From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 15th April 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 14 Apr 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 15th April 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Rapier Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
MASTER OF STUDIES :-This got abroad 4 year old gelding from the yard of Altamash Ahmed looks a very interesting contender and is having his 3rd start this season after having made his debut during the last Bangalore summer. He has run a total of 5 times till date and has nothing to show for his efforts so far. Last time out over this trip, he travelled strongly for a long way before weakening to finish 5th about 8 lengths behind Lucky Luciano who reopposes today. He does not seem to have quite come into his own yet but has an attractive pedigree and surely does not belong in this grade. S. Zervan has been booked to ride today replacing H. Zeeshan, he should have attained a good degree of fitness after 2 lung openers and although there is no form to go by, he could conceivably upset if making some improvement.
SHAKIN STEVENS :- Maiden 4 year old gelding from the in form yard of Imtiaz Sait, he has yet to prove himself in 6 runs so far, having made his debut on this track last April and after 3 runs in Pune, made his reappearance here only in February where he was given a lung opener and he was strongly fancied last time out over 1400M about 3 weeks ago but after being in a challenging position at the top of the bend, he weakened to finish 6th to Fencing. He has been working well for quite a long time now but has yet to reproduce on the race track. He is stepped up to this trip in the hopes of unlocking some improvement, Deep Shankar replaces C.S. Jodha in the saddle and in this weak field, he deserves a fair consideration with the yard in great form at present.
SILVER MOON :-6 year old mare from the stables of Karthik G who has been quite sparingly raced and has only had 7 starts till date. She looked to be finding some form in the early part of the season where she first finished a fair 3rd over a mile and followed that up with a close 3rd to Silver Edge over this trip. However she seemed to suffer a setback after that and reappeared 2 weeks ago where she ran poorly to finish 6th behind a couple of these. She may have needed that lung opener after the break and at least has shown some previous form so if she can strip fitter and rediscover her form from earlier in the season then she stands a strong chance with Bhawani Singh in the saddle again.
LUCKY LUCIANO :- 4 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has run 10 times till date without much success but showed he may be coming to hand last time out over course and distance 2 weeks ago where he finished a close 2nd to Komandant beating Master of Studies and Silver Moon quite convincingly. That was his best run till date and if he is able to build on that performance or even run upto that level, then he looks to have an excellent chance to score here. C.S. Jodha takes over from Nirmal Jodha in the saddle and he appears to be the clear form choice
WHOOPSIDAISY :- 4 year old maiden filly trained by Faisal Abbas, she has run 9 times till date and hinted at some ability on her penultimate run over 7 furlongs where she ended up 2nd to Ricardus. She was well fancied over the same trip last time out but ran poorly and ended up a distant 8th some way behind Shakin Stevens who was 6th that day. She too is being tried over more galloping ground and Amyn Merchant takes over in the saddle from G. Amit. That run may have just been a one off so she has a bit to prove now but can be involved if taking to the longer trip.
CONCLUSION :-A messy race to get things underway. Lucky Luciano appears to be the one with the best form amongst a field of maidens and on his 2nd last time out where he had a couple of these behind, he looks to have a strong chance. Both Master Of Studies and Shakin Stevens are potentially smart types but has shown no form on the track as yet and Silver Moon took looks capable if returning to her early season form. Probably best left alone from a betting standpoint
Race No. 2 :- The Neola Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1400M
RINCON :-Improving 4 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he is a full brother to Sky Mine and Shae and has managed to win 2 of his 11 starts till date. Both his wins have come over this trip and he is coming into this race off a victory last time out where he authoritatively beat Polyneices in the lower class. He has been handed a 6 kilo penalty for that win but G. Amit will claim a useful 3 ½ kilos in the saddle so the penalty does not appear so stiff. However, he is also upped in grade now and has to concede weight to some decent types. He looks to be in fine form at present and is expected to make a bold bid to repeat.
CLASSICUS :-Well performed 5 year old gelding from the yard of Zadmal Singh who returned in February after having last raced the previous April and seems to be slowly working himself back into form after his setback which made him miss the entire Pune season. He has had 2 runs this term and recently went a Mock Race where he seemed to be regaining form. Overall a winner of 2 of his 7 starts he looked quite progressive over this trip when at his best and if he is able to return to that form then he could be a danger to all. Bhawani Singh has been booked to ride and he looks a dark horse who can upset.
