From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 23rd February 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 22 Feb 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 23rd February 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Ponta Delgado Plate – Class II – Distance :- 1600M
UNCLE SCROOGE :-6 year old gelding from the M.K.Jadhav yard who is a winner of 4 of his 24 starts and still seems to have zest for racing and has been in good form in his last few runs. He managed to score over course and distance a couple of runs ago, convincingly beating Daffodil and after being upped to a mile and a half in between, returned to finish a good 2nd to Cambridge over 1400M last time out with Pugnacious back in 4th. He comes out a length better than Pugnacious on that run and with A. Sandesh up, a big run is expected again.
PUGNACIOUS :- 5 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed, he has a good overall record of 4 wins from 17 starts and although he has been out of form since his last win last April, he seems to be slowly coming back into his own in his last couple of starts. He has finished 4th in all his 3 starts this term in similar contests and is a length worse off with Uncle Scrooge on their last meeting over 1400M. P. Trevor has been booked to ride taking over from P.S. Chouhan which may be able to make up for that one length deficit and although he has yet to convince that he is back to his best, he merits serious consideration in this field and is likely to be involved in the finish.
REMEMBER ME :- 8 year old gelding trained by NiradKiranjawala who is a veteran of 53 races with 4 wins to his credit although we have to go way back to August 2015 for his last win. He has been steadily coming down in the weights for some time now and has been competing mainly to gather stake money. He has finished well behind most of these in his last few runs and although theoretically he has an upset chance in this small field, he looks more likely to battle it out for minor honours with T.S. Jodha in the saddle.
TURNING POINT :- Well bred and relatively consistent 4 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard, she is the youngest in this field and has been relatively consistent in her 8 race career with 2 wins from 8 starts and having also placed on 4 occasions. She was a winner over course and distance on the opening day of the season, beating Take Five and Glorious Eyes and she has excuses for both of her previous 2 runs. On her penultimate run, she was away a little awkwardly and finished on strongly when it was too late to be a close 2nd to Nicholas over 1400M and she clearly did not give her true running upped to 1800M last time out when finishing an unconcerned 5th to Gloriosus on the Derby weekend. She has been upped in grade now but comes in at a low weight as a result, has been working extremely well of late and with Derby winning Jockey C.S. Jodha in the saddle, she looks to have an excellent chance to resume her progress against older exposed opposition
CONCLUSION :- The 4 year old Turning Point has not been at her best the last twice and seems to have found a good opportunity to return to the winners circle and is the selection here. The enigmatic Uncle Scrooge looks the main danger in this small field
Race No. 2 :- The A F S Talyarkhan Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
GRAND CHIEFTAIN :- Speedily bred got abroad from the powerful stable of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy, trained by Karthik G, he has been well prepared for his debut run and been given two Mock Races so he is likely to be fit and ready to go first time out. His sire Finjaan raced in Dubai for Godolphin and although winless in 12 starts, ran some good placed races over 6 and 7 furlongs so he should possess some speed. The booking of C.S. Jodha first time out suggests that connections fancy their chances and he clearly looks one to consider here.
KIPLING :- Once raced Poet’s Voice colt trained by Pesi Shroff, he was withdrawn on his intended debut and raced for the first time on Derby Day where he was given an educative run but finished a long way behind Steppenwolf and alongside Shivalik Queen, both of whom reoppose today. He will no doubt improve considerably from the experience and in this small field should be much closer today but it looks hard to reverse the form with Steppenwolf in such a short span of time although he is expected to finish in the frame in this field. A. Sandesh takes the ride and he looks an each way player.
STEPPENWOLF :- Made an eye catching debut on Derby Day when running a forward race and finishing on nicely to be runner up to Dance The Dream with both Shivalik Queen and Kipling well in behind. He is likely to improve for that run and has been working well since then suggesting that he is holding his form. He appears to be the clear form choice in this field, is likely to be sent off favourite and appears to be the one they all have to beat with P. Trevor taking over from P.S. Chouhan.
