From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 7th April 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 06 Apr 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 7th April 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The M.D. Petit Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
YELLOWSTONE :- This got abroad 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad and owned by the all conquering combination of Shirke-Dhunjibhoy began racing with a formidable reputation and has had 2 runs so far, one apiece in Pune and Mumbai. He made his debut in a mile maiden in Pune back in October and was sent off a hot favourite but looked very green and inexperienced and was well beaten when 4th behind Lady Almeda. He was then rested and given time to improve and well prepared for his reappearance run which came a little less than 3 weeks ago again over a mile in Class IV. He showed dramatic improvement when coming with a powerful run from the rear to wear down the more experienced Tar Heel and prevail by three parts of a length. He is likely to improve substantially for that run and is open to plenty of progress on just his 3rd career start. His pedigree suggests that he will appreciate the extra distance and he has been penalized 5 ½ kilos for the win. He is 3 ¼ lengths worse off with Tar Heel on the last run but looks capable of improving enough to confirm the form and is strongly fancied with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
FINEST MOMENT :- Moody and unpredictable 5 year old gelding from the stables of Karthik G, he has run 11 times previously and has been improving steadily with his racing and took advantage of a straightforward opportunity last time out when he was demoted to Class V and scored a wide margin 6 length win over Dazzle N Daze over this trip. He has to shoulder a stiff 7 kilo penalty for that win and is taking on much tougher and younger rivals today so he has his work cut out for him and he also has to prove that the win was not a fluke run. However, he is sure to gain confidence from the win and P. Trevor who rode him that day keeps the ride. He does have scope for improvement and stays the trip well but will need to improve on the bare form if he is to repeat.
TAR HEEL :- Improving 4 year old filly from the in form yard of Imtiaz Sait, she has run a total of 8 times so far and is another who seems to have come to hand in just the last couple of months. After a couple of indifferent efforts earlier in the season, she too shed her maiden tag when dropped into Class V, the win coming on her penultimate run over a mile where she pounced late to beat Astral Flare and Dusky Siren. She took the penalty in her stride and ran extremely well last time out on promotion when coming through with a strong run in the straight and going down fighting to Yellowstone. She is now 3 ¼ lengths better on the scale with that rival and on paper stands a good chance to gain revenge. However, her regular partner C.S. Jodha jumps ship to partner In It To Win It and Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle. Her style of racing suggests that she should stay the extra distance and she looks a strong contender.
IN IT TO WIN IT :- Full brother to Makino and half brother to Charging Empress, this 4 year old gelding from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha is another progressive type who has run 7 times till date and scored his maiden victory over a mile last time out, winning by three parts of a length from the late finishing Admo over a mile in the same grade. He is likely to improve for that run and has been working well since then suggesting that he has progressed. Although both his siblings were effective over shorter, he looks the type who will appreciate the extra distance and is open to further improvement. C.S. Jodha who rode him last time jumps off Tar Heel to partner him which may be a significant pointer and with just a 4 ½ kilo penalty to tackle, he looks to have a good chance to repeat if staying the trip well.
TILL END OF TIME :- Yet another progressive 4 year old, this one from the yard of M.K. Jadhav, she has run 5 times till date, scoring her maiden victory over 1400M on her penultimate run, coming with a strong burst from the rear to collar the front running Dixieland and prevail in the lower class. Upped to a mile and promoted to this class last time out, she could only manage to finish 5th next time out but she did not appear to give her true running that day and is worth giving another chance to. She could also be a moody type so it is a positive that T.S. Jodha, who rode her in 3 of her last 4 starts and probably knows her well is back in the saddle replacing P. Trevor who was up last time out. She looks a dark horse who can upset from the bottom of the weights and bears close watching.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the small field this looks quite competitive with many of the runners having scope to improve considerably. Yellowstone is the selection to build on his impressive last run which came after a long lay off. The Vishal Gaikwad ward is out handicapped with Tar Heel but is expected to make the necessary improvement to confirm the form. Tar Heel appears to be the handicap pick with last outing winner In It To Win It also feared.
