From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 18th March 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 17 Mar 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 18th March 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The P.R. Mehta Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 2400M
JAGER BOMB :- 7 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who still retains his ability and has been making steady progress this season. Overall a winner of 3 of his 32 starts with 11 placed efforts, he has had 5 runs this season, the last 3 coming over this trip and he has shown steady improvement with every run. He finished on to be a close 4th behind Smasher with Silver Edge just ahead of him in 3rd and Grand Accord back in 6th on his penultimate run and then upped to a modest Class III and IV contest, he finished on strongly to peg back the runaway Sagittarius and win convincingly over this trip. His penalty makes him out handicapped against several of these but he is in good form and clearly stays the trip well while one or two of them have some stamina doubts so in spite of top weight, he cannot be ignored with C.S. Jodha up again and could possibly defy the handicap and win again.
LADY BE GOOD :- Very sparingly raced filly trained by Nirad Karanjawala and owned by the Poonawalla family this 4 year old has run 7 times till date and has managed to win on 2 occasions. After a couple of modest efforts over shorter trips in maidens, she finally shed her maiden tag over 2000M easily beating Swiftness and Zanara. However, when upped to this trip the previous time, she ran disappointingly with Swiftness reversing the form with her and she could only finish a tame 3rd. She reappeared this season only in January over 1800M and showed a good late burst to score from Happy Birthday and Adonijah in the lower class. However she did not run again and now returns after a further 2 month break which is a bit of a concern. Suraj Narredu takes the ride and she clearly has the scope to improve further but the absence since the last run is a concern and she is yet to prove that she stays this gruelling trip well.
SAGITTARIUS :- Front running 4 year old gelding trained by Sanjay Kolse, he began his career only in September last year and has run 6 times so far with a solitary success to his name. That win came on this track a couple of starts ago where he made all over 2000M to win convincingly. He ran poorly the run after that when attempting the same tactics and upped to this trip last time out, looked a winner midway up the straight but was outstayed by Jager Bomb in the closing stages. He is handicapped ½ length better than Lady Be Good on a line through Adonijah and comes out level with Jager Bomb on the last run but it looked like he did not stay that day so it may be hard for him to reverse the form. However, he has the assistance of A. Sandesh in the saddle now taking over from S.A. Amit and with no confirmed front runner, he should be able to dominate again. If he is able to control the pace from the front and slow it down then he can strike but otherwise may be vulnerable to the closers.
GRAND ACCORD :- A very interesting runner from the powerful MAM Ramaswamy stable trained by Karthik G, this 4 year old got abroad has raced just 6 times till date so still could be improving and has been in decent form this term. He gained his maiden success over a mile on his 2nd start of the season finishing on strongly to upset Khartoum. He was then upped to this trip on Derby Day and travelled strongly into the straight before not being able to quite see the race out and dropping back to be 6th but he was only 1 ½ lengths behind Jager Bomb and comes out 3 ½ kilos better on the handicap today. Dropped down to 2000M last time out, he ended a close 3rd behind Goshawk and is now upped to this trip again and P. Trevor takes over in the saddle. He has to convince that he stays this longer trip well but if he does then he has the scope to improve further and looks very well placed on the scales.
SILVER EDGE :- Gutsy 6 year old from the small stable of C. Rajendra he has been in excellent form this season save for his last run where he ran very disappointingly when well beaten behind Gdansk. Overall a winner of 2 of his 23 starts, both his wins have comes this season and his form figures before that last run read 2-1-1-3. He won back to back races over this trip and then over 2000M in the lower class and followed that up with an excellent close 3rd behind Smasher before his poor run last time out. He is entitled to have one off day and looked in good touch before that but is ¾ length worse off with Grand Accord on that last run and has something to prove now after his lacklustre effort. If bouncing back from that run, he does stay well and should be involved with S.A. Amit in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the small field this looks a difficult puzzle to solve with several of the runners having niggling doubts about staying as well as fitness. All things considered, Grand Accord is the best handicapped horse in the race and although he appeared not to stay last time out, P. Trevor is likely to harness his energy and deliver him at the right time and he is selected. Lady Be Good should improve but she is very lightly raced suggesting that she has some niggle and ran poorly over this trip last time out. The top weighted Jager Bomb is a confirmed stayer and in good heart so cannot be ruled out either.
