonso also merit attention
Race No. 2 :- The B.K. Lagad Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1600M
NEW ENGLAND :- This 4 year old gelding from Imtiaz Sait’s yard looks rapidly progressive and has been going from strength to strength since hitting form. He has won his last 3 races very impressively including his reappearance run over 1400M last time out when he took apart a strong Class III field to win decisively. He has been progressing at a rate of knots and may yet be ahead of the handicapper. He has been working superbly suggesting that he is still improving and in spite of conceding weight all around with Y.S. Srinath up, he looks the one to beat and is strongly fancied.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she was once regarded as a 1000 Guineas candidate and was a close 2nd to Temerity in the F.D. Wadia Trophy last year. She could only finish midfield in her Classic though and has gone the handicap route since. She was a decisive winner over 1800M when last seen on the Mumbai track but was withdrawn on her intended reappearance a couple of weeks ago and it is now 5 months since she has raced although her trainer is very capable of getting one ready after a long break. She seems to lack the scope of a couple of these and although she cannot be written off , she looks more of a place prospect today.
BOLD MARCH :- Another highly regarded 4 year old from the Karthik G. yard, he has had a busy campaign running 18 times so far with 3 wins and 4 seconds to his name. He has been tried over a variety of trips and appeared to be a non stayer last time out when 2nd to Star of Harmony over 2400M and his ideal trip appears to be between 1600 and 2000 so this drop in trip should suit him well. He too, is not the most reliable type but can strike if running upto his best with Bhawani Singh in the saddle.
THEMIS :- Classic contender from the M.K. Jadhav stable, she has raced 5 times till date with 2 wins and a second place to her name. She was an impressive winner of the Forbes Juvenile Fillies Championship on her 2nd start in Mumbai and 3rd overall, just holding off Manifold to score. She could only finish 4th in the Bangalore Fillies Trial though where Manifold reversed the form decisively but then bounced back by convincingly beating Bold March over 2000M on her last start. She has since returned to Western India, is working very well and looks capable of improving further. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today and she looks a threat to New England in receipt of 4 kilos.
CONCLUSION :- New England appears to be a Group quality horse in the making and is taken to just get the better of the 3 year of Themis. The race should be between this pair
Race No. 3 :- The Janardhan Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1000M
ELYSEE :- She is a speedy 3 year old filly from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who probably did not give off her best last time out when undone by the wide draw to go down fighting to Juggernaut by a whisker. She has been brought along steadily since then and has been working very well of late. R. Ajinkya claims a valuable 2 ½ kilos off and with a much better draw in Stall 2 today, she looks to have an outstanding chance to return to winning ways.
TOUCH ME NOT :- 3 year old from the in form Narendra Lagad yard, she has raced 5 times in all and after some ordinary efforts in Mumbai, she showed good improvement this term, first to finish 3rd to more fancied stable companion Loire and then score a fluent maiden win last time out, proving too speedy for the short priced favourite Sereno. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness and Dashrath Singh has been riding superbly of late. She still needs to improve appreciably to match the form of Elysee but comes into this in good heart and should not be ignored.
SPEEDO :- 5 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has raced 27 times already so is very experienced and although placing on 9 of those runs, has just a solitary win to his name. He has been in excellent form this term, going down narrowly in both his prior races, first being collared late on by an improving 3 year old and the next time out poorly ridden when just failing to catch Naumee in an older horses contest. He should give it a good go again and is likely to be in the firing line but looks vulnerable against the improving 3 year olds.
ALLEGRIA :- 4 year old filly trained by Zadmal Singh, she has raced 5 times till date without a win and it is interesting that she opts to drop to the minimum trip after running last when well backed over 1400M last time out. She had previously finished a good 3rd to Odessa and Gran Paradiso over 1200M and if she can bounce back with the assistance of C.S. Jodha who takes over for the first time today, then she could be a good outsider.
BOHEMIAN :- 4 year old filly from the yard of H.J. Antia, she is a 10 race maiden and is returning after a long lay off, having last raced in February where she finished well beaten. She had looked quite progressive over 1000M before that and if she is fit and ready after the long break then she is running practically bareback after N Nadeem’s allowance and could upset at the feather weight.
CONCLUSION :- Elysee looks a confident selection and should return to the winner’s circle with the main danger looking to be Touch Me Not.
Race No. 4 :- The Mohammed Rasheed Beg and Rahat Beg Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
DRAGONMOSS :- Got abroad who is one of 2 runners for Adhirajsingh Jodha here and appears to be the lesser fancied judging by the Jockey Bookings. He has run 5 times till date, given some tough tasks during the Mumbai season and showing a little improvement in a similar contest last time out where he finished 5th 2 lengths behind Rincon. There is no obvious reason why he should reverse that form on the same terms but he has been working well and looks capable of running into a place with Nirmal Jodha up.
