From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 22nd April 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 21 Apr 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 22nd April 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Military Plate – Class III and IV – Distance :- 1600M
DROGO :-5 year old gelding trained by ImtiazSait who appears to bae an exposed handicapper and returns to this trip after a couple of unsuccessful attempts over further. He has won 3 of his 18 starts so far and two of those wins have come over this trip so it makes sense to return to it now although he is conceding weight to some progressive younger horses. Deep Shankar has been booked to ride and he could fight it out for minor honours but winning looks difficult in this company.
LADY BE GOOD :- Lightly raced 4 year old filly from the yard of Malesh Narredu, she has also proved to be effective over further and drops markedly in trip having finished runner up to Sagittarius over 2400M last time out. She has run 8 races overall and managed to win twice, her maiden win coming over 2000M in Pune and her last win coming on her seasonal reappearance when she got up late to win over 9 furlongs beating Happy Birthday and Adonijah. She has been working well since her last run and S. Zervan takes the ride so she merits consideration but will definitely find this trip on the sharp side.
ADMO :-4 year old colt owned by Jaydev Mody and trained by Nosher Cama, he too is sparingly raced and quite progressive and has had only one prior run this season. Overall a winner of 1 of his 7 starts, his maiden win came over 7 furlongs in Pune but then he ran very poorly over a mile in handicap company and was given time to improve after that poor performance. He reappeared over a mile in February on his solitary previous run this season and showed good improvement when finishing on late from the rear to be an excellent 2nd to In It To Win It who has gone on to frank the form. He is appearing again after a 2 month break but his recent workouts suggest that all is well and if he has improved further, then he looks a leading fancy to get back to winning ways. His regular rider P.S. Chouhan is up again today and he looks to have an excellent chance.
KHARTOUM :-Sparingly raced and progressive 4 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he has raced just thrice till date and acquitted himself well on all 3 occasions. Not fully wound up for the his debut over 1400M back in Pune, he finished on late to be runner up to Collegium in a decent maiden and was given time to improve after his educative run. He made his seasonal reappearance over a mile in January and once again finished on late as a hot favourite but just failed to catch Grand Accord going down by a long neck. He was then tried over 2000M last time out and travelled strongly throughout to score a facile maiden win over Artus and Happy Birthday. The drop in trip does not seem certain to suit but he looks to be improving with every run and is expected to progress again. A. Sandesh retains the ride and he looks to be the one they all have to beat.
CONCLUSION :-Khartoum has performed with credit in each of his 3 starts and looks certain to improve again although the drop in trip does not appear ideal. He is selected to get the better of Admo who has a similar profile and impressed on his earlier start over this trip.
Race No. 2 :- The Vibrant Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1800M
COUNSELLOR :- Mull of Kintyre colt from the Pesi Shroff yard who did not seem to be making much progress in his first 3 starts, running upto the same level but looked vastly improved when scoring his maiden win over a mile just last week and is turned out again quickly. He showed good resolve to beat We Break The Rules and Honourable Eyes that day and the additional furlong looks likely to suit. Current form is an important criteria at this stage of the season, he is expected to gain confidence from the win and looks to have a strong chance to score a quick encore with A. Sandesh retaining the ride.
GOLD BOND :- 4 year old gelding from the ImtiazSait yard who is a winner of 1 of his 7 starts and is another who seems to have improved considerably over the winter. After struggling to make an impression in his first 5 starts he made a promising reappearance over a mile back in March when running an excellent close 2nd to Dixieland, veering out under pressure at a crucial stage or he may have won that day itself. Stepped up to a mile and a half next time out, he was given a good front running ride by NeerajRawal to get the better of Happy Birthday and Gdansk and should not mind the return to the 9 furlong. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness judging from his recent workouts and with S. Zervan to guide him today, looks another who should make a bold bid to repea.
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HARRIER :-Another smart and potentially unexposed 4 year old, this one from the Hosidar Daji yard, he made an eye catching racing debut over 1200M in February, finishing on strongly from the rear to be a flying 5th behind Lilac Time. He was a firm favourite over 1400M next time out but could only managed to finish 4th behind Harmony of the Sea that day. He is open to plenty of improvement on just his 3rd start and looks likely to relish the step up in distance. His track work since the run has also been noteworthy and with P.S. Chouhan taking over in the saddle from Sandesh, a big run is expected and he is greatly feared.
SHANGRI LA :-Exciting Mastercraftsman filly trained by Pesi Shroff, she has run only twice so far and is open to plenty of improvement but seems to be going in for an airing after having run poorly and finished down the field in the Golconda Oaks. She was thought good enough to contest that classic after just a solitary maiden run over a mile on debut and hence connections have a very high opinion of her. She is likely to eventually come into her own over further and with Sandesh opting to ride Counsellor today she seems to be the stable’s 2nd string with N.S. Parmar on board.
CONCLUSION :-Counsellor won smartly over a mile just last week and looks to be on the upgrade and should appreciate the additional furlong. He is turned out again quickly and can repeat in spite of the penalty. Harrier also having just his 3rd start has scope to improve and shapes as the danger along with Gold Bond.
