From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 1st April, 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 31 Mar 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 1st April, 2018.
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The J.D. & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy – Terms, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1600M
MADAGASCAR :-One of three runners from the Pesi Shroff yard which dominates the small field of 5, this Phoenix Tower gelding is a full brother to In My Dream and is the only previous winner in the field and has to carry a 4 kilo penalty as a result. Taking on two previous winners on his debut in the Gracious Saldanha Memorial Million in mid February, he looked very green and inexperienced and trailed in the early part but the penny dropped midway up the straight and he motored home in spite of running erratically so score an impressive upset win. He is sure to improve substantially for that run and should be much better prepared today. S. Zervan who rode him that day keeps the ride and he looks a strong fancy to repeat in spite of having to concede the weight
GOLD MEDALIST :-The most experienced runner in the field, this son of Dean’s Kitten is trained by S.A. Waheed and has had 3 previous runs, the last two coming over this trip. After getting an educative run on debut over 1000M, he was upped to a mile and finished a faraway 3rd to Van Dyke. He raced again over a mile 2 ½ weeks later this time ending up 3rd to Kora Jade and Shae. His form looks modest so far and this is his 4th start so he has less scope to improve than his rivals. T.S. Jodha has been booked to ride today, he does seem to stay this trip and can battle it out for minor honours but will probably find some of the more unexposed types improving past him
MERLIN :- Stable and Owner Mate of Madagascar, this half brother to Columbiana was well fancied on his debut over 1400M about 3 weeks ago and ran respectably, looking a little green under pressure and finding the more experienced Augustus Caesar too strong for him in the finish. Trevor did not give him an unduly hard time when he realized his chance had gone and he finished a decent 3rd with Bushtops running on to take 2nd. He is sure to improve considerably for that run and strip fitter, his recent track work has been excellent and P. Trevor retains the ride. The 4 kilo advantage will definitely be in his favour and he stands a very good chance to get off the mark today
PATRIOTS DAY :-Fashionably bred got abroad from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, this son of Zoffany looks a smart sort on paper and has been showing out nicely in the morning trials. He has been given enough of preparatory work to be fit enough on his debut and the presence of A. Sandesh in the saddle means that connections are hoping for a big run. He looks to be a decent prospect and it would be no surprise if he were good enough to win first time out. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition but if looking well, he definitely has possibilities and is dangerous to ignore
CONCLUSION :-In spite of the 4 kilo penalty it is hard not to be impressed with Madagascar’s debut run where he humbled a pair of more experienced and race fit winners. The longer distance is sure to be in his favour and with the benefit of experience, he is selected to get the better of ownermate and stable companion Merlin who is likely to start at a shorter price. Patriots Day also looks a good type and should not be ignored if looking well
Race No. 2 :- The P.B. Avasia Plate – Class II – Distance :- 1800M
SELFIE STAR :-4 year old grey filly from the Dallas Todywalla stable, she has acquitted herself well in her 10 runs so far, winning on 4 occasions including a smooth tactical success over 2400M last time out when given a shrewd ride from the front by David Allan. She comes into this race in excellent form and the 1800M is likely to be to her advantage. She has to concede weight all around but H. Zeeshan claims a valuable 2 ½ kilos in the saddle and taking on rivals who all have some questions to answer she looks a strong fancy to go in again
MULTGLORY :- Well bred but out of form 6 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he has a good overall record of 5 wins and 9 places from his 25 starts till date but his last win came almost a year ago to the day and he has had a quiet last 12 months. He appeared to be rediscovering some spark last time out over 2400M when he ended only 2 lengths behind Selfie Star giving her 4 kilos and he too will be better suited by the drop to 1800M. He is very closely matched with her on that run, Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle from P. Trevor and if he can eke out some more improvement from that last run, then he could bounce back to form and return to the winner’s circle
LORD OF THE SEA :- Strong galloping 4 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard he is a winner of 3 of his 11 starts but has been doing most of his racing over much longer trips of late, returning from Kolkotta where he ended up 4th in the Stayers Cup over 3000M. He returned this season better than ever after a gelding operation and scored quick fire back to back wins, first getting up late over a mile to pip Gloriosus and immediately following up with a 2400M win over Sussex Pride who is better off at the weights today. He then travelled to Chennai and Bangalore to contest the regional Derbies, ending 3rd in Chennai and 5th in Bangalore before another journey to Kolkotta for the Stayers Cup. He has been doing plenty of travelling of late plus racing over much further so there is that niggling suspicion that things may happen for him too quickly over this shorter trip. S. Zervan takes the ride today and he has to be considered but may be found warming up that wee bit too late
