From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 14th January 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 13 Jan 2018
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 14TH JANUARY 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Warsaw Pact Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
ABRAXAS :- Earlier known as Hot Shot Hoty when trained in her first couple of starts by Dallas Todywalla, the 4 year old mare changed hands to Narendra Lagad and has run with some promise in her last couple of starts. Having had a lung opener at the beginning of the season, she showed zest for racing for the first time when eased into this grade and chasing home Blitzkreig over course and distance. Given a stronger rider and upped in grade last time out, she ran well again to end up a close 4th behind Wilshire. She drops back into the lower class again, Raghuveer Singh takes over in the saddle and claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos and with the field not looking overly strong, she looks to be one of the front line contenders here.
MONTECASINO :- Unexposed 4 year old colt from the Malesh Narredu yard, he has raced 4 times till date, twice apiece in Mumbai and Pune and has not shown much speed in his runs to date, finishing a faraway 4th on 2 occasions. He may need this lung opener as he has not raced since mid October and has only one serious piece of work recently so may lack a touch in fitness. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride again and he could be considered of what looks a lenient opening mark but would be considered a rank outsider here. The other progeny of Sea of Grace – Ashwa Grace and Superior Strike did not manage to win a race between them so the line is also questionable.
TILL END OF TIME :- Twice raced 4 year old trained by M.K. Jadhav, she showed some signs of ability after running unplaced on debut, when running on late from the rear to finish up 4th to Tanjo over 1200M last time out although she looks unlikely to reverse the form with Fine Tune who finished 3rd that day. She is open to improvement having just her 3rd start and should be respected as a 4 year old running in the lowest grade. T.S. Jodha, who rode her last time as well keeps the ride and she merits each way consideration in this field but is another who is likely to do better over slightly further in due course.
FINE TUNE :- Untried 4 year old filly from the Mansoor Shah yard, she has run 6 times till date and after finishing well down the field in her first 5 starts, hinted that she was coming to hand last time out when making leisurely late progress to finish an unextended 3rd to owner mate Tanjo over 1200M sparing 1 ¾ length to Till End of Time. That run suggested that she was coming to hand and she is now eased in grade and dropped in trip as well. H. Zeeshan who rode her that day, keeps the ride again and if building on that last effort, she has an excellent chance to gain her maiden success. Keep an eye especially if there is money for her.
BOHEMIAN :- Speedy 5 year old mare trained by H.J. Antia who is still a maiden after 15 starts but was very well backed on her seasonal reappearance last time out and made promising late headway to finish runner up to lesser fancied stable companion Bee Quirky. That run showed that she was fit and well and was her first good run in a while. K Nazil takes over from Raghuveer Singh in the saddle and she has bagged a wide draw in Stall 10 but she is expected to improve on that last effort, and looks one of the frontline contenders in this field to go one better and gain a long overdue success.
SPARKLING THEA :- 5 year old mare who is one of 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable and is beginning to look very well handicapped, having won her solitary race off a mark of 23 and she is now rated 19. She finished 3rd to stable companion Art of War last time out and although she looks one of the more exposed runners here, she can build on that and with S.J. Sunil an unusual booking for the yard, she could be an interesting outsider
CONCLUSION :-A trappy event to open up the card with the in form Abraxas just selected to continue her good form and score her maiden win. Bohemian looks the main danger having finished a good 2nd last time out but is not totally reliable while the unexposed Fine Tune also looks a danger if building on her promising last effort
Race No. 2 :- The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 2000M
CASTLEBRIDGE :- High class 4 year old who is a Multi Classic winner having won 8 of his 11 starts and was a comfortable winner of the Indian 2000 Guineas last time out where he easily held off Rochester who re opposes today. He appears to have scared off most of his opposition and is by far the highest rated runner in the field. The presence of just 2 opponents means that he should be able to control the gallop to his liking and with P. Trevor taking the ride for Bharath Singh, he looks hard to beat barring a mishap.
GRAND PASSAGE :- Twice raced got abroad colt from the Karthik G yard, he made his debut back in October and has run twice till date and finished well down the field on both occasions. He appears to be in this contest just to pick up the valuable stake money which is on offer and with Bhawani Singh booked to ride, he is likely to finish well behind the other two.
