FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 21 Dec 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Wild Eagle Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 2000M
JAGER BOMB :- 6 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he is an exposed handicapper who has been quite consistent over staying trips, winning 2 of his 28 starts and placing on 10 occasions as well. He was a winner in this class and over this trip back in April and now drops back into this class after several unsuccessful attempts in the higher grade. He is not too high above his last winning mark and the booking of P. Trevor is a positive but he is taking on some potentially smart younger horses so while he does have a small win chance, he looks more likely to place and fight it out for the minor places.
HIS MASTER’S VICE :- Lightly raced 4 year old from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he appears to be plagued by injuries and hence is seldom able to give off his best but has shown that he has ability having placed 2nd in 3 of his 6 starts. His last run was his only start in Pune when he finished on nicely to be 4th in the Independence Cup over this trip but he has not raced again since then so will have fitness to prove. He clearly has scope for improvement having just his 7th start and should stay this far. A paddock check is advised and with S.A. Amit up he looks a dark horse here but a leap of faith will be needed to support him.
GDANSK :- Scopey 3 year old trained by S.A. Waheed, he has run 8 times till date mainly in maiden company but then ran quite suggestively on his handicap debut in this grade and when dropped into Class V, came with a terrific late run to nab Happy Birthday on the post over this trip back in Pune. 4 ½ kilo penalty for that win looks reasonable and Happy Birthday has won twice since which gives the form a strong look. Gdansk appears to have maintained his condition well since the run, A. Imran Khan retains the ride and he looks a strong fancy to continue his progression and repeat.
IT’S A DEAL :- Still a relatively unexposed 4 year old trained by Faisal Abbas, he proved to be a cut above his rivals the first time that he was stepped up to this trip and was a wide margin maiden winner coincidentally beating Happy Birthday who has improved significantly since then. He has had one run already over a mile this season where he finished 4 ¾ lengths behind Masquerade so it is hard to see him reversing that form on similar terms. To be ridden by C.S. Jodha, he is another who could fight it out for minor honours but it is hard to see him winning here.
MASQUERADE :- Steadily improving 3 year old from the all conquering yard of Pesi Shroff, she has been given time to come to hand and slowly been stepped up in trip and last time out over a mile, she finished on nicely to be 3rd to King of Killen and is likely to improve again for that run. The additional distance is thought to be to her advantage, she is likely to improve further and with David Probert replacing Neeraj Rawal in the saddle and in receipt of weight from most of the field, she looks the most likely winner here and the one that they all have to beat.
FINEST MOMENT :- Moody and unexposed 4 year old from the stables of Karthik G, he was unplaced in his first few starts but began to give indications of some ability in the middle of the Pune season, when making late headway over a mile to finish 4th on a couple of occasions. He appeared to be a non stayer when upped to 2400M and finishing well behind It’s a Deal but may be suited by this 2000M trip and Dashrath Singh is booked for the first time today which is a positive. Finest Moment is another potential dark horse who could make the finish interesting and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :- Masquerade is selected to begin what appears to be a lucrative day for Pesi Shroff on a winning note and with normal progression, should be able to win this. Gdansk would appear to be her main danger but there are also two unreliable but potential improvers in the shape of His Master’s Vice and Finest Moment
Race No. 2 :- The Rajpipla Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 1600M
CONGRESSIONAL :- This 6 year old gelding trained by Bezan Chenoy has been out of form for some time now but is a proven miler and has a good overall record having won 5 times and placed 2nd 6 times in his 24 race career. His last good run was a year ago when finishing on to be a close 2nd to Critic’s Choice over 6 furlongs and he has been woefully out of sorts in his 3 runs in Pune. However, this looks to be one of the easier tasks which he has encountered in recent times and he could go well fresh. The booking of P.S. Chouhan indicates that connections fancy their chances today, he has been working well and although having a bit to prove, must be respected.
