FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 3RD DECEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 02 Dec 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 3RD DECEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Pillar To Post Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :-2000M
NELSONS BLOOD :-Vishal Gaikwad trained 4 year old half brother to Laurita who began his racing well into his 4 year old season and has developed into a decent miler, winning 2 of his 10 starts and performing well over that trip. He had raced exclusively over a mile until his last start which was earlier this season where he raced over 7 furlongs and finished 3rd to Manifold and he now steps up to 2000M for the first time as well. He likes to front run so looked to be setting the pace for Themis that day and he again appears to have been entered to ensure a good pace for his more fancied owner mate Zenon. Kishore Kadam has been booked to ride, he is likely to make the running and can kick on to take a place.
ZENON :-Highly regarded 3 year old colt who hails from the all conquering Pesi Shroff yard and has been progressing nicely with his racing. He took a couple of runs to come to hand but ran a fine race in the Bangalore Derby where he finished on to be 5th behind Manifold and Castlebridge just 5 ½ lengths behind the winner. He then impressed in his only start in Pune over this trip where he convincingly beat Glorious Eyes by 3 ¾ lengths receiving 5 kilos. He is sure to have improved for that run and stripped fitter now so although he is out handicapped by just under 2 lengths he is expected to improve enough to be able to confirm the form. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and he looks the most likely winner.
GLORIOUS EYES :- 4 year old Multidimensional filly trained by ImtiazSait, she is a late closer who likes to come from off a strong pace so the way the race is likely to be run should suit her. She finished 2nd to Zenon when the pair met last time over this trip in Pune and she comes out 1 ¾ lengths better on the scale so she clearly looks a very big danger. She could also have a fitness edge today as she has already had a run this season, finishing a close 3rd to Turning Point over a mile. C.S. Jodha retains the ride, she seems to be in good nick and is definitely a danger to Zenon.
EIGER’S TIGER :-This 4 year old from Narendra Lagad’s stable is a seasoned handicapper having raced 25 times till date with 2 wins to his name. One of those wins came on his penultimate run over a mile in the lower class and he has had a run to blow away the cobwebs. He should stay this far and can fight it out for minor honours with T.S. Jodha in the saddle but the very fact that stable jockey Dashrath Singh has abandoned him for Flashing Honour is not an encouraging sign.
FLASHING HONOUR :-The 5 year old customer from Karthik Ganapathy’s yard has a similar profile to Eiger’s Tiger with 2 wins from 26 starts but he appears to be a moody and temperamental customer who is not at all consistent. He had 2 very poor runs in Pune and has not raced since August so he has fitness to prove and even though Dashrath Singh is an encouraging Jockey booking and he comes in at the bottom of the scale, there is a suspicion that he may find one or two too good today.
CONCLUSION :-The 3 year old Zenon has Classic aspirations and is taken to defy the handicap and beat the consistent Glorious Eyes who shapes as the obvious danger
Race No. 2 :- The Nectar Queen Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds only – Distance :- 1000M
MIND THAT BIRD :-Formerly named Durham Lad, this 3 year old full brother to My Blessings looked to be progressing quite nicely with his racing before a poor effort in his last run in Pune where he finished practically last to Sereno. His earlier run though, when finishing runner up to Excellent Gold was quite good and if he can bounce back from that unfortunate last effort, then he is taking on a relatively weak field and is the highest rated here. A. Imran Khan takes the ride and he looks to have a good chance.
STAR OF THEA :-Half sister to Lady in Red trained by Narendra Lagad, she is rated just below Mind That Bird and has also run 4 times till date. She ran well on all of the 3 starts in Pune, racing twice over 1400M but ending up a fast finishing 2nd over this trip on her penultimate run when chasing home the speedy Princess P. He has been working very well in the build up to this run and Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride. Star of Thea appears to be the form choice here and is strongly fancied.
OUTSTANDING :- Phoenix Tower filly trained by S.K.Sunderji she appears to have a speedy pedigree but has finished well beaten in all of her 4 starts till date all of which have come over this trip in Pune. Her recent track work has been excellent which suggests that she may possibly have improved of late but the booking of R. Ajinkya suggests that she may possibly be going in for a ‘trial run’. She is worth watching as a possible long shot but needs to do more on the track before she can inspire any confidence.