ROCHESTER :- This 4 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard has developed into one of the leading 4 year old colts at the centre and has yet to finish out of the first three in his 7 starts till date. He has ended up 2nd in quality races on as many as 5 occasions, his last two runs being runner up to Lady In Lace in the Pune Derby and then a gallant 2nd to Castlebridge in the Indian 2000 Guineas on his first run of the season. He is likely to improve for that run and the longer trip will be to his advantage so with C.S. Jodha up he is capable of giving Castlebridge a run for his money if the race if run at a strong pace. However, the small field of 3 runners may not allow a true test of stamina which would be a disadvantage for him.
CONCLUSION :- Castlebridge is likely to have his own way up front and with P. Trevor a master of front running tactics looks hard to beat. Rochester, who is likely to improve on his 2000 Guineas run will relish more galloping ground and could test the resolve of the Multi Classic winner.
Race No. 3 :- The Ahmed I. Rahimtoola Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
BUDDYHOLLY :- Debutant from the Malesh Narredu yard who is a got abroad out of American Sire Stern Opinion and is the first progeny of the dam Spring Beauty in Western India. He has been showing out very promisingly in his preparatory work and looks to have been prepared with this event in view. He looks fit enough to win first time out and with Yash Narredu in the saddle, looks likely to have a bold show on debut.
CORMORANT :- Phoenix Tower colt from the stables of Faisal Abbas who is one of two runners for Shapoor Mistry and appears the lesser fancied of the pair on Jockey bookings with Trevor opting for Albemarie. He is a full brother to Stari Grad and a half brother to Hasta La Vista, both of whom only had one start apiece in their racing careers which does not augur too well. He has moved reasonably well in the few workouts which he has undergone and S. Zervan is a positive jockey booking. He looks likely to run well but may be out for an airing today.
DIVINE POWER :- 3 year old gelding from the stables of Altaf Hussain who is a half brother to Chaplin and just like his brother, has showed out promisingly in his preparatory work and has been working very well. The booking of David Allan catches the eye and he looks a promising individual who is expected to be in the thick of things in spite of having drawn an unfavourable draw in Stall 11.
JULIO CESARO :- One of three runners for the Narendra Lagad yard and appears to be the most fancied of the trio judging from Jockey Bookings with Dashrath Singh taking the ride. He has been given plenty of preparatory work to get him fit and is likely to be ready to go first time out. He has been showing speed and can be involved although not as fashionably bred as some of the other runners from the bigger yards.
KIPLING :- Trained by Pesi Shroff and owned by the Shirke – Dhunjibhoy combination, this 3 year old son of Poet’s Voice appears a little underdone like so many from his yard first time out but looks an interesting sort on paper. He has been a few easy workouts so is unlikely to be as fit as some of these but commands respect due to the fine record that his connections have and although he is entitled to need this, he is dangerous to ignore with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
ALBEMARIE :- Trained by S. Ganapathy, this 3 year old daughter of promising first season sire Strong Suit is owned by Shapoor Mistry and is the choice of retained rider P. Trevor and she clearly looks the part on paper. She comes from a speedy female line with the dam Star Qualities having already produced the likes of Sydney Harbour (winner of the Grade 3 Juvenile Sprinters Million), Sporting Trainer (winner of 5 races) and Nesto(winner of 7 of his 11 starts including the Darley Arabian Million (Gr 3) and the Sprinters Trial Stakes (Gr 3). She has moved well in her last few workouts and looks one of the outstanding contenders in this field.
ICONIA :- Trained by Dallas Todywalla, this daughter of Excellent Art is the only runner in this field with prior experience having finished a faraway 2nd to Desert Pride back in Pune. She is sure to have learnt from that experience and stripped fitter and benefit of experience is a big advantage among the 3 year olds. She has pleased in her last couple of workouts, C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and she could prove to be a danger to them all and must not be ignored
CONCLUSION :- The S. Ganapathy trained Albemarie looks an exciting sort on paper and is selected to make a winning debut. Buddyholly who has been very well prepared and the once raced Iconiaappear to be the main dangers although Divine Power and Kipling also have to be feared.
Race No. 4 :- The Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 2000M
KIMBERELLA :- Highly regarded 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she was quietly fancied on her debut back in Pune over a mile and made some late progress to finish 4th behind Auburn. She showed that she had improved a bundle for that run when scoring a facile victory over a mile again on her reappearance, finishing on strongly to get the better of Sagittarius and Southern Storm and looking likely to relish more galloping ground. She has a 6 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for the win and has to give away weight all around here but clearly has plenty of scope on just her 3rd start and is sure to improve again. S. Zervan replaces Suraj Narredu in the saddle and she looks to have an excellent chance to go in again.
