FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 31ST DECEMBER 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 30 Dec 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 31ST DECEMBER 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The HomiMody Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 2000M
MEKONG DELTA :- 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav, once senses she is better than her record of just 1 win from 18 starts shows although she has finished 2nd on as many as 7occasions. She used to be a little inconsistent earlier in her career but seems to have found some consistency in her last few starts and in fact ran a good 4th over this trip in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup behind Aster Rose, Columbiana and Phoenix Tiger which is far better form than anything else in this field. She finished a good 2nd last time out over a mile to Supreme General and with P. Trevor up, she looks to have found an excellent chance to earn herself a 2nd success in spite of conceding 10 kilos to the bottom weights.
PHENOMENAL MEMORY :- Strong galloping 5 year old son of Pune Derby winner Phenomenale who seems to have retained his mother’s ability to excel over distance trips but seems to lack a change of gear. After doing well for Dallas Todywalla for much of his career, he was sold to Sanjay Kolse early this year and has slowly been trying to come to form. He ran a forward race but finished well behind Mekong Delta last time out and although this small field should play to his strength and S. Zervan is booked to ride, one would like to see some more spark from him and he is given a small outside chance only.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she has won 2 of her 12 starts and overall has been quite lightly raced, her last win coming on this track over 1800M back in April where she comfortably beat Furious N Fast and Flying Dragon. She was given 2 easy runs in Pune and looked on the way back to her best last time out when finishing on nicely to be 2nd to Odessa over a mile. Her form looks a little below that of Mekong Delta’s and being a Phoenix Tower, there is always a stamina concern but she is in receipt of 10 kilos which could give her a handicap chance. C.S. Jodha takes the ride and she looks the main danger.
SQUARE MOON :- Aged 6 year old colt trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, he has won 4 of his 26 starts and placed 2nd on 6 occasions which is a good record but he has been recently out of form and is usually effective over further. Although 2nd on each of his last 2 starts he was beaten a long way in small fields and clearly looks the outsider of this quartet with S.A. Amit booked to ride.
CONCLUSION :- Mekong Delta appears to have found a good opportunity to earn herself a confidence boosting win and is the clear selection in this small field. Eternal Sunshine could trouble her in receipt of 10 kilos while Phenomenal Memory could spring a surprise if this becomes very tactical
Race No. 2:- The Set Alight Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 2400M
DAUGHTEROFTHESUN :- Nicely bred and lightly raced 3 year old from the Malesh Narredu yard, she is a half sister to Ocean and Beyond and looks likely to relish the gruelling mile and a half trip. She seems to lack a change of gear but is a strong galloping type and seems at her best when allowed to bowl along in front and make her own pace. She has run 7 times till date, scoring her maiden success over a mile in Pune where she just held off Zanara in a close finish. She ran a good 2nd to Bateleur in the General Rajendrasinhji Million over a mile in Pune and warmed up for this race with a 3rd to Big Sur last time out, both times making the running. She steps up to this trip for the first time but is expected to enjoy it and R. Ajinkya claims a valuable 2 ½ kilos. She looks in good nick at present and can improve for this longer trip so bears close watching and should be considered each way.
JAGER BOMB :- Aged 6 year old from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he has won 2 of his 29 starts and had placed on 10 occasions besides that and he is usually effective off this sort of mark. He ran just last week over 2000M but finished a poor 5th behind Masquerade and is again turned out quickly with C.S. Jodha replacing P. Trevor in the saddle. He does stay this far but looks a fully exposed sort and although he can challenge for the minor places, it looks tough for him to conquer the younger horses.
SWIFTNESS :- Improving 3 year old filly from the M.P. Jodha yard, she has been showing good improvement with each of her runs and also with step up to more galloping ground and earned her maiden success last time out in Pune when tackling this trip for the first time but staying on well to out stay Carnival and win convincingly. Prior to that she had finished runner up to Lady Be Good over 2000M and seems to hold Daughterofthesun taking a line through Zanara. Her prep work has been quite satisfactory and Dashrath Singh, who had ridden her the last twice takes the ride. Overall, she looks a very strong contender with the only slight worry being this is her first run since September.