PRICELESS ART :- Speedily bred debutant from the Malesh Narredu yard, she catches the eye on paper and has been well prepared for her debut run and been given a good mock race where she was a good close 2nd to Queens Best back in Pune. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness but if she is looking fit and well then she may have too much quality for this lot and is a strong fancy to make a winning debut with Suraj Narredu on board
TEETEBORO :-Another debutant this one from the yard of NiradKaranjawala, she is by an averagely performed mare and progeny of Green Coast appear to be more of staying types so this trip may be on the sharp side for her. However, the field she is taking on appears to be quite weak and P.S. Chouhan is a positive Jockey booking so if she is fit and ready to go then she good have a decent each way chance
CONCLUSION :-In what looks a weak maiden set judging by those who have already run, Priceless Art could be better quality than this lot and is selected to make a winning debut. Star of Thea appears to have the best form of those who have run and rates as the main danger
Race No. 3 :- The N.M. Irani Cup – Class II and III – Distance :- 1200M
STAR COUNCILLOR :-Very well bred and lightly raced half brother to Bold Command who is returning after almost a year off the track and has fitness to prove after the long absence. He had some very good form in his younger days when winning the Breeders Juvenile Colts Championship although his last 2 runs in handicaps have been disappointing. He was given a Mock Race to sharpen him up last week and clearly has the scope to improve but is likely to need this first run back from a long absence. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and he will attempt pillar to post tactics but may be lacking a touch in fitness. Considered nonetheless.
YANNA RASCALA :-Another lightly raced and progressive sort from the Pesi Shroff yard, this got abroad gelding has run 4 times till date and has won his last 3 starts in a row including an unbeaten sequence of two in Pune when returning from almost a year off the track. He presumably had a setback after his maiden win in October 2016 and only raced again in August and won both his starts quite fluently. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness judging from his recent workouts and looks a very strong fancy to continue his progression. P. Trevor has been booked to ride and he looks hard to oppose.
TURF DANCER :-Battle hardened 5 year old mare from the stables of S.S. Shah, she has a good overall record of 4 wins and 4 seconds from 19 starts till date and is effective over this trip. She had just 2 runs during the last Pune season, making a smart reappearance when a good 2nd to Ladislaus and then returning from a short break to run 5th behind Ruffina, both runs being over 6 furlongs. Her last start on the Mahalaxmi track was a winning one when she nosed out Ladislaus on the line over this trip although she appears to have been kept fresh and there is no recent track work. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and she appears to have a good each way chance.
CHARGING TIGRESS :-Tiny but gutsy 5 year old mare trained by M.P. Jodha she has been very consistent in her 22 race career with 3 wins and 10 placed efforts over trips ranging from 1000 to 1400M. She finished runner up to Carbonara on her penultimate run over 7 furlongs before a below par performance last time out when only 5th to Mygrator. She is to be ridden by top apprentice S.A. Amit and is sure to be involved in the finish but may be vulnerable to the lightly raced and improving younger horses.
QUEEN CREDIBLE :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan she has finished in the first two in 7 of her 15 starts till date , winning on 3 occasions. She is mainly campaigned over sprints trips and comes into this fresh off a win over 1200M in Class II in Bangalore back in August where she just got up to beat Fair Game and Silver Ikon. She is returning from a 3 month break and is not the easiest of rides so it is interesting that 5 kilo claimer K. Nazil has been booked. She may just need this run after the break but is in good form and will be very dangerous to ignore off the low weight.
GAZINO :-Above average 3 year old trained by NosherCama he has raced 7 times till date with 2 wins to his name and is yet to finish outside the frame in his career so far. After a modest juvenile season where he ran some decent races in defeat, he looked transformed over this trip in Pune, scoring back to back wide margin successes, first in maiden company and next time out when faced with Class III opposition whom he accounted for with the same ease. One suspects he did not run upto his best last time out against Cambridge when upped to 7 furlongs but he remains progressive dropped back down to 1200M. P.S. Chouhan who has been riding him regularly takes the ride again today, his prep work has been very impressive and in receipt of 6 kilos from YannaRascala, he looks a very significant threat.