Race No. 2 :- The J.P. Vajifdar Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1200M
TIMELESS :- One of the leading 4 year olds from the yard of S.K. Sunderji he looked a possible 2000 Guineas contender early in his career and ran a brave 3rd in the Deccan Colts Championship behind Prevalent Force and Tutankhamun. He dropped the rider in the Pune Derby and then looked a shadow of his former self in Mumbai, running a poor 3rd over 1800M to Frosty in his lead up and then with first time blinkers running 8th of 10 to Castlebridge in the Indian 2000 Guineas. He was rested and freshened up since then, withdrawn on his intended reappearance on Derby weekend but looked back to somewhere near his best when outclassing the opposition to win emphatically over 1400M 2 ½ weeks ago. The drop in trip does not appear to be ideal for him but he should be back on the upgrade and in spite of conceding weight all around against specialist sprinters, he is sure to make a bold bid to repeat with C.S. Jodha up and is greatly respected.
SUMMER RAYS :- Well performed 4 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has a good strike rate of 4 wins from 11 starts and has also finished runner up on 3 occasions with her pet distance clearly established as 6 furlongs over which she has done all her winning. She has been steadily progressing up the handicap ranks this season, winning twice, and ending a close 2nd to Excellent Gold in between before attempting 7 furlongs last time out and ending up 3rd to Cambridge. She seems to have maintained her form and fitness since the last run and the return to 6 furlongs is a positive. She will be partnered by the in form P. Trevor and is likely to be a big threat to all with the yard bang in form at the moment as well.
STAR COUNCILLOR :- Highly regarded and well bred 5 year old trained by Karthik G, he appears to have had multiple problems throughout his racing career and has managed to win only 1 of his 11 starts till date. He was off the track for just under 11 months before returning this season, having 2 early season runs before getting another break and his last run was on Derby weekend over 1400M where he finished down the field. He has been off the track since then but has been working fairly well and the booking of A. Sandesh suggests that connections fancy their chances today. He clearly does have ability when running upto his best but looks a little unreliable which tempers the enthusiasm to support him somewhat.
RISING BRAVE :- Another lightly raced and highly regarded sort, this 5 year old from the stable of Rehanullah Khan seems to have discovered himself as a sprinter this term and looks to have scope to improve further. He seemed to suffer a setback in his Classic season and missed the entire Mumbai season in his Classic year, reappearing for a solitary run in Bangalore in July and then racing twice over distance trips towards the end of Pune. He was well prepared for his comeback run this term over 1200M and annihilated the Class IV opposition with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, winning by a wide margin. He then competed in a 5 furlong sprint on Derby Day, again running with credit to finish runner up to Lincoln in a race which has worked out well since. P.S. Chouhan is back in the saddle again today, he seems to be fit and well in receipt of plenty of weight, he stands an excellent chance to strike again.
CONCLUSION :- The improving 5 year old Rising Brave has some excellent form to his name this term and is selected to get the better of the top weighted Timeless. 6 furlong specialist Summer Rays is also feared with P. Trevor up
Race No. 3 :- The J. Rustomji Soparivala Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
BARACK :- Fashionably bred colt from the powerful stable of Pesi Shroff, his most recent full sister Fantasy Star was a bit of a disappointment but he is also a full brother to Bold Majesty, who was the winner of The Mysore and Bangalore Derbies, the Bangalore 2000 Guineas and the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes while the other full sister, Love of my Life was also a decent performer in Bangalore so he looks the part on paper. He has been given relatively easy preparatory work and is entitled to need this opening run but looks a potentially classy sort and could be good enough to tackle this company and win on debut with A. Sandesh up. A paddock check is advised but he could be worth taking a chance on if at an attractive price.