Race No. 2 :- The Girl From Ipanema Plate – Class III & IV– Distance :- 1600M
GLORIOSUS :- 4 year old colt from the stables of Imtiaz Sait, he has had 10 runs so far in his career, winning on 2 occasions and running respectably on almost every other run and this appears to be his ideal trip at present. He has raced almost exclusively on this track, seeming to not favour Pune where he had one run and finished tailed off. He has had 5 starts this season and after a string of consistent placed efforts in similar events, he scored over 1800 on Derby weekend, staying on strongly to upset red hot favourite Costa Brava and score in a fast time. Penalized 5 kilos for the win, he disappointed next time out when finishing only 4th of 5 in a small field to Texas Gold. He again has to shoulder top weight and concede weight to several promising 4 year olds and although P. Trevor is back in the saddle replacing Neeraj Rawal who rode him the last twice, he looks vulnerable and may struggle under the weight.
SAMARJEET :- 4 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji, he has run 12 times so far with 3 wins to his name and was in cracking form after scoring his maiden win over 1600M in Pune and won back to back races earlier in the current season over 1800M and 2000M before finishing runner up to Sussex Pride again over 2000M. He overcame a rare bad run to finish 3rd to Texas Gold last time out where he finished level with Gloriosus on the same terms. He should prefer the drop back to a mile but likes to race prominently and may not be able to dominate today with a couple of other potential front runners in the field. He has been working well since the run and deserves each way consideration but may need to pull out some more improvement before he can return to winning ways with C.S. Jodha retaining the ride.
MASSIMO :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old colt from the Pesi Shroff yard who has been making steady progress with his racing and has made substantial improvement this term, coming into this race bidding for a hattrick. After reappearing over 1400M this season and finishing on late to be a close 2nd , he has won his last 2 starts over this trip, making the running on both occasions and showing good resilience last time out to hold off the odds on favourite Bottega Louie. He is up a further 5 kilos on the handicap but looks to be improving just enough to defy the handicap on each occasion and is strongly fancied to complete 3 wins in a row. A. Sandesh who gave him a fine ride last time out is up again today and he appears to be the most likely winner in this field.
GRAND ACCORD :- 4 year old got abroad gelding from the strong yard of Karthik G, he has raced 7 times till date with 1 win to his name, that win coming over this trip earlier in the season in Class IV where he stayed on well to get the better of Khartoum. Since then he has been tried thrice over longer trips without success, travelling strongly off the bridle but then not finding too much once asked for an effort and he was a well backed favourite last time out when a poor 3rd to Sagittarius over 2400M. The drop back to this trip makes sense and he is still unexposed over it so he could very well bounce back today and although the switch from Trevor to Bhawani Singh is a negative, he should not be ignored.
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- This 4 year old got abroad filly trained by Altamaash Ahmed is very interesting off this low weight and could be the potential fly in the ointment in this field. She looked very promising when winning her 2nd start over 1400M in great style and was taken to Bangalore for the Fillies Trial Stakes. She ran disappointingly in her lead up race though and was put away for the rest of the season and did not reappear again until January after a break of 8 months, running over 1400M and finishing a fair 6th to Aurelia. She was expected to improve for the run and was well backed when tried over 2000M last time out but could not quicken after being well placed and ended up well beaten. She returns to a mile now which may suit her and if she has managed to get back to her winning form after the 2 runs, then she looks a danger to all at the low weight and may spring a surprise with S.A. Amit in the saddle. However, one would like to see more from her on the track before recommending her chances and she remains an upset.
CONCLUSION :- The improving Massimo looks likely to complete a hattrick of wins and is selected to score again here. Grand Accord returning to this trip looks to be the main danger.
Race No. 3 :- The Bahrain Trophy – Terms, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1000M
IMPALA :- Thrice raced 3 year old gelding from the stable of Narendra Lagad, he made his debut over this trip back in January when apparently out for an airing but caught the eye making good late headway to fill the frame behind Divine Power although the form of that race has taken a few knocks since. He was tried over 1200M in the B.K. Rattonsey Million on Derby Day but found the opposition too stiff, ending up 6th about 6 lengths behind the winner Dance The Dream. He returned to 1000M last time out and showed good determination to upset the short priced favourite Run Forest Run and score a maiden success. He has a penalty to carry for his win and looks held by the unbeaten Columbianaprincess who is likely to improve past him on a line through the runner up. He appears the more fancied of the yard’s 2 runners with Dashrath Singh in the saddle but looks to have more of a place chance.
