FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 16TH DECEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 15 Dec 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SATURDAY, 16TH DECEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1600M
MULTIGLORY :- 5 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji, he is a winner of 5 of his 22 starts overall and hit top form during the latter half of the Mumbai season, winning 3 of his 4 starts, the only exception being when finishing 3rd of 3 to Pugnacious and Jeannine over this trip. He had a lucklustre Pune season where he ran 4 times and could not cut the mustard in Class I and is now dropped back down into Class II. He still looks vulnerable at the top of the scale and is not handicapped to beat other Pugnacious or Jeannine who reoppose. C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride but there are no signs as yet that he is returning to top form and looks more likely to contest the minor places today
PUGNACIOUS :- 4 year old gelding from the yard of C.D. Katrak who has been going through an uncharacteristically bad patch of late, he has won 4 of his 15 starts till date and this appears to be his best trip at present. He too had a quiet Pune season and after two modest 4th place finishes, his last 2 runs have been airings with relatively poor riders up. He has had a lung opener this season when finishing 4th to Manifold with Jeannine 2 lengths away in 5th and should be fitter for that run. NeerajRawal replaces Amyn Merchant in the saddle, his subsequent track work has been good and in this field he looks a strong contender although his yard’s poor form is a deterrent
JEANNINE :- Is a sparingly raced 5 year old mare from the stable of Faisal Abbas and she is a winner of 3 of her 11 starts although her best performance was when finishing a good 3rd to Myrtlewood in the Indian 1000 Guineas. After failing to stay in the Oaks, she reverted back to handicaps and managed to win a Class II contest over this trip last October. She finished runner up to Pugnacious in a 3 horse affair over course and distance last April and is coming out 3 lengths better off from that run. She had a lung opener towards the end of the Pune season plus a warm up run here so she should be fit and ready to go and A. Imran Khan is a positive Jockey booking. She has been working well and looks to have a strong chance to earn another bracket
UNCLE SCROOGE :- Enigmatic and versatile 5 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav, he is a winner of 3 of his 20 starts, his most recent success coming on his penultimate run where he demolished Class III opposition over 1400M to win in great style. He too has had a lung opener in Mumbai to blow away the cobwebs and A. Sandesh who won on him last time, is back in the saddle. He has a smart turn of foot and is expected to run well again today but looks one of the outsiders in this field and may be able to sneak into a place
ODESSA :-Rapidly improving 4 year old trained by Malesh Narredu, he has had a chequered career so far but appears to very much on the upgrade, having won 3 of his last 4 starts. After making a promising debut last October over 1400M, he was strongly fancied in a mile maiden around this time last year but ran a wretched race and finished well beaten. He was given time to come to hand after that and only reappeared after a 3 month break over 1200M where he scored a shock victory with an inexperienced 5 kilo claimer up. He went on to win equally impressively over this same trip in Pune but came unstuck in his hattrick bid where weight possibly proved to be a stopper. Upped to this trip last time out, he came with a powerful late run to collar Brabourne and Zanzibaar and win with authority and has been penalized 5 kilos for the win. His last few workouts have been impressive and with P. S. Chouhan keeping the ride, he looks the one to beat in spite of being upped in grade
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she is a winner of 2 of her 11 starts but was soundly beaten by Multiglory over this trip last season before scoring over 1800M in the lower class. She reappeared in Pune only in September and has run 2 modest races over 1400M, finishing 4th on both occasions. She appears to be still finding her way back into form at present but it is significant that P. Trevor has been booked to ride so she too appears to be an interesting outsider
CONCLUSION :-JaydevMody appears to have a strong hand here with both Odessa and Pugnacious so it will be interesting to see which one is more fancied. Odessa is the selection in the hopes of unlocking further improvement as he has been progressing nicely. The grey filly Jeannine is the one feared most and shapes as the main danger
Race No. 2 :- The Uttam SinghTrophy – Div. II – Class IV, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