NON PLUS ULTRA :- Beautifully bred filly by Multiple Group 1 winning sire Dawn Approach who won the English 2000 Guineas and St. James Place Stakes and was a champion miler of his generation while the mare Willowing won once and placed thrice in 13 starts but traces back to a solid American pedigree. She has been working very impressively in her lead up work and has been beating some of the yard’s good youngsters in morning work. She looks an exciting prospect on pedigree and although she is likely to be at her best over a mile eventually she could be classy enough to beat this lot first time out and looks a strong contender with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
SHIVALIK QUEEN :- Made her debut in the same race as Steppenwolf and Kipling and showed early speed to lead into the straight before retiring and finishing in midfield just a shade ahead of Kipling. She is likely to benefit from the experience and improve again today but looks vulnerable from a win standpoint with T.S. Jodha taking over in the saddle and can fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :- Steppenwolf is the clear form choice here and is expected to confirm his superiority over Kipling and Shivalik Queen but he is likely to be available at cramped odds and it may be more worthwhile to take chance on the beautifully bred Non Plus Ultra. The daughter of English 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach looks an exciting type and has been working extremely well. She is likely to find this trip on the sharp side but could prove to be more value at the forecast odds.
Race No. 3 :- The Blurr Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
ASTRAL FLARE :- Lightly raced and steadily improving 4 year old from the Pesi Shroff yard, she has raced thrice till date, finishing a fair 4th on her 2 runs over 6 furlongs in Pune but looking to have improved when reappearing on Derby day here and upped to this trip, when leading for a long way before fitness probably became an issue and weakening to finish up 6th in the higher class. She is sure to improve considerably for that lung opener and is now eased in grade into the lower class and H. Zeeshan claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos off. She is open to plenty of improvement having just her 4th start and looks a leading contender to shed her maiden tag in this company in spite of conceding weight all around.
DUSKY SIREN :- 5 year old mare from the small stable of Subhag Singh, she is a maiden after 10 starts but has run some excellent races in defeat in similar contests in this grade. She began the season in this class and finished a close 2nd in each of her first 2 runs, first finishing runner up to Jeena over 1400M and then a close 2nd to Happy Birthday over a mile. Her last 2 runs have been in the higher class and she is now eased back into this grade. T.S. Jodha who rides regularly for the stable has been booked and back down in this class, she looks a strong each way contender.
TAR HEEL :- Unexposed 4 year old colt from the Imtiaz Sait yard he has been making steady improvement with his racing and appears to have not yet been seriously tried in his 6 runs so far. He has run thrice this season already but had J E Pereira up on the first 2 occasions and made late headway to finish 5th over 1400M with Raghuveer Singh up last time out on his first run in this grade. He steps up to a mile now which should suit him and his recent trackwork has been very encouraging suggesting that he has progressed again. C.S. Jodha now takes over in the saddle and he looks another interesting prospect who has plenty of scope to improve and looks set to make a bold bid today.
MAGICAL BLOSSOM :- 4 year old filly trained by C Rajendra, she is another completely unknown quantity having run thrice till date, making her debut back in February of 2017 but reappearing only this December and has had 2 unplaced runs this term, the last one almost 2 months ago and she has been brought along steadily since then. She has been dropped into this lowest grade for the first time, has improving apprentice G. Amit booked to ride and takes a big step up in trip after 3 runs over sprints. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness and she looks a dark horse who could upset at long odds and is worth keeping an eye on.
SILVER MOON :- Sparingly raced 6 year old mare from the stables of Karthik G, she has run 6 times till date and looked to be coming to form in her last couple of starts over similar trips. She has finished 3rd in both starts this season, first time finishing 1 ½ lengths behind Dusky Siren in receipt of 2 kilos and last time out upped to 2000M, she ended a close 3rd to Silver Edge. She is slightly worse off with Dusky Siren on that previous run and Bhawani Singh now takes over in the saddle from S. Sunil which is a positive. She should not be troubled by the drop back to this trip, looks to have maintained her condition and warrants each way consideration in this field.
HUNAYN :- 5 year old gelding trained by Himmat Singh who has very few runners nowadays and this maiden is winless in 13 starts till date but his best run came over this trip in Pune when he looked a winner before being collared very late in the day by Star Ace. His other runs have been mediocre and he seems to lack consistency having run twice this season over 1200 and 1400M and steps up to a mile now today. The booking of Neeraj Rawal today is interesting and suggests that connections are fancying their chances and he is another worth keeping an eye on although the percentage call is to oppose.
SIR SONG :- 7 year old gelding trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, he is a veteran of 37 races but has managed to win just once although he went desperately close over course and distance last time out when failing by a whisker to catch Abu Al Bukhoosh. He looks well handicapped at present but is far from reliable and the booking of S.A. Amit in place of Dashrath Singh is a slight negative. He could be involved if running upto his best but comes with plenty of risks attached and perhaps it is safer to look elsewhere
CONCLUSION :- This looks a good opportunity for the improving Astral Flare to strip fitter after her lung opener earlier this season and she is selected to tackle this Class V field and shed her maiden tag. The unexposed Tar Heel could prove to be a danger if building on his last effort while Dusky Siren and Silver Moon also warrant consideration.
