From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 8th March 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 07 Mar 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 8th March 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Flareon Plate – Terms – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1400M
MOUNT OLYMPUS :- Is one of 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable in this 5 horse field and appears to be the most fancied on Jockey bookings with the stable’s No. 1 rider Dashrath Singh booked and he is also the best performed of the quartet, having won his debut start over 1200M from pillar to post beating Iron Age by 1 ¾ length. His track work since the run has been excellent suggesting that he has made the anticipated improvement and he should not be troubled by the additional furlong. He has to concede weight all around being the only winner in the field but basically is taking on just a single rival in the form of Perpetual Winning, with all the other runners being his stable companions. The family is already quite an established one in India with mare Integral having already thrown some useful performers at other centres such as Arbroath ( 6 wins) and Sweet Candy (9 wins) and his most recent full sister Pretty Gal is a winner of 3of her 9 starts in Madras and Ooty. He looks a strong contender and will strive to maintain his unbeaten record.
GREEK LEGEND :- Another son of Win Legend who is a stablemate of Mount Olympus and made his racing debut 3 weeks ago and has already had 2 quick runs. He made his debut over what looked an inadequate 5 furlongs and finished 5th behind stable companion Godsword and then upped to a mile two weeks later, trailed in last of the 4 runners behind Kora Jade. This is his 3rd run in quick succession dropped down to 7 furlongs and he should be eligible for a handicap mark after this. He appears to need more time to come to hand and with Bhawani Singh in the saddle, could run into a place. On the pedigree front, he is a full brother to Grecian Light who is a winner of 1 race from 13 starts in Bangalore and the other half brother Smart Star won 4 races and placed 15 times in Madras and Ooty.
PERPETUAL WINNING :- Comes from the yard of M.K. Jadhav and has run twice without success till date but appears to have the strongest form in the field. He made his debut over 1200M back in January and after being in the rear early on, made late headway to finish a faraway 3rd to Pioneer and Oomph which is strong form and he also finished ahead of subsequent winners Kora Jade and Spitfire. He was strongly backed in the B.K.Rattonsey Multi Million on Derby Day again over 1200M but ran poorly that day and could only finish 5th to Dance The Dream beaten about 5 ½ lengths. The step up to 1400M is expected to suit him and he has moved well in his last couple of workouts. He receives 4 kilos from Mount Olympus, appears to have the better form and has the best jockey in the field A. Sandesh on board all of which point to him emerging as the most likely winner. His half sister Aileen is well performed having won 3 of her 14 starts in Kolkotta although all her wins have come over sprints.
FIRE FLAME:-Again trained by Narendra Lagad and earlier named Art Manoeuvre, she was given an educative run over 1000M in Pune and then turned out again in December in Mumbai for her lone run this season over this trip, ending up 5th to Mozart beaten 11 ½ lengths. She has been given time to improve since then and may have been freshened up by the short break. She too looks to be out for an airing today but has a nice pedigree being a half sister to Solange who did well in her limited career with Pesi Shroff and a full sister to Majestical and could run into a place with J. Chinoy up.
CONCLUSION :- Looks to be a match race between Perpetual Winning and Mount Olympus with the other Lagad horses in the race apparently to round out the field and makes sure the race goes through. Preference is for the former who appears to have the better form, is in receipt of 4 kilos and should appreciate the extra furlong. It will be most surprising if this pair does not finish 1-2.
Race No. 2 :- The Washington Irvine Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1800M
TEXAS GOLD :- 4 year old Chinese Whisper colt from the yard of Hosidar Daji, and has a good record of 3 wins and 4 places from his 10 starts till date. He was very consistent over sprint trips in his juvenile season, winning his maiden over 1200M but showed improved form when stepped up to middle distance trips and trounced Gloriosus by 5 lengths over a mile on his last run last season. He won again over a mile in Pune after a lung opener, beating Nelsons Blood and Spiridon quite convincingly in this grade before running 3rd to Bateleur and Daughterofthesun in the Rajendrasinhji Million again over a mile. He made a belated reappearance a month ago where he was clearly short on fitness and should be much sharper today with a run under his belt. He has to concede weight all around here but is working well and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye. He should relish the 9 furlong trip and is respected.
GLORIOSUS :- Another improving 4 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait, he is a winner of 2 of his 9 starts but has been in good form this season. After a decent juvenile season, he seemed to go off the boil in Pune, running just once and finished tailed off and was put away and brought out again this season where he has already run 4 times. After an impressive 2nd to Albareto over a mile on reappearance he was a shade disappointing when favourite upped into this class but only able to finish 3rd to Lord of the Sea and Flying Dragon over a mile. He then chased home Auburn over a mile in his next start before finally entering the winners circle with a good win over Costa Brava over this trip last time out, strong at the finish suggesting he stays well. He has a 5 kilo penalty to contend with which looks fair and Neeraj Rawal keeps the ride. Although Texas Gold beat him soundly when they last met, he appears to be in better form at present and in this small field, stands a strong chance to repeat.