LESREL :-Smartly bred got abroad colt owned by the powerful Shirke-Dhunjibhoy combination and trained by Vishal Gaikwad. The dam Tarkamara won 1 race over a mile in England and is a daughter of English Derby winner Shahrastani. She has already produced a couple of useful types abroad like Tiger Stripes who finished 3rd in the Group 2 Railway Stakes and Lyfka who was a winner of 4 races over 6 and 7 furlongs. The sire Mayson is a great influence for speed with his sire Invincible Spirit being a Champion Sprinter and his dam Bayleaf also possessing tremendous speed. Lesrel hence appears to have fine credentials on paper and although he has only had a couple of workouts and may be a touch short on fitness, his final spurt over 1000M was impressive. He will be ridden by A. Sandesh and looks an exciting prospect who could win at the first time of asking
WABI SABI :-A half sister to XOXO and Milwalkee, she is trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha and has looked quite progressive in her 3 starts till date. After being given an educative run in August over 1000M, she was entered in a decent looking Million race where she finished a respectable 5th over 1200M. She was then strongly fancied back in a maiden towards the end of Pune and finished on strongly but just failed to get the better of Aurelia by a length. She is expected to improve again on just her 4th start, is the joint highest rated among this lot and sets the form standard. She is a leading fancy with D.S.Daman up and looks the one to beat
ART O WAR :- 3 year old Excellent Art gelding who is a half brother to Airlift and First in Command and is trained by Narendra Lagad, he is already a 12 race veteran having scored a solitary win on his penultimate run over this trip back in Pune where he won narrowly in Class V. There does not appear to be much to choose between him and Wabi Sabi taking a line through Angel’s Harmony and he has already had a lung opener this season over 1000M where he finished a close 5th. J. Chinoy retains the ride and although he lacks the scope of Wabi Sabi to improve and is relatively exposed, he is expected to run well and make the frame
ELIXIR :-Once raced Varenaar filly who is the first foal of Tonique to race in India, her dam throwing some useful types abroad. She is trained by Sanjay Kolse and made her debut back in September, finishing 6th to Powerhaus over this trip in a race which has worked out fairly well. She is likely to improve from that run and leave that running behind and she has been exhibiting some good speed in the morning gallops. A paddock check is advised to determine her current fitness and well being but she appears to be a potentially nice type and with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride, she looks to have a good each way chance and may prove to be value at a price
TANJO :-Half sister to Perfect Legacy who won 3 races over 1200-1400 in Bangalore and Mysore, he is trained by NosherCama and has had 2 runs till date. She made her debut as recently as October this year, finishing 6th over 1000M on debut but then showing some improvement upped to 7 furlongs on the concluding day of the Pune season where she made late headway to finish 4th to Cosa Nostra. She is likely to make further progression from that run although the drop to 6 furlongs does not appear to be ideal and P.S.Chouhan keeps the ride. She is another who looks likely to fight it out for minor honours and may need some more time to improve
CONCLUSION :-WabiSabi appears to set the form standard here and looks a strong fancy but it might be worth taking a chance on the fashionably bred debutant Lesrel. He comes from a top class sprinting family and showed good speed on his final spurt, so if he looks well in the paddock then he could very well win first time out. Elixir also appears to have scope to improve and looks a good each way alternative
Race No. 3 :- The Ranjit V. Bhat Memorial Gold Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 1000M
NASCAR :-Speedy 5 year old mare from the ImtiazSait yard, she has a meritorious record of 5 wins from 17 starts and has proven most effective over this minimum trip. She has been in good form lately and showed that she has the stamina to stay 6 furlongs as well now when scoring a smart pillar to post win over subsequent winner Champagne back in Pune with Abbey back in 4th that day. She finished 3rd to Champagne and Harvey over 1200M on her last run a couple of weeks ago so should be fit and well and with Raghuveer Singh, who had ridden her almost exclusively taking the ride, she should be a force to reckon with back down to her pet trip