Race No. 4 :- The Brave Hunter Plate – Div. II – Class IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
VENGENCE IS MINE :- 6 year old gelding trained by S A Waheed, he is becoming frustrating to follow having finished second on as many as 7 occasions in his 18 starts but is yet to pass the posrt first. He was remarkably consistent over this trip throughout the Pune season and has had 2 runs early on this term and is returning from a short break having last raced in mid December. He finished 4th to Grand Vitesse in a similar event on his last run with A Imran Khan up and Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride today. He has to concede weight all around here but must be respected if he is fit and well but leap of faith required to support him from a win perspective.
RAIN DANCE :- 6 year old mare trained by M.P. Jodha, she is not the most consistent sort either but showed she retains some ability when coming with a strong run to score over course and distance on her penultimate run with the runner up Massimo a winner since which gives substance to the form. Her last run is probably best ignored as she had an inexperienced claimer in the saddle and stable apprentice S.A. Amit now takes over in the saddle. She appears to be in good form at present and could very well bounce back and strike again in this company.
RELENTLESS PURSUIT :- Another inconsistent 6 year old gelding, this one from the yard of Imtiaz A Sait, he is a winner of 1 of his 15 starts till date, but that win came off a mark of 30 and he is at 36 now so looks relatively well in at the weights. He has run 3 times this season and has been unplaced on all 3 runs but finished only 4 lengths behind the winner last time out in a similar contest over 1800M and now drops back to this trip. He has been working extremely well since his last run and C.S. Jodha who rode him last time out retains the ride. He should have attained fitness after 3 runs this term and if reproducing his excellent work, he must be given a strong chance to succeed.
RAPID GIRL :- Well bred 7 year old mare from the small yard of Trainer Vinesh, she has been out of form in 2 starts this term but looks very well placed on the strength of her 3rd behind Vengence is Mine over this trip in Pune and G Amit claims an additional 3 ½ kilos in the saddle. The 2 runs this season should have made her fit, she is another who looks to be well handicapped on the pick of her form and although she has to show that she retains the ability, her trainer has a knack of picking up races like this and she is dangerous to ignore.
DIBABA :- 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse, she is a winner of 2 of her 17 starts, both wins coming in the lower class, the last of them in the recently concluded Pune season where she came with a late run to beat Time of my Life. She too has run a couple of indifferent races this term but the booking of A. Sandesh for the first time this season looks promising and if returning to her best form, she too could very well be involved.
JULIANO :- Sparingly raced 5 year old gelding who has won 1 of his 11 starts and recently changed yards from Sanjay Kolse to S.S. Shah so is having his first start for new connections. His win came over 1200M in Pune and he is not handicapped too high above that mark. He is relatively unexposed over this trip, T.S. Jodha takes the ride and if his new trainer can unlock some improvement, he is likely to be involved
CONCLUSION :- A trappy looking older horses contest with several looking to have chances and this is best avoided from a betting standpoint. Relentless Pursuit can strike if reproducing his excellent recent track work while Rapid Girl looks well handicapped as well and along with Dibaba completes the short list
Race No. 5 :- The Amateur Riders Club Trophy – Class IV, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
POKERFACE :- 4 year old gelding trained by NosherCama, he has run 6 times till date and seems to have lost his way since scoring a fluent maiden success on his 2nd start over 1000M on this track. He has run twice this season, showing a little improvement last time out when finishing 4th to Arc Shine on Derby day with Tenerife in 2nd spot that day. He needs to show some improvement for that effort but had a heavy weight to carry that day and H. Zeeshan takes over from P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and claims a useful 3.5 kilos. He is better off with Tenerife on that last run and although he still needs to show that he has come back to winning form, he is likely to build on that last effort and is given a decent each way chance.
CHECKMATE :- Fashionably bred 4 year old gelding who began his racing only in January this season and built on his educative run over this trip when dropped to a sharp 5 furlongs but showing a smart turn of foot to finish on from the rear and win convincingly from Wilshire and Southpaw. He is expected to improve appreciably on just his 3rd career start and the step back up to 6 furlongs is a big plus. 5 ½ kilo penalty for the win appears fair, A. Sandesh retains the ride and he still looks to be ahead of the handicapper and is a very strong fancy to score agai.
