FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 14TH DECEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 13 Dec 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR THURSDAY, 14TH DECEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Machiavellianism Plate – Class V – Distance :-2400M
CARE FREE :- 6 year old mare from the small stable of Arif Patel, she began racing at a very late stage in her career and as a result has just 13 starts to her name and is yet to get off the mark. She has been tried over a variety of trips ranging from 1400M upwards and has run some good races over middle distances. She has attempted this trip just once back in March 2017 and she ran respectably finishing a close 3rd to Othello and Jager Bomb so she should stay. She could have been freshened up by the break that she has had and with T.S. Jodha in the saddle, she must be respected and is given a good each way chance.
DAZZLING EYES :- Relatively unexposed 3 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard who has run just 4 times till date and has been making gradual progress with her racing. She has been working well since the beginning of the Pune season but made no show in her 2 runs there. She has had a run already this season over 1800M where she finished on late to be 3rd, 4 ¾ lengths behind Silver Edge. That run showed some progress and this being just her 5th start she is expected to build on that and progress again. The booking of P. Trevor is also a big positive and if she can unlock further improvement over this more galloping trip, then she looks the one most likely to succeed in this weak field.
LUCKY LUCIANO :- Untried 3 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha he has run 7 times till date and has done nothing of note in those runs. His best effort has been 3rd in a 9 furlong maiden last season and his hopes are pinned on finding some improvement for the step up to this trip which he attempts for the first time. He has had a lung opener already this season so should be fit enough and if he takes to the longer trip then he could be a dark horse who could spring a surprise. Nirmal Jodha is in the saddle and he could be an interesting outsider.
SILVER EDGE :- 5 year old maiden from C. Rajendra’s yard, he has run 19 times so far without success and has not shown himself to be completely consistent. He has finished 2nd on 3 occasions over middle distances and seems to be at his best when he is allowed to dominate from the front. Last time out over 1800M, he seemed to have the field in trouble and finished a good 2nd to Happy Birthday with Dazzling Eyes almost 5 lengths away in 3rd. He is also attempting the 2400M trip for the first time today but is not a certain stayer so although he is closely matched with Dazzling Eyes on the last run, the 3 year old appears to have more scope to improve. S.A. Amit takes over from Raghuveer Singh and he should be able to dominate again in this small field so if he stays the trip well, then he has an excellent chance to gain the elusive maiden victory.
WIZARD OF ODDS :- Well bred 5 year old gelding who is a half brother to Lucky Luciano but is a 20 race maiden from the C.D. Katrak yard and has recently changed ownership. He has run a couple of fair races over 2000M in the past but is tackling this longer trip for the first time. His overall form has an uneven look to it and he finished well behind a couple of these last time out but he has come down to a very attractive weight now and the booking of Dashrath Singh today catches the eye. He is another total outsider who could upset if staying this trip well
CONCLUSION :-Very little to go on by way of form with the field consisting entirely of maiden. Dazzling Eyes has the maximum scope to improve and showed some promise on her last start. She has the best jockey on and comes from comparatively the strongest yard so she looks the obvious choice. Silver Edge should be the main danger provided he manages to stay the extra distance while Lucky Luciano looks the unknown quantity who could potentially improve
Race No. 2 :- The Murioi Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1800M
GLORIOUS EYES :- Consistent 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has 2 wins to her name from 17 starts till date and has appeared to be in the grip of the handicapper since claiming her last win over 7 furlongs during the last Mumbai season. She has been placing consistently since then, the last couple of times over similar sort of trips and she finished just a neck behind Take Five on the opening day over a mile, conceding 3 ½ kilos. She now has to concede 4 kilos to that rival with less scope for improvement than the younger horse so it will be hard for her to reverse the form. Y.S. Srinath takes over from C.S. Jodha in the saddle and she looks to have a strong chance to place but may find it hard to overturn the younger horses.
ZANARA :- Highly regarded 3 year old from the in form Dallas Todywalla yard, Zanara is thought to be a potential Oaks filly and has put in 2 impressive performances on either side of a below par run in the Pune Derby. She is another who appears to be at her best when allowed to bowl along in front and Trevor judged the pace to a nicety on her seasonal debut when she was an impressive pillar to post winner over a mile. Zanara looks to be very much on the upgrade, the 6 kilo penalty she has incurred is not too stiff and Trevor retains the ride. She does not look likely to be taken on for the lead today either and hence is given an excellent chance for a quick encore.