RAEES :- 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has very quickly developed into a solid stayer and progressed rapidly up the handicap ranks, winning 5 of his last 8 starts and finishing a good 2nd on two occasions to propel him to his current mark and he was a fluent winner of the Suresh Mahindra Trophy over 3200M in Pune. This trip looks the absolute bare minimum for him at present and he is probably using this as a lung opener to get fit for tougher tasks ahead but in this weak field he is capable of upsetting and must come into consideration with C.S. Jodha up.
SUPREME GENERAL :- Highly regarded and enigmatic 4 year old colt trained by Karthik G, he has not quite lived upto expectations although he has been very highly campaigned in his limited career, winning 2 of his 12 starts. He has good form over a mile having finished 2nd in the Bangalore Colts Trial Stakes and 4th in the Indian 2000 Guineas to the brilliant Serjeant At Arms and showed his versatility when runner up to Temerity in the Invitation Cup last March. He had a lung opener in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy where he finished up 5th and that should put him spot on for this. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from P.S. Chouhan and this looks his best chance to bounce back to form and return to the winner’s circle.
MEKONG DELTA :- Enigmatic 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav, she too appears to have ability and lack consistency and she is surely better than her record of 1 win from 17 starts suggests. She would have leading claims in this on the strength of her 1000 Guineas run where she finished a bottling close 3rd to Hall of Famer and Mrs. Patmore but she has failed to reproduce that form in 9 starts till date and has been racing over mainly longer trips since then. She did run a couple of promising close 2nds over 1800 and 2000M in Pune before ending a respectable 4th in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup. She could go well fresh and is usually effective with A. Sandesh up so although she does not inspire confidence, she has strong form claims if in a galloping mood.
SILVER BEAUTY :- 4 year old filly trained by Malesh Narredu, she was quite brilliant during her Classic season but seems to have lost her way since then and her three Pune runs were quite dismal. The handicapper has given her some respite and dropped her down in the scales so she is running off a low weight but she needs to show some spark that she is regaining her lost form and looks a rank outsider here with Yash Narredu booked to ride.
CONCLUSION :- Supreme General appears to have found a good opportunity to regain some confidence and get back to winning ways and is selected to get the better of the unreliable Mekong Delta. Top weight Congressional is also respected.
Race No. 3:- The Shantidas Askuran Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1000M
ALLORA :- Speedy 4 year old filly from the yard of Sanjay Kolse, Allora has finished in the first two in seven of her 12 starts so far, winning on 3 occasions although we have to go back to February for her last win which came over 1200M in Class III, beating Benezeer and Magical Memory. She did run an excellent race over this trip on her penultimate start where she went down fighting by a long neck to God’s Own with Kramer 1 ¾ lengths back in 3rd. On a strict handicap line of that run, she comes out ¾ length better than Kramer and 2 ¼ lengths better than God’s Own so she looks well placed on the scales here and she has been working very well of late. Dashrath Singh gets a leg up on her for the first time since her juvenile days and she looks to be one the leading contenders in this field.
ANACAPRI :- Useful looking import from the South and trained by Pesi Shroff, she has won 4 of her 8 starts and came to Western India on the back of 3 wins on the trot over 1200M. She was sent off favourite on the opening race of the season and went down fighting to Goldie’s Pet who has gone on to frank that form handsomely. She may have just needed that first run on the Mahalaxmi track after a 4 month break and should improve appreciably for the run and strip fitter. She comes out ½ length worse off with Allora on a line through God’s Own who was 4th behind her last time out but is expected to improve enough to reverse that verdict. P. Trevor gets a leg up today and she looks to have an outstanding chance to bounce back.
GOD’S OWN :- Speedy 3 year old from the yard of Narendra Lagad, she is fully effective over this minimum trip and really caught form during the Pune season winning 3 races on the trot and beating Allora and Kramer in the last of those. She found 6 furlong stretching her against Ruffina on her penultimate run and finished 4th behind Anacapri last time out. She needs to improve markedly to reverse that form and looks more of a place prospect here with Neeraj Rawal a rare booking for the yard.
