From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 10th February 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Sonny Brar Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 2000M
SQUARE MOON :- Solid staying 7 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has a good record of 5 wins and 7 seconds from his 28 starts and is usually most effective over further than this but he did manage to pull off a narrow victory over Eternal Sunshine over this trip on his penultimate start although the penalty for that win makes life a little more difficult and he is slightly worse off on the terms today. He looks up against it in this company and over this trip and even though he is currently in good form and S.A. Amit takes the ride, he looks to be the outsider of this lot.
MULTIGLORY :- Well bred 6 year old gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who has been out of form for some time now but has managed to win 5 of his 23 races till date and his mark has come down to not to high above his last winning one. What is significant to note is that his last win came over course and distance back in April 2017, he was ridden by P. Trevor that day and Trevor is back in the saddle for the first time since then. He has had a run already this term so should be fit enough and is worthy of each way consideration here.
ODESSA :- Progressive 5 year old gelding in the care of Malesh Narredu, he seems to have come right after a brief hiccup early in his career and has an excellent win strike rate of 4 wins from 7 starts and is bidding for a hattrick of wins, having won his last 2 starts. He steps up to this longer trip for the first time with his 2 previous wins being over a mile but his come from behind style suggests that he should not have any problems getting it. He beat Eternal Sunshine quite comfortably over a mile that day and is weighted to confirm that form. He has been working very well since then run, P.S. Chouhan who rides him well is up again today and he clearly looks to be an improving sort and should be the one to beat.
DAFFODIL :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Pesi Shroff, she has been doing a lot of racing of late and is having her 3rd hard race in the space of 3 weeks after having served as a pacemaker in both the Indian Oaks and last week in the Indian Derby so it is a bit of a deterrent that she is running again so soon. She was well beaten by Uncle Scrooge over a mile before those 2 runs and seems to be looking to regain her form. Her overall record is quite good with 3 wins from her 10 starts, and David Probert takes over in the saddle which is a positive. She is taking on much easier opposition that she has been dealing with recently and could be involved in this lesser company provided that she does not feel the effects of her exertions in the Derby just last week.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE :- 5 year old mare trained by Rehanullah Khan, she is a winner of 2 of her 13 starts till date and although she has been in good form this season, finishing 2nd in both her previous runs, she has yet to taste success in this class, her last win coming over 1800M in the lower class back in April 2017. She meets both her previous conquerors again today, having finished runner up to Odessa over a mile and then going down narrowly to Square Moon over this trip and while she should get the better of Square Moon today, she is still slightly worse off with Odessa and may find it tough to reverse that form. S. Zervan takes the ride on her today and she clearly has a good chance but one suspects she might finish runner up again today.
GLORIOUS EYES :- Another nicely bred and consistent 5 year old handicapper, this one from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, she is a winner of 3 of her 19 starts but she too has had just one run in this class, ending 4th to Uncle Scrooge over a mile and is just held by Daffodil who finished runner up that day. She does stay this far, having won narrowly over 1800M in her previous effort and Neeraj Rawal is in the saddle today but she needs to pull out some more improvement before she can progress further and looks more of a place candidate today.
CONCLUSION :- The improving Odessa is the selection here, looking fit and fresh from his previous victory and appearing to hold all his rivals on paper if staying this longer trip well. Daffodil is likely to be a danger but it is disconcerting that she is running here a week after a hard race in the Indian Derby and it may just take it’s toll and a bigger danger could be the consistent Eternal Sunshine.
Race No. 2 :- The Native Knight Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1600M
GOLD MEDALIST :- Trained by S.A. Waheed, this 3 year old son of Dean’s Kitten was given an educative run over 1000M on debut, finishing a faraway 6th to Riquewihr but is likely to be much better suited with more galloping ground and should also have learnt from the experience. He has been working fairly well since the run and is expected to give a much better account of himself today. P.S. Chouhan has been booked to ride today and he is likely to be involved. He is a full brother to Keep Coming On who was unplaced in 2 starts in Western India and a half brother to Mullrina who won 1 race over 7 furlongs from 10 starts in Delhi.
PULVERIZE :- Son of new stallion Saamidd from the stable of Karthik G, he has already raced twice over 7 furlongs till date, finishing tailed off behind Mozart on debut and then showing some improvement next time out behind Hope and Glory where although ending up last of the 5 runners, he was only 6 lengths away. His half sister was the well performed Myla Rose who won 5 races mainly over middle distances and Amazing Skill, who managed to win 3 races, again over middle distances in Bangalore. He is eligible for a handicap mark after this run and Bhawani Singh being booked suggests that he is still getting ready but it is worth keeping an eye on him although today may not yet be his day.