ABBEY :-Wonderfully consistent 5 year old mare who is trained by Faisal Abbas, she has finished in the first two on 11 of her 18 starts, winning 5 of them and most of her defeats have been by less than ½ a length. She finished 4th to Nascar over 1200M on her most recent run in Pune but was conceding a lot of weight that day and back down to this more favoured trip, she stands a good chance to gain revenge. Abbey has the added advantage of having P. Trevor in the saddle today and in this field, she stands an excellent chance of getting back to winning ways
GOLDIE’S PET :- Speedy and progressive 3 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she too has developed into a 5 furlong specialist and has rattled off 3 wins in a row including a smooth success over Anacapri on the opening day. She too has finished in the first 2 in 8 of her 10 races so far and appears to be improving at a rate of knots, clocking fast times in all of her wins. She has not been too harshly penalized for her last win and fillies in form are usually worth following until they are beaten. She will be ridden by Neeraj Rawal and coming in at a low weight, she looks the most likely winner today
GOVERNOR GENERAL :- Sparingly raced 5 year old gelding from the yard of M.K. Jadhav, he too has developed into a consistent handicapper, winning 4 of his 11 starts and having been out of the first three just once in his career. He was withdrawn at the gates on his intended reappearance in Race No. 17 and has always been susceptible from a fitness angle so that is a slight concern. He is also usually effective over longer distances and may find things happening too quickly over this 5 furlongs. He is to be ridden by S.A. Amit and runs off a low weight but may be seen finishing on late and is more of a place prospect
CONCLUSION :-It is hard to oppose the rapidly improving 3 year old Goldie’s Pet and she is the confident selection to get the better of the older handicappers. With both Abbey and Nascar likely to vie for the lead, they could set the race up nicely for her.
Race No. 4:- The FaizJasdanwalla Trophy – Maiden 2 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
DANCING LANCES :- Appears to have a speedy pedigree by Phoenix Tower out of quality sprinter Dancing Glances and seems a forward sort who has been given plenty of prep work to get him fit and ready to go first time out. His trackwork has been quite good and the booking of P. Trevor shows that connections are quite strong. Yard has been responsible for the only other maiden 2 year old winner so far this crop and he looks set to make it 2 for 2 for Altaf Hussain. Leading contender
GOLD MEDALIST :-Comes from the yard of C.D. Katrak and in contrast appears to have more of a staying pedigree with Dean’s Kitten having been more of a stamina influence in his progeny seen so far. He is a full brother to Keep Coming On who has made no show in 2 runs in Western India so far and a half brother to Mullrina who was a winner of 1 of her 9 starts in Delhi and placed on 5 occasions. He is another who appears to have been given a decent amount of preparatory work and should be fit enough first time out and he will be ridden by Neeraj Rawal. He could be a factor today but should eventually come into his own over longer distances
MEDICI :-Trained by Zadmal Singh, this Phoenix Tower colt is a half brother to the highly regarded Mandrake trained by Pesi Shroff who recently made his debut in Pune, and appears a nice sort on pedigree. He has been given a fair amount of gate practice but his prep work has mainly been very easy and he is likely to need this experience. The yard does not have a high percentage of first time out winners and he looks more likely to battle it out for minor honours today with T.S.Jodha booked to ride
STAR INSPIRATION :- This Win Legend 3 year old colt trained by MaleshNarredu has a very interesting pedigree, being a half brother to the brilliant Arrogant Approach who won 11 of his 41 races and was a dual Group 3 winner who placed 2nd in the Super Mile and the Golconda St. Leger and finished 3rd in consecutive years in the Nizam’s Cup. He again looks one who is likely to make his mark over further in due course and may not be fully wound up but must be respected with P.S. Chouhan booked to ride and could very well be involved
RIQUEWIHR :- Trained by Pesi Shroff, this half sister to Constantine appears another impressive sort on pedigree and represents powerful connections so she must be respected on that score. She has had just a couple of easy workouts so she is unlikely to be fully fit and is probably going in for an educative run. However, the booking of David Probert catches the eye and she would be very dangerous to ignore
CONCLUSION :-A couple of nice 2 year olds with attractive pedigrees on display, but this looks likely to go the way of Dancing Lances. Altaf Hussain appears to have his 2 year olds in forward condition and won the only other 2 year old event in Pune. Star Inspiration and Riquewihr both look interesting sorts on paper and must be respected as well
Race No. 5 :- The Uttam SinghTrophy – Div. I – Class IV, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
