From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 11th March 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 10 Mar 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 11th March 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The R.J. Kolah Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
AUGUSTUS CAESAR :-Trained by Altamash Ahmed, he is one of the two runners in this field with previous experience and was well fancied on debut over this trip but ran a little green under pressure and went down fighting to Hope and Glory. He is likely to have learnt plenty from that experience and has been working well since the run. He sets the form standard and looks to have a strong chance to score unless one of the first timers is above average.
BUSHTOPS :-Nicely bred got abroad from the stables of M.K. Jadhav, this son of Archipenko has been showing out well in the morning trials and looks to be a smart sort on paper. He has jumped out well from the gates and his last couple of workouts alongside the Class II Governor General have been impressive. A paddock check is advised but he appears to have had enough work to be ready first time out and with A. Sandesh to guide him, looks to have a strong chance to make a winning debut.
GRAND ARCHITECT :-Trained by BezanChenoy, this son of Dean’s Kitten does not appear to be as forward as some of the other runners and looks likely to need this educative run. He has moved well in the few workouts that he has undergone but still looks a touch short on fitness. The stable apprentice Santosh G has been booked to ride and a paddock check would be advisable but he appears likely to need this run and should run into a place.
MERLIN :-Another impressive looking type from the Pesi Shroff yard, he is a half brother to Columbianaand again looks to be a good type on pedigree. He too has not had a great deal of work but moved very attractively in a recent Mock Race and is expected to run a big race on his debut. He is a potentially classy sort and with Champion Jockey P. Trevor booked to ride, he looks to have an excellent chance to win first time out.
CONCLUSION :-The debutant Merlin caught the eye in his Mock Race and looks good enough to win this first time out from the more experienced Augustus Caesar.Bushtops also looks an above average type and is worth considering if looking fit.
Race No. 2 :- The MulrajGoculdas Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 1400M
CELTIC PRINCE :- 7 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed who was in sparkling form last season in handicap races over this trip and showed he was as good as ever back in October when chasing home Lucas the last time he was in a handicap. All his 3 runs have come in terms races this season but he is back in a handicap now and should be able to dominate in this small field. Overall a winner of 6 of his 25 starts, he should be fit enough after 3 races run and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle today, looks a strong contender to return to winning ways.
CONGRESSIONAL :- This 7 year old from the yard of Bezan Chenoy has acquitted himself creditably in the past but age seems to be catching up with him now and his recent form has been quite patchy. He did finish a faraway 2nd to New England on his penultimate run over this trip and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye. He has been working quite well and merits consideration but is not totally convincing.
SHIP ROCK :-Consistent 6 year old trained by Vishal Gaikwad, he came from Kolkotta with an impressive record and has been running consistently in Western India without winning. He has managed to place in each of his handicap runs in Pune and Mumbai although he is well held by Congressional on their last meeting. He looked out of his depth in a Terms contest last time out but back in a small field and with H. Zeeshan claiming a valuable 3 ½ kilos, he does have an each way chance and should not be ignored.
GOVERNOR GENERAL :- 6 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard, he has been competing well over sprints this season and hinted that his turn was not far away when finishing on late to be a close 2nd to Kramer over 1200M in the lower class. He has been working extremely well since that run and comes into this race at a low weight. C.S. Jodha takes the ride, this trip is likely to suit him well and at the weights, he looks to have a good handicap chance to succeed.
CONCLUSION :-In spite of the small field this looks a trappy affair but Celtic Prince seems to have conditions in his favour for the first time in a while now and is selected to get the better of the bottom weighted Governor General
Race No. 3 :- The Angelique Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1600M
BOTTEGA LOUIE :-Highly regarded 4 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard, one suspects that we have yet to see the best of her and she has run with credit in her 6 starts so far. A surprise winner in a strong race on debut, she returned after a long lay off to finish runner up to New England in Pune and her next run was best ignored as she got left in the gates. She won decisively on her reappearance run from Cambridge but was demoted in the Stewards room and since then competed unsuccessfully in the 2 Fillies Classics. She has been freshened up since her run in the Oaks, appearing to be reasonably handicapped at present and with C.S. Jodha to guide her, she looks a strong fancy to resume her upward curve.