FANTASIA :- Got abroad 4 year old filly trained by MaleshNarredu, she too made her debut as recently as October and after taking a couple of runs to get the hang of things, was a fluent winner over a mile last time out, ending up a wide margin winner over Star Scholar and Towering Storm in the lower class. She has not been very harshly penalized for the win and is another who is likely to progress again and appreciate the longer trip. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and she too is likely to make a bold attempt to gain a second successive win and must be respected.
GDANSK :- Experienced 4 year old gelding from the yard of S.A. Waheed, Gdansk has run 9 times till date and came with a late run to score his maiden success over this trip back in Pune, nabbing subsequent winner Happy Birthday right on the line. However, he ran below par on his reappearance run on this track when finishing a poor 4th to Masquerade last time out and finished well behind It’s A Deal that day. He looks vulnerable against the unexposed improvers and although he is likely to run better with P.S. Chouhan taking over in the saddle, he looks more of a place prospect and will find it hard to win in this company.
ADONIJAH :- 4 year old colt trained by Pesi Shroff who has been one of the more backward types in the stable and has taken his time to come to hand but hinted that his turn was not too far away last time out when flashing onto the scene late over 1400M last time out to be a flying close 3rd to Priceless Art and Collegium. That was his first run with some promise so he can be expected to build on that and the step up to this trip is likely to be in his favour. P. Trevor who rode him that day retains the ride today and with him receiving weight from the 2 fillies at the top of the scale, he looks a leading contender to shed his maiden tag today and is the one who they all have to beat.
SAGITTARIUS :- Workmanlike 4 year old colt trained by Sanjay Kolse, he has a little bit of an uneven look to his profile, having run alternate good and bad races in his 3 starts till date. He made a promising debut over 1400M back in Pune when he finished runner up to Admo, beating Grand Accord and Masquerade but then ran poorly next time out when only 6th to Collegium. He again ran with promise on his last start which was his first on this track when finishing 2nd to Kimberella with whom he is better off at the weights with today. He is open to further improvement on just his 4th start and Dashrath Singh has a good record for the stable so he looks one to consider very seriously and is given a good each way chance on the handicap.
DUSKY SIREN :- 5 year old mare from the small stable of Subhag Singh, she has looked to be coming into form recently having finished a close 2nd on her last 2 starts albeit in lesser contests. She finished a close 2nd to Jeena over 7 furlongs on her opening run of the current campaign and again ended a good close 2nd to Happy Birthday over a mile but both those runs came in the lower class and she is now upped in grade. She should stay the longer trip and can fight it out for minor honours with T.S. Jodha booked to ride again today but is taking on some promising sorts and hence looks unlikely to challenge for the win.
CISTICOLA :- Well bred and lightly raced 4 year old from the AdhirajsinghJodha stable, she finished on strongly on her debut over 1400M back in Pune where she covered a lot of ground from the rear to end up just ahead of Sagittarius. She was poorly ridden last time out on her seasonal debut when kept wide throughout and only able to manage 7th place behind Albareto over a mile. She should improve for that run and strip fitter, looks sure to relish the step up in trip on her pedigree and with H. Zeeshan claiming a handy 3 ½ kilos, she looks an interesting outsider who is capable of upsetting off the low weight and is dangerous to ignore
CONCLUSION :- A strong Class IV handicap but the improving Adonijah is selected to get the better of the top weighted Kimberella. The bottom weighted Cisticola is bred to get this trip as well and could prove to be value from the foot of the weights
Race No. 5 :- The Darashaw Million (Grade 3) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
ACCOLADE :- Classy 5 year old trained by Pesi Shroff he has an enviable record of 5 wins from 12 starts and is the winner of the Poonawalla Million and the Pune Derby but failed to claim an Indian Classic and went off the boil during the Bangalore Summer. He came back to form in Pune when giving weight and a beating to several of these in the Turf Club Trophy but then was not so good next time out when last of 4 to Your Royal Majesty. It looks tough for him to give weight all around again but Trevor who knows him well is back in the saddle, he is likely to have been freshened up by the break and could very well bounce back so is very dangerous to ignore.
