FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 14 Oct 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Vinayak Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
KNIGHT’S QUEST :- 4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he is a winner of 2 of his 17 starts but came to hand only during the latter half of the Mumbai season and has been in good form in 3 runs this term. He scored a fluent victory over this trip on his penultimate start, getting the better of Powerhaus who has won twice subsequently and then followed that up with a good 4th to Bunting under a penalty. He appears to have been holding his form well and with the yard in top form and C.S. Jodha booked to ride, he looks a strong contender in spite of top weight.
EIGER’S TIGER :- The second 4 year old from Narendra Lagad’s stable, he has won just 1 of his 22 starts and is usually campaigned over much further so it is a surprising that Dashrath Singh has chosen him over Knight’s Quest. He went very close on his penultimate start over a mile when finishing a close 2nd to Samarjeet but was then very poor upped to 1800M when favourite but finishing a well beaten 3rd to Imperial Heritage. He has run just once before over this trip and finished 6th so he does not inspire confidence although he is likely to be well supported.
RAIN DANCE :- This 5 year old mare from Magansingh Jodha’s yard had run promisingly without success on several occasions but finally gained an overdue maiden win at the 18th attempt over course and distance last time out, coming with a powerful run down the stands side to surge past Time of My Life and Sail Past and win convincingly. She has been penalized only 4 ½ kilos and has been working very well so with S.A. Amit taking the ride again, she comes into this race in good form and looks to have an excellent chance to gain a quick repeat success.
BHAKTAWAR :- 4 year old debutant from the small yard of Arif Patel who is bred in the purple being a full brother to Indian 1000 Guineas winner Godspeed and presumably has either had a setback or some conformational defect to have been sold into a small yard. He has a couple of decent workouts to his name and in form apprentice Vishal Bunde claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos. He looks likely to need this run but has a mouth watering pedigree and could be a good outsider to side with if looking fit in the preliminaries. Dark horse.
PILATUS :- Got abroad 4 year old from the yard of Vinesh who has run 3 times till date. He caught the eye on debut when after being sluggish and in the rear early on, he finished on strongly to be runner up to Flag Flying on debut over this trip but flopped badly when turned out a month later over 1800M and was duly retired for the season. He had a lung opener on this course last month from which he is expected to improve and the booking of Neeraj Rawal catches the eye. He has raced only 4 times so has scope to improve and is another worthy of consideration in this field.
ROYAL ÉCLAIR :- Is a fully exposed 6 year old from the Subhag Singh stable who has only managed to pass the post in front once in 25 starts but ran a very promising race last time out over a mile when being hailed as the winner before being nabbed virtually in the last stride by the hard ridden Harmony. The drop to 1400M should be in her favour and although she is not the most reliable sort, that last run was promising and she can score if turning up in the same mood .
CONCLUSION :- A tricky looking opener for Derby Day. Knight’s Quest appears to have the strongest form and is fancied the better of the Lagad duo. Rain Dance should gain confidence from her last win and may have just come right while the lightly raced Pilatus also merits respect with Neeraj in the saddle.
Race No. 2 :- The IGCC Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 2400M
OTHELLO :- Vishal Gaikwad trained full brother to Berlusconi from the strong staying family of Highland Ghillie, he does not appear to be as good as some of his illustrious siblings having won just once in 9 starts. However, he does appear to improve with his racing and hence his last effort over this trip in the higher class was promising when he stayed on to finish runner up to the well regarded Frivolous over this trip. That was just last week and he is turned out again quickly in this lower grade but has been improving steadily with every run this season and could very well go one better now with in-form Neeraj Rawal retaining the ride.
SAMARJEET :- Is an unexposed 3 year old gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who had done nothing of note in his 5 previous starts but showed dramatic improvement over a mile last time out when taking over the running turning for home and winning decisively with the reopposing Baby Face 5 lengths away in 4th. He is taking a massive step up in trip which is a big unknown but could be a progressive sort and under a 5 ½ kilo penalty he looks likely to make a bold bid to repeat with out station rider Akshay Kumar an interesting booking.
IT’S A DEAL :- Another unexposed sort who had been untried in 9 runs over inadequate sprint trips but upped to a staying trip and given a good rider for the first time, he showed plenty of staying ability to score a wide margin win in the lower class. The manner in which he was drawing clear at the finish suggests that he will relish more galloping ground and in spite of the stiff penalty and taking on tougher opposition, he could still be ahead of the handicapper and must be respected with C.S. Jodha on board.