SMASHER :- Fashionably bred 4 year old colt owned by powerful connections, he is a half brother to Smashing also trained by Pesi Shroff who won the Oaks and the Chief Justice Cup and was runner up in the Derby and the Invitation Cup to the brilliant In The Spotlight. His other half brothers have also been well performed such as Adelric and Swashbuckler although besides Smashing, the other siblings have only won at middle distances. Smasher has run 4 times till date and has been given time to come to hand, last time out making late headway over a mile when finishing 5th to King of Killen. He moved well in a Mock Race just last week with Class I horses and after stable work rider Akshay being up for his first 4 runs, Neeraj Rawal takes over for the first time today. He receives weight all around and if staying the trip well, looks the most likely winner.
CONCLUSION :- The Pesi Shroff trained Smasher appears to be seriously tried for the first time and if he stays the trip well, he will be hard to beat. The progressive Swiftness looks the main danger ahead of top weight Daughterofthesun who should also relish this trip
Race No. 3 :- The P.D. Bolton Trophy – Class II – Distance :-1200M
TURF DANCER :- This 5 year old mare trained by S.S. Shah has developed into a dependable and consistent handicapper, winning 4 of her 20 starts till date and placing on 6 other occasions mainly over this sort of trip. The yard has been in good form this season and she ran promisingly last time out to finish 3rd to Gazino and YannaRascala who franked the form on Thursday with Queen Credible 5th that day. She looks likely to improve for that run and progress further and it is interesting that Dashrath Singh is replaced by 5 kilo claimer H. Zeeshan. Turf Dancer has been working well and looks a good each way contender.
QUEEN CREDIBLE :- Enigmatic 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan, she needs to be delivered late from off a strong pace and needs things to go her way to be seen to best effect, hence her record of 3 wins from 16 starts as things always do not go to plan. Her last win was in her penultimate run over this trip during the Bangalore Summer where she won in Class II beating Fair Game and Silver Ikon. She was clearly in need of the run last time out when she finished 5th some way behind Turf Dancer and is sure to be fitter and sharper for that run. C.S.Jodha now takes over in the saddle and a much better performance is expected from her today. She can trouble the 3 year olds if in a galloping mood and should not be left out of calculations.
SUMMER RAYS :- Good quality 3 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she usually goes well fresh and all 3 of her wins from her 8 starts till date have come on her first run of the season so it remains to be seen how she progresses today. She has been tried unsuccessfully over longer trips although she did finish a good 2nd to Rochester in the F.D. Wadiacupin Pune but she seems at her best over 1200M at present. She likely needed her reappearance run where she had to be stretched to get the better of Flag Flying and should improve for that run and up her game further today. P. Trevor has been persisted with in spite of most likely over carrying and her form looks slightly better than that of Excellent Gold so she looks a leading fancy in this field and could very well win again.
EXCELLENT GOLD :- After having 2 tough contests in his juvenile season, this 3 year old son of Excellent Art trained by Narendra Lagad really came into his own during the Pune season and has not looked back since. He has won his last 3 starts in a row, following up 2 good wins in Pune with a fine performance on this track last time out, putting in a good burst to score over course and distance beating An Jolie and Miss Moneypenny on his first run for new connections. He appears to be in great heart at present and although his mark has skyrocketed from 30 to 65 now, he has only been penalized 5 kilos apiece for his last 2 wins and could well have more to give. Dashrath Singh retains the ride and he looks a live danger to Summer Rays.
MAKINO :- Speedy 4 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has won 3 of his 17 starts till date, his last win coming over this trip back in Pune but he has struggled with his new mark since then and still appears to be in the grip of the handicapper. He did manage to finish a good 2nd to Mygrator over 1400M a couple of starts ago but has been just outside the frame in his 2 runs this season and was only 5th behind Excellent Gold last time out. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today and he could fight it out for minor honours but winning looks tough unless he improves significantly.