Race No. 3 :- The Banarsidas Million – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
EL COMMANDANTE :-This Excellent Art colt looks a smart sort on paper and is owned by the Poonawalla family and trained by Altaf Hussain. He is a half brother to Khayyam who did well for Pesi Shroff in his limited career and also to Fabulous Touch who won 3 of her 16 starts. He has been given enough preparatory work so should be fit and ready to go first time out and has been moving well in the morning trials. He clearly looks to be a smart individual and is given a strong chance to make a winning debut with J. Chinoy in the saddle.
GRAND ARCHITECT :- One of 2 horses who have had the benefit of a run, he made his debut over 1400M about 5 weeks ago and ended up 4th of 5 to Augustus Caesar but is sure to have learnt plenty for the run and should improve and strip fitter. He has been working well since the run and is worth considering each way with Deep Shankar being booked to ride.
RUN FOREST RUN :- Speedy looking Excellent Art colt in the care of young trainer Shazaan Shah, he probably sets the form standard having run twice, both times over 1000M and having finished a good 2nd on both occasions. He was sent off favourite over 1000M on Derby Day and ran well to finish runner up to Columbianaprincess who won again next time out. He was odds on favourite next time out over the same trip but was pipped in the final strides by Impala ending a close 2nd. He should not be troubled by the additional furlong and seems to have maintained his form and fitness. He looks the clear form choice here and with H. Zeeshan booked to ride, he looks to have an excellent chance to make it 3rd time lucky.
WESTEROS :- Debutant from the Dallas Todywalla yard who is a half brother to Stunner and seems to have inherited the speed of his dam Monopoly who was a 5 furlong specialist herself. He has been showing plenty of speed in his preparatory work and looks fit and ready to go. The yard has not had as much success recently with first time runners but with P.S. Chouhan booked to ride, he is definitely worth a second look in the paddock and is expected to give a good account of himself on debut.
ANATEVKA :- Beautifully bred debutant from the Pesi Shroff yard who is a half sister to Questionable and also looks an exciting prospect on paper and she too has been given enough work to be ready to go first time out. Runners from the yard generally need a lung opener and improve for their debut efforts and she must be respected and could have the class to win this first time out.
ENCHANTED :- Progeny of new stallion Air Support out of a reasonably performed dam, she is working pretty much the best of the newcomers and has been blazing the track on her preparatory work and should be fit enough first time out. She has bagged the plum rail draw to boot and with Dashrath Singh booked to ride, looks set to have a bold show on debut
CONCLUSION :-This looks a strong maiden with some exciting types from big yards in the fray. Run Forest Run sets the form standard but could be vulnerable to one of the classy types and Enchanted, El Commandante and Anatevka all look capable of winning first time out
Race No. 4 :- The Viscol Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
SUPER STRENGTH :-4 year old colt who comes from the small stable of Himmat Singh and has dropped down into this grade after 5 unplaced efforts over varying trips. He did run a forward race over a mile last time out and on that basis will appreciate the drop to this trip. Parbat Singh takes the ride and claims a valuable 5 kilos off and in this weak field, he is worth considering each way if showing the same speed as last time.
MANZANITA :-Nicely bred and lightly raced 4 year old filly from the Sanjay Kolse yard, she is still a maiden after 5 starts but one suspects that we have yet to see the best of her. She made a promising debut last season when finishing runner up over this trip to Lord Commander but seemed to lose her way at the end of the season and missed the entire Pune season. She seems to have been working her way into form this season and seemed to be coming back to form last time out when finishing 4th over 1400M. She will be ridden by a 5 kilo claimer today and has been working well so if she can build on that last effort then she stands a strong chance in this weak field.
OPTIMUM :- 4 year old gelding from the stable of Shazaan Shah, he is more exposed than moany of these having run 11 times so far without much success. He has had 4 runs this season and has used those runs to gain some fitness and he is now eased into the lowest class and in form apprentice H. Zeeshan has been booked to ride. He has worked well of late suggesting that he has improved and is worth considering each way in this field.
STAR ANISE :-Relatively untried 4 year old filly from the yard of Faisal Abbas she is a maiden after 7 starts but is looking quite attractively handicapped at present. She has been showing out well in the morning trials towards the end of the Pune season but has not quite reproduced it on the track as yet. After having 2 runs early in the season, she looked like she was getting ready to strike when finishing on late to be a distant runner up to Hudson on her penultimate run but then was a bit disappointing next time out. This field does not look particularly strong, G. Amit retains the ride and she appears to have as good a chance as any in this company.