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NEMBE GREEK :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas, she has run only 7 times till date and showed some ability on her penultimate run when scoring a fluent maiden win over course and distance easily beating Chaplin with Arc Shine finishing 4th that day, beaten by 3 ¾ lengths. She disappointed when finishing only 5th in handicap company last time out with Chaplin decisively reversing the form but she appeared not to give her true running that day and deserves one more chance to prove herself. S. Zervan takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha, she has been working quite well and if bouncing back from an indifferent last run, she could very well continue her progression and looks a danger to all.
ARC SHINE :- Consistent 4 year old filly trained by S.N. Joshi, she has run 11 times till date and was consistently placing in maidens over sprint trips but went one better on her handicap debut with the same rider up when coming with a strong run to wear down Tenerife close home and score by a short neck. That win should have given her confidence but she looks out handicapped against a couple of these on their previous meeting and although she is likely to run well again and has not been harshly penalized, she looks more of a place contender today and winning looks tough unless improving dramatically.
ANNIVERSARY GIRL :- 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who gained her maiden success over this trip in Pune when holding off Rincon and Man of Word to prevail by a length. She has run 3 fair races in handicap company since then, finishing just outside the frame, last time out ending a close 4th when eased into this grade, and finishing 5th to Epiphany over 1000M. That run was back from a short break so she is likely to strip fitter and with S.A. Amit taking over from Raghuveer Singh in the saddle, she bears close watching and could be a dark horse who could upset.
TENERIFE :- Nicely bred and improving 4 year old trained by S.K. Sunderji, she has run 4 times till date and run well on 3 occasions, going very close to scoring last time out over course and distance when pipped by Arc Shine on Derby weekend and she is weighted to gain revenge on that rival today. She seems to be progressing the right way at present, the booking of P. Trevor today is a positive and she looks a big danger to all and seems the one most likely to trouble Checkmate.
CONCLUSION :-The lightly raced and progressive Checkmate looks better than his current mark and upped slightly in trip, is the confident selection to provide a quick encore. Tenerife who is also improving with her racing appears to be the main danger along with Nembe Greek
Race No. 6 :- The Noble Opinion Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
WIND CRAFT :- This gelding now trained by S.N. Joshi is still racing at the ripe old age of 9 and is a veteran of 66 races with 3 wins and 12 placed efforts to his name. He is effective over this trip and his mark has now tumbled to a very attractive one due to a string of poor efforts of late. From za career high mark of 57 he is now rated 27 so looks very well placed on the scales and K Nazil claims a valuable 5 kilos in the saddle and has been riding well. He is yet to prove that he still retains the desire to gallop but if running upto anywhere near his old form, he looks very capable of scoring and must be considered .
OUTSTANDING :- 4 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji, she has raced 7 times till date without success but did run a promising race on her reappearance over this trip when finishing a close 4th in maiden company to Mine That Bird. She has run poorly in 2 subsequent starts since then but is still lightly raced and is capable of improving still. It is interesting that stable apprentice Parbat Singh has been booked to ride today claiming a useful 5 kilos and she is one worth keeping an eye on and could spring a surprise today .
SPARKLING THEA :- 5 year old mare who appears to be the most fancied of the yard’s runners although her overall record of 1 win from 18 starts does not inspire confidence. She has already run 4 times this season in similar contests, placing twice with her best effort being on her penultimate start when she was runner up to Fine Tune with Till End of Time and Montecasino who finished behind her both being subsequent winners. She finished 5th in a big Million race on Derby weekend but this looks less competitive and she could very well bounce back. T.S. Jodha takes the ride today and she is another worthy of each way consideration.
ROYAL BLOOD :- Relatively unexposed 5 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan who is yet to score in 11 starts and has mainly not performed till date except for one run a couple of starts ago where he made late headway to finish up a close 2nd to Make It Shine. He ran a forward race over 6 furlongs last time out but should do better dropped back down to the minimum trip. Bhawani Singh, who has been riding him recently keeps the ride today and although he is unreliable, he could throw a spanner in the works if he is in a galloping mood.
WIZARD OF ODDS :- Well bred but unreliable 6 year old gelding trained by S. A. Waheed who has run 21 times so far without success and has come right down to the bottom of the scale as a result. He has been tried over a number of trips so far without any success his best effort being when finishing 3rd over 2000M some time ago. He ran 4th over 2400M on his last start so it is interesting that he is dropped to this minimum trip for the first time since his debut and although there is no logical reason to support him, he could be a joker in the pack with S.G. Prasad in the saddle and could be a huge fluke for the Jackpot Pool.