CELESTIAL LIGHT :-Trained by ImtiazSait whose yard is currently in good form, this 5 year old mare has lacked consistency in her previous seasons but has been showing remarkable consistency this term. Runner up first to Lady In Red and then to Tanjo in her first 2 runs, she was rewarded with a fluent success over Chaplin last time out and he has gone on to frank the form. All her 3 runs this season have been over 1400M but she should not mind the step up to a mile and seems to have retained her form and fitness. P. Trevor who rode her last time up is up again today and although she lacks the potential of Bottega Louie, she is in top form and must be respected.
GRAND VITESSE :- Enigmatic 6 year old trained by Hosidar Daji who was a decisive winner over 1400M earlier in the season in the lower class but has been battling with the handicapper in 3 subsequent runs in this grade and needs to pull out some more improvement to progress further. He has made the frame in his last 2 runs over this trip and P.S. Chouhan takes over from a whipless apprentice which is a positive. He appears to be more exposed than a couple of these and looks more likely to fight it out again for minor honours.
MASSIMO :-Improving 4 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who has run just 6 times so is capable of improvement and appears to have made plenty of progress this term. Finishing runner up to Rain Dance on his reappearance, he duly went one better last time out to score a battling maiden win over Honourable Eyes over this trip last time out. A 5 ½ kilo penalty for the win seems quite fair but he is taking on much tougher opposition now and has A. Sandesh in the saddle today, replacing David Probert who gave him a fine ride last time out. He could progress further but again looks more of a place contender today.
CONCLUSION :-Bottega Louie is confidently selected to give another winner to the combination of S.K. Sunderji and C.S. Jodha as she looks better than her current opposition. The in formCelestial Light looks likely to trouble her the most.
Race No. 4 :- The Nari Mary Homi Wadia Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
BAYMAX :-Got abroad colt from the yard of Trainer Vinesh, he appears to have been pushed in his preparatory work so far and looks likely to need this lung opener to be seen to better effect. However, the booking of P. Trevor on debut suggests that connections fancy their chances first time out and in a race that does not look particularly strong, he merits each way consideration and could spring a surprise.
BETWEEN THE WATERS :- Fashionably bred debutant from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he is a half brother to the well performed Common Wealth and has been displaying good speed in the morning gallops so looks fit enough to win on debut. He is taking on a field which does not appear to be unduly strong and could well prove to be too classy for them. A paddock check would be advised to ascertain his fitness but if looking well in the preliminaries, he looks to have an excellent chance to make a winning debut with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
JULIO CESARO :-One of three runners in this race from the Narendra Lagad yard and appears to be the most fancied of the trio judging from jockey bookings. He has finished in the frame in both his starts so far, ending up a faraway 3rd to Divine Power over this trip on debut and running probably upto the same level next time out when 4th to Columbianaprincess on Derby Day. His last couple of workouts have been extremely speedy and with J. Chinoy up, he sets the form standard and looks to have a good chance to make it 3rd time lucky.
RED CARNATION :-Again from the yard of Narendra Lagad, this son of Varenaar is a debutant who has been working reasonably well and although looking likely to need this run with Kishore Kadam a rare booking for the yard, he could be a lively outsider who could spring a surprise at a price.
WHITEWALKER :-Twice raced 3 year old from the Dallas Todywalla stable, she made her debut in the Gool S Poonawalla ending up a faraway 3rd to Star Attraction but then disappointed in a much easier contest last time out when she ended up a tame 4th to Godsword over this trip. She appears to be held by Julio Cesaro on a line through Clark Kent and is more likely to fight it out for minor honours with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle again.