CONCLUSION :-Yanna Rascala has been making very good progress since returning from his absence but he may be worth taking on with Gazino. The Nosher Cama ward was most impressive in his 2 6 furlong starts in Pune, winning both by a wide margin and may not have been at his best last time out against Cambridge. Fresh from a break, back to his pet distance and in receipt of 6 kilos, he may prove to be too strong today and is likely to be available at better forecast odds providing value
Race No. 4 :- The A.C. Ardeshir Trophy (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1600M
TEMERITY :- 4 year old Classic winner trained by Pesi Shroff, she has a brilliant record of 7 wins from 11 starts and can be forgiven her run in the Indian St. Leger as she was in season at the time. She has been campaigning mainly over much longer trips so this will be a bit on the sharp side for her against seasoned milers. However, she is clearly the class act in this field and in spite of being saddled with top weight, she looks a force to reckon with, with NeerajRawal on board, and if back to her best, she could prove to be a danger to all.
PHOENIX TIGER :-This 5 year old colt trained by Dallas Todywalla is another wonderful performer and was one of the best milers of his generation as a 4 year old. He is a winner of 6 of his 11 starts and has slowly been working his way back to fitness after having been off the track for over a year. He showed signs of returning to form on his penultimate run when just failing to wear down Your Royal Majesty over 1400M and last time out gave a real fight to Aster Rose when finishing just a length behind her in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup over 2000M. The drop back to a mile will be in his favour so he is fancied to gain revenge with P. Trevor replacing SurajNarredu in the saddle and he looks the one to beat.
ASTER ROSE :- Another quality 4 year old filly who hails from Bangalore and is trained by Arjun Mangalorkar, she has won 6 and placed 2nd in 5 of her 16 starts and has been in a rich vein of form since travelling to Pune where she won both her last 2 starts impressively. She first outclassed the opposition over 9 furlongs in the Fillies & Mares but then showed a great attitude to fend off the colts and claim the season ending RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup in a battling finish from Columbiana and Phoenix Tiger making it a hattrick of wins in her last 3 starts. She is level with Phoenix Tiger at the weights and comes into this at the top of her game so she clearly has leading form claims although the drop to a mile may just provide a slight edge to the colt. SurajNarredu takes the ride and she is a leading contender.
B FIFTY TWO :- Beautifully bred 5 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait, he is one of the most experienced runners in the line up with 26 starts and has 7 wins and 4 seconds to his name which is a creditable record. He ran just twice during the recent Pune Season, the first time over a mile where he finished 3rd behind Alaindair and Your Royal Majesty and then last time out was 5th behind both Aster Rose and Phoenix Tiger in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup. He looks a little short of the market leaders on current form and will need to show significant improvement if he is to have a say. A. Imran Khan has been booked to ride, he is working well and looks likely to fight it out for the minor places.
CONCLUSION :-This should be a straight fight between Phoenix Tiger and Aster Rose who are absolutely level on the handicap. The colt is given a slight edge as the 2000M trip may have stretched him last time out whereas it suited Aster Rose and back to mile, he may prove to be that bit stronger but they are very closely matched. Temerity if back to her best could prove the fly in the ointment and is also respected.
Race No. 5 :- The Aristos Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1800M
STAR SCHOLAR :- 4 year old colt who finally found form towards the end of the last Mumbai season and after having a poor Pune campaign has dropped back down to a mark not too high above his last winning one. His last win was over this trip early in the Pune campaign and his recent track work has been quite good. P. Trevor is a positive Jockey booking and he looks one of the main contenders in this competitive event with his yard in cracking form at present.
TOMAHAWK :-Enigmatic 4 year old gelding from the yard of Nirad Karanjawala who is still a maiden after 13 starts and does not look totally straightforward. He has been tried over a variety of trips without much success but looked a future winner a couple of starts ago over a mile where he finished on strongly from the rear to be 2nd to Pacific Dunes over a mile. He was a firm favourite next time out on the strength of that run but was never in the hunt and ended up a poor 6th. He has had a lung opener already this season so she should be fit and is now eased in grade into the lower class. S.J. Sunil takes the ride and if he is in a galloping mood then he looks to have a strong chance.