CAVAROZZI :- Stable companion and owner mate of Barack, a got abroad colt by Makfi with the mare coming down in foal, he looks to be the second string judging from the Jockey Bookings and is most likely going in for an educative run. He will be ridden by N.S. Parmar, has only been given a couple of easy workouts so may be a touch short on fitness and is probably one for the future although he cannot be ignored being from a powerful yard.
CHOSEN ONE :- Thrice raced Surfrider colt from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he appears to be a little more exposed than many of these and has only modest form to his name. Finishing a well beaten 6th on his debut back in January over this trip, albeit in a strong maiden which has worked out well, he showed some improvement next time out finishing 3rd to Dance The Dream and Steppenwolf. However, he seemed to take a backward step last time out when upped to 7 furlongs when finishing a poor 6th to Spitfire and appears well held by Iron Age on that score. The drop back to 6 furlongs may help him and he has been working quite well so he merits each way consideration with C.S. Jodha in the saddle but may find one or two of these too strong for him today.
IRON AGE :- Strapping son of Strong Suit from the in form yard of Imtiaz Sait with the mare coming from a good American family he looks to be the form pick here having run well on both his starts. He looked soft and was unfancied when finishing runner up to Mount Olympus over 1200M on debut and was well fancied over 1400M next time out but proved to be no match for Spitfire and ended up a tame 3rd over 1400M although well clear of 6th placed Chosen One. He has been working well since the run and drops back down to 1200M as well and P. Trevor takes over from S. Zervan for the first time which looks significant. His workouts since the run have been excellent and with the benefit of experience, he appears to hold the edge today.
PABLO :- Once raced colt from the yard of Sanjay Kolse, he is a full brother to Confiance and Gentillesse and looks a decent sort on pedigree with both his sisters performing well in their limited careers. He made a pleasing debut over 1000M about 3 weeks ago looking green and in the rear turning for home but making up some decent ground in the straight to come and finish 3rd behind Impala. He is sure to have learnt a great deal from that run and is likely to strip fitter today. The extra furlong is likely to be in his favour as well and S. Zervan who rode him that day is up again today. He needs to improve on the bare form but is worth considering and is likely to fill the frame.
STRONG STORM :- Another highly regarded daughter of Strong Suit, making her debut from the stable of Dallas Todywalla, she too looks a touch underdone on debut but has moved quite eye catchingly in the few workouts that she has undergone and the yard has a good record with first time out runners. She is entitled to need this run but must be respected with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride and is likely to give a good account of herself
CONCLUSION:- Some interesting runners in the fray but with the benefit of experience, Iron Age is selected to shed his maiden tag at the 3rd time of asking with P. Trevor in the saddle for the first time. The Pesi Shroff trained debutant Barack appears to be a very live danger and can be good enough to win first time out
Race No. 4 :- The Forbes Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies Championship (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Year Old Fillies Only – Distance :- 1600M
CATALONIA :- The only out station challenger in the small field of 5 runners, she is also the only one carrying a 3 kilo penalty which could prove to be a decisive factor in the end. She comes from Hyderabad where she has won once and placed 2nd on 2 occasions, gradually stepping up in trip with every run. An easy winner over 1100M on her debut, she then finished a close 2nd to hot favourite Realms of Fantasy in The Byerly Turk Million over 1200M and was then beaten a length by rank outsider Punjabi Girl in a 7 furlong Million about 6 weeks ago. She now steps up further to a mile but seems to be well within herself and whether that form is good enough to concede 3 kilos to her 4 rivals remains to be seen. She will be ridden by Suraj Narredu.