SUSSEX PRIDE :- 4 year old colt trained by Subhag Singh, he hit a purple patch between February and April last season winning 3 of his 4 starts and showing phenomenal improvement but he seems to have gone off the boil since then and needs to bounce back. He had a very lacklustre Pune season and his reappearance run too was not too encouraging so he needs to show some zest for racing before he can be seriously considered. He looks the rank outsider in this small field and runs with a small upset chance at best with T.S. Jodha on board today.
TAKE FIVE :- Another progressive looking 3 year old filly from the yard of MaleshNarredu, she has run 5 times so far and has shown good improvement in her last 2 starts. She scored a bloodless maiden win over 1400M on her handicap debut and then showed that she had improved again last time out when finishing a very good close 2nd to Turning Point in a mile. She seems to be improving with each step up in trip and hence is expected to relish this additional furlong as well. P.S. Chouhan replaces Suraj Narredu in the saddle and in receipt of 2.5 kilos from Zanara, she rates as the main danger.
EIGER’S TIGER :- Fully exposed 4 year old handicapper trained by Narendra Lagad he appears to be handicapped upto the hilt at present and having won over a mile a couple of starts ago, he now needs some respite before he can progress again. He finished 5th behind Take Five and Glorious Eyes on the opening day and there is no obvious reason why he should reverse that form. J. Chinoy takes the ride today and he appears to be likely to fight it out for minor honours
CONCLUSION :-The rapidly improving Zanarais the confident selection and is expected to win from end to end with P. Trevor up. The other 3 year oldTake Five should put up the most resistance and looks the only danger.
Race No. 3 :- The Dhun P. Kothavala Trophy – Terms, Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1400M
COUNSELLOR :- Nicely bred debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he does not appear to be fully wound up for his debut and is likely to need this run to bring him on. He has had just a few workouts so may be lacking a touch in fitness but is a potentially smart sort and is taking on a relatively weak maiden field so could have enough class to tackle them first time out. David Probert takes his first ride in Western India so a paddock check is advised and if looking fit and well then he may be worth chancing at expected lucrative odds. Dark horse.
KOTOR :- 4 times raced Phoenix Tower gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla, Kotor was fancied on his debut back in March but lost ground at the start and finished down the field. He has run thrice since in Pune but has given little encouragement so enthusiasm is somewhat tempered and his recent work has also not been earth shattering. The booking of P. Trevor for the ride inspires some confidence but on his current showing, he may just be able to run into a place if showing some improvement and looks a long shot here.
RINCON :- This full brother to Sky Mine is the highest rated of this lot and has finished 2nd in two of his 6 starts till date but does not seem to be improving as rapidly as expected and is beginning to look a bit exposed. He finished runner up in 2 of his 3 runs in Pune, first unable to hold off Harmony of the Sea but on his penultimate run, disappointed when unable to beat Anniversary Girl in what looked a weak maiden for the grade. He finished a poor 4th on his seasonal debut behind Intrepid and although a place looks quite realistic today, it is hard to fancy him from a win perspective. Stable jockey C.S. Jodha is up and he merits each way consideration.
BEWITCHED :- Potential improver from the C.D. Katrak yard, she has run 3 times so far, and was given educative runs on the first 2 occasions over an inadequate 5 furlongs with a work rider up but showed good improvement when upped to 7 furlongs last time out and with Dashrath Singh in the saddle where she finished on to be runner up to Kramer in a stronger race than this. She is expected to improve further from that run and her recent workouts have been quite pleasing. Her mother was a quality sprinter in her own right and with A. Imran Khan booked to ride today, a big run is anticipated and she looks a leading contender.
BOADICEA :- Nicely bred debutant trained by MaleshNarredu who has been given plenty of prep work and should be fit and ready to go first time out. Her most recent workouts on the Mumbai track suggest that she has improved quite a lot of late and she is not taking on a very strong field first time out. She is a full sister to Hillstone who won 4 races in Madras and Ooty and her half sister Crown Royal is a winner of 5 races in Hyderabad so the family is decently performed. Paddock check is advised to determine her fitness but she looks a good each way player with P.S. Chouhan taking the ride
HUZZAH’S GRACE :- 3 year old Chevalier filly trained by Imtiaz A Sait she has run 5 times till date without win, but there is a suspicion that we have yet to see the best of her. After a couple of modest efforts, she showed zest for racing on her 3rd start when making late headway from the rear to finish 3rd to Knight’s Quest and after a flat run in between, did not appear to be totally serious last time out when firm favourite, finishing on leisurely to be a close 3rd to Fencing. She is expected to have improved over this short break and with Dashrath Singh up, looks to have a strong each way chance and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :- With those that have already run not setting a particularly high standard, it may pay rich dividends to take a chance on the debutant Counsellor. He does not appear to be fully wound up but could have enough class to tackle this lot with David Probert in the saddle and could be value as he should be available at long odds. Bewitched appears the best of the raced horses and is the next alternative along with Huzzah’s Grace.
