FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 29 Nov 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Astana Plate – Class II – Distance :- 1800M
UNFORGETTABLE YOU :- This 4 year old Arazan filly trained by Malesh Narredu has already had a chequered career in spite of having had just 6 starts. She made her debut during the last Pune season and in only her 3rd start contested the Pune Derby where she travelled well for a long way before being badly interfered with in the straight by the riderless Vulcan and lost her chance thereafter. She presumably had a setback after the race and was off the track for almost a year before reappearing with a smashing victory in the Independence Million. She then took on Classic hopeful Daffodils over 1800M and warmed up a bit too late, finishing on at the end to take 2nd. Her last run was in The Fillies & Mares in Pune where she understandably found Aster Rose too hot to handle and ended up 3rd of the 5 runners. These are still early days so she is quite capable of improving again and her recent trackwork has been good. P. Trevor has been booked to ride, she is likely to relish the long Mumbai straight and stands a good chance here but may find it tough to concede 6 kilos to the 3 year old Timeless.
IN MY DREAM :- Another very highly regarded 4 year old who’s career has been plagued by problems and she is the winner of 2 of her 9 starts till date, although runner up in the Breeders Produce Stakes and the Poonawalla Million as a juvenile. She finished 5th in the Indian 1000 Guineas but then did not return to the track until August and has been slowly working her way into form since then. She looked to be returning to her best last time out over this trip when she showed a smart turn of foot to beat Simon Says and Frosty quite comfortably. She too has not quite fulfilled her potential as yet and if she has come to hand now then she has a very good chance to repeat. She has been kept fresh since her last run and SurajNarredu is booked to ride so she too looks to have a good chance and must come into calculations.
FROSTY :- Another 4 year old, this one trained by Pesi Shroff, she has run 10 times till date with 2 wins and 2 seconds to her name. Her last win came in a 3 horse affair and her 2nd in the Hyderabad Oaks flatters her to a degree as that field was well below Classic standards. She returned from a long absence in October to finish 3rd to In My Dream over this trip last time out and does not look like reversing form with that rival. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride but she looks a little out of her depth in this field and can be given a very small upset chance only.
UNCLE SCROOGE :-Enigmatic 5 year old from the M.K. Jadhav yard, he is the most experienced of this bunch and also the most versatile with wins over 1400M and 2400M. Last time out he showed a smart turn of foot to score with aplomb over 1400M in the lower class but this small field may not play to his strengths and he is taking on some good progressive types. N.S. Parmar takes the ride but he too looks an outsider.
TIMELESS :- Trained by S.K. Sunderji, he appears to be one of the leading 3 year olds from the Western India bunch but has been a shade unlucky in the big races he has contested. He has run 7 times till date with 2 wins to his name and possibly has the best form among the colts when running 3rd in the Hyderabad 2000 Guineas to Prevalent Force and Tutankhamun. However, he dislodged the rider in the Pune Derby but for which he may well have been in the frame and has been brought along steadily since then. He usually goes well fresh, has pleased in his preparatory work and receiving weight all around and with C.S. Jodha booked to ride, he looks the one to beat.
CONCLUSION :-Competitive in spite of the small field but the 3 year old Timeless is a confident selection. He still appears to be improving, has good form to his name and should be too strong for this lot, receiving weight all around. In My Dream and Unforgettable You both should have improvement in them and could possible trouble him a bit and it will be close between the pair.
Race No. 2 :- The Proliterian Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
BOLD MARCH :-One of the better rated of his generations but has not quite lived upto his expectations but still has a decent record of 3 wins and 4 seconds from 20 starts. He has been struggling since winning the Shapoorji Pallonji Million over 2000M on Invitation Cup weekend and although he has had a lung opener already this season, he looks vulnerable off top weight over this trip. C.S. Jodha takes the ride and he is eased in grade but he needs to show some more spark before he can be fancied from a win perspective. He his given each way claims in this lower class but winning looks tough
SELFIE STAR :-Half sister to Silver Beauty who has performed well in her limited career so far and has won 2 of her 5 starts. She began the Pune season in impressive fashion with back to back wins over 1400 and 1600M before disappointing slightly when only 3rd to Pure Zinc and Bateleur in the S.A. Poonawalla Multi Million. She injured herself before the Pune Derby but has been well prepared since then and this looks decidedly easier. David Allan has been flown down especially to ride her and she looks to have an excellent chance to bounce back to winning ways.