CONCLUSION :- This looks likely to be a straight fight between the two 3 year olds Summer Rays and Excellent Gold, both of whom are coming into this race at the top of their game. The form looks slightly stronger for the Imtiaz Sait ward and she is marginally preferred
Race No. 4 :- The Pradeep Vijaykar Trophy – Div. I – Class IV :- Distance :- 1200M
IN THE STARS :- Twice raced half sister to Holy Smoke from the C.D. Katrak yard, In The Stars made an impressive winning debut over this trip in Pune, coming with a powerful run to easily beat Arc Shine and Tenerife although the form of that race has not worked out so well. Stepped up to 7 furlongs on the opening day of the season, she was disappointing when sent off a warm favourite but could only manage to finish 4th to Forest Fairy. She has been brought along steadily since then and drops back to 6 furlongs which is a positive and this is just her 3rd start so she still has plenty of scope to improve. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle for the first time from Suraj Narredu and she is expected to bounce back today. 2 slight negatives for her are the weight of 61kilos and the fact that the yard has made a very poor start to the season.
ROOSEVELT :- 3 year old son of Power who is very highly regarded by connections and has managed to win 1 of his 5 starts till date, beating Goldie’s Pet over this trip on his seasonal debut and she has gone on to win her next several starts so the form looks strong. He was taken to Hyderabad for the Colts Trials Stakes after his win but could only manage to finish 7th behind Prevalent Force that day. He was a very short priced favourite on his intended reappearance a couple of weeks ago but dislodged the rider soon after jump out. He has had a another two weeks to recover and get fit and on the best of his form, he looks the most likely winner here and should be hard to beat with Neeraj Rawal up today.
QUEEN RIA :- Sparingly raced 4 year old filly from the Mansoor Shah yard, she showed good speed to earn her maiden success over course and distance last season, winning from end to end on her 4th attempt. She has had 2 easy runs in Pune and has overall raced just 6 times so has the scope to improve further. She is relatively unexposed so is quite capable of winning again although she returns from a break so a paddock check is advised. H. Zeeshan takes the ride and she looks an interesting outsider who could throw a spanner in the works.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :- 5 year old gelding who is one of 2 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable and appears to be the main choice judging by Jockey bookings with Dashrath Singh taking the ride. He is a veteran of 45 races and has managed to win only once over 1400M and he had to wait till his 35th start to achieve that first victory. He has several decent placed efforts to his name over this trip and while winning against this opposition looks very difficult, he seems to have a decent chance to run into a place.
SCION :- Lightly raced and very interesting 4 year old gelding by Paco Boy from the stable of Altaf Hussain, he has only had 4 runs till date and his last run in Pune showed a little bit of promise as he made good headway from the rear to finish 4th to Princess P over 1000M. He is likely to be able to build on that run and his last couple of workouts have also been decent. B. Nikhil has been booked to ride which suggests that he may be going in for an outing on the Mumbai track but he is a totally unexposed sort with a nice pedigree and could prove to be a dark horse here .
CONCLUSION :- Roosevelt looks the most likely winner here and should redeem his reputation and win this from the lightly raced and potentially smart In The Stars although the poor form of C.D. Katrak’s yard is a concern. The well bred and lightly raced Scion looks an interesting outsider
Race No. 5 :- The Clinton Plate – Class V – Distance :-2000M
SILVER EDGE :- In form 5 year old gelding from the yard of C. Rajendra, he has been threatening to strike for a while now and finally managed to deliver the goods last time out over 2400M when coming with a strong run to win decisively. He is turned out again quickly under a statutory penalty and remains in the same class so looks to have a chance to gain another quick win with S.A. Amit retaining the ride. This field is much larger and looks much tougher than his earlier victory but he is in good form and should try hard to repeat.
FORTITUDE :- Daughter of Nathaniel who was a multiple Group I winner in the UK, and comes from the Pesi Shroff yard, she clearly has the credentials on paper but is yet to taste success in 4 starts till date. Her 2nd start was very promising when she finished 3rd to Sweet Music and Rochester over 1800M and that form is way better than anything else in this field but she has run disappointingly in 2 starts since and now drops in grade into the lowest class. She had a lung opener earlier this season so should be fit and with S. Zervan in the saddle, she looks to have an outstanding chance to gain her maiden success as she clearly does not belong in this company.
CARE FREE :- 6 year old mare from the small yard of Arif Patel, she began to race very late in her career and has developed into quite a consistent stayer but has yet to score in 14 starts although she has placed on 8 occasions. She has been consistently placing over distance trips and last time out as well, finished runner up to Silver Edge although she was well beaten and does not look likely to reverse the form in spite of the winner’s penalty. She will be ridden by Raghuveer Singh who claims a handy 3.5 kilos and is likely to battle it out for minor honours again today but she needs to show some improvement before she can be fancied from a win perspective.