CONCLUSION :-Clearly a race to steer clear off from a betting perspective with none of the horses able to boast of solid current form. Sparkling Thea perhaps appears the best on current form but a speculative suggestion is the top weighted Wind Craft who was rated way higher in his youth and has an in form 5 kilo claimer up.
Race No. 7 :- The Brave Hunter Plate – Div. I – Class IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
DEMOCRAT :- 5 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who was a good overall record of 3 wins from 14 starts till date, one of those wins coming this term on his reappearance over 1200M where he made up good late ground along the inside to edge out Gold Field and Man of Word. He finished a good 3rd to Arc Shine and Tenerife over 1200M on Derby Saturday so how they run earlier in the card may give an indication to his chances. He should not be troubled by the additional furlong and C.S. Jodha returns to ride him replacing A. Imran Khan. He looks a good each way choice in a competitive finale and should not be ignored .
BACKSTREET BAY :- 8 year old mare who recently moved to Faisal Abbas and is a winner of 3 of her 27 runs, taking advantage of he lenient handicap mark to run well this season. She got up late to score over 1000M a couple of runs ago and followed that up with a good 2nd over 1200M to Roosevelt before running midfield on Derby weekend some way behind Democrat. She looks currently to be in good heart and with G. Amit claiming 3 ½ kilos in the saddle, she is likely to appreciate more galloping ground and is another who merits each way consideration.
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :- This 5 year old gelding from the small yard of Vinesh does not appear to be completely straightforward and has seldom run with any consistency in his 13 starts till date but both his previous victories have come over this trip and he showed a neat turn of foot to score with authority on his penultimate start with P. Trevor up, to pip Kodiak Queen by ¾ length with Pacific Dunes back in 6th that day and Imperial Heritage and Frosted also finishing further down the field. He ran poorly upped to Class III last time out but drops back to this class now and Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride. His last couple of workouts have been impressive and he looks quite capable of going in again.
PACIFIC DUNES :- 5 year old gelding trained by BezanChenoy who is also a winner of 2 of his 13 starts and was in rousing form towards the end of the Pune season but has run poorly on his 3 starts this term in spite of working well in the morning trials. He has finished down the field in his last couple of starts and appears to have something to prove now so although he is given a chance on his best form, he needs to show he still retains that ability and looks to have a small outside chance only with usual rider Santosh G in the saddle.
KODIAK QUEEN :- Got abroad 5 year old mare from the M.P. Jodha stable who has gone close on a couple of occasions but as yet has not been able to build on her maiden success which came on her debut. She looked on the way back to form last time out when finishing on late to be runner up to Brothersofthewind and is now handicapped to gain revenge. S.A. Amit takes over in the saddle from D.S. Daman, she is capable of building on that last effort and looks a strong contender to get back to winning ways if she is able to do so.
FIRENZE :- Well bred 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse who is relatively lightly raced with just 10 runs so far, and has only one win to her name but has placed on 5 occasions, usually being effective over middle distances. She has only had one previous run this season, a lung opener over a mile in the higher class in December where she finished on late to be 5th to Lord of the Sea and is now eased in grade. There is no sign of any recent trackwork so she may need this run back from a short break but yard’s good apprentice S.J. Sunil has been booked to ride and if she is fit and well then she could take a hand in proceedings .
CENTAURUS :- Took advantage of his plunging mark to score a fluent success in the lower class last time out with the same rider up but has been quite harshly penalized for that win, up 6 ½ kilos. He comes into the race in good form and H. Zeeshan’s claim will offset the penalty somewhat so he is worthy of consideration and should make a bold bid to repeat .
SHE’S A TIGER :- Full sister to Phoenix Tiger who is trained by NazakChenoy and seems to have had her problems judging that she has raced just 6 times without a win and is now a 5 year old. She has run twice already this season, finishing a good 3rd to Untitled to reappearance but then could only manage 5th to Tanjo when upped to this trip last time out. The presence of P. Trevor in the saddle catches the eye and she is entitled to improve still. Her trainer has had her small string in good order this season and if she can show some more improvement after a short break, then she could very well strike off her current mark and must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- A very difficult finale to sort out and a chance is taken on the erratic Brothersofthewind who won impressively time before last and is taken to defy the handicap and get the better of Kodiak Queen. The well bred and lightly raced She’s A Tiger is also resected
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