AURELIA :- Nicely bred 3 year old filly trained by NazakChenoy, she has raced 3 times so far and after finishing 4th in her first 2 starts over 1000M and then over 1400M respectively, she shed her maiden tag over 1200M at the 3rd time of asking holding off WabiSabi, who’s performance earlier in the card will give an indicator to the form. She makes her handicap debut off what looks a fair mark today and will be ridden by P. Trevor which is a big plus. Aurelia is expected to improve further on her last effort and looks to have a strong chance to succeed in this field in spite of conceding weight all around
LILIBETH :- Another 3 year old filly this one trained by Narendra Lagad, she has one win to her name from 7 starts but has not quite gone on after recording her maiden success over this trip early in the Pune season where she came with a strong late run to wear down Silk Baby. She has had 3 modest frame efforts since then over 6 and 7 furlongs but does not appear to be progressing as expected. She should be involved in the finish again today with T.S. Jodha in the saddle and has a good chance to place but it looks tough for her to win this unless she can unlock some more improvement
GOSHAWK :- Potentially smart challenger from Bangalore who is in the care of M.K. Jadhav, he has raced twice in Bangalore in strong company, ending up runner up to the highly regarded Romantic Star on debut and then finishing 4th in a strong field over a mile in the Mystical Million. He has since moved back to Western India and has been pleasing his trainer in his morning work. He is not certain to appreciate the drop to sprinting but clearly looks a good sort and this field is weaker than those he has contested against till now. The long Mumbai straight will be to his advantage though and with A. Sandesh up as usual, he looks a very strong fancy to make it 3rd time lucky
GRAND ACCORD :- 3 year old gelding who comes from the powerful MAM Ramaswamy string from the stables of Karthik G and he too is dropping down in trip after 2 maiden runs over further. Making his debut over 1400M he finished 3rd to Admo and Sagittarius and then showed improvement upped to mile when only beaten a length by Lady Almeda. He won a 2 horse Mock Race over this trip and the booking of A. Imran Khan is positive so he must clearly be thrown into the mix and is likely to be involved but there is a suspicion that he may find things happening a bit too quickly for his liking. Each way player
ARC SHINE :- Experienced 3 year old filly from the small yard of S.N. Joshi, she has made the frame in 7 of her 8 starts to date, finishing runner up on 4 occasions but is yet to pass the winning post first and keeps finding one too good. She has raced exclusively over sprints till date and last time out on this track, chased home Intrepid to finish a good 2nd. The 4th that day Rincon was a winner on Thursday so the form seems to be working out well and good apprentice S.J. Sunil has been booked to ride. She should be on the premises again and looks a good each way prospect but she could be vulnerable to one of the more lightly raced improvers
MANZANITA :-Twice raced 3 year old filly from the Sanjay Kolse yard, she has not raced since April so is returning from an extended lay off and is almost certain to need this run. She made an impressive debut over this trip when finishing runner up to Lord Commander but then was not as good next time out when only 4th to Lady Sergeant although there were some decent types ahead of her. S.A. Amit takes the ride and she does appear to have a chance on her best form but it looks very tough to come out and win after such a long absence and she is sure to build on whatever she does today. Outsider who can be added for the Jackpot Pool
CONCLUSION :-The lightly raced and potentially smart Goshawk has been well prepared and provided that he does not find this trip to be too sharp, he looks the most likely winner. The speedy Aurelia is a plausible alternative coming off a good maiden win and the race looks to be between the pair. Grand Accord also looks a decent sort but may find this too sharp
Race No. 6 :- The Kejriwal Trophy – Class IV, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
AIRLIFT :- Enigmatic 4 year old who appears to be better than his record of 1 win from 11 starts suggests and clearly possesses ability but does not look totally straightforward. He has been fancied on a number of occasions but has not been able to succeed since his maiden win although he has run a couple of good races in defeat. He needs to be settled off the pace and delivered late and needs things to be exactly right for him to succeed like his penultimate run where he ended up a good 3rd to Lady Sergeant and Powerhaus but then flopped miserably on his last run which appeared to be against weaker opposition. He could have been freshened up over the break, his last couple of workouts have been promising and the booking of A. Imran Khan catches the eye. He is expected to run well in this competitive field and if he is in a galloping mood then he should be right there at the finish