SILKEN EYES :-Lightly raced 4 year old filly who began her career with C.D. Katrak but has now moved to Rehanullah Khan and has 1 win to her name from 10 starts till date. She came up a little short in the Classics, finishing 4th in the Pune Derby and 7th in the Indian 1000 Guineas but she appeared to have suffered a setback and has not been the same since. She reappeared in Pune after an 8 month absence on the final day of the Pune season but ran dismally and finished well down the field so she has a bit to prove now. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and she may have needed the run after such a long lay off so if she is looking well in the paddock then she could be chanced at a possible good price.
ZANZIBAAR :- Consistent 4 year old handicapper trained by NiradKaranjawala who has been in good form of late and has been working well in the build up to this run. He gained his 2nd career win in 18 starts back in Pune over 1400M and has run well in 2 starts since then. He appears to be a bit exposed but in currently in good form and A. Imrank Khan is a positive jockey booking. He is expected to run well and is likely to be in the frame again.
HARMONY :-Well bred and well regarded 5 year old mare who seems to have come to hand since joining the Narendra Lagad stable and appears to be progressing nicely, having won 2 of her last 3 starts. Her last win in the lower class was quite emphatic and in spite of being upped in grade, she appears to be progressing nicely and is capable of further improvement. Dashrath Singh retains the ride, she looks in good form at present and could be the dark horse in this field from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :-Selfie Star with David Allan up looks the most likely winner in this field and is the selection. The bottom weighted Harmony and the enigmatic Silken Eyes appear to be the biggest dangers
Race No. 3 :- The J V Shukla Ashwamitra Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
COLLEGIUM :-Progressive 3 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he is making his handicap debut with his 8 previous runs all being in maiden company. After placing on several occasions, he finally shed his maiden tag last time out with a very stylish performance over this trip, easily beating Khartoum and Cool Eyes with plenty to spare. He has top weight to defy in this large field but appears to have maintained his condition quite well and with A. Imran Khan to guide him, he looks to have a strong chance to go in again and must be respected in spite of the heavy impost.
LADY IN RED :-Modestly performed 4 year old from the in form Dallas Todywalla yard, she has one win to her name from 7 starts till date and David Allan gave her an inspired ride when scoring over 6 furlongs last season and he is up again for the first time since that day. She ran twice during the Pune season, both times over 6 furlongs and ended a close 4th behind Slam Dunk last time out. She has been kept fresh since that run, should improve further on just her 8th start and looks a strong each way contender who must make the short list/
CELESTIAL LIGHT :-Inconsistent4 year old trained by ImtiazSait she has 2 wins to her name from 16 starts but both those wins have been well spaced out and she does not seem to be completely straightforward. On the positive side, she has come down to a mark just 2 kilos above her last winning mark, she has been working well and P. Trevor has been booked to ride. On the down side, she could only finish 6th to Eiger’s Tiger last time out and has not shown any form in her last 4-5 runs. She could be a factor if running upto her best but a leap of faith will be required that she will turn up in a galloping mood/
JULIANO :-Sparingly raced 4 year old from the Sanjay Kolse yard, he has run 9 times till date but all his runs so far have been in Pune and he will be making his first start on the Mahalaxmi track. He scored his first career success over 1200M last time out, coming with a strong late run to wear down Furiosa and Winds of Change and win convincingly. 5 kilo penalty for that win is fair, S.A. Amit who was on that day retains the ride and he appears to have maintained himself well judging from his recent work outs. He could just have come to hand now and cannot be ignored although this field looks tougher. He stands a good each way chance in this large field.
ARASHI :- Rock of Gibraltar 3 year old filly from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, she appears to be taking time to come to hand and has had just 2 well spaced out runs to date. She was given an easy educative run on her debut in March finishing 4th to Kramer over this trip in what looked a relatively strong field. She reappeared next in Pune in August where she finished 6th to Gazino also over 6 furlongs and did not run again that season. She has plenty of scope to improve and her last few workouts have been quite pleasing. A paddock check is advise to ascertain her fitness but she has plenty of scope to improve and makes her handicap debut off what looks a reasonable mark. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and if she is looking well then she should have a very strong chance to shed her maiden tag.