Race No. 4 :- The Beautiful Stranger Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
STARR VERDICT :- Unexposed and untried 3 year old colt from the stables of Rehanullah Khan, he has had 6 runs till date and has been gradually brought down in the scales to a workable mark. He showed slight improvement in his last 2 runs in Pune but his most recent run on this track was promising where he made late headway to finish just outside the frame. He has a good jockey booked for the first time in the form of Neeraj Rawal and although this drop to the minimum does not seem to be ideal, he is unexposed and in this weak field, looks to have an excellent chance to score.
DANCE OF FIRE :- Nicely bred 3 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard, she appears to be the strongest of the yard’s 3 runners and has T.S. Jodha booked to ride. She is still a maiden after 10 starts but has run a couple of modest races over this trip and her last effort a couple of weeks ago was quite promising as she finished 5th but was only 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner. She is expected to progress from that run and looks to have a decent each way chance in this field.
BEE QUIRKY:-Lightly raced 4 year old filly from the H.J. Antia yard, she has been threatening to strike over this trip for some time now and did finish a good 2nd to Warlock over it back in Pune. Her last run is best ignored as she was racing over 1200M and was undone by the wide draw and she has bagged the plum rail draw today. K. Nazil claims a useful 5 kilos off and has been riding well of late and she looks to have an excellent chance to get off the mark today and must be seriously considered.
BOHEMIAN :- Second runner from the Antia yard, this 4 year old filly will be ridden by upcoming apprentice Raghuveer Singh and is given a good chance on the pick of her form. She had been running promisingly over this trip last season before encountering a setback and has been slowly working her way back into form during the Pune season. She looks quite well handicapped at present and has had a lung opener already this term. She can be in the mix if returning to her best and is worth keeping an eye on.
TAREEF :- 19 race 5 year old maiden filly from the small stable of Vinay Lagad, she has come right down to the bottom of the scale and has displayed early speed on a couple of occasions in the past before fading. She has run a couple of forward races in her last couple of starts in Pune and although the long Mumbai straight will not be to her advantage, S.A. Amit is a good booking and she stands a chance to upset at the feather weight.
CONCLUSION :- An open looking contest as is expected in this grade. Bee Quirky looks to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark as the draw has been kind to her for the first time and her apprentice has been riding some good races of late. The unexposed Starr Verdict with Neeraj Rawal up is the main danger if he does not find things happening too quickly.
Race No. 5 :- The Beautiful Stranger Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
BLITZKREIG :- 5 year old gelding trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, he began his racing career with a smart success over this trip and had some good form to his name over 1000M in his first few starts before completely losing his way and he has tumbled down in the weights as a result. He ran a couple of forward races during the recent Pune season and is starting to look very well handicapped as he was in Class III in his early days. After having run with a 5 kilo claimer in his last few runs, D.S. Daman has been booked today, suggesting that connections are fancying their chances. A lot has to be taken on trust but if he can find the form of his early days, then he stands a very good chance to return to the winner’s circle .
SARRAZIN :- Sparingly raced 4 year old filly trained by Faisal A Abbas, she has a nice pedigree being a full sister to the speedy Zahrazan and half sister to the well performed Speed King and Andreus and after a couple of indifferent efforts, she showed good improvement in her track work midway through the Pune season and reproduced that form on the track when finishing on nicely to be 3rd to Multistar last time out. There is no recent track work which is a bit of a concern as she is returning after a short break, but if she builds on that last performance then she stands an excellent chance to get off the mark although the booking of Amyn Merchant is debatable.
ADAM’S CREATION :- Unexposed 4 year old filly trained by Bezan Chenoy who has run 5 times till date and has nothing to show for it but could have the potential to unlock some improvement. She drops into the lowest grade now and has a strong rider booked for the first time in the form of A. Imran Khan so she bears watching and could have the capability to score in this field.
DECCAN KING :- Speedy 5 year old gelding trained by H. J. Antia, he made no show in 2 runs in Pune but is now eased in grade back into the lowest class and was in good form in the previous Mumbai season. M. Ayyar has been riding reasonably well of late and in this weak field, he looks to have a good each way chance back on his favoured Mahalaxmi track.