STAR OF THEA :-4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who really came into his own once switching to forcing tactics and comes into this race at the top of his game. After winning back to back races over this trip in the lower class, both times going start to finish he ran a cracker last time out in this grade as well when making the odds on favourite Forest Fairy pull out all the stops to get past him and ended up a notable 2nd. He has given weight and a beating to Rincon on his penultimate run so appears better placed than that rival. K. Nazil replaces T.S. Jodha in the saddle today and it is dangerous to ignore him as he looks capable of improving again.
CHECKMATE :- Beautifully bred 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad, he began racing just this season and after finishing an eye catching 3rd on debut, proceeded to score impressive back to back wins over 5 and 6 furlongs respectively. He does not appear to travel in the early part of the race and was found out last time out by Chaplin where he ended up 4th in his bid for a hattrick. He looks capable of improving after just 4 starts and the step up to this 7 furlong trip is likely to suit him judging from his style of racing. A. Sandesh keeps the ride, he has been working well since the last run and looks quite capable of bouncing back and resuming his progress.
HARMONY OF THE SEA :-4 year old filly from the ImtiazSait yard who clearly has ability but also appears to be a quirky sort and needs things to go exactly her way. She has been lightly raced having run just 6 times, thrice this season and looked to have found form last time out when given a clever ride by P. Trevor to get on top close home from Arc Shine and Collegium. The form of that race has worked out particularly well and she is entitled to improve again. C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from P. Trevor but although upped in grade now, she is only penalized 4 kilos and looks to have an excellent chance to repeat.
CONCLUSION :-Harmony Of The Sea won narrowly last time out but the form of that race has been decisively franked since and she is selected to repeat in this higher grade. Checkmate is likely to appreciate the longer trip and is put up as the main danger as also the in formStar of Thea.
Race No. 3 :- The Hachiko Plate – Class IV & V– Distance :- 1600M
DAUGHTEROFTHESUN :-Got abroad 4 year old filly by Doctor Dino, this Malesh Narredu ward was expected to come into her own over staying trips and has been campaigned over a mile and a half in her last 3 runs but ran only modestly and now returns from a 2 month break. She has run 10 times till date, winning just once but most of her best form has come over this trip so it seems logical that she returns to it now. She usually goes well fresh and Vishal Bunde is an unusual booking for the yard but claims a useful 3 ½ kilos in the saddle. She is at her best when making the running, is likely to do so today and could prove to be dangerous if allowed an easy lead up front.
WE BREAK THE RULES :-Full brother to Champion Miler and Super Mile winner Whomakestherules, this 4 year old gelding began his career with C.D. Katrak but has recently moved to the stable of Dallas Todywalla. Having run 11 times overall, he won his maiden over 1400M back in August but has failed to repeat that feat in 6 runs since. He has run 4 times this season and looked to be returning to form on his last 2 runs, finishing a good 3rd to In It To Win It over a mile and last time out running on to be a good 3rd to Rincon over 1400M on his first run for his current yard. He is likely to improve for that run and will appreciate the step back up to a mile. He is worse off on the scale with Counsellor on the last run but looks to be improving and P.S. Chouhan takes the ride. He looks an each way contender and must come into consideration.
FENCING :- Temperamental 5 year old filly who needs to be delivered late from off a strong pace but is quite effective when things go her way as she showed last time out when given a confident ride by whipless apprentice D.R. Shubham to get up late and pip Lorraine on the post over 1400M in the lower class. That was her 2nd win in 11 starts and her penalty is practically negated by her rider’s claim. She will need to improve on the bare form now upped in grade against stronger rivals but could prove to be dangerous if the race is run to suit her.
EIGER’S TIGER :- Tough and consistent 5 year old handicapper who is one of two runners from the Narendra Lagad yard and although Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride Master of Trinity, he looks to have the better chance. Winner of 2 of his 32 starts till date but with 9 placed efforts to his name as well, he looks to be on a workable handicap mark at present, his last win coming off a mark of 39 so he looks potentially well treated on that score. He finished on nicely over 7 furlongs last time out suggesting he was getting ready to strike and a mile is arguably his best trip. J. Chinoy who rode him last time out keeps the ride and he looks an interesting outsider who could strike.