SAMARJEET :- Trained by S.K. Sunderji, this 4 year old son of Varenaar had been progressing nicely over middle to long distance trips but ran poorly behind Gloriosus on Derby Day and needs to bounce back from that below par performance. He was a back to back winner earlier in the season, first over 1800 and then over 2000M before finishing runner up to Sussex Pride also over 2000M. Overall a winner of 3 of his 11 starts, he likes to dominate and could very well do so today in this small field. C.S. Jodha takes the ride and he could be dangerous if allowed his own way up front but looks vulnerable to the closers and most likely will run into a place today.
GOSHAWK :- Rapidly improving 4 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav, he began his career in Bangalore during the last summer and came to Western India after 2 placed efforts over middle distances. He was an expensive failure twice this season over sprint trips but showed marked improvement when stepping up in distance and racing in hold up style, first finishing on well to be a good 2nd to Brainstorm over a mile and last time out scoring a facile victory over Adonijah and Grand Accord over 2000M, looking to have plenty in hand and winning without being fully extended. He is now upped in grade and has a stiff 6 ½ kilo penalty to contend with but looks to have more to give and could prove to be too good for this lot receiving weight all around and looks likely to provide a quick double to M.K. Jadhav and A. Sandesh. The only slight worry is whether he will get a strong pace to settle off, in this small field, but otherwise he should be hard to beat.
CONCLUSION :- Goshawk looked to have plenty in hand last time out and should be able to tackle these rivals provided he gets a decent pace to settle off. The in form Gloriosus looks the obvious danger along with the top weighted Texas Gold.
Race No. 3 :- The W. Buckley Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
FINEST MOMENT :- Maiden 5 year old gelding from the Karthik Ganapathy yard, he has been running suggestively and threatening to strike in his last few starts but has yet to hit the mark successfully in 10 runs till date. After unplaced efforts in the first half of his career, he began to catch the eye in Pune when twice making late headway to finish 4th over a mile in Pune and was fancied on his final run there over 2400M but ran poorly to finish 5th to Baby Face. He has had 2 runs this season, ending a faraway 3rd to Masquerade on his reappearance over 2000M but was well backed last time out over 1800M when dropped into this grade for the first time and finished on well to be runner up to the unexposed Artus finishing 2 ½ lengths clear of Dazzling Eyes who ran 3rd that day. He comes out a length better on that run and the booking of P. Trevor today replacing A. Imran Khan suggests that connections are very serious. He does not appear totally straightforward but should be good enough to win this and is strongly fancied.
DAZZLING EYES :- 4 year old filly in the care of Imtiaz Sait, who’s horses have been running extremely well of late, she too is winless in 6 starts so far but appears to be making some progress this season after a couple of poor runs in Pune. She finished on late over 1800M on reappearance to end a faraway 3rd to Happy Birthday and Silver Edge and was made favourite in a weak field over 2400M but flopped badly to finish last of the 5 runners and was given a break to improve after that. She did run better when reappearing about a month ago over 1800M and finishing 2 ½ lengths behind Finest Moment with whom she is 1 kilo worse off on the scale. C.S. Jodha retains the ride, she has been working well since the run and has a good chance to reverse the form and looks a strong contender.
STAR ACE :- Inconsistent 6 year old mare trained by Dallas Toydwalla and to be ridden by Neeraj Rawal, she has only managed to win 1 of her 24 starts, finishing 2nd on 3 occasions, her win coming over a mile back in October where she got up in the last stride to pip Hunayn. She has run 4 times this season with alternating good and bad runs, finishing 2nd twice, on her penultimate start 1 ¼ lengths behind Silver Edge with Dazzle N Daze back in 5th that day. However, she ran poorly when well behind Finest Moment and Dazzling Eyes last time out and looks hard to reverse that form so while she could run into a place today, winning looks tough.
GLORIOUS THUNDER :- Maiden 5 year old gelding who is the 2nd runner in this race for Dallas Todywalla and will be ridden by good apprentice S.J. Sunil. He has been unsuccessful in 17 starts so far and has been mainly out of form this season with the only exception being one effort over 1400M where he finished a fair 3rd to Tomahawk and Galtero. He is beginning to look quite exposed and the only hope for some improvement is that he is being stepped up to this longer trip for the first time. He stands a small chance to upset if taking to this more galloping trip and could be a fluke included for the Jackpot Pool.