COLOMBIANAPRINCESS :- This speedy daughter of Kanthara from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha impressed many on her debut when relatively unfancied, showing good speed to get the better of favourite Run Forest Run and win quite convincingly in the end. She did not look fully wound up that day and so is expected to improve considerably although she is now running after a gap of 2 months. She looks a speedy sort who is sure to improve and should get the better of Impala on the scale. Nirmal Jodha who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she looks sure to make a bold bid to maintain her unbeaten record.
GODSWORD :- The 2nd runner from the Narendra Lagad yard, she finished up 3rd to Columbianaprincess on debut when unfancied and beaten about 6 ½ lengths. She improved for that debut run when scoring a fluent success in a weak 5 furlong maiden beating Clark Kent and Buddy Holly. There is on obvious reason why she should reverse the form with Columbianaprincess in spite of having herself improved and in spite of her recent good work, she too appears more of a minor berth contender with J. Chinoy who had ridden her on both her previous runs, up again today.
RIQUEWIHR :- One of the most experienced runners in this field with 3 runs under her belt already, this half sister to Constantine appears to possess good speed and should be suited by the return to this 5 furlong trip. She made a very impressive winning debut over it back in December winning by almost a 6 length margin but was then upset by Star Inspiration in the Gool S. Poonawalla Million over 1200M. She ran a forward race again over 1200M last time out and was being hailed the winner before being shocked by lesser fancied stable mate Madagascar who has gone on to frank the form. Back down to this trip and with P. Trevor booked to ride, she looks to have an outstanding chance to resume her progress and is very strongly fancied .
EXCELLENT :- The most interesting of the debutants, this 3 year old Excellent Art filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard will run in the famous Ruffina colours and appears to be a speedy sort judging from her preparatory work. She has been given enough work to be fit enough first time out and has been showing good speed in the morning gallops. A. Sandesh has been booked to ride and receiving weight from the winners and with a good draw in Stall 2, she looks to have the potential to win first time out and must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- This should be between the Pesi Shroff trained Riquewihr and the impressive debut winner Columbianaprincess with the former looking to have slightly better form and marginally preferred. Of the debutantes Excellent looks a speedy type and is also feared.
Race No. 4 :- The Madras Race Club Trophy – Class I and II – Distance :- 1200M
ABBEY :- Wonderfully consistent and reliable 6 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas, she has been a loyal servant to her connections over the years, finishing in the first two in 13 of her 21 starts and winning on 6 occasions. Although her best form has been mainly over 5 furlongs, she showed that she can get this trip with maturity and was a gritty winner over it on her penultimate start giving weight and a beating to Mygrator who reopposes today. She ran a respectable 5th in the S.C. Jain on her last start but has to again concede plenty of weight to the younger horses. P. Trevor has been booked to ride so she is likely to make a bold bid from the front and although she appears to have plenty to do, it would be no surprise if she were to prevail. She has a small win chance and is respected.
TIMELESS :- One of the highest rated and best performed 3 year olds in his juvenile season, he seemed to lose his way in the middle of his career but appears to have returned to his best and comes into this race in prime form, bidding for a 3rd straight win after 2 stylish successes, the last of them coming over this trip where he easily beat Summer Rays and Rising Brave in the lower grade. He looks to have maintained his condition well since the last run and is a leading fancy to complete his hattrick as he is currently in sublime form. C.S. Jodha who rode him the last twice is up again today and although he concedes 2 kilos to Mygrator, he should be good enough to win this.
MYGRATOR :- Solid and consistent 4 year old gelding from the stable of MaleshNarredu, he has finished in the first two in 8 of his 11 runs winning 4 races on the trot during the recent Pune season although he is yet to enter the winner’s enclosure this term. After an unsuccessful tilt at the Indian 2000 Guineas, he dropped back to sprinting and was a shade unlucky to go down to Abbey by awhisker when not getting the clearest of runs in the straight. He looked a bit out of his depth in the S.C. Jain but this looks decidedly easier and he would fancy his chances of gaining revenge on Abbey with a 2 kilo pull in the weights. P.S. Chouhan as usual has been booked to ride and he would appear to be a live danger to Timeless.