CONCLUSION :-With those that have raced not setting a particularly high level of form, the well bred Between The Waters is selected to get off to a winning debut with the main danger appearing to be Julio Cesarowho seems the most forward of the Narendra Lagad trio
Race No. 5 :- The Jayramdas Patel Gold Trophy – Class IV – Distance :- 2000M
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- Very highly rated daughter of Shamardaal trained by Altamash Ahmed, she is very lightly raced having run just four times till date and looked pretty special on her 2nd start when easily winning a 7 furlong maiden by a wide margin from Man Of Word. She was taken to Bangalore to contest the Summer Classics but ran poorly in her lead up and was off the track for almost 7 months before reappearing back on this track in January. She clearly looked in need of the run that day which was over 1400M so should be much fitter for it and is now eased in grade and stepped up markedly in trip. She is open to plenty of improvement with NeerajRawal her retained rider in the saddle and looks a danger to all in spite of top weight.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY :-Clearly found form very late in his racing career this 6 year old trained by Shazaan Shah is clearly making the most of it and has been in cracking form this season. Already a winner on his first 2 starts this term, he made a bold bid to complete his hattrick against younger opposition, ending up a commendable close 3rd to Lady Be Good over 1800M. He was a bit disappointing over 2400M last time out but should be suited by this slightly shorter trip and with H. Zeeshan up and claiming 3 ½ kilos, he stands a good each way chance and must be considered.
KHARTOUM :- Sparingly raced and progressive 4 year old from the Pesi Shroff yard, he has run just twice so far with large gaps between each run but has ended up 2nd on both his starts so far. He finished on late to be runner up to Collegium in a decent maiden over 1400M on debut in Pune and again was finishing on late on his maiden run on this track over a mile when runner up to Grand Accord. He is bred to appreciate this longer trip and is open to substantial improvement on just his 3rd career start. A. Sandesh takes the ride and although he is running after another 2 month break and has not been given a lot of work which is a concern, he is expected to improve and looks a leading fancy to make it 3rd time lucky and score.
ARTUS :- Another well bred 4 year old, this one from the stable of NoshirCama, he finally came good last time out after a string of average efforts when prominently ridden throughout over 1800M and scoring an authoritative win over subsequent winner Finest Moment in the lower class. The extra 200M are likely to be in his favour, he seems to have maintained his condition well since the win and with P.S. Chouhan up again, looks a strong contender to provide a quick encore for his connections.
HONOURABLE EYES :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old filly trained by ImtiazSait, she showed signs of ability on her penultimate run when coming back with a 2nd run after attempting to make all the running and ended up a close 2nd to Massimo over a mile although she was not so good last time out dropped to 7 furlongs when only managing 6th to Star of Thea. The longer trip may see her in a better light and although this is her 3rd quick run in the space of a month, it is just her 5th start so she can improve and looks an each way player with P. Trevor in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- The well bred and lightly raced Khartoum looks set to provide another winner for Pesi Shroff but a slight concern is the lack of recent trackwork and any chinks in his armour can be exploited by last outing winner Artuswho shapes as a clear danger
Race No. 6 :- The C.N. Wadia Gold Cup (Grade 2 ) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2400M
B FIFTY TWO :- Consistent and well performed 6 year old gelding, he is the highest rated in this field and also looks to be the class act but he is tackling a distance over which he is yet to win over and has to prove that he conclusively stays. Overall a winner of 8 of his 30 starts, he seems to excel when controlling the gallop in small fields and has scored many unexpected wins in those circumstances not least of which last time out when outwitting Temerity to score in the Eclipse. He appears to be in fine trim at present and P. Trevor gets on with him extremely well so he is clearly a strong contender in spite of conceding weight all around and if staying the trip well, he should be bang in the firing line at the finish.
ESCALA :- 5 year old Southern challenger trained by Neil Darashah, she has a fine record herself of 5 wins from 12 starts and comes here fresh off a mile and a half win in the Chennai Stayers Trial Stakes so she has proven form over this trip. She looks reasonably weighted as per the Terms of the contest and has not been disgraced on her previous efforts in Western India. Out station horses have quite a decent record in this race and with SurajNarredu to guide her, she looks to have an excellent chance to score in this company.
PALATIAL :- Dickey legged but game galloping 7 year old now trained by S.A. Waheed, he has shown good form over this trip in the past but has to overcome a below par effort last time out when hot favourite but only able to finish 3rd behind Square Moon and Vulcan over course and distance. He is weighted to gain revenge with those rivals as per the terms of the race and should be involved in the finish with NeerajRawal booked to ride today.