RED INDIAN :- Very promising debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he is a half brother to the brilliant Tiger Tops, winner of the Indian Oaks and the Kolkotta Oaks and Monsoon Derby and runner up in the Indian Derby, The Indian St.Leger, The Stayers Cup and the Kolkotta Derby. Hence, there appears to be plenty of stamina in the pedigree and the mile looks the minimum starting trip for him. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride, he appears to have enough preparation to be fit enough first time out and appears to be one of the prime contenders to make a winning debut and must be seriously considered in this company.
UNIMAGINABLE :- Another well bred sort, this one from the Vishal Gaikwad yard, he appears to be slightly better prepared than his stable companion Van Dyke, and looks to be working the best of this lot. He is a half brother to Masquerade, trained by Pesi Shroff who appears to be developing into a nice sort and his preparatory work has been quite eye catching. He will have the assistance of David Probert in the saddle today and he looks another to consider very seriously and ha strong claims to make a winning debut.
VAN DYKE :- Stable companion of Unimaginable who also sports a smart pedigree, being a full brother to the brilliant King Charles who was a champion colt in Hyderabad back in 2015, winning the Golconda 2000 Guineas and Derby although the subsequent progeny, half brothersPothus and My Windfall have been average performers. He has also been given a sufficient amount of work to get him ready although Unimaginable appears to be working the better of the pair. He must be respected first time out with A. Sandesh up but may just need this educative run.
BOURBON PRINCESS:-Comes from the stable of Derby winning trainer S.K. Sunderji and has already had an educative run over 1400M, finishing 4th of 5 runners to Hope and Glory but not beaten by a long margin and looks likely to improve for the run. She is a half sister to Nanhipari who was runner up in the Hyderabad Oaks just recently and is also entitled to come into her own over further in due course. She is likely to improve for the run, has P. Trevor in the saddle today and appears to be the best amongst those that have had a run.
CONCLUSION :- With those that have already run not setting a particularly high standard on form , the winner should emerge from the trio of well bred debutants. Red Indian, a half brother to Tiger Tops looks exciting and should fight it out with Unimaginable with Van Dyke also not to be ignored although he looks likely to need the outing.
Race No. 3 :- The Deltin Casinos Eclipse Stakes of India (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years & Over – Distance :-2000M
TEMERITY :- Champion filly trained by Pesi Shroff who has won 9 of her 13 starts so far and is unbeaten in 2 runs this season, just managing to pip B Fifty Two over a mile on her reappearance on the same terms and she seems to have improved considerably since then. She has scared away any worthwhile opposition and over this longer trip, she is expected to get the better of her lone rival and win convincingly.
B FIFTY TWO :-Well bred 6 year old who has performed creditably over the years and just failed to hold off Temerity over a mile on his reappearance in the A.C. Ardeshir but was well beaten by her in the Jiwajirao Scindia last time out and it looks tough for him to beat her on the same terms with the additional furlong in her favour. P. Trevor will no doubt try to make this tactical and control the gallop from the front but he is given just a small upset chance.
CONCLUSION :-Sadly, a very poor turnout for this prestigious race and it is virtually impossible to look beyond Temerity who is improving with every run, will be suited by the longer trip and is likely to be a money back favourite.
Race No. 4 :- The Koku – Al Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
CHAPLIN :- Progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla, he has run 4 times till date and has been showing improvement with every start, building on his 3rd on his penultimate run when given an enterprising ride by David Allan last time out to easily shed his maiden tag over 1200M. He remains in the same class and is likely to improve again and steps up to 7 furlongs for the first time after having had all his previous runs over 1200M. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness, David Allan retains the ride and he looks a strong contender to score a quick encore over this slightly longer trip.
CELESTIAL LIGHT :- 5 year old mare from the stable of Imtiaz Sait, she has not been the epitome of consistency in the past seldom running 2 similar races but has been quite consistent this term, finishing runner up on her 2 previous attempts over this trip. She first finished runner up to Lady InRed and then went on to finish 2nd to Tanjo last time out and seems to have maintained her form and fitness. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from Dashrath Singh, and although she lacks the scope of improvement of Chaplin, she looks to have good form and shapes as one of the main contenders.