MAN OF WORD :- Comes from the yard of S.K. Sunderji and he too has had 5 starts till date, showing decent form in 4 of his runs but running very poorly over a mile last time out so he needs to bounce back. He has placed or finished just outside the frame in his other 4 starts over 1200-1400M, his best effort being when 2nd to La Magnifique in a maiden. He has something to prove after the poor run last time out and even though Neeraj Rawal is up today, he looks to have just a fair each way chance.
RINCON :- Full brother to Sky Mine who is trained by Faisal Abbas and is the highest rated and probably has the best form amongst those who have raced. He has had 4 runs till date, needing the 2 runs in Mumbai to get fit but has shown some improvement in Pune, finishing runner up to Harmony of the Sea on his reappearance and then a bit disappointing when only 4th to Powerhaus last time out. That form looks good enough to win this however, and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle and the rail draw to help him, he may try and win from end to end and looks a strong contender.
SYLVESTER :- Debutant from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard who looks a decent sort on paper and is a half brother to the reasonably performed Bounty Queen who was incidentally a winner on her debut run on this track. He has been given enough work to be fit and ready on debut and has been impressing with his movements in the morning trials. D.S. Daman has been booked to ride and he looks primed for a good debut performance.
ANNIVERSARY GIRL :- Comes from the yard of Narendra Lagad and has raced 6 times so far, threatening to strike on the last couple of occasions. She chased home Gazino over this trip on her penultimate start and then ran a forward race upped to 7 furlongs before finishing 3rd to Golden Weaver. The yard and her rider Dashrath Singh are both currently in red hot form, she has been working well and must be respected now dropping back again in trip.
ASTRAL FLARE :- Is the first foal of Indian Oaks runner up Astral Flash and comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard so has to be respected on that score alone and has the assistance of Kishore Kadam in the saddle today. She looks a little short on preparatory work and clearly is not fully wound up for her debut but could be potentially smart and is capable of beating this lot first time out. Dangerous to ignore and must be considered.
SIA :- Another debutant trained by Nirad Karanjawala who has been solidly prepared for her debut start and has been showing out well in the morning gallops. She should be fit and ready to go and with S.G. Prasad in the saddle, is another to merit each way consideration.
CONCLUSION :- Rincon appears to have the strongest form here and with the rail to help him, may attempt start to finish tactics here. Sylvester and Astral Flare both catch the eye on paper as potentially smart and the former looks a very live danger as he appears fitter than the Shroff ward today
Race No. 5 :- The Indian St. Leger (Grade 1) – Terms, 4 Years Old only – Distance :- 2800M
CAPTAIN MORGAN :- Outstation challenger from the yard of S.S. Attaollahi who has a very good record on the Pune track and dispels any doubts about stamina having already won over further. He has raced 16 times till date with 6 wins and 5 seconds to his name and is the current holder of the Stayers Cup and The Maharaja’s Gold Cup where he beat Whomakestherules by a length conceding 1 ½ kilos with Mathaiyus back in 4th that day. He usually likes to come late from off a strong pace and is currently in good nick. However, he has travelled here from Hyderabad where he was no match for Mathaiyus last time out in The President of India Gold Cup and it looks hard for him to reverse the form on that score. Suraj Narredu takes the ride today and he is clearly a potent force if running upto his best.
MATHAIYUS :- Highly progressive colt who was quietly fancied for the Indian Derby but got injured at the start and was withdrawn but justified his trainers faith since by winning 5 of his 7 starts since and comes here at the top of his game. He has flip flopped a bit with Captain Morgan on form and needs to have the run of the race to be at his best as he proved last time out in The President of India Gold Cup over 2400M where he was allowed to lead uncontested and beat Captain Morgan by 5 ½ lengths. Tactics will play a crucial role for him but he is clearly very talented and Y.S. Srinath has flown down especially to take the ride. He runs with an outstanding chance.
WHOMAKESTHERULES :- Honest and straightforward colt who has been a joy to his connections with a 50% strike rate from 10 starts so far and was a fluent winner of the Kolkotta 2000 Guineas over Accolade. He encountered a setback after that race and was off the track for over 6 months before returning in the Bangalore Summer and is slowly working his way back into form. He finished a good 2nd to Captain Morgan in the Maharaja’s Cup last time out where Mathaiyus was back in 4th but he is unproven over this longer trip although hopeful to get it on pedigree. He is clearly open to some more improvement and if he does have the stamina to last out then he could be the joker in the pack here with Yash Narredu being booked to ride.