DAZZLING EYES :- Unexposed 3 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has been working well right from the beginning of the Pune season but so far, has failed to reproduce it in her races and has run unplaced on all her 3 starts. After an educative run in April, she appeared over 1400M in Pune but finished well beaten. She was then upped to 9 furlongs next time out and attempted start to finish tactics but faded out rapidly at the bend. She was then withdrawn on her intended last start. She continues to impress in the morning gallops and has the potential to improve so she can be considered as a dark horse with C.S. Jodha up. However, a lot has to be taken on trust if one is to support her.
SHE’S ALL MINE :-Another unexposed filly, she is a 4 year old and comes from the yard of S.K. Sunderji whose horses have been in good form. She has run 6 times till date and has yet to make the frame. However, her last run, which was way back in August over 1400M was her best run when she finished up 5th to Blavatsky. Her recent track work has been quite encouraging suggesting that she has made some more progress and this longer trip is likely to suit her. A. Imran Khan retains the ride and she looks another who could strike here in this competitive event,
ABU AL BUKHOOSH :-This 4 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas has gone 22 starts without a win but he has tumbled down in the scales because of that and looks on a very workable mark at present. Upped to 2000M for the first time last time out, he showed some improvement when staying on late to finish 3rd to Gdansk and he is capable of building on that effort. He is still unexposed over distance trips so it is possible that he could unlock some further improvement and if he does that then he can be a factor here. Bhawani Singh takes the ride and he looks an each way player.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :- Thoroughly exposed 5 year old gelding trained by Shazaan Shah his losing run stretches to 25 although he was very unlucky when looking a winner last time out only to be nabbed right on the post by Gdansk. That run came over 2000M so this slightly lesser trip should be more advantageous and he has run well whenever Dashrath Singh has been up in the past. He deserves to gain a maiden success and could very well get it today so must be considered
CONCLUSION :-A hugely competitive affair with several chances. A chance is taken with Tomahawk who ran a promising race in Pune a couple of starts ago and has already had a lung opener in Mumbai. Star Scholar with P. Trevor up, the unexposed She’s All Mine and Happy Birthday are others worth considering
Race No. 6 :- The Jehangir P. Dubash Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
SERENO :- Half brother to the speedy Serenita this 3 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji has run 6 times till date and was turned over at very short odds on his first run in Pune but bounced back to record his maiden success over this trip last time out when holding off the well backed Sassy Lass with the same rider up. He has been working extremely well since that run suggesting that he has progressed further and has bagged the plum rail draw. A. Imran Khan retains the ride and in spite of top weight, he appears to have the best chance to record a quick encore.
TALLY HO :- 4 year old colt who began racing in January of this year and was with Malesh Narredu for his first few starts and flattered to deceive on a few occasions. He was sold into Narendra Lagad’s yard and duly recorded a stunning first success when totally unfancied over 1000M in the lowest class. However, he has been nowhere near that form in his 2 subsequent runs and still appears to be a quirky individual. He has Dashrath Singh booked to ride today and can pop up if he shows up with his galloping shoes on but the percentage call here is to oppose until he can achieve some consistency. Rank outsider.
ALBARETO :-This once raced 3 year old gelding trained by S.S. Shah is very highly regarded by his connections and was sent off a warm favourite on his debut run in Pune but failed to display any speed and ended up a modest 4th to runaway winner Gazino. He is likely to have learnt from that run and should leave that running well behind with the experience. He has been brought along steadily since then, his recent workouts have been encouraging and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye. A paddock check will definitely be needed to ascertain his condition but he receives 5 kilos from Sereno and could prove to be a live danger.
CAPTAIN :- Speedy 4 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he has run 10 times till date without a win but has had a couple of setbacks in between his racing which have hampered his chances. He has had 2 runs in Pune and after having a lung opener, was well fancied with Sandesh up over 1000M last time out and was seen making good late headway to finish up 5th. He has had very little track work since then so his fitness remains a bit of a question mark but the extra furlong should suit him and the booking of C.S. Jodha suggests that connections are serious about their chances. He has run a couple of good races over sprints previously and if returning to his best, he could be a factor.