COUNSELLOR :-Comes from the powerful stable of Pesi Shroff and has the scope to improve after just 3 career starts but has not been convincing in his 3 runs so far and does not seem to be improving in the desired fashion. He finished 4th behind Rincon on his debut over 1400M and then next time out over 7 furlongs again he was expected to improve but could only end up 3rd behind Tanjo. Upped to this trip last time out, he ran disappointingly as a favourite to finish 4th to In It To Win It although he is better placed on the scale than We Break The Rules. A. Sandesh takes the ride again and he looks to have a chance at the weights so is given each way consideration although not totally convincing from a win perspective.
HONOURABLE EYES :- 4 year old gelding trained by ImtiazSait, he too does not look completely straightforward having run 5 times till date with one good run sandwiched between 2 poor performances on either side of it. After 2 educative runs over 6 furlongs earlier in the season, he showed good improvement when upped to a mile and running a close 2nd to Massimo. However, he was disappointing over 7 furlongs next time out and on his last run, upped to a mile and a quarter he finished tailed off so has questions to answer now. He has been given a month to improve now and returns to the trip over which he ran his best race. C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from P. Trevor and he can upset if in a galloping mood.
CONCLUSION :- With both Counsellor and Honourable Eyes not convincing enough, a chance is taken on Eiger’s Tiger who looks very well handicapped at present and finished on strongly over 1400M last time out. He seems to be effective over the mile trip and could strike at lucrative odds. The top weighted Daughterofthesun goes well fresh and also looks a big danger back down to this trip
Race No. 4 :- The Windmill Power Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
GNOSTIC EYES :- Beautifully bred 4 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan, he has yet to pass the post first in 8 attempts but does not seem to be completely exposed and we may not have seen the best of him just yet. After being given a few runs in his first few starts, he looked seriously tried for the first time over a mile back in January where he had a good rider up for the first time and ran well to finish 3rd to Abu Al Bukhoosh and Sir Song. He ran poorly in his next two starts over similar trips and was given a break. He has been working well recently, has been eased in grade and dropped slightly in trip and the booking of A. Sandesh today catches the eye. He looks to have a strong chance in this field and is greatly respected today.
SMOKEY ROSES :-Well bred 5 year old mare from the Altaf Hussain stable, she has tumbled down the weights with a string of poor efforts and had just one prior run this season, being withdrawn on 2 other intended starts. She last raced in December and is running after a long lay off and the booking of Anil Baandal is a bit discouraging as one cannot remember the last time he rode a winner. She may be out for an airing today after the long break but looks potentially well treated at present and is capable of causing an upset.
FOREVER FREE :- Maiden 5 year old mare from the small stable of Arif Patel she has run 12 times till date without a win, her best effort though coming over this trip in Pune where she chased home Vitesse in an older horses contest. She has run 4 times this term and looked to be finding some form over a mile last time out when finishing on to be 4th to Huzzah’s Grace over a mile. Kiran Naidu who rode her last time out is up again today and in what looks a potentially weak field, she looks capable of being involved and is considered each way.
BAY OF LOVE :- Inconsistent 8 year old gelding trained by H.J. Antia, he has managed to win twice in his 35 runs so far which is not a particularly inspiring record but is another who has come down markedly in the scales and looks well treated on handicap. He does retain zest for racing still as he showed earlier in the season in a similar contest when making late headway to finish a close 3rd to Jeena overt this trip. The booking of G. Amit today replacing Bhawani Singh suggests that connections fancy their chances and he is another each way prospect who is not reliable but can be involved if in a galloping mood.
ANGEL COIN :- Unexposed and poorly performed 4 year old grey trained by S.N. Joshi, she has run 10 times till date over varying trips and has failed to make the frame yet, last time out over this trip finishing 8th of 11 to Flower Dust. The only reason why she merits consideration at all is the switch in riders from Amyn Merchant who has been up for her last several rides to C.S. Jodha which is quite a notable change. She has plenty to prove and will need to make tremendous progress to have a say but bears watching due to the positive jockey switch.