SILVER MOON :- Is another well bred and lightly raced 5 year old mare trained by Karthik G, she has had 5 starts till date and showed signs of some ability for the first time on her last start where she made leisurely late headway over a mile to finish up 3rd to Happy Birthday and Dusky Siren. She is likely to improve for that run and the longer trip should be to her advantage. S. Sunil who had ridden her in her last couple of starts is persisted with by the stable and if she can build on that last effort, then she could very well be involved and looks one of the main contenders .
DAZZLING EYES :- 3 year old filly from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, she has raced 5 times till date and has been fancied on a number of occasions but as yet, has failed to deliver the goods although she has been working well on the track for some time now. She was favourite in the race won by Silver Edge last time out but faded away tamely after racing prominently to end last of the 5 runners. She drops down slightly in trip now and C.S. Jodha takes over from P. Trevor so although she has the scope of improving still, one would like to see more from her on the race grass before she can be recommended.
DIABLO :- 5 year old gelding trained by HosidarDaji, he has won 2 of his 28 prior starts and has tumbled down in the weights with a string of poor efforts since his last win which came over this trip in Pune a little over a year ago. His win came off a mark of 26 and he is now rated 20 so he looks very well handicapped from that perspective and his track work has been satisfactory. He has a good rider up for the first time since his last victory with Dashrath Singh booked and he has had 2 runs already this season so should be fit enough. He is very well weighted if he can return to his old form and could be a surprise package here and should be considered each way.
RESURGE :- Earlier trained by MaleshNarredu but having had her last few starts with Narendra Lagad, this 10 race maiden appears to be trying to find her feet and managed to finish 4th over a mile last time out just last week behind Fantasia. She is turned out again quickly and upped to a more galloping trip so bears watching with T.S. Jodha replacing Dashrath Singh, as the last time she attempted this trip, she finished well beaten. Rank outsider who can be included as a fluke for the Jackpot.
ABU AL BUKHOOSH :- 4 year old gelding from the Faisal Abbas yard, he is still a maiden after 23 starts but has showed some improvement since being stepped up in trip the last twice, finishing 3rd and 4th in similar contests. He looks quite exposed and Bhawani Singh is on board again today so while he does not really appeal much from a win perspective , he is yet another who could stake a claim for minor honours .
CONCLUSION :- Fortitude clearly does not belong in this grade and she looks to have an excellent chance to shed her maiden tag against mainly older an exposed opposition and continue Pesi Shroff’s recent terrific run. The well handicapped Diablo appears to be the main threat, with a good rider up for the first time since his last win as also the unexposed Silver Moon who gave a glimpse of some promise last time out
Race No. 6 :- The Pradeep Vijaykar Trophy – Div. II – Class IV :- Distance :- 1200M
WALK ON BY :- 3 year old filly from the stable of HosidarDaji, she is a half sister to Class I sprinter Bee Quick and has raced 4 times till date, shedding her maiden tag on her penultimate start in Pune where she came with a strong late run over 1000M to beat Speedo and Crystal Ball with a 5 kilo claimer up. Tried over this trip last time out, she finished down the field but was only 3 ½ lengths behind the winner so was not disgraced by any means. She is likely to have been freshened up by the short break and her last couple of workouts have been quite impressive. S. Zervan takes over in the saddle today and she looks to have an excellent chance to resume her progress and should be very seriously considered .
JULIANO :- 4 year old Burden of Proof gelding trained by Sanjay Kolse, he has run 9 times till date and also gained his maiden success on his penultimate run over 1200M in Pune, beating Furiosa and Winds of Change. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and is still relatively unexposed over this trip so with S.J. Sunil booked to ride, he is another who is worthy of consideration and is expected to run well.
MIGHTY WARRIOR :- Got abroad debutant from the yard of Karthik G, he may well be out for an educative debut run with Bhawani Singh booked to ride but has had enough trackwork and a Mock Race to get him fit so he should be ready to go first time out. He has an attractive pedigree and may be worth chancing at long odds if he looks well in the paddock.