KRAMER :- Quality 3 year old gelding in the care of BezanChenoy, he is a winner of 3 of his 6 starts and showed very good speed over this trip in his juvenile season but has gradually stepped up to longer trips and looked outpaced over this trip last time out when finishing 3rdbehind God’s Own and Allora. He has been working well since then and could have been sharpened up over the break and he would not need to improve too much to be a factor here. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and he has bagged the rail draw but he may not have the speed to match these 5 furlong specialists now and although he must be considered, he could find things happening too quickly here.
CONCLUSION :- Anacapri is expected to strip fitter from her run on the opening day and looks good to resume her upward curve. Allora and Kramer are both closely matched on their Pune running and appear to be the main threats.
Race No. 4 :-The Snow Dew Plate – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
ADELE :- Well bred 4 year old maiden from the stables of Nazak Chenoy who’s horses have been firing of late, Adele has raced 7 times till date and has been knocking on the door in her last few starts. She went desperately close on her last start in Pune over this trip where she finished up 3rd in a 3 way photo behind Knight At Arms and Highland Princess and H. Zeeshan claims a valuable 5 kilos off in the saddle. Adele has been working well and in this field, she looks to have an excellent chance to get off the mark and is well fancied.
SPARKLING THEA :-4 year old filly who began her career with S.S. Shah and has 1 win to her name from 14 starts but has changed hands a number of times and has been in the care of Narendra Lagad since Pune. She has been brought back down to her last winning mark after a series of unextended runs in Pune and now has been working well of late and has Dashrath Singh take over in the saddle so this is probably the first time that she is fancied for her new connections. She looks well handicapped at present and if getting back to form, stands a very good chance to strike.
ARVAN :-Untried 4 year old trained by Faisal Abbas who has shown no form in 9 starts till date but he has tumbled down in the weights as a result and could conceivably be better than his current handicap mark. He has been given a run this season to blow away the cobwebs, is eased into the lowest class and has a good rider up for the first time in the form of A. Imran Khan. His recent trackwork has also been good and he looks a dark horse who can spring a surprise here.
DIVINE SPARK :-Aged 6 year old gelding who has been surprisingly lightly raced having had just 11 starts till date and gave signs during his last couple of starts that he was finally finding some form. He finished 3rd over 1200M to Make It Shine in a similar contest in Pune and has been working well on the Mahalaxmi track. R Ajinkya will take the ride and claim an additional 2 ½ kilos off and although this trip might be slightly sharp for him, he stands a good each way chance.
OLIVIA KASPEN :- Fully exposed 5 year old mare from the small stable of Subhag Singh, she is winless in 17 starts and has dropped right down to the bottom of the scale as a result. She did show a little zest for racing in a couple of starts in Pune where she made good late headway but her last run was again poor. She has a good rider up for the first time in the form of C.S. Jodha and looks a rank outsider who could cause a stunning upset off the low weight.
CONCLUSION :- With NazakChenoy seemingly having her small string in good form, Adele is selected to build on her excellent last run and shed her maiden tag in this company. Sparkling Thea is looking well handicapped and shapes as a live danger while the hitherto untriedArvanalso has potential with A. Imran Khan up for the first time
Race No. 5 :- The Free Radical Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
SNOW BLAST :- 6 year old filly trained by Altaf Hussain, she has an immaculate pedigree but has been injury plagued throughout her career, resulting in her only having run 6 times till date. She had a couple of promising 4th placed finishes in the higher class, but she seems to race at 6-8 month intervals and was withdrawn on her last intended start in Pune back in September. She seems to have been solidly prepared for this reappearance run and P. Trevor has been booked to ride so she appears to be strongly fancied. She is taking on a relatively weak field here and could very well reward her connections’ patience with a win.