SUSSEX PRIDE :-Fully exposed 5 year old from the small string of trainer Subhag Singh, he is yet to rediscover his glorious form of last season where he rattled off a string of victories although he has managed to win once this term, over 2000M beating Samarjeet convincingly in a small field. He was 3rd to Gloriosus and Costa Brava over this trip on his penultimate run and is slightly better off with Lord of the Sea on their earlier meeting over 2400M. He will be ridden by T.S. Jodha today and is given a small chance to upset
CAPRISCA :- This highly regarded 4 year old from the yard of ImtiazSait appears the most interesting runner in this field as he is having his first run since being gelded after his dismal performance in the Kolkotta Derby where he finished last of the 6 runners. He looked very promising in his Juvenile season and did run a decent 3rd in the Pune Derby behind Lady in Lace and Rochester but his Mumbai season form was quite dismal, finishing last in the Morvi and only 6th in the Indian 2000 Guineas. He has been rested and well prepared since the gelding operation and his recent track work has been quite encouraging. He comes into this race on a handy mark compared to his main rivals and has had enough time to recover. P. Trevor is in the saddle and he looks set to resume his racing with a winning effort and is strongly fancied
CONCLUSION :- In spite of having his first run since a gelding operation in January, Caprisca is selected to get the better of Selfie Star and Multiglory and make a winning comeback. He has been working very well and has been judiciously prepared by his diligent trainer and looks well placed on the scales.
Race No. 3 :- The V.R. Menon Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
KOMANDANT :- Aged 7 year old gelding from the yard of S.A. Waheed, he has an unenviable record of just 1 win to his name from his 23 starts but that win came off a mark of 30 over a similar trip and he has come down in the scales now to below that mark. He has already had 6 runs this season and a couple of those have suggested that his turn is not too far away, finishing 3rd to Samarjeet and Baby Face over 1800M and then runner up to Smasher over 2400M the time after that. He ended a faraway 4th behind Khartoum over this trip last time out but has been further eased in grade into the lowest class and takes on weaker opposition now. Good out station apprentice KunalBunde has been booked to ride and he merits each way consideration in this company
MASTER OF STUDIES :-Very interesting and unexposed 4 year old got abroad gelding from the yard of Altamash Ahmed, he has always been highly regarded by his connections but has failed to do anything noteworthy in his 4 starts till date. He made his debut in Bangalore last July where he ran twice over middle distances and finished well beaten on both occasions before making a solitary appearance in Pune over 1800M where he also finished tailed off. Returning from a further 7 months off, he made his handicap debut 2 weeks ago over a mile and ran a forward race, leading for a long way before fitness probably became an issue. He should be much fitter and sharper for that run and is also eased in grade today into Class V. H. Zeeshan takes over from NeerajRawal in the saddle and over this 2000M trip, this unexposed gelding is a potential improver and could prove to be better than his current mark
SILVER MOON :-Very lightly raced for her age, this 6 year old mare from the Karthik G. yard has only run 6 times so far and is still a maiden but has run promisingly both runs this season before being withdrawn on her last intended start. She finished on to be 3rd to Happy Birthday over a mile on reappearance and upped to this trip next time out, again finished on late to be 3rd to Silver Edge and Star Ace. That run was in December so she too is returning from a short break and Bhawani Singh replaces S. Sunil in the saddle. She has fitness to prove back from the break as there is no track work on record but if resuming in the same mood as earlier in the season, she looks to have strong each way claims
POETRYINMOTION :- Another unexposed 4 year old filly trained by ImtiazSait, she has been taking her time to come to hand having run 5 times so far without any signs of form, the first four of those over middle distances but she was raced over a mile and a half last time out and although ending 5th of 6, she was a lot more in touch with the field than with her earlier runs. She is dropped in grade and slightly in trip to 2000M and Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride today in place of C.S. Jodha. She has been working well of late suggesting that she is coming to hand and if she is able to find some improvement, she could very well be a factor