MAGIC DUST :- Enigmatic 3 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad he has had 10 runs till date and is yet to win so far but was well backed and looked a shade unfortunate last time out over this trip when he got left at the start but still finished on very strongly to be a flying late 3rd to Milwalkee and Royal Ace. That run was just 2 weeks ago so he should be in good touch and Dashrath Singh keeps the ride. If he is able to get away on level terms today then he stands an excellent chance to score his maiden success and looks a strong fancy.
SAFFRON FLOWER :- Another 3 year old filly, this one from the yard of M P Jodha, she is an 8 race maiden but did run a couple of promising races over sprints in Pune, placing on a couple of occasions over 5 and 6 furlongs. She has been given a run already this season to get her fit and S.A. Amit replaces NirmalJodha in the saddle which is a positive jockey switch. She has the potential to improve still and is another each way prospect who bears watching from the foot of the scale.
CONCLUSION :- Magic Dust appears to be the form pick on the strength of his excellent late 3rd last time out but it may be worthwhile to take chance on the more unexposed Walk On By. She was an impressive winner over 1000M on just her 3rd start and has tremendous scope to improve.
Race No. 7 :- The Maseeha Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
SAIL PAST :- 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he has dropped down to a very attractive mark in the weights and has been threatening to strike for some time now without succeeding. He was dropped into this grade last time out and ran on to finish 4th over 1200M behind Yutaka and the runner up Ame has won since, giving strength to the form. The additional furlong will be to his advantage and N.B. Kuldeep claims a valuable 5 kilos off. He looks quite an exposed type but is likely to win one of these contests soon and must come into consideration.
TOMAHAWK :- Enigmatic and moody 4 year old gelding trained by NiradKaranjawala, he is yet to taste success in 14 starts till date and does not appear to be straightforward, interspersing some good runs with some very ordinary efforts so it is hard to say what mood he will turn up in today. He has had 2 runs already this season over longer trips and run poorly but this is only his 2nd start in this grade and T.S. Jodha takes over from S.J. Sunil today. He can be involved if he is in a galloping mood but his erratic nature makes it hard to recommend him. Potential outsider .
HUNAYN :- 4 year old gelding from the small yard of Himmat Singh who seldom sends out any winners but he has been running quite consistently in his last few starts and looks capable of giving the yard a rare winner. He also pulled it off over a mile a couple of starts ago in Pune but was nabbed virtually in the last stride by Star Ace. He has since finished 4th over 2000 and 1200M but looks likely to be suited by this 7 furlong trip. C.S. Jodha is a positive booking for the yard and in this field, he looks to have a decent chance to score.
GALTERO :- 4 year old maiden coming from the in form yard of C. Rajendra, he has run 12 times till date over varying trips without success but has caught the eye on his last couple of starts when finishing mid division but not too far behind the winner, last time out over 1200M finishing a close 7th behind Milwalkee just ahead of Replica and Glorious Thunder. S.A. Amit who rode him last time keeps the ride, he looks quite well placed on the scale at present and with the yard’s horses running well at present, looks capable of earning an overdue first success.
GOLDSMITH :- 5 year old gelding trained by HosidarDaji who appears to have a good bunch of runners today, and like most of them will be ridden by S. Zervan. He has managed to win only one of his 21 starts till date and does not seem to be a completely straightforward sort but did finish a close 3rd over this trip on his penultimate run finishing only 1 ¾ lengths behind Dragonmoss. He was not so good over a mile a couple of weeks ago but maybe the drop back to 7 furlongs will suit him and he has a stronger rider booked. He is not a consistent sort but could be in the firing line if in a galloping mood.
REPLICA :- Nicely bred 6 year old mare from the yard of M P Jodha, she was quite highly regarded in her youth and ran a couple of good races but seems to have lost her way since then and has tumbled down in the scales as a result. She has now gone 21 starts without a win but she looked quite well last time out when finishing just behind Galtero and is worth keeping an eye on although NirmalJodha is not the yard’s first choice of rider.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky finale and a chance bet can be taken on Galtero who looks well handicapped at present and his yard is presently firing. Hunayn, Sail Past and Goldsmith are the others worth considering.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