FANTASIA :-Once raced 3 year old from the MaleshNarredu yard, she made her debut as recently as October, finishing 11th over 1000M in Pune and she is sure to have learnt plenty from that run and stripped fitter. She may still need some more time to come to hand as her trackwork since the run has been just modest. C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and she is clearly an unknown quantity who could be anything so while she is worthy of consideration especially for the Jackpot Pool, one would like to see a bit more from her on the track before recommending her.
ROMANTIC EYES :-Well bred and promising 3 year old filly from the yard of C.D. Katrak, she has run 4 times till date without success but was quite well fancied on the last couple of occasions. She caught the eye on just her 2nd start over 1200M back in August when she made up a lot of late ground to finish an eye catching 3rd to Harmony of the Sea and was strongly fancied next time out against Selfie Star but ran very flat in spite of receiving plenty of weight and ended a well held 3rd. She was again fancied over 1400M last time out but could only manage 5th to Dibaba, again finishing well behind Turning Point. She clearly has a bit to prove but Dashrath Singh has a good record when riding for the yard and maybe a change of name will bring about a change of fortune so she should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-A large field with several promising 3 year olds and it looks quite competitive. Collegium looks the form choice after his stylish last win over this trip although he has plenty of weight to conceded. Arashi looks a very live danger at the weights provided she is looking fit and well along with the newly named Romantic Eyes. Lady In Red with David Allan up also makes the short list
Race No. 4 :- The Mayor’s Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1200M
THE CIVILIAN :-Aged 7 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav who has run 28 times with 3 wins and 8 placed efforts to his name which looks a decent record. He showed that he still retains the zest for racing when nearly pulling off a stunning upset last time when just failing to catch the hard ridden favourite Excellent Gold by a neck, ending up a close 2nd. He appears to be a tad inconsistent so is not guaranteed to turn up in the same mood but if running upto his best, he could prove to be a big danger to all and trouble the best of them. Kishore Kadam takes the ride and he is worth considering each way.
HEDWIG :- 5 year old mare trained by Rehanullah Khan, she has won 2 of her 17 starts and has placed on 6 other occasions, although last time out running poorly and finished well behind The Civilian. Both her previous wins have come over this trip and her last win was around this time last year. Barring her poor last effort, she had run well the previous twice in Pune over similar distances and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, she could very well bounce back from that last poor effort.
CYCLONE:- Speedy and sparingly raced 4 year old trained by Sanjay Kolse, he possesses a smart turn of foot and has raced exclusively over sprints till date, winning 2 of his 8 starts and never being out of the frame. His last run was back in March last season so he is returning from a lengthy absence and will have fitness to prove as he may be a shade rusty. He has been well prepared and went a decent Mock Race in Pune and Dashrath Singh takes the ride. Paddock checked is advised but he could very well be involved if fit and ready to go.
SUMMER RAYS :- This 3 year old filly from ImtiazSait’s yard has already established herself as a promising sort with 2 wins to her name from 7 starts and she has been quite highly campaigned in her other efforts. Her best form has been over 6 furlongs and she also goes well fresh as both her wins have been her first run of the respective season. She did finish a respectable 2nd in the F.D. Wadia to Rochester and that form looks good enough to tackle this field. P. Trevor has been booked to ride, she has ticks in most of the right boxes and looks to be the most likely winner here.
FLAG FLYING :- Well bred 4 year old gelding from the H.J. Antia yard, he seems to be most effective over 1400M having 1 win to his name from 10 starts and 2 very close seconds, all over the 7 furlong trip. However, he can be effective over 6 furlongs considering the long Mumbai straight. He likes to steal the race from the top of the bend and last time out, nearly pulled if off before being collared virtually in the last stride by Cambridge. He runs off a feather weight of 47.5 kilos after his rider’s allowance and could prove to be very dangerous if allowed a long lead in the straight.
TRIPLE THREAT :-Another speedy 4 year old from the Mansoor Shah yard, she has won 1 of her 11 starts but has been threatening to strike on a couple of occasions since then. She ran a cracker in her last start in Pune off top weight in the lower class when finishing a close 3rd to Slam Dunk, beaten just a length. She is now upped in grade but eased dramatically in weight and could be a danger with H. Zeeshan up.