BABY FACE :- Another 3 year old maiden from the yard of M P Jodha, he has raced 6 times till date and has been showing gradual improvement with each step up in trip. He usually is ridden off the pace and finishes on very late in his races and he was 4th to Samarjeet over a mile on his penultimate start and then finished on to be runner up to Zanara over 2000M last time out. He looks likely to be better suited by this more gruelling trip and Dashrath Singh takes over for the first time in the saddle. He is another strong each way contender and must be considered.
FINEST MOMENT :- 4 year old gelding from the yard of Karthik G. who is unplaced in 7 starts till date but has given an indication of coming to hand in his last 2 starts. He finished on strongly to be 4th over a mile back in August and then reappearing after a short break just last week again was doing his best work late on when a flying 4th to Pacific Dunes with the same rider up. He has been turned out again quickly over this much longer trip and if this race does not come too quick then he looks likely to be in the thick of things and is seriously considered.
FANTASY STAR :- She is extremely well bred and catches the eye on paper but has run two miserable races till date over shorter trips and her hopes are now pinned to this massive step up in distance. She is having just her 3rd start so clearly has scope to improve and if she can unlock improvement over this staying trip then she could be a big danger to all from the bottom of the weights. P.S. Chouhan takes over in the saddle and she should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :- Like many of the races today, this looks highly competitive with Finest Moment just a tentative selection. At longer odds one might be tempted to take a chance on the bred in the purple Fantasy Star with the yards Lady Almeda already winning stylishly yesterday when upped in trip.
Race No. 3 :- The Pune Police Commissioner’s Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
SPIRIDON :- 4 year old colt trained by Altaf Hussain who has done well in his limited career so far and has 2 wins to his name from 8 starts. Both his wins have come over 1400M and he ran a pleasing first race this season when finishing a close 2nd to Brabourne but last time out could only end up 7th to New England, finishing about 3 lengths adrift of Texas Gold. He has been working well since then suggesting that he has improved and D.S. Daman has been booked to ride but it looks hard to reverse the form with Texas Gold and he is likely to battle it out for minor honours.
SUSSEX PRIDE :- The 4 year old gelding is the pride and joy of his small yard, having had an extremely lucrative Mumbai season where he managed to win 3 races from 4 starts and he seems to be slowly coming to hand this season as well. After needing a lung opener first time out when 4th to Nelsons Blood over a mile, he then finished 3rd ahead of Drogo over 2000M and last time out dropped back to this trip, he finished 7th but was only beaten 2 ½ lengths. He looks to be progressing with his racing and if he can return to his best form, then he could be a danger to all. T.S. Jodha keeps the ride.
NELSONS BLOOD :- Front running 4 year old gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad yard he has raced exclusively over a mile till date and has won twice, once apiece in Mumbai and Pune. After scoring over Frivolous earlier in the season he has been running well without progressing, last time ending a close 4th in a blanket finish. He should be able to dominate again today and has to be considered with A. Imran Khan up but could be vulnerable to being attacked late from off the pace.
TEXAS GOLD :- progressive looking 3 year old who was impressive in his juvenile season scoring an emphatic victory over a mile on his last start in Mumbai and needing the run when 4th to New England in a strong race on his reappearance. He has been well prepared since then, should relish the extra furlong and with Neeraj Rawal to assist him, he looks set for a return to the winners circle and looks the one they all have to beat .
CONCLUSION :- Another highly competitive event with the 3 year old Texas Gold taken to improve from his last run and return to winning ways. Several of the others also look to have claims with Nelsons Blood looking well handicapped on his last run .
Race No. 4 :- The Jimmy Umrigar Trophy – Div. II – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
HOPEILICIOUS :- 3 year old gelding trained by Nirad Karanjawala he has run 5 times till date and possibly ran his best race over 1000M last time out when finishing up a good 3rd to Excellent Gold who has gone on to frank the form. He appears to have improved further judging from his excellent recent work and with Y.S. Srinath booked to ride, he looks to have a strong each way chance.