DANCING PRANCES :- Grand old man of sprinting who has now turned 8 years old and just seems to be finding it hard to maintain his exceptionally high level of late. Has not had a win for almost a year now although running respectably in all the top races and needs to show that he still has the ability to compete at the highest level. He has been working well and T.S. Jodha takes the ride today but he needs to spark some sort of a rival and looks to have an outside chance against the improving younger horses.
COSTA DEL SOL :- High class colt trained by Pesi Shroff he is a winner of 6 of his 13 starts and has performed at the highest level with great credit but is returning after a gap of over a year off the track and hence to win first time out is a big ask. He moved well in a recent Mock Race and seems to have been quite well prepared but is likely to need this run with Dashrath Singh booked to ride.
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :- Age old adversary of Dancing Prances who is himself 7 years of age but has been a top class middle distance performer and is the 3rd representative of Pesi Shroff in this race. He has a fine record of 8 wins from 21 starts and on his last outing back in September in Pune he finished a length and a half ahead of Accolade on similar terms. He usually gives his best and runs honest races and is likely to be involved with Neeraj Rawal taking the ride.
NEW ENGLAND :- This 5 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait is one of the most rapidly improving horses currently at the centre and has won 5 of his 12 starts so far and was a facile winner in a handicap last time out. Prior to that he had run a promising 4th to Temerity in his first attempt at Group company and looks ready for the step back upto it again. C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride, he looks to be progressing nicely and looks a strong contender in this field.
RUFFINA :- Brilliant 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who lost her unbeaten record in the Indian 1000 Guineas when not being able to settle at any stage of the race but still running a cracker to go down narrowly to Lady in Lace and Windsor Forest over a trip which does stretch her stamina. She is likely to get a good pace off which to settle in this field, the drop back to 7 furlongs is sure to suit her and with her regular partner David Allan in the saddle and receiving weight from the older horses, she looks set to resume her progress and looks the one they all have to beat.
LUCAS :- Another well performed 5 year old gelding, this one from the yard of NazakChenoy, Lucas has run with credit throughout his career, winning 5 of his 9 starts and is unbeaten in his last 3 runs. His last win came in Class I company back in October where he easily accounted for Celtic Prince and he looks ready for a crack at something like this. He will need to show further improvement to be a factor in a race like this but looks in good nick at present and with S. Zervan booked to ride, he could be an interesting outsider.
ST. ANDREWS :- Very highly regarded 5 year old trained by BezanChenoy who has had somewhat of a chequered career and is fighting to establish himself in Group Company but is still searching for an elusive first Group Race success. He ran a fine race on his seasonal reappearance over 1200M when finishing up a close 4th to Holy Smoke last time out and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. He comes in off a low weight, C. Alford takes the ride and he can be considered from the bottom of the scale
SUPREME GENERAL :- Enigmatic 5 year old representative of Dr. MAM Ramaswamy from the stables of Karthik G, he appears to be just short of this level having won fluently in a handicap last time out although he did manage to finish 2nd in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup back in March. His previous runs in this company have not yielded much success and Bhawani Singh is not the most encouraging Jockey booking. He comes into the race in good form and could be considered again running off a low weight but looks more of an outsider who can sneak into the frame if running upto his best
CONCLUSION :- This appears to be highly competitive but I will stick with the brilliant 4 year odl filly Ruffina who ran her heart out in the Indian 1000 Guineas and still looks able to compete with the best back down at this 7 furlong trip. She comes into this race at a low weight, David Allan knows her extremely well and she should have the ability to tackle this lot and emerge victorious. New England, the progressive 5 year old appears to be the main danger along with the top weighted Accolade and the every consistent Your Royal Majesty who is trying to win this race for the sponsors.
Race No. 6 :- The Sir H.M. Mehta Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1200M
VISTANA :- 7 year old mare trained by BezanChenoy, she has won 3 of her 15 starts till date and was victorious on her penultimate run in Pune over 1200M when she beat Streetjammer and The Civilian quite convincingly in an older horses contest. She had a nice lung opener here already this season when finishing on late to be 3rd to Anacapri and Allora in the higher class and is now eased in grade and has been working well which should put her spot on for this. She does have younger horses to take on here and is shouldering a heavy weight of 62 kilos but must be respected with C. Alford up and could very well score here.