TEMERITY :- Lion hearted filly who is a winner of 7 of her 10 starts and already has the Indian Oaks and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup on her resume so clearly deserves her place in this line up. IN spite of being rusty after a 6 month break, she made a fine reappearance in The Idar Gold Cup where she comfortably beat Columbiana and she is sure to improve and progress from that run. She has done pretty much all that has been asked of her so far and although she too, has yet to traverse the extra 400M, she looks likely to get it both on class and pedigree. Neeraj Rawal here regular rider is on board, she looks fit and well and unlike the other principals does not have the disadvantage of having had to travel to this centre. She looks a leading fancy and should enhance her already formidable reputation.
CONCLUSION :-Tactics are likely to play a crucial role here so it is hard to predict a winner with Temerity, Mathaiyus and Captain Morgan the main three to be considered. If Mathaiyus is allowed to set his own pace up front and is not taken on for the lead, then he has shown how effective he can be and looks hard to beat. In the event that he is taken on for the lead, the race might just fall to Temerity who looks in top form and has already proven her ability at this level. Pesi Shroff appears to hold most of the cards here.
Race No. 6 :- The C.A. Kuts Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1200M
MYGRATOR :- Classy 3 year old colt from the Malesh Narredu yard who has been going from strength to strength and improving with every run. He is unbeaten in 2 runs on the track this season, first making all to hold off Tower Bridge and Gallant Knight over this trip and then coming with a strong late run to collar subsequent winner My Blessings next time out. He looks to be in peak form at present, the step back up to 6 furlongs will suit him and in spite of the 7 ½ kilo penalty, he still looks the most likely winner with P.S. Chouhan retaining the ride.
ARAKAWAH :- Engimatic 5 year old trained by Altaf Hussain, he has won 2 of his 16 starts and both his career wins have been over this trip. He does not appear to be totally consistent but clearly has ability as he showed on his penultimate run in Mumbai where he made all to beat House of Commons by a long neck. He is having his first run this season so has fitness to prove but has good front rider Vishal Bunde booked, has been showing speed in the morning gallops and could be dangerous if allowed to dominate.
BOUNTY QUEEN :- 4 year old filly who is trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha and has a good overall record but appears to be finding her way back after losing her form towards the end of Mumbai season. She won back to back races early in the year but then ran poorly in her last 2 starts and was put away after that. She is returning after a lengthy absence and is probably entitled to need this run but she could be a big danger if returning to her best and should be watched with D.S. Daman up. Dark horse.
MONTE GRECO :- Another well bred and unexposed 4 year old with plenty of potential, he too is on his way back from a setback but looked very progressive when he was on song. He showed a good attitude to win impressively over 1000M in Class III in Mumbai and needed the lung opener last time out after an extended break. He has been working well since the run and impressed in a recent Mock Race so could well be back to form and bears close watching with T.S. Jodha an unusual booking for the yard.
HEDWIG :- 5 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she has won 2 of her 15 starts and spent the summer in Bangalore where she performed modestly in 3 starts there. She showed signs of finding some form on her run here last week where she finished on well to be 2nd to Uncle Scrooge and is turned out again quickly. She looks an honest handicapper who should run well again and has each way claims with S.J. Sunil on board as she usually goes well with apprentice riders.
MADURO :- Solid 4 year old handicapper trained by Altamash Ahmed, he is better than his record so far suggests and has been in good form this season. He has won just 1 of his 10 starts so far but impressed in both his starts this term, finishing on late to be 3rd to Makino on the opening day and then only finding the progressive Yanna Rascala too good last time out, both runs over this trip. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness, looks in good condition at present and with Neeraj Rawal up, he looks to be the main threat to the younger horses and is strongly fancied to make it 3rd time lucky this term.
CONCLUSION :- Mygrator looks a very progressive sort and is strongly fancied to complete his hattrick back up to 6 furlongs. The main danger should be Maduro who has been consistent this season and is also in top form
Race No. 7:- The D.D. Pillai Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 1800M
EIGER’S TIGER :- This 4 year old gelding from Narendra Lagad’s stable appears to be a solid middle distance handicapper but has only managed 1 win so far from 21 starts with several placed efforts. He is usually quite consistent over middle distance trips off this mark and looked like he was ready to gain a 2nd success when finishing on to be a good 2nd to Samarjeet last time out. He is now weighted to reverse the places and has Dashrath Singh up again but he does not appear to have the scope of improvement of his conqueror and could be vulnerable here off top weight.