KNIGHT AT ARMS :- 4 year old gelding trained by Vinay Lagad who took advantage of his extremely attractive mark last time to score his maiden win at the 17th attempt when edging home in a thriller from Highland Princess and Adele. 4 kilo penalty does not appear to be too harsh and if he turns up in the same mood then he stands a very good chance for a quick encore with S.A. Amit in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-Another open looking affair with the ones to consider appearing to be Sarrazin and Blitzkreig
Race No. 6 :- The Aldeburgh Plate – Class IV – 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
SPEED OF SOUND :- Enigmatic 5 year old mare trained by Arif Patel, she has won 2 of her 19 starts but overall her profile is inconsistent and catching her on the right day is quite tricky. She was a winner the last time she raced on this track back in April, nosing out Locarno in a tight finish and she has had 2 modest runs in Pune. The booking of P. Trevor today is quite significant and she is not that much above her last winning mark so if she does have her galloping shoes on, then she stands a good chance to earn another quick success.
LOCARNO :- Speedy 6 year old filly trained by Mansoor Shah, she is better placed than Speed of Sound on their last meeting in Mumbai and after having most of the Pune season off, she ran a decent race on her seasonal reappearance and should strip fitter. H. Zeeshan claims a valuable 5 kilos off, she looks well placed on the scales at present and if she is back in form then she stands a very good chance in this older company.
SUPER ICON :- Veteran 6 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed, he has run 32 times till date with 2 wins and 4 seconds to his name so far. He was in very good form during the last Pune season and warmed up for this race with a good 3rd to Divine Solitaire over 1200M. He is versatile with regards to trip so should not mind the drop to the minimum and R. Ajinkya has been booked to ride and claims a valuable 2.5 kilos. He has been in good form of late and is expected to add some pep to the finish once again/
BIDSTONE HILL :- Speedy 5 year old mare trained by Vinesh, she has 2 wins to her name in 20 starts, both her wins coming over this trip and she has now dropped down to below her last winning mark. She has not been in form for some time now but her last couple of runs over longer trips have been forward ones and she returns to her pet trip after a long time. S.S. Baria is an interesting jockey booking and from draw 7, she might try and win from end to end.
NAME OF THE GAME :- Another front running 5 year old mare who has recently been in good form, she comes from the small yard of C. Rajendra but took advantage of her lenient mark to score over 6 furlongs with Dashrath Singh in the saddle. She followed that up with a good 3rd over this trip next time out and was given a lung opener here earlier in the season to blow away the cobwebs. The trainer has had his small string in good form of late so she looks to be working well and reunited with Dashrath Singh again and with a good draw of 4, she looks a strong contender.
SPEEDO :- This 5 year old gelding from Adhirajsingh Jodha’s yard has a poor overall strike rate with just a solitary win to his name from 28 starts till date but has gone close on a number of other occasions without being able to convert. He went perilously close in 2 consecutive runs in Pune over this trip, first going down by ½ a length to an improving 3 year old and then nosed out by Naumee when not given the best of rides. His last run was a poor one but he has been given a break to recover from that and should go well fresh. He has been knocking on the door for some time now and is another who must be respected with S.A. Amit retaining the ride.
MAKE IT SHINE :- Aged 6 year old mare who was out of form for most of her 24 races but seems to have sprung to life for her new trainer and after a shock win over 6 furlongs in the lower class in Pune, made a winning reappearance over this trip here, getting the better of Royal Blood with the same rider up. She comes into this race in fine form and in spite of the penalty, would be dangerous to ignore
CONCLUSION :-This looks very competitive and making a clear selection is tough as several of the runners have chances. Speedo, who went close on a couple of occasions in Pune is a tentative choice.
Race No. 7 :- The Abeeta Plate – Class III, 4Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
BENEZEER :- Sparingly raced 5 year old mare from the yard of Faisal Abbas, she appears to the most fancied of the yard’s 3 runners judging from the Jockey bookings and has a good record of 2 wins and 3 seconds to her name from just 11 starts. She was very consistent without winning during the last Mumbai season and was given 2 runs in Pune in September and has not raced since. She usually goes well fresh and with A. Imran Khan in the saddle, looks to have a big chance to get back to winning ways.
INDIAN SERENADE :- Another problematic but ability filled 5 year old, this one now trained by Narendra Lagad after beginning her career with M.K. Jadhav, she is a winner of 3 of her 11 starts, winning her first 2 career starts impressively before suffering a setback from which she still appears to be recovering. She showed glimpses of her old self when scoring with authority on her first run in Pune but then flopped next time out and finished well down the field. She has been given time to come to hand since that last run and has been showing out very nicely in the morning gallops so with stable jockey Dashrath Singh up again, a big run is anticipated and she looks one of the main contenders here.