CONCLUSION :-A weak Class V event and the well bredGnostic Eyes looks to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark with A. Sandesh up for the first time.
Race No. 5 :- Race No. 4 :- The Windmill Power Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
CECELIA :-Well bred 4 year old filly from the yard of Faisal Abbas, she began her racing career exactly a month ago and has had 2 runs so far. She finished 9th over a 5 furlong trip on her debut run and was then again midfield over 6 furlongs last time out. She has now been eased in grade, steps up to a 7 furlong trip which is likely to suit her better and has been working quite well of late. She is unexposed as she is just having her 3rd start today and in form apprentice G. Amit takes the ride. Running in Class V company, she looks to have a good chance if taking to the longer trip and is worth keeping an eye on.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :- 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he is a veteran of 48 races and although he has placed as many as 13 times, he has managed to win only once although the win did come over this trip and off a similar mark. He has been mainly out of form this season in 5 starts till date but showed signs of coming to hand last time out when finishing on to be 4th to Fencing over this trip. K. Nazil who rode him last time out keeps the ride and in this field he looks to have a fair each way chance although winning looks tough judging from his recent record.
ROMANTIC EYES :-Well bred and sparingly raced 4 year old filly who has come into the yard of ImtiazSait after the retirement of C.D. Katrak and has the scope to make some improvement. She has run 6 times till date and did have a couple of 3rd place finishes to her name in Pune but changed yards after one run in Mumbai. She has run once for her new stable, on Derby weekend where she finished down the field and she has been rested and given time to improve since then. She should have been freshened up by the 2 month break, her recent trackwork has been good and back down at this 7 furlong trip, she looks set to give a good account of herself and should run well with Deep Shankar in the saddle.
VITESSE :- Aged and exposed 6 year old mare from the H.J. Antia yard, she has won 2 of her 32 starts although her last win was a wide margin victory when eased into this grade, it came over the 7 furlongs trip and was off a mark of 22 which is the same mark she is on today. She has run 6 times this season without success but this is her first run in this grade and she will be ridden by Vishal Bunde. She likes to dominate when fancied and her apprentice judges the pace well from the front so she bears close watching and can bounce back to winning ways.
SAFFRON FLOWER :- Lightly raced 4 year old filly trained by M.P. Jodha, she has run 9 times till date and is still a maiden but she did run some decent placed races over sprint trips in Pune and comes from behind so she is likely to relish more galloping ground. She has been off the track since an early season run this term and returned after a break a couple of weeks ago where she was probably in need of a run. She is likely to have stripped fitter after the lung opener and D.S. Daman keeps the ride. She is worth considering each way and can potentially improve.
CONCLUSION :-A race with no current form to go on and a chance is taken on the well bred Romantic Eyes. She has been well prepared since her last run for her current yard and looks to have the scope to improve. Cecelia has a similar profile and also has possibilities along with the bottom weighted Saffron Flower.
Race No. 6 :- The DadyAdenwalla Cup – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1000M
JUGGERNAUT :-Well performed 4 year old sprinter trained by Narendra Lagad, he has a good overall record of 4 wins from 15 starts and although 5 furlongs appears to be his best trip, he has won over 1200M as well. After a quiet first half of the season, he seems to have hit top form in his last 2 starts, coming with a strong run to score an upset win over Oracle on his penultimate start and following that up with an excellent close 3rd to Pokerface last time out where he had Priceless Girl and Alpine Express behind. He has been ridden by a 3 ½ kilo claimer the last twice and in the absence of Raghuveer Singh, G. Amit takes the ride today. He looks well within himself at present and is quite capable of scoring again so is dangerous to ignore.
PRICELESS GIRL :-6 year old mare from the small yard of C. Rajendra, she has acquitted herself very well this season winning twice and running creditably on most other occasions in spite of gradually going up in the weights. She is at her best when blazing a trail up front and all her wins have been start to finish efforts so getting to the front is crucial to her chances and she may find that difficult to do today. Her last win came on her penultimate run and was in this class but there were not that many speedy horses in the field that day and she may struggle in this company. S.A. Amit who rode her to victory last time out is up again today and if she gets to the front then she may be able to continue her progression.