RINCON :- 4 year old gelding who comes from the yard of Faisal Abbas and has run 8 times till date, gaining a maiden success over course and distance on his penultimate run when narrowly beating Arrecifein a weak maiden and then ran poorly next time out in this grade when finishing 8th some way behind Celestial Light. He has been entrusted to the stable’s 3 ½ kilo claimer today and these are still early days in handicap company so he is entitled to improve for the run. He clearly needs to improve on the bare form to trouble the top two but he is worthy of each way consideration in this field.
HOPEILICIOUS :- Maiden 4 year old trained by Nirad Karanjawala, he has run 8 times till date over varying trips without success, his best run coming over 1000M on his seasonal reappearance when he went down fighting by half a length to Stallone. He attempted this trip for the first time last time out and ended up 6th behind Rain Dance although not beaten a very long way and is still unexposed over this trip so can improve. He has been working reasonably well, S. Zervan keeps the ride and if finding some improvement, he can find himself a place in the frame.
REGAL SHOT :- Lightly raced and unexposed 5 year old gelding trained by Karthik G. he has run 9 times till date and scored a maiden success when unfancied over this trip back in Pune, and although his subsequent runs have been poor, he showed signs of coming back to form last time out when making late headway over 6 furlongs to finish 5th to In The Stars. S. Sunil takes over in the saddle from Bhawani Singh, and he is worth keeping an eye on and could be a danger to all if reproducing his winning run.
OPTIMUM :- Another maiden 4 year old gelding, this one comes from the stable of Shazaan Shah and has run 8 times till date all over sprint trips and is tackling this longer trip for the first time today. He has had a lung opener in Mumbai to blow away the cobwebs and is unexposed over this trip so bears watching from the foot of the weights with H. Zeeshan claiming a valuable 3 ½ kilos.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be squarely between the two top weights, Chaplin and Celestial Light, with the former clearly enjoying the advantage with the forceful David Allan on board and more scope to improve.
Race No. 5 :- The Deltin Casinos Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
TEXAS GOLD :- 4 year old from the yard of HosidarDaji who is having his first start of the season which is a bit of a deterrent but has done quite well in his career so far with a 33% strike rate, winning 3 of his 9 starts and showing good form over a mile so far. He was a ready winner over this trip on his penultimate run, easily accounting for Nelson’s Blood and Spiridon before ending up 3rd to Bateleur in the Rajendrasinhji Million. The booking of K. Nazil suggests that he may be out for an airing today as he is not the easiest of rides but a paddock check is advised and if he is looking well, then he could very well be a factor.
AURELIA :- Rapidly improving 4 year old filly who is being kept in good shape by young Nazak Chenoy and has been going from strength to strength in her limited career so far. After finishing 4th in her first 2 runs she has rattled off 3 wins in a row, winning her maiden over 6 furlongs, then scoring in Class IV over the same trip and last time out, coming with a terrific late run to pip Spiridon over this trip to complete 3 in a row. She currently looks in terrific form and is up another 5 kilos but could very well have still more to give. P. Trevor who seems to have gotten into a good rapport with her keeps the ride and fillies in form are hard to oppose so she must be very seriously considered.
ROOSEVELT :- Another progressive 4 year old gelding from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, he clearly appears to be coming into his own and was a fluent winner over 1200M last time out. Overall a winner of 2 of his 7 starts, he was thought highly enough to take to Hyderabad to contest the Deccan Colts Championship back in September but could only finish midfield behind Prevalent Force. He finished runner up to In The Stars on his penultimate run so the form looks strong but he has not beaten that much last time out and needs to produce some more improvement. Neeraj Rawal replaces David Probert in the saddle but he looks a frontline contender and should make a bold bid to repeat.
LADY IN RED :- Enigmatic 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla, she appears to be a different filly when ridden by David Allan and her 2 wins from her 9 starts till date have both come with him in the saddle but she has run way below that form in her other 7 starts which is quite perplexing. She was well beaten last time out on her first run in this grade and although she has been working well, she has something to answer with a different rider on board. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride for the first time today and she warrants each way thought but comes with risks attached.