GLORIOUS LAND :- Speedy 4 year old filly who began her career with Dallas Todywalla with whom she has had all her 3 victories but recently changed hands to Adil Dajee and underwent a name change as well. She is most effective over this trip and has been working very well of late so if her new trainer has managed to get her back to her prime then she could bounce back to winning ways with Raghuveer Singh a good front running rider
DOUBLE NINE :- Tough and speedy 4 year old colt who has run better than his form figures suggest, having only managed 1 win in 14 starts but has finished runner up on 5 occasions. From the stable of NosherCama, he had a good lung opener earlier in the season and advertised his wellbeing when finishing a good close 3rd to Wise Child and Shamwari. He should strip fitter from the run and with P.S. Chouhan taking over from J. Chinoy, he looks a very strong fancy and could improve his record today.
CRYSTAL BALL :- 4 year old Mull of Kintyre filly trained by Altaf Hussain who has come into her own towards the end of the last Mumbai season and has performed consistently throughout the Pune season. Her last run suggested that she needed a break, although she was not beaten too far but after A. Imran Khan being up throughout the Pune season, the booking of inexperienced B. Nikhil suggests that she may be going in for an easy run. She has been in top form however and should not be ignored
CONCLUSION :-Double Nine, who ran a good race between two smart 3 year olds and could have a fitness advantage is the selection to build on that run back into older company. Benezeer who goes well fresh looks to be a live danger as does the enigmatic Indian Serenade
Race No. 8 :- The Rapidash Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
POKERFACE :- Half brother to Jigsaw trained by NosherCama, he has run exclusively over sprints in his 4 starts till date but should be suited by more galloping ground judging from his pedigree. He returned from an extended absence to finish a good 2nd to Beshiktash on his solitary start in Pune over 1200M and is sure to have improved considerably for the run and stripped fitter. He has plenty of scope to improve after just 4 starts and looks a good type so if this step up in trip unlocks further improvement, then he could be a handful in spite of conceding weight all around. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride.
ROOSEVELT :- Another lightly raced and highly regarded sort with a similar profile to Pokerface, he comes from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad and is also a winner of one of his 4 starts. After 2 modest efforts in Maidens in Mumbai, he broke his duck at the 3rd attempt on his first run in Pune where he looked green still but managed to get the better of Goldie’s Pet over 1200M. He was then taken to Hyderabad for the Deccan Colts Championship but found himself out of that league at present and ended up well beaten. Return to handicap company will suit him, he has been working well and in this lesser grade, he looks a strong contender to resume his upward curve with A. Sandesh having his first ride for a few months returning from injury.
HARMONY OF THE SEA :- Nicely bred 3 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait, the progeny have enjoyed good success with both her siblings well performed and she herself pulled off a smart gamble on her first start in Pune, winning her maiden with authority. She then ran inexplicably poorly over 1400M when hot favourite on her handicap debut but although she finished 8th that day, she was only 5 lengths off the winner. She has been rested and well prepared since then and has plenty of scope to improve on just her 4th start. A Imran Khan has been booked to ride and she looks to have a good each way chance and must come into calculations.
ROTTERDAM :- Well bred 3 year old from the yard of Dallas Todywalla, she has won once in 3 starts till date and has some strong juvenile form to her name. After winning her maiden over 6 furlongs, she finished 3rd behind Tutankhamun and Timeless in the Breeders Produce Stakes which is excellent form but then turned out just once in Pune where she was disappointing when only 3rd to Kramer and beaten quite a long way. She is expected to improve for that run and her recent track work has been encouraging. P. Trevor has been booked to ride today and she is expected to leave that last run well behind and looks a strong fancy on her earlier form.
MOONSHINE :- Yet another 3 year old with a progressive profile, she hails from the stable of Karthik G and is a winner of 1 of her 4 starts, that win coming last time out on this track with the same rider up when she finished on well to get the better of Milwalkee and Yutaka in the lower class over 1200M. She has not been too harshly penalized for the win and Y.S. Srinath retains the ride but she is taking on much tougher opposition today and looks more of a contender for the minor places.
COMMENTS :- A competitive finale with some potentially good and progressive 3 year olds. Roosevelt appears the most obvious choice here, having bitten off more than he can chew at this stage in Classic company last time out and with the returning A. Sandesh in the saddle. Rotterdam looks a big danger on her juvenile form but her Pune run tempers enthusiasm and she may need to improve further but Pokerface looks likely to appreciate this step up in trip and could be the main danger
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