SAMARJEET :- 3 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who had done nothing of note in 5 previous starts but showed sudden and remarkable improvement last time out when earning his maiden success over a mile beating Eiger’s Tiger. Clearly is capable of further improvement and should not be troubled by the additional furlong so could progress again and is given an excellent chance for a quick encore with Neeraj Rawal taking over in the saddle.
TORREZZO :- Has been working well for some time now and not quite reproducing it on the track but gained a confidence boosting maiden win last time out over 2000M and is likely to improve again. Taking on much tougher rivals today under a 5 kilo penalty but he may just have come right now and is another who looks very capable of scoring again with P.S. Chouhan replacing the injured A. Sandesh.
KING OF KILLEN :- 4 year old gelding from the yard of C. Rajendra who has been quite consistent since stepped up to middle distance trips but keeps finding one or two too good and does not seem to be able to find the improvement needed to gain his maiden success. Again finished a staying on 2nd to Lord Grantham last time out and is likely to be involved again but difficult to fancy him from a win perspective and percentage call is to oppose with S.J. Sunil now in the saddle.
DAZZLING EYES :- 3 year old filly from the yard of Imtiaz Sait she has raced twice till date, finishing tailed off on her debut back in Mumbai and then again well beaten when finishing 12th on her reappearance run here both over 7 furlongs. However, her recent track work has shown a marked improvement so she could be just coming to hand and is likely to relish the longer trip on pedigree. C.S. Jodha is booked to ride and she could leave her previous runs well behind now and looks a dark horse who can upset.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be mainly between the two last outing winners Samarjeet and Torrezzo and whichever shows more progression is likely to emerge triumphant. Dazzling Eyes has been working extremely well and could go well at a price
Race No. 8 :- The Janardhan Trophy (Division I) – Class IV – Distance :- 1000M
PRINCESS P :- Speedy dark bay from the yard of Dallas Todywalla who has run 6 times till date mainly over this trip and won her maiden race towards the end of the Mumbai season. She ran twice in quick succession early in the season, finishing a distant 2nd to God’s Own on the opening day and then a shade disappointing when only 3rd to Shogun and Gran Paradiso next time out although that form looks stronger now. She has not been in work since that run so her fitness is a bit of a concern but otherwise she looks to have strong claims with Suraj Narredu on board.
GOLD FIELD :- Very speedy 3 year old who is one of two runners for Adhirajsingh Jodha here but she looks a progressive type. She ran twice over this trip in Mumbai, finishing up 4th on debut and then showing good improvement to score over Ascension and Queens Best in a decent maiden. She has not raced since then and the booking of rookie apprentice D.R. Shubham suggests that she may be needing a lung opener but she has been given plenty of work plus a Mock Race so she should be fit enough and if she is, is well fancied to provide a quick encore.
SPORTO :- The 4 year old gelding has one win to his name from 10 starts that win coming over 6 furlongs in December where he beat Ice Angel and Dubrovnik in a close finish. He has run modestly over varying trips since then, finishing 3rd to Democrat and Tally Ho over this distance. He has already had a lung opener in Pune and D.S. Daman takes over from D.R. Shubham so he should be fitter and sharper and can be considered each way.
NEXTSTAR :- This grey filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard has run 5 times till date, mainly over 1000M and won her maiden decisively on her last start in Mumbai. However, in spite of working well, she had run dismally in her 2 starts this term but is persisted with over this trip. She is still lightly raced so can find some improvement and her trackwork has been exemplary from the beginning of the season. P.S. Chouhan retains the ride and she looks a dark horse who can upset.
NAME OF THE GAME :- Exposed 5 year old mare from the stables of C. Rajendra, she has 2 wins to her name from 20 starts, both those wins coming when she was brought back down to Class V and the 2nd of those just last week where she scored narrowly from end to end over 1200M. She is turned out again quickly under a statutory penalty and Neeraj Rawal has been booked today so although she is upped in grade, connections are hopeful of another good showing and she should try hard to repeat.
EXCELLENT HEART :- Another potential 3 year old improver from the Narendra Lagad who has raced just twice, running with promise in his only run this term when finishing a close 5th over 1400M with T.S. Jodha. That run should bring him along considerably, he now drops to the minimum trip and Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle. His recent work has been good and with the yard in such hot form, he must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- Gold Field has been solidly prepared including a good mock race so she could be the one to beat in spite of a feeble apprentice being booked to ride. Princess P the top weight also makes appeal but has had no work since her last run which is a concern. The unexposed Excellent Heart is also worth noting for the leading combination of Lagad and Dashrath .
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