DAZZLE N DAZE :- Aged 7 year old gelding trained by M.P. Jodha, he is a winner of 2 of his 33 starts and although he has been woefully out of form for some time now he has dropped considerably in the weights and looks very well handicapped at present. He does stay this trip and advertised his well being when fluently winning a Mock Race a few weeks ago. S.A. Amit takes the ride and although he is taking on the younger horses, he looks to have a good handicap chance to succeed and should not be ignored.
Race No. 4 :- The D.P.C. Kapadia Trophy – Class IV and V – Distance :- 1600M
RED’S REVENGE :- 5 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan, he seems to have come to hand this term after moving from C.D. Katrak’s yard after no performance in the early part of his career. After finishing a close 3rd to Carnival over this trip back in December, he gained his maiden victory dropped to 7 furlongs when beating Ebony and Sassy Lass and followed that up with a good 4th to Brainstorm in a race which has worked out very well. Upped to Class III last time out, he again ran well when 4th to Masterofbalantrae a couple of weeks ago and with C.S. Jodha up and now eased in grade, he looks a strong each way contender and is expected to run well.
TILL END OF TIME :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav, she has been making steady progress with each of her runs and landed a smart gamble last time out when well backed and coming with a late run to collar Dixieland close home and score over 1400M in the lower class. She comes from off the pace so is likely to relish the additional furlong and should make further improvement having just her 5th career start plus the Jockey switch from T.S. Jodha to P. Trevor is a huge positive. However, the penalty will make it tough for her to confirm the form with Dixieland who was running after a long lay off that day but she still stands a very strong chance to repeat and is greatly respected.
FENCING :- Inconsistent 5 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who is relatively lightly raced having one win to her name in her 9 starts till date but does not seem to be consistent in her runs. She also likes to be delivered late from off the pace as she showed when scoring an upset maiden win in Pune in October pipping Eternal Dancer close home. She has had 3 starts this term, running promisingly on her penultimate run when 4th just behind Red’s Revenge over this trip and on that running, she is weighted to finish in front of him. However, she ran way below par last time out over 1400M so needs to bounce back from that. S.A. Amit replacing NirmalJodha suggests connections fancy her more today and she could be a value outsider although may find it hard to beat the improving youngsters.
GOLD BOND :- Steadily improving 4 year old gelding from the stable of Imtiaz Sait, his form has been modest in his 5 runs so far and he is making a belated reappearance after having had his last run in Pune in October. He is entitled to need this run after such a long break and is likely to do much better next time out. He finished a modest 3rd over a mile on his last run behind Lady Almeda and could run into a place today with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
DIXIELAND :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Pesi Shroff she has run 4 times till date, running way down the field in her first 3 starts but showing that she had improved significantly when reappearing after a long break 3 weeks ago and running a forward race, looking a winner until possibly fitness became an issue and being worn down late in the day by Till End of Time. She is likely to have stripped fitter after that run and her subsequent track work suggests that she has improved for that run. She is better placed on the scale than Till End of Time on the last run and with the anticipated improvement and with A. Sandesh in the saddle, she looks set to shed her maiden tag and is strongly fancied to succeed.
CONCLUSION :- Dixieland is the confident selection to build on her promising 2nd last time out and should win this. The improving Till End Of Time shapes as the main danger along with the well handicapped Fencing who could upset at a long price.
Race No. 5 :- The T.M. Goculdas Plate – Class II and III – Distance :- 1000M
ANACAPRI :-Speedy 4 year old got abroad filly trained by Pesi Shroff who has an impressive overall strike rate, having won 5 of her 11 starts and is taking on lesser company that she has been tackling in her last few starts. She finished a close 3rd to Abbey and Mygrator over 1200M on her penultimate run and did not appear to be too serious last time out against her better fancied stable companion Lincoln when kept off the pace and making leisurely late headway to finish 5th about 1 ¾ lengths behind Double Nine who was 3rd that day. She is better placed on the scales than that rival with H. Zeeshan claiming 3 ½ kilos in the saddle, and although she has been kept relatively fresh since her last run, she looks to have an excellent chance to get back to winning ways.
WILD FIRE :- 4 year old grey trained by Narendra Lagad who is the course record holder over 1000M in Pune and was a most impressive back to back winner over sprints on that course, before finishing runner up to Goldie’s Pet on her penultimate start. She returned after a long lay off last time out so was clearly rusty and led the field into the straight before retiring to finish last of the 12 runners. She is sure to have benefitted immensely from that run and is expected to be much fitter and sharper today. Her subsequent workouts have also been very speedy and in this small field and with added fitness and Dashrath Singh up, she looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways.