ALOHA :- Another nicely bred 4 year old filly who has taken her time to come to hand and is still a maiden after 9 starts but after several disappointing runs, finally showed signs that she is finding her feet when finishing on strongly last time out over a mile to end up a very close 3rd to Sir Song over a mile. She looks likely to build on that last effort and the additional 400M should be firmly in her favour. She seems to set the form standard on that last run and with C.S. Jodha retaining the ride, she should be hard to beat in this company if building on that last effort and looks a leading contender
CONCLUSION :-Aloha appears to set the form standard on her flying late 3rd over a mile last time out and if she can progress from that run, she looks hard to beat. The 2 other unexposed 4 year olds Master of Studies and Poetryinmotion look interesting alternatives and are feared most
Race No. 4 :- The Rustomji Byramji Trophy – Div. II – Class IV & V , 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
KODIAC QUEEN :- Inconsistent 5 year old mare from the AdhirajsinghJodha stable, she was a winner on debut over 1200M but has failed to add to that success in 12 starts since although she has managed to place on a number of occasions. She has run 3 times previously this season with 2 poor efforts but one good run on her penultimate start over this trip where she finished on well to be runner up to Brothersofthewind with the same rider on board. She could only manage 6th just behind Firenze in a similar contest last time out and although D.S. Daman is back in the saddle, she has to concede weight all around here and looks to be more of a place prospect
FIRENZE :- Well bred and sparingly raced mare from the yard of Sanjay Kolse, she has had 11 runs so far over distances ranging from 1200-1600M and has managed one win over a mile which came last April in a similar contest. She has had 2 runs apiece in Mumbai and Pune since that last win, both her runs this season being decent efforts, finishing just outside the frame on both occasions, last time out just ahead of Kodiak Queen and only 3 lengths behind the winner. The return to the saddle of Dashrath Singh replacing S.J. Sunil is encouraging, she should be fit enough after 2 runs this term and looks to have a good each way chance if running upto her best
RARE SILVER :- Inconsistent 6 year old gelding trained by ImtiazSait, he has also had only 1 previous success and in contrast to the others has run 21 times so far, his win coming in March last year over 1200M in Class V. He went desperately close to adding to that on his seasonal reappearance this term, again over 1200M where he was pipped on the post by Philadelphia. He seems to have lost form since then, running poorly in 4 subsequent starts but his recent track work has been encouraging and hints at a possible revival. C.S. Jodha takes the ride again today and although he is not entirely reliable, he can be involved if in a galloping mood
FRIBOURG :- 7 year old gelding from the stable of Mansoor Shah who has been rattling in the winners in the latter half of the season and he has been knocking at the door in his last couple of starts. He has been skilfully brought down in the scales to an extremely useful mark and showed signs of a revival on his penultimate run where he finished on strongly with a feeble apprentice up to be 3rd to Walk On By. He was well fancied just last week in a similar contest over 1200M but found Royal Mews to be too strong, ending up a good 2nd. The additional furlong looks to be to his advantage, H. Zeeshan retains the ride and all factors point to him adding another success for his in form stable
DUSKY SIREN :-5 year old mare trained by Subhag Singh and to be ridden by P. Trevor, she is still a maiden after 11 starts and most of her good runs have come in the lower class and she has struggled whenever upped to this grade in the past. However, her best run till date came earlier this season over this trip where she finished a 1 length 2nd to Jeena and that is the only other time P. Trevor has ridden her so his presence in the saddle must be respected. She has been working quite well and is expected to run a big race
CONCLUSION :-Fribourg is selected to make it 3rd time lucky after 2 near misses in his last 2 starts with his yard going through a purple patch at the moment. Dusky Siren with P. Trevor up and Firenze look to be the main dangers
Race No. 5 :- The Prince Jehan Plate – Class III – Distance :- 1000M
ORACLE :-4 year old gelding trained by NazakChenoy with an impressive strike rate of 3 wins from 7 starts and has been in good form this season with a win and two seconds to his name. No match for Lincoln over this trip on his reappearance but ending up a clear 2nd, he went on to score comfortably over Wise Child next time out before being shocked close home by Juggernaut last time out. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness since that run and with P. Trevor up again, he looks likely to return to winning ways and appears to be a strong fancy
JUGGERNAUT :-Enigmatic 4 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad yard, he has raced exclusively over sprints till date and is a winner of 4 of his 14 starts. After being seemingly out of form for much of the season, he bounced back in no uncertain terms last time out, coming with a strong late run to shock Oracle and the rest close home. His penalty will make life more difficult for him and he does not appear to be totally straightforward but Raghuveer Singh claims a handy 3 ½ kilos in the saddle and he has bagged the plum rail draw so can upset if he turns up in a galloping mood again