KORA JADE :- Twice raced Excellent Art filly from the stable of Dallas Todywalla, she showed good improvement from her debut run over 1200M when upped to this trip last time out, making all the running and holding off the odds on favourite Shae to prevail by a neck. They meet again on the same Terms today and it is hard to choose which one will finish ahead today. She seems to have maintained her condition well since the run and P. Trevor who was up last time out keeps the ride. On the pedigree front, her half brother Night Watch has run just twice till date but she is a half sister to Chizzler who won his first 2 starts and looked a promising prospect before his career was cut short by injury. She must be considered in this small field but needs to improve drastically on the bare form.
MARIETTA :- Dean’s Kitten debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, she is a half sister to The Unicorn who was a high class performer for the yard, winning The Eve Champion Trophy and finishing runner up in The Eclipse Stakes. She looks a little short on preparatory work but moved extremely impressively in a recent Mock Race and Y.S. Srinath has been flown down especially for the ride. She appears to be an exciting prospect and is greatly respected although she may just need this first run.
OOMPH :- Experienced and well performed 3 year old filly from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, she clearly has the best form in this field and looks the one they all have to beat on paper. Runner up by a whisker to Mozart on her debut over 1400M, she was then collared late on by Pioneer over 1200M ending a gallant 2nd on both occasions and ridden prominently. Different tactics were employed in the Poonawalla Million where she was ridden from off the pace and came with a strong run to finish an excellent 3rd. Her trainer has always felt that her ideal trip is a mile and she seems to have maintained her condition so with A. Sandesh in the saddle for the first time, she looks the clear form choice and should be the most likely winner.
SHAE :- Highly regarded filly owned by Jaydev Mody and trained by Nosher Cama and is having her 3rd run in a relatively short space of time which is a deterrent. She made a smart debut over 1400M a month ago and was turned out again quickly in 10 days time where she went down fighting to Kora Jade over a mile. She is running again in just under 3 weeks time and she has looked workmanlike in both her runs and seems to be a strong galloping sort who may eventually be better over further. P.S. Chouhan the retained rider is up again today but she seems to be more of a minor berth contender.
CONCLUSION :- It is hard to look beyond the Poonawalla Million 3rd Oomph who easily has the best form in this field and is likely to relish the mile trip. The well bred Marietta looks a classy sort and shapes as the main danger.
Race No. 5 :- The Racing World Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
SUMAAQ :- Solid and consistent 6 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas, she has won 2 of her 24 starts but is usually effective over this trip and off this sort of mark. She has run 4 times this season, and after finishing on late over 6 furlongs on reappearance she has made the frame in all her 3 runs over this trip. 3 ½ kilo claimer G. Amit is up for the first time today which will give her a relief in the weight but she is quite exposed and looks vulnerable to the improvers.
TAR HEEL :- Progressive 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has run 7 times till date and after a couple of suggestive runs earlier, she showed good improvement to score a smooth maiden success in the lower class last time out and is expected to improve again. She has only been given a 4 ½ kilo penalty since that win and has been working well since the run. C.S. Jodha who rode her last time is up again today, the field does not appear to be overly strong and she stands a very good chance to record a quick encore.
YELLOWSTONE :- Got abroad 4 year old gelding from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, he is very highly thought of and was sent off favourite on his racing debut over this trip back in October but ran poorly and could only finish a faraway 4th to Lady Almeda. He has been rested and well prepared since then, should have improved for the experience and begins handicaps on a reasonable mark. A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle today and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness. He clearly appears to be a smart sort and could be better than his current mark so must be seriously respected in this company.
DRAGONMOSS :- Winner of 1 of his 11 starts, this 4 year old from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha has been fairly consistent since gaining his maiden success over 1400M on his seasonal reappearance, scoring a fighting victory over Star Ace in the lower class. He has finished 4th on all his 3 starts since being upped into this grade but the notable factor is the booking of P. Trevor today, taking over from Nirmal Jodha who has been riding him throughout since then. He looks fit and well, can improve further and looks to have a good each way chance today.