DOUBLE NINE :- In form 5 year old colt from the Noshir Cama stable who has less scope to improve than the 4 year olds but has been holding his form quite well in sprint races this term. Overall a winner of 2 of his 17 runs but also having placed on 8 occasions, he has run well all 4 starts this term, finishing 3rd on 3 of those runs including when upped to this grade last time out and beating both Anacapri and Wild Fire and in between, scored a bloodless win in a 4 years old contest where he was an odds on favourite. He is expected to make a bold bid again with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and stands a good each way chance although Anacapri is handicapped to reverse the form.
CONCLUSION :- The speedy Wild Fire is selected to just get the better of Anacapri and prevail here. The speedy grey needed the lung opener last time out and should be fitter and sharper today.
Race No. 6 :- The Keukenhof Plate – Class V (No whips allowed) – Distance :- 1000M
TALLY HO :- Unreliable 5 year old gelding who is one of 3 runners for the Narendra Lagad yard and has managed to win 1 of his 16 starts. He has run 6 times this season mainly in the higher class but returns to this grade and is worth considering each way if in a galloping mood although he is not a reliable sort. Raghuveer Singh claims 3 ½ kilos and is a good 5 furlong rider so he is worth considering and could strike if things go his way.
SPARKLING THEA :- Exposed 5 year old mare from the Narendra Lagad stable, she has been in form over this trip this season and has been running well over sprints of late. Overall a winner of 1 of her 19 starts, she has placed in 3 of her last 4 runs on this track, last time out chasing home Windcraft in an older horses contest and finishing ahead of Eternal Dancer with whom she should confirm the form. H. Zeeshan is a positive jockey booking as he is riding well, she has been allotted a good draw in Stall No. 2 and looks to have a strong chance to gain a deserved 2nd success.
ARVAN :- Unexposed and relatively untried 5 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he has run 11 times till date and has done nothing of note in 10 of those runs but he did appear to be tried over course and distance earlier in the season with A. Imran Khan up and finished a close 3rd to Zion and Adele beating Sparkling Thea comfortably that day. He may not have been too serious last time out with Amyn Merchant up and with decent apprentice G. Amit in the saddle today, he has a good chance to win this if running upto that same level and is greatly respected.
ROYAL BLOOD:-Another relatively untried 5 year old, this one from the yard of Rehanullah Khan, he has a very similar profile to Arvan having run 12 times till date and having only one previous good run which was earlier this season over this trip when finishing on late to be a close 2nd to Make It Shine. He has run poorly in 3 subsequent starts since in similar contests so a leap of faith is required to support him but S.J. Sunil rides plenty of winners for the yard and has been booked to ride, so he is worth keeping an eye on and can strike if reproducing that previous good run.
ETERNAL DANCER :- 5 year old mare who is the 2nd runner from the Rehanullah Khan yard but appears to be the lesser fancied of the two judging from the jockey bookings with inexperienced 5 kilo claimer Raj Pawar declared to ride. She is winless in 14 starts till date and having just failed to score over a mile in Pune, she showed she had the speed for this 5 furlong trip when running 3rd last time out just behind Sparkling Thea. She looks to have each way claims and is another who must be considered.
CONCLUSION :-A race which is recommended to be left alone from a betting standpoint, but a tentative selection is Arvan who has been relatively untried till date, showed some ability when a close 3rd on his penultimate run and has blinkers snapped on today. Sparkling Thea, who has been running consistently is the other one to consider.
Race No. 7:- The Monet Plate – Div. I – Class IV _ Distance :- 1200M
GREY FLANNEL :- Consistent 5 year old mare from the Dallas Todywalla stable, she is usually effective over this trip and has won twice and placed on 6 occasions in her 17 race career, appearing to favour the Mahalaxmi track where she has done her best racing. She had a relatively lacklustre Pune season and was given 2 runs early in the Mumbai season in the higher class before being given a break and is now dropped in grade into the lower class. She is likely to have been freshened up by the break and has been working very well of late including running an impressive Mock Race with Poonawalla Million winner Corfe Castle. H. Zeeshan claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos in the saddle, and she must be respected in this easier grade.
EPIPHANY :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by Nazak Chenoy, she has been making steady progress with her racing and has made good progress in both her runs this season. After 2 unplaced efforts in Pune where she finished just outside the frame, she showed improvement when chasing home Polyneices on her reappearance and duly built on that to win decisively over 1000M last time out easily beating Cherry Blossom. She was heavily backed before being withdrawn against Southpaw last time out and should not be troubled by the extra furlong. She looks to be improving with every start and stands an excellent chance to continue her winning thread with P. Trevor in the saddle if behaving herself at the start.