EMOTIONLESS :- Sparingly raced and unexposed3 year old filly trained by C.D. Katrak, she has run 9 times till date over distances ranging from 1200-1600M without success but the drop to the minimum trip and the application of first time blinkers brought about marked improvement and she finished on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Multistar suggesting that this longer trip would suit her. P.S. Chouhan keeps the ride, she has been working well and if the blinkers indeed have worked the oracle then she looks a leading contender to score here although yard is having a wretched run of late which is a major concern.
MASTER SERGEANT :- 4 year old gelding trained by Vinesh who is still a maiden after 12 starts but has mainly not been tried till date and dropped down in the weights as a result. She showed some good form towards the end of the last Mumbai season over middle distances and has come down further in the weights after some poor runs in Pune. Return to the Mahalaxmi track may suit him and he looks an interesting outsider who could potentially win this although S.S. Baria who is booked does not have a great win record.
TALL STORY :- One of two runners for the Narendra Lagad yard, he is a 15 race maiden who has tumbled down in the weights with a string of poor efforts but looks quite feasibly treated on the scale now and with the same rider up, made some late headway on his seasonal reappearance to finish just outside the frame over 1200M. Additional furlong may be to his advantage so although he has no prior form to commend his chances, he is another interesting outsider who may spring a surprise if in a galloping mood.
BLACK JAGUAR :- 4 year old stable companion of Tall Story who has gone 21 races without a win but has run some promising races over shorter trips in between some poor efforts and is another who cannot drop much lower in the weights. The booking of S.A. Amit who does not usually ride for the yard looks interesting and he is yet another outsider who is worthy of consideration here.
CONCLUSION :- The 3 year old Emotionless looks to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark taking on mainly out of form and older horses provided the blinkers have the same effect they did last time. Snow Blast with Trevor appears the main danger although either of the Narendra Lagad wards could upset.
Race No. 6:- The Damodardas C. Shah Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
LADY COACHMAN :- Very speedy 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas, she looked an exciting prospect after her first 2 starts but has only managed to race twice since then and finished mid division on both occasions, her last run being in Pune in August. She has been showing out well in the morning trials and is having just her 5th start so clearly has the potential to improve and with A. Sandesh up, she must be respected although she needs to prove that she has regained her old form.
MAJESTICAL :- Well bred 3 year old gelding from the Karthik G. yard who has run 8 times till date over varying trips and did manage a win over 1400 in Bangalore. He had 3 runs over sprints during the last Pune season but did not look particularly well in his coat and may have progressed since. His recent work has been quite satisfactory and H. Zeeshan is an interesting booking so although he has bagged a wide draw in Stall 11, a paddock check is advised and he could be an interesting outsider if he is looking well.
DEMOCRAT :- 4 year old gelding trained by M.K.Jadhav, he has 2 wins to his name from 11 starts, both wins coming over sprint trips, the last one over course and distance back in April where he edged out Ridgewood Star by a short head. He has been given easy runs in Pune to get him fit and has a good rider up for the first time since his last win in the form of C.S. Jodha. He could very well bounce back to form on his favoured Mahalaxmi track and looks to have each way claims if returning to his best.
GLORIANA :- Sparingly raced but seemingly progressive 4 year old filly trained by NazakChenoy, she made an excellent reappearance this season over this trip when making Albareto pull out all the stops and he has gone on to frank that form by winning next time out. P. Trevor replaces P. Dhebe in the saddle today and with the advantage of that last run, she looks to have an excellent chance to gain her maiden success today and is strongly fancied.
MAN OF WORD :- 3 year old maiden from the stables of S.K. Sunderji he has looked promising on a couple of occasions but is till to gain that elusive first success after 8 attempts. He ran a couple of good 3rds on his 2 runs over this trip in Pune and returns to it after a disappointing effort over 7 furlongs last time out. He still looks to have the scope to improve, is working fairly well and with Neeraj Rawal now replacing A. Imran Khan in the saddle, he is another who has decent each way claims and could be involved.
BRAINSTORM :- Got abroad debutant from the Pesi Shroff yard, he looks an interesting contender making his debut in an ordinary handicap like this and has the services of David Probert in the saddle. He has been given plenty of prep work to get him fit enough to win first time out and is not taking on a very difficult field. He looks to be a good sort on paper and could prove to be too strong for this lot so keep an eye if he is looking fit and well.