SUPREME GENERAL:- Extremely interesting but inconsistent 5 year old gelding from the KarthikGanapathy yard, he has won 3 of his 16 starts till date but often runs in and out races and does not look totally straightforward. His previous runs over this trip would give him an outstanding chance having finished 5th in the Indian Derby and then a creditable 2nd to Temerity in the Invitation Cup last year but he is returning to that trip for the first time since then and Bhawani Singh is not the most encouraging jockey booking. He looks to have a very good chance if running upto his best form but is a moody and inconsistent sort which tempers enthusiasm to support him. Can strike if in a galloping mood.
BIG SUR:- Progressive and well performed 4 year old from the Sanjay Kolse yard, he has been running creditably in the face of some tough contests and after going down by a whisker to Vulcan over course and distance on his penultimate run, ran a brave race in the Indian Derby to finish 6th not far behind Themis. The terms give him a chance to reverse the placings with that rival, he is still unexposed over this sort of trip and with Dashrath Singh booked to ride today, appears to have a strong chance at the weights.
THEMIS :- 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav, she showed good improvement this term to chase home Manifold in the Indian Oaks and then finished just outside the frame in the Indian Derby, ending up a length and a half ahead of Big Sur with whom she is closely matched again today. She has proved she stays the trip, has the services of A. Sandesh in the saddle and is expected to be involved in the final proceedings. However, she does have a bit to find on official figures and possibly the older generation could prove stronger in the final reckoning.
CONCLUSION :-This could prove to be quite open and competitive with a larger field than one normally sees for this race and winner picking could prove tricky. Escalais a tentative selection as she stays well and looks well treated by the Terms. The top weighted B Fifty Two looks the class act in this field and would have been a strong fancy over 2000M but his previous runs over this trip have been poor and he has to prove he stays conclusively. The bottom weights Big Sur and Themis are respected from the bottom of the scale while Supreme General could be the joker in the pack having excellent previous form over this trip
Race No. 7 :- The Indian Navy Trophy – Class III – Distance :- 1200M
VISTANA :-Now 7 years of age, this mare in the care of BezanChenoy is not the most consistent sort but showed that she still has zest for racing when making late headway from the rear of the field last time out to be a late finishing 3rd to Chaplin who reopposes today. She comes out slightly better at the weights than her conqueror but lacks his scope to improve so it could be very close between the two of them today. Santosh G who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she looks to have a good each way chance but has proved inconsistent in the past and comes with risks attached.
CHAPLIN :-4 year old colt trained by Dallas Todywalla who appears to be progressing nicely with his racing and has won his last 2 starts over this distance very convincingly. He was beaten as an odds on favourite by Celestial Light when tried over 1400M in between but dropping back down to this trip, redeemed himself quite convincingly last time out. He looks to be finding improvement with each of his runs and although he is slightly worse of with Vistana on their last encounter, he looks capable of improving past her and going in again and should be a strong fancy with NeerajRawal booked to ride.
FAIR WARNING :-Another interesting 4 year old challenger trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has run 7 times till date and was a back to back winner over this trip in the Bangalore Summer but seemed to have a setback after that and did not race for almost 7 months before reappearing this season. He has had 2 runs this term and both have been quite unconvincing but he may have needed those runs to regain full fitness and his recent track movement has been quite encouraging. He has yet to show that he retains his old ability but P. Trevor has been booked to ride today and he looks to be a dark horse who can upset if returning to his best.
CHECKMATE :- Fashionably bred son of crack UK miler Canford Cliffs, he comes into this bidding for a hat-trick after having scored 2 fluent wins in his last 2 starts, last time out over this trip. He likes to be delivered late with a strong challenge and is open to further improvement on just his 4th career start. A Sandesh who rode him last time out is up again today, he looks in fine form at present and is strongly fancied to complete his hattrick.
DEMOCRAT :-5 year old M.K. Jadhav trained gelding who is a winner of 3 of his 15 starts but seems to run alternate good and bad races and is now upped in grade. He has won over this trip in the lower class but seems to be taking on much tougher opposition today and in spite of in form C.S. Jodha in the saddle, he appears to be fighting it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :-This should be between the 2 progressive 4 year olds Checkmate and Chaplin with slight preference for the former. Fair Warning could also be interesting if returning to his best form