GOVERNOR GENERAL :- Aged but consistent 6 year old trained by M.K. Jadhav he has been struggling with his handicap mark after tackling early season unfitness which saw him withdrawn on a couple of occasions and he has finished runner up in his last 2 starts over this trip and then over 7 furlongs when chasing home Congressional in a 4 runner affair. He has been working well for some time now and is tried with blinkers today with K. Nazil booked to ride, ensuring that he will be running practically bareback. He still looks up against it with the 4 year olds and is likely to fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :- Timeless is strongly fancied to get the better of Mygrator and complete a deserving hattrick of wins
Race No. 5 :- The Stylecracker Stakes – Class IV and V, 4 Years Old only – Distance :- 1200M
GOLD FIELD :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, she is a winner of 2 of her 9 starts having raced exclusively over sprints till date, her maiden win coming over 5 furlongs but her most recent victory which came a couple of starts ago was over this trip when holding off Make It Shine to win at odds on in a Class IV field. She has run twice since then in the higher class, last time out finishing 5th to Juggernaut over 1000M. She has been eased again in grade into Class IV and D.R. Shubham claims a useful 5 kilos in the saddle and had a winner for the yard a couple of weeks ago. She has been working well and looks to have strong each way claims in this field.
NEMBE GREEK :- 4 year old filly from the Faisal Abbas stable, she has managed to win 1 of her 9 starts so far but is relatively unexposed over this trip and the form of her maiden win over course and distance in December would give her an excellent chance as she easily beat Chaplin who has won numerous races since. Her first 2 runs in handicaps were poor but she seemed to be finding her feet last time out when she finished on strongly over 1000M to be a close 3rd to Fine Tune with the same rider up. Her last few workouts have been quite impressive and she can progress again from that last run then she looks to have a strong chance to gain a 2nd success.
QUEEN’S BEST :- Half sister to Dandified from the powerful yard of Karthik G she does not appear to be completely sound but clearly has ability as she has finished runner up in 3 of her 4 runs till date and is likely to win one of these races before too long. She has had plenty of gaps between each of her races and after needing the lung opener earlier this season, she looked like returning to form last time out when finishing on well to be a close 2nd to Tenerife over this trip. The booking of P. Trevor suggests that connections fancy their chances today and with normal progression, she looks to have an excellent chance to gain an overdue maiden success.
TRUE GRIT :- Has an eye catching pedigree being a half brother to Ice Glacier but he has been tried only over 1000M in his 4 runs till date and has not done anything of note till date. He returned from a long lay off last time out so most likely was rusty that day and should have improved for the run and stripped fitter. He steps up to 6 furlongs for the first time today and C.S. Jodha who rode him last time out keeps the ride. He is expected to improve for that last run and is likely to run better today although he may eventually come into his own over more galloping ground. He can upset and bears watching.
CONCLUSION :- Queens Best with Trevor up is sure to be very well fancied but she may be worth taking on at the forecast odds with Nembe Greek. The daughter of Surfrider was an impressive winner over this trip earlier in the season and seemed to be returning to that form last time out.
Race No. 6 :- The Ahu Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
ABRAXAS :- Speedy 4 year old maiden now trained by Narendra Lagad she has been showing good early speed for the minimum trip but has failed to sustain her efforts thus far, her closest being a one length 3rd to Speedo back in January. She has run her last few races in the higher class and last time out when dropped into this grade was well fancied but ended up 4th behind Bohemian. She looks capable of scoring in this grade and will be benefitted by the booking of K. Nazil who claims a useful 3.5 kilos in the saddle. She should win one of these contests before too long and looks to have a strong each way chance today.
BLAZING STEPS :- Sparingly raced 6 year old gelding trained by Altaf Hussain who has had surprisingly few runners this season, he has caught form this term and has been knocking at the door, finishing runner up in each of his 3 runs this season. Overall winless from 13 starts, he finished on with a rattle over 1200M on his reappearance in the higher class to finish a close 2nd to Untitled with a feeble rider up. Dropped down to this grade and well fancied the last twice over this trip, he was first runner up to Art O War and most recently to Dolphin. He has been given a 2 month break since the last run and C.S. Jodha is an encouraging booking today and he seems to be in good form judging from his most recent workouts. He is a consistent type who can gain an overdue success today and is well respected.