LILAC TIME :- 5 year old mare who has taken her time to come to hand but seems to be progressing very nicely of late and has managed to win 2 of her last 3 starts, both wins coming over this trip. She likes to be delivered late and wide and usually finishes on strongly and both her wins have been last ditch affairs including last time out where she overwhelmed Lord Commander in virtually the last stride. Dashrath Singh who was aboard for both her wins jumps ship to Master of Trinity which is a bit disconcerting but J. Chinoy is an adequate replacement, she seems to be in good heart and will try hard to notch up yet another win provided things go her way.
MASTER OF TRINITY :- Well bred 6 year old gelding, a half brother to Ocean and Beyond who used to be in the care of Altamash Ahmed but was bought over by new connections after his last run and is having his first start under Narendra Lagad with Dashrath Singh booked to ride. He returned in good form this season, finishing third in both his runs in similar contests, Last time out well backed when finishing a close 3rd over 1400M to Brothersofthewind and Kodiak Queen. He is dropped down slightly in trip which he should not mind as he likes to front run and may be worth trying over this shorter trip. He is working well and could very well strike for his new connections.
YUTAKA :- Relatively unexposed 4 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji he had been skilfully brought down in the weights in his first few runs and took advantage of his lenient mark to score a wide margin maiden success over this trip on his penultimate run. He did not appear to be overly serious last time out when upped into this grade but yet finished a close 5th over 1000M to Checkmate in a race which has worked out well. That could have been a rehearsal in this new class and back up to 6 furlongs and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle, he could very well progress again and looks to have an excellent chance to score and continue his progression.
CONCLUSION :- The pair to focus on here appear to be Epiphany and Yutaka, the former an impressive winner last time out and the latter still appearing to be improving as well. The top weighted Grey Flannel appears to be returning fresh after a short break and is also respected eased in grade
Race No. 8:- The Monet Plate – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
WILSHIRE :- Highly regarded 4 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he did not live upto expectations in his first few runs but seems to have hit good form this term and has been showing improvement with every run. He began the season by finishing runner up to Royal Classic over 1200M and built on that when getting up in the last stride to nab Captain and score a maiden victory over 1000M on his penultimate run. He showed improvement on that run against stronger opposition next time out again over 1000M when his rider appeared to alert him too late and he finished on strongly to be a close 3rd to Checkmate with the runner up Southpaw going on to frank the form. He seems to have maintained his condition well since the run and with the extra furlong likely to suit and P. Trevor in the saddle, he looks a leading contender to get back to winning ways.
BRAVE :- Did not race as a 4 year old and made his belated racing debut 3 weeks ago finishing midfield over 1000M and is sure to have benefitted from that introductory run. His couple of workuts since that run have been eye catching and he is an unknown quantity who could prove to be better than his current mark. Dashrath Singh takes the ride again and if showing further improvement, he looks a dark horse who could possibly be involved.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- 5 year old mare trained by Magansingh P. Jodha, she is a winner of 1 of her 16 starts but has been making steady progress with each of her runs this season and hinted that she was coming back to form last time out when making late headway from midfield to finish a good close 2nd to Southpaw over 1000M. She will appreciate the additional furlong as her maiden win was over this trip, the booking of P.S. Chouhan catches the eye and she looks one to seriously consider and is a strong each way contender in this field.
HIGHLAND WOODS :- 4 year old gelding trained by Nazak Chenoy who has run 4 times till date and gave an eye catching performance last time out when returning from a long break, making leisurely late headway to finish 4th to Alyaties over this trip and is sure to improve for that run. He is open to plenty of improvement on just his 5th start and T.S. Jodha is an interesting booking for the yard. He is expected to build on that last effort and looks to have a good each way chance if progressing again.
HUZZAH’S PHOENIX :- Another unexposed and potential improver from the in form yard of Imtiaz Sait who was untried on her first three runs and had a decent rider up for the first time over course and distance last time out when finishing 5th albeit well behind Highland Woods last time out. That was her first decent run so she is expected to progress again and with talented rider Raghuveer Singh up and claiming 3 ½ kilos, she looks an interesting outsider who could be involved.
CONCLUSION :- Wilshire is the selection here to earn another bracket having run a creditable race in defeat last time out over slightly shorter. The unexposed and potentially smart Highland Woods and the suggestive last outing runner Adam’s Beginning should give him the most to do.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