GRAN PARADISO :- Speedy 5 year old mare trained by Hosidar Daji she is a winner of 2 of her 15 starts and appeared to be in excellent form during the recent Pune season where she gained her 2nd win over 1200M in great style. She has been off colour in her 2 starts till date this season but showed a little improvement last time out and is expected to improve further. A. Sandesh is back in the saddle today, replacing K. Nazil, she has been working quite well of late suggesting that she has improved and if she has managed to come back to form, then she looks to have a strong chance in this company.
BENEFICIAL :- 5 year old gelding who is a winner of 3 of his 19 starts and has generally been in good form this season and was rewarded with a battling victory last time out in the lower class where he beat Bidstone Hill and Grey Flannel. He has been penalized a modest 4 kilos for the win and the booking of C.S. Jodha today is a positive. He comes into the race in good form and should make a bold bid to repeat.
MISS MONEYPENNY :- Speedily bred and lightly raced 4 year old filly from the ImtiazSait yard, she has done well in her limited career so far winning 2 of her 9 starts and looks to be more progressive than many of these exposed handicappers. She too appears to be coming out of a slight setback as her reappearance run was promising when 3rd to Excellent Gold over 1200M but she ran poorly in her 2 subsequent efforts. She seems to have been revitalized by the short break and S. Zervan has been booked to ride today. She is working well and is strongly fancied to return to winning ways now.
CONCLUSION :-Miss Moneypenny still appears to have some wiggle room and should be fresh and ready to go after a short break. She is selected to get the better of the in formJuggernaut who has been running well. Gran Paradiso is also feared if returning to her best.
Race No. 7 :- The Imphal Plate – Class IV & V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
EL TYCOON :- 5 year old colt who recently shifted to the Narendra Lagad yard and has been wonderfully consistent in his last few starts and has been knocking on the door for some time now. He has finished runner up in 4 of his last 5 starts last time out just failing to hold off Fine Tune where he can be deemed a trifle unlucky. After having Amyn Merchant on for his last 3 runs, he has the advantage of having the in form apprentice K. Nazil in the saddle who claims a useful 3 ½ kilos. He looks well placed on the scales in this company, has been in fine form and looks to have a strong chance to gain that elusive first success in a while.
BLITZKRIEG :-Speedy gelding from the AdhirajsinghJodha yard who has won 2 of his 22 starts and has been running well this season. He took advantage of his lenient handicap mark earlier in the season to score his 2nd victory in the lower class over this trip and has been running well since then in this grade. He did finish a close 4th over this trip on his penultimate run and will be better suited by returning to the minimum trip. D.S. Daman returns to ride him today and he merits each way consideration from a good draw.
QUEEN RIA :-Interesting and lightly raced 5 year old she has run only 8 times till date and scored a blistering pillar to post win over 1200M around this time last year. She has had 2 runs apiece since then in Pune and in Mumbai and looked like she was on her way back to form last time out in this class when finishing a close 5th to Southpaw who has gone on to win again. The form of that race has worked out well, H. Zeeshan takes over today in place of the feeble Shahrukh Khan and if building on that last effort, she looks to have an excellent chance to resume her progress.
BRAVE :-Interesting 5 year old gelding who is one of 3 runners for the Narendra Lagad yard in this contest and will be ridden by T.S. Jodha. He has a nice pedigree and has run only twice so far and he was heavily backed last time out over 1200M but ran poorly and could only finish 4th to Wilshire over 6 furlongs. That was just his 2nd start so he is entitled to improve and he has been working very well since the run. The drop to the minimum is not certain to suit him but he has the scope to be better than his current mark and looks a strong contender if improving again.
BIDSTONE HILL :-6 year old mare who is effective over this minimum trip only and comes from the yard of Vinesh. She has run 24 times till date and managed to score on 2 occasions and after being out of form for a long time, hinted at some sort of a revival on her last run when going very close and ending a close 2nd to Beneficial over this trip. The booking of P.S. Chouhan today suggests that connections fancy their chances of another success and if she can get to the front off her low weight, she could prove to be tough to reel in.
CONCLUSION :-Queen Ria can continue the good recent form of the Mansoor Shah yard and is taken to hold off the Narendra Lagad trained pair of Brave and El Tycoon.