RISING BRAVE :- Nicely bred and relatively lightly raced 4 year old colt trained by Rehanullah Khan, he is quite highly regarded by his connections but his limited career has suffered because of repeated setbacks. He is a winner of 1 of his 8 starts, scoring his maiden success over 1400M on his 4th start beating Sherlock and House of Commons which is good form. He seemed to suffer a setback after finishing 3rd to Supreme General in the Morvi and was not seen again until July in Bangalore where he finished runner up over 1100M to Bora Bora. He again was off the track until having 2 runs over longer trips in Pune and that should have him fit enough to contest this. He has been working well of late, still appears to be relatively unexposed and with P.S. Chouhan taking over in the saddle, a big run is anticipated from him and he is strongly fancied
KNIGHT’S QUEST :- This 4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad took his time to come to hand and ran some poor races in the early part of his career until seemingly coming to hand on this track last February where he scored his maiden success over this trip beating Samurai and Isinit in the lower class. He has been quite consistent since then during a busy Pune campaign and added a 7 furlong victory over his more fancied stable mate Powerhaus and he has been quite consistent in 3 runs since, last time out finishing a close 2nd to Slam Dunk. He appears to have maintained his condition quite well and with J. Chinoy in the saddle, is another who merits each way consideration
PHILADELPHIA :- Consistent 4 year old sprinter trained by Dallas Todywalla who had been knocking on the door for ages and finally managed to gain her maiden victory last time out at her 11th attempt, getting up in the last couple of strides to collar Rare Silver over course and distance. She should gain some confidence from the win and the handicapper has given her a chance with just a 4 ½ kilo penalty. Neeraj Rawal keeps the ride and with the yard in good form, she is likely to make a bold bid to repeat and must be respected
KODIAK QUEEN :-Got abroad 4 year old filly trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, she began her career with a 6 furlong maiden win but has been unable to repeat that feat in 9 runs since although she has run some good races in defeat. She went very close on her penultimate run over 1400M when nosed out by Bunting with Knights Quest back in 4th that day but then subsequently disappointed next time out when only 6th to Orion’s Belt. D.S.Daman who has ridden her in her last few starts is up again today, she could go well fresh and is another who comes into consideration and looks capable of winning this
CONCLUSION :-This looks a typical and competitive older horses handicap with several staking claims to succeed. The lightly raced and scopey Rising Brave is selected to justify the faith his connections have had in persisting with him and return to the winner’s circle. Philadelphia, who gained a confidence boosting in last time out and the enigmatic Airlift appear to be the main dangers
Race No.7 :- The Spartan Poker Indian 1000 Guineas (Grade 1) – Terms, Indian Fillies – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1600M
LADY IN LACE :- The all conquering wonder filly from Hyderabad, she has already developed into a racing phenomenon she has been following a rigorous schedule with amazing consistency, winning 8 of her 14 starts today and is already a Multi Classic winner, coming here fresh from a facile win in the Hyderabad 1000 Guineas. She got the better of Manifold in the Autumn albeit on her home track and then thrashed the best local contenders in the Pune Derby to emerge as one of the leading contenders for this affair. She is currently in the pink of condition, oozes class with every one of her runs and would be a popular victor in spite of being an out station challenger. Her regular rider SurajNarredu is up and she appears to be a leading fancy
MANIFOLD :- Strong galloping sort who will probably be the best of these stepping up in trip but lacks a turn of foot like the pure milers and may be caught napping over this trip. She was no match for Lady in Lace in the Deccan Fillies Trial and she was in need of the run last time out, when scoring a workmanlike victory over Themis over 1400M. She will no doubt improve significantly for that run and is clearly very classy in her own right but Lady In Lace and Ruffina may just have a bit too much speed for her over this trip. She will be partnered by Neeraj Rawal and definitely makes the short list but will need to improve substantially from her last run to win this.