ARVAN :- Another relatively unexposed type this 5 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas is a maiden after 12 starts but has come down in the scales with a string of poor efforts and just seems to have hit form in his last couple of starts. Tried for the first time over 1000M back in December he finished a close 3rd to Zion and Adele and after a poor effort in between, was heavily backed last time out over this trip but could not hold off Arc of Passion, ending up 2nd. The booking of P. Trevor who takes over from G. Amit is extremely encouraging as he seldom rides for the yard and a big run is anticipated. He has bagged the plum rail draw as well and seems to have his best chance today to shed his maiden tag.
SPARKLING THEA :- Relatively exposed but consistent 5 year old mare from the stable of Narendra Lagad she is the only previous winner in this field, having scored once from her 20 runs till date, that win coming last January off a slightly higher mark. She has been quite consistent in similar contests this season but both Blazing Steps and Arvan appear to have her measure based on previous meetings this season. She is expected to run well again with T.S. Jodha in the saddle but looks more of a minor berth contender today.
ROYAL BLOOD :- Another inconsistent but potentially unexposed 5 year old gelding from the yard of Rehanullah Khan he has run 13 times till date without success and mainly has run poorly save for one effort early in the season where he finished on strongly over this trip to be a late finishing 2nd to Make It Shine. He has failed to run upto that level in 4 subsequent races but has a better rider booked today in the form of Kishore Kadam. The percentage call is to oppose him as he has run poorly most times but if he can regain the form of that good 2nd, then he could be in the firing line and looks a potential upset horse.
CONCLUSION :- In a race which is probably best avoided, the two to concentrate on appear to be Arvan and Blazing Steps and this pair should fight out the finish.
Race No. 7 :- The Ahu Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
SCION :- Interesting runner as he is a nicely bred 5 year old gelding by Paco Boy and does not appear to belong in this grade. Trained by Altaf Hussain and with no form in his 7 runs so far, he ran a forward race over a mile last time out and has now been eased in grade and dropped to the minimum trip. He has a couple of 4th placed finishes to his name over sprints previously and after feeble rider B Nikhil riding him the last few times, decent claimer Vishal Bunde is up and claims a useful 3.5 kilos. He has the potential to be better than these rivals and if putting his best foot forward, he could be an end of season surprise and looks a potential dark horse who can provide value if looking well
BEYOND FORCES :- This 6 year old mare from the bang in form Mansoor Shah yard is the clear form pick here and was unlucky not to score last time out over this trip when just failing to reel in the speedy Bohemian. Still a maiden after 12 runs, she has placed in her last 3 runs, and with in form Z. Zeeshan in the saddle and the rail draw to help her, she looks to have fine chance to score an overdue maiden success and looks the one to beat in this field
DANCE OF FIRE :- One of 3 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable in this field and the one who appears to be the main fancy of the stable with out station rider Hindu Singh an interesting jockey booking. Winless in 12 attempts and racing mainly over this trip only, she caught the eye when making late headway from the rear to finish 4th to Dolphin over this trip. She is expected to build on that last run and if she is able to do so, then she looks to have an each way chance here although one would like to see some more dash from her before recommending her for win purposes.
RICH N RARE :- Also from the Lagad stable this 6 year old mare looks capable of striking off this mark but has a poor overall record of 1 win only from 30 starts and looks more exposed than most of these. She has run 4 times this season without making the frame but finished just outside the frame the last twice suggesting she was coming to some form. She looks capable of being involved in the places with Raghuveer Singh in the saddle today but is more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
ARC OF PASSION :- 5 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi, she took as many as 21 starts to shed her maiden tag but finally managed to do so over course and distance last time out with the same rider up, foiling the hot favourite Arvan, who’s run earlier in the card will give a hint to the form. She comes into this race with some confidence with her penalty practically negated by her rider’s claim and looks to have a strong chance to repeat so is strongly fancied to go in again
CONCLUSION :-A chance is taken here on the got abroad Scion who could spring a surprise at an attractive price. He showed speed over a mile last time out and has now been eased in grade and trip. The form pick here is the consistent Beyond Forces who would be the more logical choice along with last outing winner Arc of Passion
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