SENSEX :- Exposed 6 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has won twice in his 20 starts till date, both wins coming over this trip so he must be respected going over it now. He has run suggestively in both his starts this term, finishing just outside the frame over slightly shorter and now returns to his pet distance and H. Zeeshan has been booked to ride, claiming 3 ½ kilos. His last couple of workouts have been very promising and he looks a danger to all from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :-A competitive event here but is usually hard to oppose a filly in form and Aurelia, who is bidding for a 4 timer appears to have run in better company and is selected to get the better of the highly regarded Roosevelt who is likely to go off favourite. Sensex who has been working well of late is also respected.
Race No. 6 :- The Dr.S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship (Grade 2) (Terms – 4 Years & Over) – Distance :- 1200M
CAPTAIN COURAGE :- Very highly regarded 6 year old gelding who was developing into a quality sprinter before suffering a setback which kept him off the track for almost a year and he has slowly been working his way back into form since then. He had his seasonal debut in the RWITC Ltd. Sprint Challenge and ran a cracking race to finish a close 3rd to Holy Smoke in spite of not getting a clear run in the straight. He is not suited by the Terms of this contest but is sure to improve from that last run and must be respected with P Trevor in the saddle.
DANCING PRANCES :- Now 8 years of age but still seems to retain his ability and is quite likely to bounce back from a below par performance on reappearance when only 8th behind Ruffina in the Darashaw Million with the same rider up and his recent workouts have been very impressive. He has won this race for the last 3 years in a row and although he is getting older with every year, he looks primed for a big run again and it would be no surprise to see him bang there in the finish. Greatly respected.
HOLY SMOKE :- Appears to have picked up the mantle for the older generation and this 6 year old trained by Faisal Abbas has been in fantastic condition of late, having run creditably in each of his last 3 starts. Winner of the Akkasaheb Maharaj in Pune, he then finished a ½ length 2nd to Dancing Phoenix in the Noshir& Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Championship and made a winning reappearance this season with the same rider up when winning the RWITC Ltd Sprint challenge decisively. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since that run, has managed to bag the rail draw and with S. Zervan in the saddle, looks the best of the older horses along with Dancing Prances and expected to be in the thick of things.
LINCOLN :-Has established himself to be a top 5 furlong sprinter, winning his last two races over the trip convincingly, including an effortless win just last week in Class II company. He has finished in the first two in 7 of his 8 starts till date, winning 4 and deserves a crack at this sort of contest although he is completely unsuited by the Terms of the race. This looks a very tough ask for him over the additional furlong in this company but he too looks a progressive sort and could outrun his rating with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
MYGRATOR :- In form and well performed 4 year old gelding trained by MaleshNarredu, he too has finished in the first two in 8 of his 10 starts, winning 4 on the trot from the beginning of the Pune season and his only unplaced runs have been in the 2000 Guineas and the Breeders Juvenile Colts Championship as a 3 year old. He was no match for Ruffina over 1400M on the opening day but was unlucky not to beat Abbey last time out when hampered for room at a crucial stage and fastest moving at the finish. P.S. Chouhan keeps the ride, he is likely to be more of a threat today from a good draw but looks more of a place contender in this company.
RUFFINA :- Brilliant 4 year old filly who has been superbly trained by Dallas Todywalla and has won 6 of her 7 races till date, her only blip coming in the Indian 1000 Guineas where she did not quite settle in the race and was found out in the closing stages, ending a close 3rd to Lady in Lace and Windsor Forest. She trounced most of these in the Darashaw Million over 1400M, should have the speed to tackle the drop in trip and looks set to continue her fine run and win this convincingly.
CONCLUSION :- Ruffinais confidently selected to get the better of this good quality field and should win easily from the older horses Dancing Prances and Holy Smoke.
Race No. 7 :- The Koku – Al Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
SNOW BLAST :- Fashionably bred but relatively lightly raced 7 year old mare trained by Altaf Hussain who rewarded connections for their perseverance over the years when scoring a maiden success over this trip on her penultimate run, backed to the exclusion of her rivals and winning decisively in the end. She then went on to run a good 4th to Tanjo in the higher grade, ending up a close 4th which showed she had maintained her form. Her subsequent work has also been excellent so she looks to be reaching her peak at present and although conceding weight all around here, She looks in good condition and is a strong each way contender with 3 ½ kilo claimer G. Amit on board.