LADY SERGEANT :- Improving 4 year old filly from the stable of S.S. Shah who’s horses have been in good form this season and who has won 3 of her 8 starts till date and comes into this race fresh off a win. She scored a smart success over Lincoln on the opening day over course and distance but now has to shoulder an 8 kilo penalty for that win. She has been kept fresh since that run, looks in top form at present and even though the switch from P. Trevor to T.S. Jodha is a negative, she looks one of the leading contenders in this field and is likely to score an encore.
ELYSEE :- 4 year old filly from the S.K. Sunderji yard who is a quirky individual and is not always the best away from the gates. She has won 2 of her 8 starts till date and both those wins have been over 5 furlongs but because of her recent tendency of starting slowly, she has been finishing on late in her races and appears worth another try at this longer trip. She finished on late to be 3rd behind Lincoln and Oracle over 1000M last time out and the runner up has gone on to win since so the form looks strong. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle today and if she can break on level terms, then she could prove to be a danger to all.
MISS MONEYPENNY :- Consistent 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she has won 2 of her 7 starts till date and has been running quite consistently in similar contests since her last win back in Pune a couple of runs ago. She finished 3rd to Excellent Gold and An Jolie last time out but was badly drawn that day and had to make up a lot of early ground because of the wide draw which may have cost her. She should strip fitter for that run though and although she has again not got an ideal draw in Stall 10, she could improve and looks a strong contender with S. Zervan in the saddle today.
BOUNTY QUEEN :- Got abroad 5 year old from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha, she was quite well performed early in her career, scoring 3 wins from her first 6 starts but then seemed to lose her way and go off the boil and has been slowly working her way back into form since then. She gave the first signs of rediscovering form last time out when making late headway to finish 4th just behind Miss Moneypenny last time out and if she is able to build on that effort then she could be involved in the finish. Nirmal Jodha takes the ride and she has each way claims if she is able to progress again.
MOONSHINE :- Has been very busy this season, having her 4th start already and won her first 2 races convincingly before probably being stretched by the mile trip last time when weakening to finish up 4th to Lord of the Sea. She drops back down to the 6 furlong trip which is likely to suit her and Neeraj Rawal takes over from A. Imran Khan in the saddle. She has looked in tremendous form this season and this 4 year old trained by Karthik G. could very well bounce back at this more suitable trip and must be respected as a danger to all.
ADELINE :- Well bred and lightly raced 5 year old from the small yard of Zadmal Singh, she has done well in her limited career so far with 2 wins from her 7 starts till date. She is returning from quite a long absence, having had just one run in Pune in July when finishing 5th over this trip to Makino but she has been working fairly well in her last few workouts and the booking of Dashrath Singh suggests that connections are fancying. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness but if looking well, she could prove to be the dark horse here.
FLAG FLYING :- Speedy 4 year old gelding trained by H.J. Antia, he appears to be better than his overall record of 1 win from 11 starts suggests and has finished a close 2nd on a number of occasions. He was runner up to Summer Rays last time out over course and distance and has a stronger rider on board today with Bhawani Singh taking over from whipless apprentice. He looks well placed on the scales, is in good form and is another who must be considered in a competitive affair.
TRIPLE THREAT :- Speedy 5 year old mare from the Mansoor Shah stable who has been performing quite well over this trip since gaining her maiden success back in March. She has finished a close 3rd in her last two starts over this trip including when finishing just behind Flag Flying last time out with H. Zeeshan in the saddle. P.S. Chouhan now takes over in the saddle, she is likely to progress again and looks a danger from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :- A tough and competitive looking Class III event. Lady Sergeant looks to be progressing nicely and is selected to continue her good form and go in again. The list of dangers looks quite long with those most feared being Miss Moneypenny and Elysee with the in form P. Trevor on board.
Race No. 7 :- The Yawar Rashid Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
REDS REVENGE :- Well bred 5 year old gelding who has showed good progress since joining Rehanullah Khan’s yard and was given a poor ride last time out when travelling wide throughout and finishing on late to be a close 3rd to Carnival over 1600M. The slight drop in trip does not look ideal and he is still a maiden which is a bit of a concern but the in form P. Trevor takes over in the saddle today and in spite of top weight, he looks set to gain an overdue maiden success.