PRICELESS GIRL :- 6 year old mare trained by C. Rajendra, she is a winner of 3 of her 13 starts but she has been a late maturing type and 2 of those 3 wins have come this season, the first of them with today’s rider in the saddle. She has gone up considerably in the scale as a result but is hard to peg back when hitting the front and all of her wins have been pillar to post affairs. She was a facile winner last time out in older company but may struggle to repeat against the younger horses. She should make a bold bid to win from the front again today but may find today’s opposition too strong
WISE CHILD :-Speedily bred and lightly raced 4 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard he seems to have a touch of “seconditis” having finished runner up in 4 of his 7 starts till date, and has been second on all three runs this season, last time out proving no match for Clymene. He is handicapped ¾ length better than Oracle on their last meeting and A. Sandesh returns to ride him after a couple of starts. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness well since the last run and clearly looks to have a strong chance today to add to his previous solitary success
SERENO :- Another up and coming 4 year old sprinter, this one from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he is a winner of 2 of his 9 starts and appears to be gradually coming back to his best after a poor start to the season. He won over this trip on his penultimate run in the lower class and last time ended up a close 3rd just a shade behind Oracle who reopposes today. H. Zeeshan who rode him last time out keeps the ride and he has been working very well for some time now but Oracle did finish ahead of him last time on similar terms and there is on obvious reason why he should reverse that form. He looks an each way player
POKERFACE :-4 year old gelding trained by NoshirCama who is slowly working his way back into form and seems to be hitting top gear gradually. Impressive winner of his maiden over this trip, he seemed to suffer a setback racing only once in Pune and running poorly when tried over 7 furlongs on his seasonal reappearance here. He has made gradual progress in his two runs since, both over 6 furlongs and last time out kicked on to finish 2nd to Checkmate off top weight in the lower class, running a forward race and keeping on well. He is upped in grade but takes a substantial drop in weight as a result and looks very well placed on the scales receiving plenty of weight. K. Nazil takes the ride, he has been working very well and looks a big danger to all dropped back down to the minimum
CONCLUSION :-This looks to be mainly between the top weighted Oracle and the feather weighted Pokerface. The latter finished 2 ½ lengths behind Oracle and Wise Child over course and distance last season and now receives 12 and 7 ½ kilos respectively from them so looks extremely well handicapped. Wise Child also looks well placed on the scales but seems to be an eternal bridesmaid
Race No. 6 :- The Regal Equity Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
COLLEGIUM :- Consistent 4 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he has managed to win only one of his 13 starts till date, scoring an impressive 7 furlong maiden win towards the end of the Pune season but being unable to repeat that feat this term although he has placed on a couple of occasions. He has had 5 starts this term, finishing a close 2nd over 1400M to Priceless Art back in December and again running well last time out when a close 3rd behind Harmony of the Sea. His two in between runs were in the higher class so he appears to do better in this grade and has been working well since his last run. The shorter trip should not be a problem and with R. Ajinkya up again he looks to be a strong each way player
HUDSON :-Lightly raced and progressive filly from the stables of MaleshNarredu, she has had just 4 runs till date and proved far too strong for her opponents last time out in the lower class over this trip when winning by a large margin in spite of conceding weight all around. She incurs a stiff 8 kilo penalty for that win but is open to further improvement on just her 5th start. P.S. Chouhan is replaced in the saddle by in form claimer H. Zeeshan and in spite of the stiff penalty she looks to have an excellent chance to go in again and commands respect
GOLDEN WEAVER :- Lightly raced, well bred and relatively unexposed 4 year old gelding trained by HosidarDaji, he has had 3 runs till date, and possibly needed the run when finishing a modest 6th in the higher class on his only previous run this season which came over 1400M back in December. He was an extremely impressive winner in this grade on only his 2nd career start in Pune when he scored a fluent win over 7 furlongs and clearly seems to have ability but is a moody customer to boot. He has been brought along steadily since that earlier run and given time to improve and with K. Nazil in the saddle, he looks a dark horse who could spring a surprise if turning up with his galloping shoes on
SASSY LASS :-Comes from the small stable of Asad Siddiqui but has done fairly well for her small yard and was a rare classic entry for her trainer when taking part in the Indian 1000 Guineas where she finished up midfield. She is yet to pass the post first in her 7 starts till date but had placed in every other run besides the Guineas, so was a shade disappointing last time out when well fancied and only able to end up 5th to Star of Thea. Amyn Merchant who rode her last time out is up again today which is a slight deterrent but she clearly looks capable of winning off her current mark and cannot be ignored