MASTER OF STUDIES :- Got abroad 4 year old in the care of Altamash Ahmed, he is thought to be potentially very smart but has done nothing of any significance in his 3 starts till date. He made his debut during the Bangalore Summer season finishing a faraway 4th on debut over 1400M and then running poorly subsequently over this trip. He then came to Pune and raced over 9 furlongs, finishing well beaten and has been off the track since then so reappears after a long lay off. He is likely to need this lung opener having his first run since August but he is a dark horse who has the potential to upset if having improved and bears close watching with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- The well bred and highly regarded Yellowstone has the potential to be better than his current mark and in spite of the long lay off could be good enough to tackle these rivals. If he comes up short then the in form Tar Heel should be able to record a quick encore.
Race No. 6 :- The Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders’ Juvenile Colts Championship (Grade 3) – Terms – 3 Year old Indian Colts and Geldings – Distance :- 1600M
STAR INSPIRATION :- Good looking chestnut son of Win Legend coming from the yard of Nirad Karanjawala, he has had 3 runs over sprint trips till date, winning on one occasion. He was a faraway 2nd to Riquewihr on debut over an inadequate 1000M but reversed that form in no uncertain Terms over 1200M next time out, winning from end to end in Impressive fashion. He had to concede weight all around in a small 3 horse field last time out and ended up behind the two Shroff runners, a poor last of three. However, he is a full brother to Arrogant Approach and hence should find plenty of improvement with more galloping ground in his favour and should be seen in a much better light over this trip. He will be ridden by Neeraj Rawal today with Suraj preferring Star Superior and has to concede 3 kilos to the rest which looks tough. However, it is dangerous to underestimate him over this trip and he could very well be involved.
HOPE AND GLORY :- Tough 3 year old colt from the Vishal Gaikwad yard, he has run thrice till date, finishing runner up to Octavius on debut over 1200M and then showing good resolve to narrowly down subsequent winner Augustus Caesar over 1400M to record his maiden success. However, he finished a well beaten 4th in the Breeders Produce Stakes behind Pioneer and Mozart and although the mile trip will also suit him better, being a half brother to Tororosso, he needs to find plenty of improvement to match form with the best of these. Y.S. Srinath is an encouraging Jockey booking, he has been working well and looks to have an each way shout.
SPITFIRE :- Very interesting Phoenix Tower Gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who has taken a late entry to this event which is worth noting as Pesi Shroff would not do so without good reason. He showed a smart turn of foot to score an impressive win over Iron Age and Shae over 1400M on his last run and has been working very well since then. It will be interesting to see how both Iron Age and Shae perform earlier in the card but Spitfire clearly looks a promising type and with P. Trevor taking over from David Probert in the saddle, he looks a very interesting contender and could well be good enough to take this.
STAR SUPERIOR :-Came from Bangalore with a good reputation having scored an impressive win over 1400M and caught many an eye in the paddock in the Poonawalla Million, finding Corfe Castle too strong on the day but making good headway in the straight to beat the rest comfortably on his first run on this track. He has been working superbly since that run suggesting that he has improved and he looks the type to relish the extra furlong. He again looks to be the clear pick on form and the running of Oomph earlier in the card will give an indication of the form holding up. He looks to be the one to beat with Suraj Narredu in the saddle and should take a lot of beating if progressing again.
STEPPENWOLF :- Comes from the stable of young Shazaan Shah and has done nothing wrong in his 2 runs till date although he now takes a significant step up in trip. Making his debut in the B K Rattonsey Multi Million on Derby Day, he finished on to be runner up to Dance The Dream and then took advantage of a straightforward opportunity next time out to score a bloodless maiden win, again over 1200M. The timing on both those days was decent without being spectacular and the step up to a mile is an unknown. P.S. Chouhan who has been riding him is up again today but he looks more of a minor berth contender and could be involved for the minor placings.