ARC SHINE :- Comes from the small yard of S.N. Joshi but she has been improving in ordinary maiden and has finished 2nd the last twice over 1000M suggesting that she can win an ordinary race before too long. She was no match for Invictus Maneo last time out but although Neeraj Rawal retains the ride, she looks vulnerable to something with a little more quality and may find it hard to win today. She should run into a place though.
ASTRAL FLARE :- Daughter of brilliant Oaks runner up Astral Flash, she was given a nice educative run over this trip about 3 weeks ago and finished a smooth unextended 4th in an ordinary maiden. Yard’s runners tend to show significant improvement from first run to second and with A. Imran Khan taking over from Akshay in the saddle, she appears to have an outstanding chance with the benefit of experience .
IN THE STARS :- Full sister to Holy Smoke who comes from the yard of C.D. Katrak and looks an above average type on pedigree. She has been given plenty of prep work to get her fit enough for her debut run and moved quite nicely in a Mock Race as well. Suraj Narredu has been booked to ride and she could have enough quality to outclass the field so must be respected .
CONCLUSION :- In The Stars looks a classy type on paper and could be good enough to tackle this lot. The once raced Astral Flare could give her the most to do.
Race No. 5 :- The Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1400M
NEW ENGLAND :- This Imtiaz Sait trained 4 year old gelding looks a potential Group horse in the making and has rattled off a string of 4 consecutive victories and is bidding for a hattrick of wins this term. After easily defeating a strong Class III field on his reappearance, he then gave weight and a beating to Pune Derby contender Themis over a mile and now drops back down to 7 furlongs. He has to concede weight all around but still looks to be progressing rapidly and in spite of the heavy impost will be hard to stop with the irrepressible Y.S. Srinath on board.
MYGRATOR :- Another progressive colt, this one 3 years of age and from the yard of Malesh Narredu, he too has been progressing up the handicap route with a measure of comfort albeit over sprints and is unbeaten in 3 starts this term. He looks ready for the step up to this longer trip, appears to be in the pink of condition and in receipt of 5 kilos could provide a good battle for New England with P.S. Chouhan on board.
CHARGING TIGRESS :- Exposed 5 year old mare from the M P Jodha yard who is small in size but clearly has ability judging from her good overall record. She has 3 wins and 6 seconds to her name from 21 starts and is versatile between 1000 and 1400M. She ended up a 2 length 2nd to Carbonara last time out and although she lacks the scope of progress of the younger horses, she should run an honest race and be on the premises with Neeraj Rawal a positive booking.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- well regarded 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she has won twice from 10 starts till date and was probably in need of the run when last of 4 to New England last time out. She should strip much fitter after that effort and is likely to improve a great deal so although she may not be able to reverse the form with her conqueror, she should be much closer today and looks a good each way prospect with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
MAKINO :- Another effective handicapper from Adhirajsingh Jodha’s yard, he was a fluent winner over 1200M on his seasonal reappearance but then ran two below par races, last time out finishing 6th to Domination but only beaten 2 ½ lengths. He has been upped in grade without a win but gets a significant drop in weight and if he is in a galloping mood, then he could prove to be a danger from the bottom of the scale. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and he looks a good outsider .
CONCLUSION :- New England appears to be a Group horse in the making and in spite of top weight is the confident selection here. The improving and progressive 3 year old Mygrator appears to be the main danger along with the bottom weighted Makino.
Race No. 6 :- The Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Grade 3) – Indian Horses 4 Years Old & over – Distance :- 1200M
DANCING PRANCES :- One of the toughest and most consistent Sprinters around, even at the ripe old age of 7 he is capable of putting in class performances and narrowly failed to win the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy for the 3rd straight year when going down to Holy Smoke by ½ a length. He is weighted to gain revenge with that rival on these terms and looks to be in fine fettle so he could prove to be a big danger to all with his regular rider A. Imran Khan up and will surely prove to be a popular winner. He must be seriously respected .
HOLY SMOKE :- Speedy 5 year old gelding from the Faisal Abbas yard who has been acquitting himself well in Terms Races and gained a deserved Group success when edging out Dancing Prances last time out. He should gain confidence from this win, is working extremely well and with Suraj Narredu taking over from C.S. Jodha, he should make a bold bid to repeat in spite of his penalty.
GOLD BAG :- Lion hearted 6 year old mare who may just be getting on in years now and lost her unbeaten record on the Pune track last time out when unable to get to the front and finishing in the ruck. She may just have needed that run after a long lay off and with the added fitness, if she is able to dominate from the start, then she is quite capable of bouncing back with Neeraj Rawal up.