CONCLUSION :-The 3 year old Summer Rays is expected to continue her record of winning her first start every season and with P. Trevor up is selected to score. Cyclone and the speedy Flag Flying appear to be the main dangers
Race No. 5 :- The Sonalika Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
ALYATIES :- Relatively untried 4 year old gelding trained by Mansoor Shah, Alyaties has run 8 times till date and has run a couple of suggestive races over 1000M and dropped to a relatively handy mark in the scales. He has been given a lung opener already this season to get him fit and the switch from R. Shelar to P. Trevor suggests that connections are very serious today. He has been working very well and in this lowest grade, looks to have an excellent chance to get off the mark and is strongly fancied today.
ROYAL ACE :-Another untried 4 year old, this one trained by Faisal Abbas, he has been unplaced in 9 starts to far and has been eased in grade down into the lowest class as a result. He has however caught the eye with his recent track work which has been quite impressive suggesting that he may be coming to hand. The presence of S.G. Prasad in the saddle instead of stable jockey C.S.Jodha tempers enthusiasm somewhat but he has bagged the plum rail draw and is worth keeping a close eye on if he can reproduce his excellent work as he has a fine sprinting pedigree.
SAFFRON FLOWER :- Improving 3 year old from the M P Jodha yard, she is still a maiden after 7 starts but has been running promisingly in her last few runs and looks a likely future winner if not today. She is usually seen finishing on late from well off the pace and did finish on to be 3rd to Beshiktash and PokerFace over this trip in the higher class. She must be respected as a 3 year old running in the lowest grade and with NirmalJodha up, looks a strong each way contender.
HUNAYN :- 4 year old gelding from the small yard of Himmat Singh, he is still a maiden after 11 starts but went desperately close to shedding that tag over a mile on his penultimate run when forging clear in the straight and looking a winner but being nabbed right on the line by Star Ace. This trip is likely to be on the sharp side for him but he will relish the long Mumbai straight and J. Chinoy is an interesting jockey booking. Hunayn has been working well and is one of the few in this race with current form so should be respected in spite of the sharp trip.
EAGLE SPIRIT :- 5 year old mare from the Narendra Lagad stable who is winless in 13 starts and has tumbled down in the scales with a string of poor efforts. She did show some spark of ability on her last run of the previous Mumbai season when finishing on to be a close 4th over this trip but did not figure in her 2 runs during the Pune season. She looks quite well handicapped at present and in this field with T.S. Jodha up, she could be a rank outsider who could cause a stunning upset.
ARC OF PASSION :-Another maiden 4 year old filly from a small yard, this one trained by S N Joshi, she has run 15 times till date without success. However, on her first start of the Pune season over this trip, she did run a forward race and kicked on and finished 3rd to Adam’s Beginning beaten only 3 lengths. She has run a string of poor races since then but mainly with feeble and out of form riders so the booking of good apprentice S.J. Sunil today catches the eye and she is worthy of each way consideration
CONCLUSION :-In races like this it is usually best to follow the best rider in the field and hence Alyaties with P. Trevor up looks the best possibility although it looks very open. He has had a run already this season so should be fit and can strike off this mark. The unexposed Royal Ace who has been working very well and the come from behind Saffron Flower head the list of other possibilities
Race No. 6:- The Kanthara Plate – Class IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
SUMAAQ :-5 year old mare from the Faisal Abbas stable, she has won twice in 20 starts and is usually effective over slightly further but she has been running very consistently of late finishing 3rd in each of her last 4 starts. She had 2 runs in the latter part of the Pune season and on her penultimate run over 1200M, she finished an excellent close 3rd to Jarama. She appears to have maintained her form and consistency and talented apprentice Raghuveer Singh claims a very useful 3.5 kilos. She looks one of the form horses in this field and is a live danger to all in spite of top weight.
SUPER ICON :-This 6 year old gelding from S.A. Waheed’s yard was also in excellent form during the recent Pune season except for his last effort where he could only finish up 7th after being upped in grade. However, barring that run he had a win and two seconds to his name so he is another who comes into this race in good form. S Jaykumar is replaced by a much more positive rider in the form of S.A. Amit and he is another who deserves to be very strongly considered in this field.
WAY AHEAD :- 5 year old gelding from the C.D. Katrak yard, he has been long overdue for a win for some time now, with as many as 6 seconds to his name from 16 starts but is yet to pass the post first till date. He finished 3rd to Powerhaus and Timeless Deeds over this trip last time out and prior to that had run two good 2nd s over 1400M so he comes into this race in excellent form. A. Imran Khan looks to be a good jockey booking and he finally seems to have found an opportunity to gain that elusive first win.