Race No. 7 :- The Bourbon King Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1400M
TURNING POINT :- Improving 3 year old filly from the S.K. Sunderji yard, she appears to effective over this trip at present and is a winner of 2 of her 6 starts. She gained a gusty 2nd success over Take Five and Glorious Eyes over a mile on the opening day and should not be troubled by the slightly shorter trip. However, she is conceding weight to some potentially classy types and may struggle under top weight so looks more of a place prospect today with P. Trevor up.
SPIRIDON :- Exposed but consistent 4 year old handicapper trained by Altaf Hussain, both his previous victories have been over this trip but he has seemed to be in the grip of the handicapper since scoring his last win back in March. He has had a lung opener this season so should be fit enough and is worth considering with D.S. Daman up but looks tough to beat the improving younger horses.
NICHOLAS :- Well bred 4 year old colt who has always been very highly regarded by his connections but seems to have numerous problems which have prevented him from racing and he has managed to run only 5 times till date and was withdrawn on his last intended start in Pune. He has finished a very close 2nd the last two times he has races, appears to be better than his current handicap mark and with A. Sandesh in the saddle and sporting a new name, he looks a leading fancy to get back to winning ways.
GOLDEN WEAVER :- Potentially smart 3 year old filly from the Hosidar Daji stable, she has raced just twice till date and served notice of her potential on her last start in Pune when she was unfancied but cantered home over this trip proving far too strong for her rivals. She is sure to improve considerably for that run, has been showing out well in the morning trials and appears to have less imponderables about her than Nicholas. Neeraj Rawal now takes over from J. Pradeep and she looks a strong fancy to go in again and must be seriously considered.
CONCLUSION :- This should be a straight fight between Nicholas and Golden Weaver with slight preference for the latter who is equally scopey and has less injury worries than the regularly withdrawn Shroff runner.
Race No. 8 :- The Damodardas C. Shah Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
UNTITLED :- Untried 4 year old colt trained by H.J. Antia who had been skilfully brought down to a very handy mark and pulled off a smart coup at a long price last time out over course and distance with the same rider up. Could well be better than his current handicap mark and is strongly fancied to go in again.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- 4 year old filly trained by M P Jodha, she has run 12 times till date and has won over this trip in the lower class but has been struggling in this grade in 4 subsequent runs. She could have been freshened up over the short break and S.A. Amit has been in good form of late so she could be a minor berth contender.
STAR OF THEA :- 3 year old colt from the Narendra Lagad stable who is still a maiden after 5 starts and went down fighting as an odds on favourite last time out. This is just his 6th start so has scope to improve and may be better suited by the additional furlong. Dashrath Singh takes the ride again and he looks a clear danger and should not be ignored.
SHE’S A TIGER :- Nicely bred sister to 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Tiger who has raced 4 times till date and is trained by NazakChenoy. 3 of her 4 runs came during the last Mumbai season and after running down the field on debut, she very nearly scored on just her 2nd start, going down by a whisker to Slam Dunk. She could only finish 3rd to Fringe Benefit when strongly fancied next time out which was a bit disappointing and she has had only one unplaced run in Pune since. She has been well prepared for her reappearance with P. Trevor up for the first time, she looks to have an excellent chance to bounce back and is greatly respected.
TESSA :- Well bred and once raced 3 year old from the Pesi Shroff yard, she was given an educative run over 1000M in Pune and was not unduly punished when finishing midfield behind Invictus Maneo. She is sure to improve significantly for that run and strip fitter and has been pleasing in her morning track work. The extra furlong is also likely to suit her and with A. Sandesh taking over from Kishore Kadam in the saddle, she looks likely to run a much better race today
CONCLUSION :-Untitled who won well last time out could just have edge over the two lightly raced improvers She’s A Tiger and Tessa
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