STARR VERDICT :- 4 year old colt from the stable of Rehanullah Khan he has run 11 times so far without much success 5 of those runs coming this season and he did run with some promise over 1000M last time out when finishing up a close 6th. This additional furlong should suit him better and with 3 ½ kilo claimer Vishal Bunde booked to ride, he looks an interesting outsider
CONCLUSION :-A race best left alone with Manzanita just a tentative selection
Race No. 5 :- The Shara Belle Trophy – Class IV and V – Distance :- 1000M
ALMOST MAGICAL :- Speedy 6 year old gelding from the stable of Faisal Abbas he has run 14 times so far with 2 wins to his name and he is most effective over this minimum trip with both his previous wins being over it. He has come down considerably in the scales with a string of poor efforts and is now eased in grade into the lower class. He has been out of form all of this season but is dangerous to ignore now dropped in grade and with G. Amit in the saddle, could very well bounce back and score an upset win.
FINE TUNE :-In form and progressive 4 year old filly from the Mansoor Shah yard, she has really come into herself of late with 2 wins from her last 3 starts and looks to be in great heart at present. She just got up to beat El Tycoon on the post last time out but has not been heavily penalized for that win. She seems to have found a relatively weak field to take on in this higher grade and with her regular partner H. Zeeshan in the saddle and a decent draw, she looks a leading contender to earn herself yet another victory.
MALAVIKA :- Speedy and compact 4 year old filly trained by Altaf Hussain, it is a bit surprising that she is still a maiden after 9 starts having placed on 4 occasions and run very well over this trip in the past. She has run only thrice previously this season, having been withdrawn on her last intended start and finished a close 2nd over this trip a couple of starts ago. She is most effective over this trip, appears to be well within herself and is given a good each way chance with Vishal Bunde booked to ride.
ARABIAN STORM :-5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad he has managed to win 1 of his 13 starts so far and although he is bred to be effective over distance trips, he has been showing speed over this trip of late. He ran a forward race over this trip last time out and although no match for the winner Southpaw he kept on well to finish up 2nd. He appears to have maintained his condition since that run and with J. Chinoy keeping the ride, he appears to have a strong chance to gain another success.
DANCE EMPEROR :- The second runner from the Faisal Abbas stable he made his debut 3 weeks ago over 1200M and showed good speed to lead until the bend before retiring. He is likely to have benefitted from that experience and should be fitter and sharper today and now drops down to the minimum trip. M.A. Roushan does not ride many winners nowadays but was quite capable in his prime and this unexposed 4 year old looks a rank outsider who could be an end of season surprise
CONCLUSION :-The in formFine Tune is selected to continue the impressive run of the Mansoor Shah stable and earn herself another bracket. The dangers appear to be Arabian Storm and Malavika
Race No. 6 :- The Laurita Plate – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
HIS MASTER’S VICE :-Lightly raced 5 year old from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard, he has finished 2nd on 3 occasions so far and 2 of those efforts came early in his career over similar sort of trips. He appears to have had his problems resulting in his limited participation so far but he was given a forward ride over a mile last time out before kicking on to finish a fair 5th. He does not appear to be completely straightforward but has been eased in grade into the lowest class and with D.S. Daman taking over in the saddle from NirmalJodha, he could spring a surprise if he is in a galloping mood.
AEOLUS MAXIMUS :-Veteran 6 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad stable, he is approaching an amazing half century of runs having run 49 times so far but has only been able to claim a solitary success from those runs although he has placed on several occasions in similar contests. This appears to be his best trip and his last couple of efforts in this grade have been decent ones. Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle from K. Nazil now and he deserves each way consideration although place appears to be a safer option
GALTERO :- 5 year old gelding trained by C. Rajendra he is still a maiden after 15 starts but has been threatening to strike on a couple of occasions and finished a close 2nd to 2 occasions this season. He was first unlucky to be pipped by Tomahawk over course and distance when looking a winner at the distance post and was then once again pipped at the post by Jeena next time out when strongly fancied. He was a bit disappointing last time out when only 6th behind Till End of Time but there is a suspicion that he was not at his best that day and is worth giving another chance to regain his earlier form. S. Zervan has been booked to ride today and he looks a strong contender to gain an overdue maiden success .
MASTER SERGEANT :-5 year old gelding coming from the small yard of Trainer Vinesh he has been quite consistent over this trip but is yet to pass the post first in about 16 starts so far. He has gone close a couple of times over this trip and this season has been in good form in each of his 4 starts. His last couple of runs have been in this grade over the mile and the drop to 7 furlongs should not trouble him too much. Good 3 ½ kilo claimer Vishal Bunde takes the ride today and in this open looking contest, he deserves serious consideration and should make a bold bid to gain that elusive first success.
ETERNAL DANCER :-Maiden 5 year old mare from the stable of Rehanullah Khan she appears to be versatile with regards to trip having placed over 1600M and 1000M in the past. She has been running mainly over sprint trips this season and did finish a fair 3rd on her penultimate run and was not beaten a long way last time out as well. She should appreciate this step up to more galloping ground and with A. Sandesh taking over in the saddle today, she looks to have a strong each way chance here
CONCLUSION :-Galterois selected to gain his maiden success after a couple of near misses already this season. Eternal Dancer with Sandesh up looks the main danger along with Master Sergeant
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