NAME OF THE GAME :-5 year old mare who took advantage of a very lenient mark to gain her 2nd career in 21 starts on her penultimate run when making all to score over this trip in the lower class. She then followed it up with a good performance over 1000M under a penalty and appears to be in good form at present. The booking of D.A. Naik is off putting and suggests that she may be going in for a lung opener but she is a speedy sort and should not be ignored in this field.
DIVINE SOLITAIRE:-Aged 7 year old gelding who has won 2 of his 28 starts and seems to have returned to an extremely attractive mark at present. He was tried a couple of times during the Pune season and went very close on his penultimate run when he finished a close 3rd over this trip beaten only ¾ length by Ainra and Silk Baby. He returned from a short break last time out so may have needed that run and should be fitter for it. J. Chinoy replaces R. Shelar in the saddle and he is another worth keeping an eye on especially if there is money for him.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :-Appears to be the more fancied of the 2 Narendra Lagad runners and is a veteran of 43 starts but had only 1 win to his name which does not inspire confidence. He is also very inconsistent and seldom runs two similar races so catching him on the right day can be extremely tricky. He is capable of scoring if running upto his best but looks more likely to fight it out for minor honours with T.S. Jodha booked to ride.
CONCLUSION :-Way Ahead seems to have found a good opportunity to gain a long overdue maiden success and is the selection here. The consistent top weight Sumaaqshould follow him home but there are plenty others who have the potential to upset in a race which is probably avoided from a betting standpoint
Race No. 7 :- The Sonalika Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
JACK DAN:- 5 year old gelding trained by NosherCama he has run 9 times till date and after not showing any form in his earlier runs, has appeared to be coming to hand the last twice once dropped into this class. He ran a close 5th over 1400M on his penultimate run and the last time out over this trip, finished on purposefully to be a close 3rd to Art O War. Raghuveer Singh takes a handy 3 ½ kilos off his back and if he can progress and build on that last effort then he stands an excellent chance to enter the winner’s circle for the first time .
WILSHIRE :-3 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has raced 4 times till date without much success in Maidens but now drops into the lowest grade and returns to 6 furlongs. He has done nothing of note in his 4 runs so far but his recent trackwork has been excellent which suggests that he may be coming to hand. He has been quietly fancied on a couple of earlier occasions but this opposition looks quite weak, so with A. Imran Khan on board he is likely to garner a lot of support and should run much better. However, one would like to see a little bit from him on the track first and it is hard to support him with confidence.
ISINIT :-This 5 year old mare from S N Joshi’s yard is becoming very frustrating to follow and having hinted at scoring on a number of occasions over this sort of trip, she has gone 20 starts without a win as yet. She looks well weighted at the present juncture and a couple of starts ago over this trip, she did finish a good close 2nd to Winds of Change. She is likely to pop up in one of these contests sooner or later and Satish Nayak is an unusual booking for the yard but the percentage call is to oppose her again so although she has frame claims, winning looks difficult .
ROYAL CLASSIC :-The 6 year old gelding trained by AdhirajsinghJodha is looking quite well handicapped at present although his overall strike rate of 1 win from 21 starts is uninspiring. He has had a lung opener already to blow away the cobwebs and he has dropped below his last winning mark of 25. S.A. Amit now takes over from Nirmal Jodha in the saddle and although he has been out of form for a while now, he can spring a surprise if bouncing back.
FOREVER FREE :- 4 year old filly trained by Arif Patel who is still a maiden after 10 starts but has run a couple of forward races already, her best effort being when 2nd to Vitesse over 1400M back in Pune. She too has had a run already this season finishing a fair 4th to Moonshine over this trip and if she can build on that last effort then she has a good each way chance with T.S. Jodha taking over in the saddle.
BEE QUIRKY :-This 4 year old from H.J. Antia’s yard has a very speedy pedigree and has looked like coming to hand of late. She went very close on her penultimate run over 1000M when leading for a long way and finishing a good 2nd to Warlock and could possibly have not run upto her best last time out so can be forgiven one poor run. The booking of NeerajRawal catches the eye so connections must fancy their chances today but she had drawn a very wide gate in Stall 14 which is a negative.
CONCLUSION :-Jack Dan is the selection here in the hopes of building on his close 3rd over this trip last time out. The unexposed 3 year old Wilshire has been working well and looks a danger along with the speedy Bee Quirky
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