SHE’S A TIGER :-Full sister to Indian 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Tiger this dickey legged 5 year old trained by NazakChenoy is also a maiden from 7 starts but has gone close on a number of occasions and looks certain to hit the mark before too long. She has performed well on all her 3 runs this term, last time out looking ready to strike when finishing on strongly to be a 1 length 3rd to Centaurus over 1400M albeit in older company. P. Trevor who rode her that day retains the ride and she is another worthy of serious consideration with the slight drop in trip not expected to be a bother
JIGAR :-Improving 4 year old filly from the Faisal Abbas yard, she has run thrice prior to this after making her debut back in December, last time out upped to a mile and finishing just outside the frame when 5th to Huzzah’s Grace in the lower class. His recent track movements suggest that he has improved of late and now upped in grade but eased in trip he bears close watching with in form apprentice G. Amit in the saddle
CONCLUSION :-A competitive looking handicap with several chances and a tentative selection is Sassy Lass who has been knocking at the door for some time and did not give off her best last time out. Impressive lower class winner Hudson and the consistent Collegium look the next best
Race No. 7 :- The Rustomji Byramji Trophy – Div. I – Class IV &V , 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
SENSEX :- Fully exposed 6 year old handicapper from the ImtiazSait yard, he has won 2 of his 22 starts till date and has managed to place on 9 other occasions for a decent overall record. He has slowly been trying to find some form this term and last time out performed modestly in a small field to end up 3rd to Forest Fairy over this trip. His previous wins have both come over 7 furlongs and C.S. Jodha is replaced by stable claimer Raghuveer Singh who takes a handy 3 ½ kilos off. He is more or less in the handicappers grip at present but is worth considering each way in this older horses contest
SUMAAQ :- 6 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas, she is another who looks to be currently in the grip of the handicapper and has managed to win 2 of her 25 starts till date. She has been consistently making the frame this season without quite looking like winning although she did go very close back in December when only beaten half a length by Carnival over a mile. She appears to have maintained her condition well since finishing 4th to Yellowstone when well backed last time out and with C.S. Jodha back in the saddle replacing G. Amit, she is another who looks to have each way claims in this company
DIBABA :- 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse, she is a winner of 2 of her 18 starts till date and has run quite consistently since scoring over this trip back in Pune. She looked like she was ready to progress again when finishing on powerfully to be ¾ length behind Relentless Pursuit in a similar contest last time out with A. Sandesh up. S. Zervan has been booked to ride today, she appears to have maintained her form since the run and now looks to have a very good chance to gain another success and must be respected
MASTER OF TRINITY :-Half brother to Ocean and Beyond who has always been highly regarded by connections but not quite lived upto expectations and recently changed hands and was sold into Narendra Lagad’s yard. Winner of just 1 of his 16 starts but having placed quite frequently he was given a lung opener over 1200M with Dashrath Singh up last time out and is now upped to his more favoured 7 furlongs and has in form apprentice K. Nazil on board. He is another who looks potentially well treated at present and can be involved if making some progress for this new trainer
ROUSSEAU :-Potentially much better than his current mark and very lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Altamash Ahmed, he is the class act in this field but has had plenty of injury problems and is returning now from over a year off the track. He was last seen in January of 2017 when finishing a very good close 2nd to Winter Renaissance who is now in Class I and has run just 4 times so is open to plenty of improvement. He has been well prepared for this including a Mock Race but the trip will be very much on the sharp side and fitness is a major concern. Bhawani Singh has been booked to ride and he looks the dark horse in this field who can show his class and win against the odds
ARSENAL :- 7 year old maretrained by Shazaan Shah, she has been skilfully brought down to what looks to be a workable mark and has hinted at a return to form the last twice when finishing on to be 4th. The booking of P. Trevor catches the eye and if showing some more improvement, she could be good enough to earn another bracket and must be considered
CONCLUSION :-In an open finale, it is tempting to take a chance at a double figure price on the well bred Rousseau. He is returning after a long lay off over a trip which is extremely sharp for him but may have the class to prove himself better than this lot. Dibaba and Arsenal with P. Trevor up seem to be the others worthy of consideration
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