VAN DYKE :- Another unexposed and potentially smart colt from the Vishal Gaikwad stable as he makes a bid to win both the feature races, this son of Kingda Ka was visually impressive on debut over this trip, looking soft and not fully wound up in the paddock but galloping strongly to crush his rivals into submission winning pulling up by 8 ½ lengths. He is sure to have improved significantly from that run and has the advantage of having already won over this trip. He should be a lot fitter and sharper today and has plenty of scope so looks to be a big danger to all. A. Sandesh takes the ride and although the form of that race has yet to be tested, he is sure to improve significantly and must rate as a very live danger
CONCLUSION :- Star Superior was an impressive 2nd in the Poonawalla Million and is selected to continue improving and uphold that form and take this. The impressive last outing winners Spitfire and Van Dyke both have the ability to upset him and complete the short list
Race No. 7 :- The Pronto Pronto Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
ETERNALINSPIRATION :- 5 year oldmare trained by Nirad Karanjawala, she has won twice in her 20 starts and has been eased in grade after having raced in the higher class in her last several runs. Her wins have come over 6 and 7 furlongs so she is effective over this trip and she has been running promisingly without quite delivering this season. She has had 5 runs this term, her best effort being over 1400M a couple of starts ago where she made good late progress to finish a close 3rd to Nicholas and Turning Point and last time out, she made up significant late ground from the rear to end a close 5th behind Chaplin over this trip. She does not appear to be completely straightforward and also looks quite exposed but should be respected with T.S. Jodha up again today and looks to be an each way contender.
AME :- 6 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav he is a veteran of 33 races and has managed to win on 2 occasions but has been in relatively good form this season except for his most recent run which was poor. He took advantage of his very lenient mark to score a couple of runs ago in the lower class and then followed that up with a good 2nd behind Priceless Girl in this class next time out. He made no show last time out so needs to bounce back from that below par effort but C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and if running upto his previous form, he looks to have an each way chance.
TENERIFE :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji and to be ridden by P. Trevor, she is still a maiden after 5 runs but has been looking like she was ready to strike in her last several starts and is clearly good enough to win a contest like this. After finishing a distant 2nd to Clymene over 1000M back in January, she was unlucky to just get pipped by Arc Shine over this trip on Derby Day and that form has been franked by the winner subsequently. She went on to finish 3rd to Checkmate last time out and now appears to have found a good opportunity to shed her maiden tag.
QUEENS BEST :- Half sister to Dandified trained by Karthik G she looks to have plenty of ability but also plenty of problems judging from the fact that she has only run thrice till date with long gaps between the runs. Excellent runner up to Juggernaut on her debut over 1000M she did not reappear again until April where she again went down narrowly to Gold Field. She was off the track for almost 7 months then, missing the whole Pune season and running in November where she looked rusty and finished 2nd last to Stallone. She again reappears after a longish break and may just need this run so looks a dark horse who has the potential to upset here and could be an interesting outsider if looking well.
WABI SABI :- 4 year old filly from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard, she too is returning from a short break having dropped the rider on her most recent run which was back in January. She has run 4 times since then, her best effort coming over this trip back in Pune where she finished on strongly to be a close 2nd to Aurelia over this trip. She looked out of sorts when only 5th behind Tanjo on her opening run on this track but all the horses who finished in front of her have gone on to win since so the form looks quite solid. She has fitness to prove back from a break but if she is fit and well then she has an excellent chance to bounce back with a win.
TRANSFORM :- Improving 4 year old from the stable of Mansoor Shah who has been sending out quite a few winners of late she showed signs that she was coming to hand last time out when finishing on to be a close 4th to Southpaw about 3 weeks ago. He is running off a very low weight with H. Zeeshan claiming an additional 3 ½ kilos in the saddle so looks a good each way contender at the weights and could spring a surprise
CONCLUSION :- Tenerife looks to have found a good opportunity to gain a maiden victory and is selected to win the finale. Wabi Sabi returning from a break and the bottom weighted Transform look to be the dangers while Queens Best is the dark horse
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