ROYAL CLASSIC :- Another 7 year old gelding who returned to form this term when taking advantage of a lenient handicap mark to score a resounding success in the lower class and then did not run badly upped to this trip last time out when finishing a close 6th to Grand Vitesse in a similar contest. D.S. Daman takes over from S. Amit in the saddle today but he seems to have maintained himself well and is worthy of each way consideration here.
DIVINE MAGIC :- 5 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has been running suggestively without winning in his 11 starts so far and is sure to strike before too long. After running a couple of fair 3rds in Pune in similar contests, he finished on nicely last time out to be a close 4th over course and distance and only needs to make up a length and a quarter on Ebony who finished 2nd that day. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from C.S.Jodha and he looks a very strong contender to gain an overdue maiden success today.
EBONY :- Unexposed 4 year old filly trained by Altamash A Ahmed and to be ridden by Neeraj Rawal, she made an excellent reappearance after a long lay off last time out to finish a good close 2nd to Red’s Revenge with Divine Magic back in 4th that day. She is expected to improve as that was her first run since her debut in July and also this will be just her 3rd career start so she is likely to progress. She is 1 ¼ lengths better than Divine Magic on the last run and if she makes normal progression and builds on that last effort, she is likely to confirm the form and looks the one to beat.
STAR OF THEA :- 7 race maiden from the yard of Narendra Lagad, she has been running consistently and making the frame but has not yet found an opportunity to get off the mark, running over distances ranging from 1000 -1400M. She finished just behind Divine Magic last time out over this trip and hence is expected to be closely matched with that rival again. T.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and she looks another reasonably strong each way contender.
TESSA :- Maiden 3 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, she has done nothing of note in her 3 runs till date but steps up to this trip for the first time which could bring about some improvement. She has no form to recommend her chances and her track work is modest but runners from the yard have to be respected in this grade and with A. Sandesh in the saddle, she looks a dark horse who could upset if taking to this longer trip.
CONCLUSION :-the lightly raced and potentially smart Ebony looks the obvious starting point and is selected to win this if she can make normal progression from her previous run. Divine Magic with Trevor up looks the main danger while it is worth keeping an eye on Tessa who could be the dark horse.
Race No. 8 :- The Dr.Jagjit Singh Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 1000M
STUNNER :- Speedily bred 4 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she has managed to win 1 of her 11 starts, the win coming over Malavika in Pune but she has finished 4th in all her 3 runs this term and appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. She has to concede weight all around in this field and again the draw has not been kind to her in Stall 10. She looks capable of fighting it out for minor honours but will need to show some more improvement before she can be fancied from a win perspective.
ANNIVERSARY GIRL :- Erratic but still not completely exposed 4 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard, she has 1 win to her name from 9 starts, the win coming in a 6 furlong maiden in Pune where she scraped home narrowly from Rincon. She has had just one run early in the season and is returning from a short break so may require this lung opener. Raghuveer Singh claims a useful 3 ½ kilos in the saddle and she is one worthy of keeping an eye on although entitled to need this run after the short break.
MALAVIKA:-Looked to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark last time out in a weak field but probably suffered from inept handling in a no whip race and failed to collar the runaway Speedo, ending up a close 2nd. She looked well that day, appears to have maintained her condition and S. J. Sunil takes over in the saddle today. She looks a speedy sort and could very well make amends today so must be considered.
GRAND TENTON :- Nicely bred debutant from the Vishal Gaikwad yard, he is a half brother to the speedy Yellow Diamond and looks a good type on paper making his debut in an ordinary grade. He has had just a couple of workouts till date and the booking of Akshay suggests that he is going in for an educative run but he looks a smart sort and could have the class to beat this lot and score a shock win on debut.
EPIPHANY :- Well bred Phoenix Tower 4 year old trained by NazakChenoy, she too appears to be slowly coming to hand and showed improvement on her 2 modest runs in Pune when chasing home Polyneices last time out in the lower class, to finish a good 2nd over 1200M. She has been working extremely well since that run and P. Trevor keeps the ride so although she has been upped in grade, she looks to have improved and is given a strong chance to succeed.
CHERRY BLOSSOM :- Another improver who was a strong favourite in the lower class just last week over course and distance but faltered after taking over the running and was worn down by Dolphin, ending up a close 3rd. She is turned out again quickly and upped in grade but gets a stronger rider in the saddle with S. Zervan taking over from H. Zeeshan and is expected to run very well
CONCLUSION :- Epiphany and Cherry Blossom look the 2 main contenders in the finale although it is very tough to pick between the pair