RUFFINA :-The only unbeaten runner in the field, having won all of her 5 starts till date and to her benefit she appears to be peaking at just the right time. She looked a bit rusty and out of sorts on her belated return in Pune but put in a much more polished performance over 1400M on the opening day where she won handily and did not look to be stopping. A mile will clearly be stretching her stamina but she has a master tactician on board in David Allan who is sure to preserve her until when needed and none in the field can match her explosive turn of foot. She is another leading contender who as been tuned to the minute and a thrilling battle between her and Lady in Lace is anticipated
THEMIS :- Trained by M.K. Jadhav, this got abroad daughter of Lord Shanakill is one of the few horses to have beaten Manifold when getting the better of her last season in the Breeders Juvenile Fillies Championship but Manifold has turned the tables on her decisively since then, last time out giving her 4 kilos and a beating. She finished way behind Lady in Lace in the Pune Derby as well so it looks tough for her to trouble the principals but she could be in the fight for the minor places with A. Sandesh on board
WINDSOR FOREST :- Winner of 3 of her 8 races till date and she has performed to a level just shy of the principals, beaten 2 lengths by Manifold in the Bangalore Fillies Trial in the summer and 2 lengths by Lady In Lace in a Million race in Hyderabad. She is already a winner of 2 regional classics, having won the Nilgiris 1000 Guineas earlier can the Kolkotta Fillies Trial from Sana in her last run back in August. She is returning from a long absence so her fitness would be very much in question but with P. Trevor up, she looks the dark horse who would have the potential to cause an upset
CONCLUSION :-This looks to be a thrilling contest between Ruffina and Lady In Lace and it is very tough to choose between them and they are expected to have a fascinating duel in the closing stages. Manifold may lack the speed to match these two over a mile but will be the fastest finishing and is also respected while the joker in the pack would be Windsor Forest
Race No. 8 :- The M.N.Nazir Trophy – Class IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
DIVINE SOLITAIRE :- Aged 7 year old gelding trained by Altaf Hussain, he is a winner of 3 of his 29 starts, his most recent victory coming last time out over 1200M 2 weeks ago when he finished on well to beat Vengeance Is Mine who is now weighted to gain revenge. His penalty will make life tougher now having to concede weight all around but he comes into this race in top form and should not be troubled by the extra furlong. J. Chinoy who rode him last time out is in the saddle again today and he must be respected and will try hard to repeat
MERABELLA :- Out of form 5 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas, she has won 2 of her 22 starts and although it has been over a year since her last win, she has been skilfully been brought down in the scales to below her last winning mark and is beginning to look very well handicapped now. After a string of feeble riders, P. Trevor has been booked today indicating connections fancy their chances and she has been given a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs. Ability to bounce back to her old form has to be taken on trust but she looks very well weighted at present, and hence merits serious consideration if she still retains her old ability
GRAND VITESSE :- Problematic 5 year old who is better than his record of 1 from 23 suggests and looked like his turn was not too far away last time out when running on to take 2nd behind Zanara over 1600M. He has been working very well since that run and K. Nazil has been in good form in the last couple of months and has been riding well. His overall strike rate does not inspire confidence but he is sure to win one of these in the not too distant future and could very well do so today
VENGEANCE IS MINE :- Wonderfully consistent but also terribly unlucky 5 year old who has finished 2nd on as many as 7 occasions in his 17 runs so far but as yet, has not been able to get his head in front at the all important end. He has finished 2nd in 3 of his last 4 starts including last time out when chasing home Divine Solitaire with whom he is now weighted to gain revenge. He has been extremely consistent of late, A. Imran Khan keeps the faith and having recently undergone a change in name and ownership, looks entitled to have a change of luck as well. In good form and must be considered
RARE SILVER :-5 year old gelding trained by ImtiazSait who has 1 win to his name from his 17 starts but has been knocking at the door in his last couple of runs. He finished 2nd to Jarama in a similar contest to this in Pune and last time out was a touch unlucky to be collared by Philadelphia right on the line. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness and perhaps the stronger finish of Prashant Dhebe who takes over from Raghuveer Singh will enable him to go one better.