HARVEY :- Game and gutsy 5 year old gelding who seems to have returned to his best after a year off the track when scoring a fluent win over 1000M last time out. He looks ready for a crack at something like this and although he does have some improvement to find tackling a field of this stature, he has been working extremely well and with ace rider Akshay Kumar booked to ride, he is expected to run a very big race.
ST. ANDREWS :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old colt from the Bezan Chenoy yard, he made a valiant first attempt in this company to finish an excellent close 3rd to Holy Smoke and Dancing Prances and is the one most likely to progress from that race. P.S. Chouhan takes over from Prashant Dhebe in the saddle and he looks set to make his mark as a sprinter now. Strong fancy.
CONCLUSION :- The best young and older sprinters at the centre make this a race worth watching and it looks like the time has come for St. Andrews to make his mark as a sprinter. He appears to have the maximum scope for progression and should improve past the aged duo of Dancing Prances and Holy Smoke. The former is not expected to surrender without a fight.
Race No. 7 :- The Kingfisher Ultra Pune Derby (Grade 1) – Indian Horses – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 2000M
BIG SUR :- Tough and consistent Win Legend colt trained by Sanjay Kolse and ridden by Champion Jockey Dashrath Singh, he is closely matched with the likes of Rochester and Perfect Star on his best form and made a fluent return to Pune when edging out subsequent winner Domination over a mile last time out. He should have the stamina to see out this longer trip and looks a good outsider who could add some spice and pep to the finish. His trainer is yet to taste success in a Classic but the colt has been well prepared and could very well be in the first four.
PERFECT STAR :- Comes from the yard of Karthik G and looks to be one of the top 3 year old colts having performed with credit on almost each of his 6 starts. He finished 4th last time out in the Hyderabad 2000 Guineas where he was marginally behind Timeless who ran 3rd and he is thought to have the stamina to reverse the form over this longer trip. That was his first run since his 6th in the Bangalore Summer Derby so he has been well rested and prepared and his recent track work has been outstanding. He has P.S. Chouhan up in the saddle today and looks a strong each way contender who does have the potential to win this.
PURE ZINC :- One of the least experienced runners in this line up but also one of the most exciting having won 2 of his 3 starts and impressed one and all with his comeback victory in the S.A. Poonawalla Multi Million last month, where he was strong at the finish in a mile and should relish the step up to this trip. He appears to hold most of the Colts on form here and with the expected improvement looks likely to give his young trainer a most coveted first Classic win. Leading contender.
ROCHESTER :- One of two strong contenders from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he appears to be more likely to stay the trip and comes here fresh from his maiden win in the F.D. Wadia Trophy. He appears to be held by Pure Zinc taking a line through Summer Rays but he too has done little wrong in his career so far and looks capable of holding his own in this company. C.S. Jodha takes the ride and he could spring a surprise.
TIMELESS :- Save for one inexplicably poor run when last in the Breeders Juvenile Colts, he has a fine record, finishing 3rd in the Poonawalla Breeders Million and again 3rd in the Deccan Colts Trial over a mile with Perfect Star just behind him. He appears to have stamina limitations for this much longer trip but has held his own amongst the best of his generation and if he does stay, then he will be right there in the midst of it all. Akshay Kumar has come down to ride him, he looks fit and well and should give off his best .
LADY IN LACE :- Hyderabad Fillies Trial champion where she beat Champion filly Manifold decisively and she has leading form claims on that score but her stamina is suspect for this longer trip. She did finish a brave runner up to Prevalent Force in the Deccan Derby a couple of weeks ago and may not have had time to recover from that hard race. She is the highest rated amongst this bunch and if she does stay and is at her best then she can topple them all.
THEMIS :- 4th to Manifold in the Bangalore Fillies Trial and then went on to prove her stamina for the trip when comfortably beating Bold March before finishing a good 2nd to New England in her prep race over a mile. She took looks to be progressing very nicely, has the form to compete with the best of them and with stamina not an issue and Imran Chisty in the saddle, she looks a live danger to the Colts and could emerge victorious.