SASSY LASS :- 4 year old filly who comes from the small stable of Asad Siddiqui but is very highly rated by her connections and was thought good enough to contest the Indian 1000 Guineas last time out. She came up well short at that level but had finished 2nd or 3rd on all her previous 4 starts and was a good 2nd over this trip to Forest Fairy on the opening day. She has been kept fresh since the 1000 Guineas, Dashrath Singh takes the ride here and if the last run has not taken too much out of her, she is strongly fancied to score in this easier company.
STAR OF THEA :- 4 year old maiden from the stable of Narendra Lagad, he has performed modestly on starts this term. He was well fancied on both occasions, going down as an odds on favourite to Mind That Bird and Priceless Art over 1000M and then finishing 4th over 1200M to Untitled. He may be worth trying at this longer trip and he bears watching with T.S. Jodha taking over from Dashrath Singh today.
DIVINE MAGIC :- Inconsistent and not totally straightforward 5 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait, he is still a maiden after 10 starts and has been given a lung opener already this season to blow away the cobwebs. He ran a couple of promising races when 3rd in similar contests over 1200 and 1400M in Pune and his recent track work suggests that he has improved. C.S. Jodha takes over from J.E. Pereira today suggesting that he is fancied and he is worth considering each way although he is not completely reliable.
EBONY :- Unknown quantity from the stable of Altamash A Ahmed, this 4 year old filly has had just one run back in the Bangalore summer where she finished unplaced over 1200M and she has been give time to improve and come to hand since then. She appears to have been judiciously prepared with this event in view and should be fit and ready to go after the long absence. A paddock check is clearly advised but she could be anything and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, may be worth chancing at a price if looking fit and well.
IN IT TO WIN IT :- 4 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has had 4 starts till date and is yet to fully come into his own, having gone into many notebooks in his 2nd run when making up a lot of ground from the rear to finish 4th behind Mygrator over 1200M but then flopped badly as a hot favourite next time out over a mile when only able to finish a distant 3rd to Auburn. The form of that race has worked out quite well, he has been given a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and his recent track work has been excellent suggesting that he may just be coming to hand. D.S.Daman has been booked to ride today and he is another potential improver who must come into consideration and looks capable of scoring off his current mark.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be a straight fight between the two form horses Red’s Revenge and Sassy Lass with the dangers appearing to be the unexposed duo of In It To Win It and Ebony both of whom could improve past them.
Race No. 8 :- The Yawar Rashid Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
MONEYWISE :-Lightly raced but aged 7 year old gelding in the care of A.M. Jadhav, he was highly thought of when a youngster and was a ready winner over 1200M in Class IV but then had his career hampered by a setback and has been struggling to find his feet since then. He looked to be finding some form on his last start in Pune when finishing on late to be just outside the frame and has had a couple of decent workouts out here. S. J Sunil has been booked to ride and he looks dark horse who can upset and is worth considering.
ROTTERDAM :-Well bred and lightly raced 4 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she was a winner on debut over 1200M and has run satisfactorily on her other 3 starts without winning. She chased home Moonshine over course and distance last time out and is expected to improve for the run and strip fitter. P. Trevor who was up that day takes the ride again and she is worth considering for the minor places but may need to pull out some more improvement before she is winning again.
LORD ARAZAN :- Enigmatic 6 year old gelding who has moved to Nosher Cama from MaleshNarredu and appears to have come down to a decent handicap mark at present. He appears to be versatile with regards to trip and has looked to be coming back to form in his last couple of starts, finishing just outside the frame over this trip last time out in the race won by Grand Vitesse. P. S. Chouhan takes the ride, he looks well thrown in on the best of his form and could very well strike now if returning to his best.
DRAGONMOSS :- Highly regarded 4 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he was highly campaigned early in his career without success but managed to gain a bloodless maiden win on his seasonal debut in Class V, winning with authority from Star Ace and Goldsmith. He has not been too harshly penalized for that win and is likely to have improved for the run and stripped fitter. He could just be coming to hand so may have more to give and should try hard to repeat with NirmalJodha in the saddle
ELIXIR :- Improving 4 year old filly from the Sanjay Kolse yard, she showed good progression from her debut run in Pune, when making up good ground from the rear to finish strongly and take 2nd behind Tanjo last time out over 1200M and she is likely to relish the extra furlong. She looks to have improved again judging from her recent track work and is strongly fancied to go one better with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-The progressive Elixir is selected to get the better of Dragonmoss in the finale with the lightly raced Rotterdam also considered
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