GLORIANA :-Potentially decent but not completely sound 4 year old trained by Nazak Chenoy, Gloriana has run 4 times till date alternating with good and bad runs. She finished a good 2nd to Imperial Heritage over 1400M on just her 2nd start and on her last run – the solitary one in Pune she ended up a good 3rd to My Blessings and Slam Dunk which looks pretty strong form. She did run a Mock Race on the concluding day of Pune but there is no recent track work noted so a paddock check will definitely be advised. She has the form to cause an upset and can improve on just her 5th career start so definitely must be considered with talented Prashant Dhebe in the saddle.
TIME OF MY LIFE :- Nicely bred and strong travelling 4 year old trained by Hosidar Daji who had an excellent Pune season and she has been knocking at the door for some time now and is sure to strike too. She has finished a close 2nd in her last 2 runs, both over 1400M and she likes to front run so she may not mind the slight drop in trip. K. Nazil takes a useful 5 kilos off in the saddle, she comes into the race in good form and although she has been upped in grade today, she runs off a feather weight and could be very dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
CONCLUSION :-Sereno was a smart winner last time out over this trip and should improve again. He is the selection here with the unexposed Albareto appearing to be the main danger. The lightly raced Glorianahas good form and if looking well, could be the dark horse here.
Race No. 7 :- The Rhapsidion Snow Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1600M
ANGELS TOUCH :- Fashionably bred and good looking 3 year old filly from the stables of Karthik G, she was believed to have Classic aspirations after running a good 3rd to Themis and Manifold in the Breeders Juvenile Championship last season and was taken to Bangalore to contest the Summer Classics but ran poorly in the Fillies Trial and a mile maiden and was put away and given time to improve. She reappeared here on the opening day and had a good lung opener when 5th to Forest Fairy and may have been rusty after the long break so should improve. She could be considerably better than her current mark and with P. Trevor booked to ride, she looks to have an outstanding chance to enter the winner’s circle.
KING OF KILLEN :-This 4 year old gelding trained by C. Rajendra has developed into a consistent handicapper and showed good improvement when stepping up to distances over a mile and over. He has been consistently placing in his last several starts but is still searching for that elusive first win having been tried over almost every distance, last time over 2400M running on to take 3rd to Baby Face. His form over a mile is good and S.A. Amit is a positive jockey booking. He looks almost certain to place again but winning is anybody’s guess. Each way contender.
IT’S A DEAL :- 4 year old from the Faisal Abbas yard who succeeded the first time that he was tried over a distance trip when annihilating Class V opposition over 2000M. He appeared not to stay when tried over 2400M subsequently and last time out, finished a close 5th over this trip behind Eiger’s Tiger in a similar contest. He looks a decent handicapper in the making and with C.S. Jodha up, should fight it out to make the frame but appears to be vulnerable to the well bred and potentially smart 3 year olds.
COOL EYES :- Nicely bred and relatively unexposed 3 year old trained by the shrewd C.D. Katrak, Cool Eyes has run 5 times till date and showed some signs of ability on her penultimate run when she finished on from the rear to be 3rd over 1400M to Collegium and Khartoum. She was hot favourite over a mile next time out but never looked a threat at any stage and finished 9th behind Eiger’s Tiger and some way behind It’s a Deal that day. It is still early days so she can be forgiven one bad run and her more recent track work has been excellent. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and if that last run is ignored then she could trouble them all if building on her earlier effort.
MASQUERADE :-Twice raced got abroad 3 year old filly from the powerful yard of Pesi Shroff, she appears to have been one of the more backward types and has been given plenty of time to come to hand. She has raced just twice till date, making her debut over 1200M last December and was not seen out again until September when she showed a little improvement to finish 4th to Admo in a 7 furlong maiden which is again modest form. She has been working well of late and seems to be improving steadily and looks a scopey sort. She steps up to a mile for the first time today and with NeerajRawal in the saddle, looks an unknown quantity who could be better than her current rating
CONCLUSION :-Angels Touch looks better than her current handicap mark and is selected to get off the mark here. The unexposed Masquerade is respected and feared as an improver as also Cool Eyes
(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)