CONCLUSION :- A highly intriguing and competitive Derby in store. Pure Zinc is taken to give young Adhirajsingh Jodha his first Classic winner and should continue his fine record by holding off Themis. Lady In Lace could prove a big danger to all if she stays the trip while Perfect Star has been well rested and could be a good outsider.
Race No. 8 :- The Jimmy Umrigar Trophy – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
BISHOP OF DERRY :- Nicely bred debutant son of Excellent Art trained by Vishal Gaikwad and owned by the Shirke Dhunjibhoy combination, he looks a smart type on paper and has been showing out well in the morning gallops. He is a half brother to Uncle Scrooge but should have obtained some speed from his sire side although the booking of Akshay tempers enthusiasm somewhat. A paddock checked is advised but he is quite capable of winning on debut if fit enough.
DURHAM LAD :- Full brother to My Blessings from the same yard he made his debut only this season but has been progressing steadily with his racing. He finished a good 2nd to Excellent Gold who has gone on to win in Class III last time out and with further progression he looks to have a strong chance to go one better and shed his maiden tag. Yash Narredu is up today and he merits serious consideration .
SERENO :- Speedy half brother to Serenita who showed some good form in his juvenile season and suspicion he was not at his best when turned over at cramped odds on his seasonal reappearance over 1000M, running on late to be a poor 4th. He should leave that running well behind with the benefit of the experience and is expected to run a very big race today with A. Imran Khan up again .
EPIPHANY :- Looked green and inexperienced on her debut three weeks ago but she seemed to be getting the hang of things late in the day and was not unduly punished when finishing on to be 4th to Invictus Maneo over 1000M. She should improve for that run and will be suited by the extra furlong, is working well and looks a good each way prospect with Santosh G in the saddle.
SASSY LASS :- Tiny and small made daughter of Excellent Art from the small yard of Asad Siddiqui but she has shown ability on both her starts till date. She covered a lot of ground when runner up to Gentillesse on her debut in Mumbai and again made late headway to finish 3rd to Summer Rays and Goldie’s Pet on her reappearance here which looks good form. She has been brought along steadily by her handler since then and with P. Trevor being booked to ride today, she could be one to be on at a price.
CONCLUSION :- Sereno did not give his true running last time out and is given a chance to make amends with the danger looking the speedy Sassy Lass with Trevor up. Bishop of Derry looks an exciting prospect but may be out for an educative run with Akshay up
Race No. 9 :- The Vinayak Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
TURNING POINT :- Quality 3 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard, she appears to need a run every season to find her feet and her subsequent run is always a marked improvement. After failing as a favourite when only 3rd to We Break The Rules and Orion’s Belt on reappearance, she gave a much better performance when 2nd to Selfie Star over a mile. She has been working exceptionally well since that run, the return to 7 furlongs should suit her and she looks a leading fancy to resume her upward curve with A. Imran Khan up .
ORIONS BELT :- One of three runners for the Narendra Lagad yard and she has been quite well performed in her 4 runs till date. She was a shock winner over 1200M in Mumbai when unfancied and ran a cracker against Turning Point last time out when leading all the way and only collared close home by We Break The Rules. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness and is expected to be closely matched with Turning Point again with J. Chinoy in the saddle.
ARABIAN STORM :- Has shown good improvement since joining Narendra Lagad from Pesi Shroff and quickly scored a no nonsense maiden win over this trip last time out, beating Frosted and Blavatsky quite decisively. This opposition looks a whole lot tougher now but he is quite capable of improving again on just his 5th career start and he is the choice of Dashrath Singh from the yard’s 3 runners so has to be respected on that score.
KODIAK QUEEN :- Quirky 4 year old trained by M.P. Jodha, she has been steadily returning to form this season and was desperately unlucky not to score last time out when poorly ridden and failing by a whisker to catch Bunting. D.S. Daman keeps the ride, she is expected to progress again and looks to have a strong each way chance in a competitive finale.
TIMELESS DEEDS :- Improving 3 year old who was given too much to do last week when finishing on like a rocket from the rear to be an excellent closing 2nd to her more fancied stable companion. She has been turned out again quickly with the same rider on board and will be suited by the additional furlong. She looks in fine trim at present and looks a major player provided the race has not come too soon .
CONCLUSION :-Interesting finale with Turning Point taken to progress again and return to the winner’s circle. Narendra Lagad has a very strong hand here with 3 fancied runners and any one of them can also strike here
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