ROYAL CLASSIC :-6 year old gelding from the stable of AdhirajsinghJodha who took advantage of his plunging mark to score a fluent success over 1200M last time out, coming with a strong run to win going away from Wilshire and Beyond Forces. He has however been quite harshly penalized for that win against tougher opposition so although he may still have a bit in hand on the scale, he will need to improve further if he is to repeat over this extra furlong. S. A. Amit keeps the ride
MARVEL :-Well bred and decently performed 5 year old mare trained by S.K.Sunderji, she has won 2 of her 24 starts so far and she too has been brought down to a mark which is close to her last winning one. She appeared to be catching form towards the end of the Pune season and last time out, finished a good 2nd to Timeless Deeds indicating she was ready to strike. C.S. Jodha takes over from stable apprentice today, she is working well and is another who is worthy of each way consideration
CONCLUSION :-An extremely tough contest and is best left alone from a betting perspective. Vengeance is Mine is a tentative selection to finally shed his maiden tag
Race No. 9 :- The Mrs Patmore Trophy – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :-Fully exposed 5 year old gelding who is trained by Shazaan Shah and had to wait 26 starts before scoring a maiden success last time out with Dashrath Singh in the saddle. He appears to have hit top form in his last couple of starts, winning with plenty to spare last time out and the runner up Silver Edge has gone on to frank that form. He looks in top condition at present and with P. Trevor booked to ride today, looks destined to make it 2 in a row and is greatly respected
SIMONA :- Well bred 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse, Simona has been struggling to make her mark in the higher grade but returns back down to this class for the first time since scoring her maiden success over it back in February last year. She looks well placed on the scales at present and finished on late to be just outside the frame when last seen in September suggesting that she was returning to form. She is likely to have improved over the break and with S.A. Amit in the saddle, looks set to run a big race
XOXO:- Well thought of 3 year old trained by S.S. Shah who appeared to have finally come to hand when finishing on to be a close 3rd to Jeena over 1400M last time out and is expected to build on that run and show some more improvement. He is taking on mainly exposed older handicappers so although his form is not earth shattering, he could very well shed his maiden tag if making further progress with the additional furlong likely to suit him as well. He looks a strong fancy in this field and should do well
DUSKY SIREN :- 4 year old filly trained by Subhag Singh who has run 7 times till date and ran her best race last time out when just nosing XoXo out of 2nd place to end up a good 2nd to Jeena over 1400M. That was her best effort yet so she looks to be improving as well and hence she deserves to come into consideration although P. Trevor is now replaced by T.S. Jodha.
ALOHA :- Another potentially smart 3 year old, this one trained by S.K. Sunderji, she has been working well for some time now but has run 6 times over varying trips without being able to make the frame. Her last run over 1200M was more encouraging however as she was well up with the field and finished just outside the frame. That run hinted at some ability and if she is able to build on that performance, then she could be one to look out for over this more galloping trip. A. Imran Khan takes the ride and she bears close watching off what looks a lenient mark for a three year old
ETERNAL DANCER :- Untried 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who had been cleverly brought down to a very reasonable mark and nearly pulled off a coup the first time that she was tried last time out with the same rider up, leading almost all the way and only collared very late on by Fencing. She is still unexposed over this sort of trip and with NeerajRawal up again today, she is likely to make a bold bid to go one better
GOLDSMITH :- Enigmatic 5 year old trained by HosidarDaji who has just one win to his name from 20 starts till date but finished on nicely to take 3rd over 1400M last time out suggesting that he was coming back to form. Unsure if this longer trip will be to his advantage but C.S.Jodha is an interesting booking for the yard, he is working well and is another worth keeping an eye on
CONCLUSION :-Extremely difficult finale with more than half the field able to stake claims. Happy Birthday appeared to have plenty in hand when cruising to his maiden victory last time out and if turning up in the same vein, he could very well complete a quick back to back double. Aloha is well bred and also appears to be coming to hand now while Eternal Dancer nearly delivered the goods when tried for the first time and is also possibly well treated off her current mark
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
