From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 20th July 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 19 Jul 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 20th July 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Golden Edition Plate – Div. II – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
QUEEN’S BEST :- 4 year old filly trained by Karthik G who is still a maiden after 6 runs but is very well bred being a half sister to Dandified and has been sparingly raced till date. She has managed to place in 5 of her 6 starts and has raced exclusively over sprints except for her last start where she was tried over 7 furlongs and finished a poor 3rd to Flower Dust. She has earlier gone close a couple of times over 5 and 6 furlongs and should appreciate the drop back to this trip. She has bagged the plum No. 1 rail draw and the booking of A. Imran Khan is encouraging. She does not appear to be completely straightforward but can definitely be involved if putting her best foot forward and must be one to consider in this large and competitive opener.
ABERLOUR :- Once raced and very interesting fashionably bred gelding trained by Altamash A Ahmed, he is a full brother to New Alliance, winner of the Bangalore Oaks and the Mysore 1000 Guineas and Storm Front who was a modest performer in Kolkotta winning 3 of his 22 starts and placing on 6 occasions. He made an eye catching racing debut over 7 furlongs back in February with the same rider up, ridden wide throughout and making good late progress to finish a close 3rd to Celestial Light and Chaplin which looks strong form. He is entitled to improve appreciably for the experience and is still very much exposed. On the down side, the drop in trip may not be to his advantage and his rider S. Jaykumar does not inspire confidence although he has ridden the occasional winner. It is possible that he is going in for a lung opener on this new track but he has plenty of scope and would be dangerous to ignore.
SASSY LASS :- 8 race maiden 4 year old filly from the small stable of Asad Siddiqui, she began her career in sparkling fashion with a string of impressive placed efforts, finishing a close runner up in 3 of her first 4 starts and was thought good enough by her connections to take a shot at the Indian 1000 Guineas where she finished in 7th place. However, her 3 runs since the Guineas have been relatively below par, finishing 3rd when a hot favourite over 1400M and then 5th in 2 subsequent starts over 1200 and 1400M so she needs to bounce back now. She appears to have been kept fresh as there is no record of any recent trackwork and the booking of Neeraj Rawal suggests that connections fancy their chances. She looks to have a strong chance on the pick of her form but does have some questions to answer.
SIA :- 4 year old filly from the yard of Nirad Karanjawala, she has raced 8 times till date and was fancied on a number of occasions without success in her first few starts as she had been working excellently right from her debut but she only seems to have come good in her last couple of runs. She shed her maiden tag on her penultimate start over 1400M in the lower class, decisively beating Saffron Flower and then followed it up with a respectable 4th upped into this grade and dropped to this trip last time out. She again seems to have been working well in the build up to this contest and talented apprentice Raghuveer Singh has been booked and will claim a valuable 3.5 kilos in the saddle. She has been drawn wide in Stall 12 which may be a slight deterrent but merits each way consideration in this field and seems to be on the upgrade.
ARRECIFE :- 4 year old maiden filly trained by Zadmal Singh, she is bred to be speedy being a half sister to 5 furlong specialist Elena but until now has been tried only over middle distance trips and has been dropped to sprinting for the first time. She has raced 6 times till date with her 2 best efforts coming over 7 furlongs, finishing on late to be a half length runner up to Rincon and later in the season ending a close 3rd to Grand Tenton and Hopeilicious. She has been unfortunate to have been drawn very wide in Stall 15 which could prove to be a negative and may not suit her come from behind style. She has been working fairly well and her regular saddle partner Bhawani Singh takes the ride. If suited by the drop to sprinting, she can very well be involved.
CUPIDO :-4 year old gelding from the stable of Faisal A Abbas, he has run 6 times till date and was unfancied on the first 4 occasions before being sent off favourite upped to a mile on his penultimate run where he was nabbed close home by Sir Song, going down by a neck in the lower class. He followed that up with a close 4th to Kimberella upped to this grade last time out but that too was over a mile and this trip is bound to be on the sharp side for him. He too has been drawn wide in Stall 14 and Yash Narredu is an interesting booking for the yard. He is working well however and although he will probably be doing his best work in the closing stages, he looks a lively outsider who could spring a surprise at a long price.
EMOTIONLESS :- Nicely bred 4 year old filly from the stables of NosherCama she is a 10 race maiden who has been tried over a variety of trips without much success but showed some improvement for the application of blinkers on her penultimate run when finishing on late to be a distant runner up to Multistar over 5 furlongs on this track last October. She had just one run during the last Mumbai season where she veered out at the start losing all chances and finished tailed off and since then has shifted from C.D. Katrak to NosherCama for whom she will be having her first start. She looks to be on a decent mark at present and could be another who could spring a surprise at a long price.
CONCLUSION :-A very tricky and difficult opener to solve and probably wise to skip from a betting standpoint. Aberlouris nicely bred and made a promising debut in Mumbai although his rider does not inspire confidence. Top weight Queens Best and Sassy Lass both appear capable of winning this although both have questions to answer after poor last runs. For those looking for more value, both Cupido and Emotionless can upset at longer prices.
Race No. 2:- The Hurricane Plate – Div. II – Class III – Distance :- 1000M
JUGGERNAUT :-Speedy 4 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad yard who has a smart overall record of 4 wins from his 17 starts and recently showed that he has the stamina to tackle 6 furlongs as well. He had a busy Mumbai season running 8 times in total and seemed to find form towards the latter half of the season, scoring off a mark of 52 over this trip back in February where he came with a late run to shock Oracle close home with Stallone back in 4th that day. He then ran 2 good 3rds subsequently before a flat effort on his last run where he may have been a bit tired. He has been showing good speed in his build up work, has drawn a good gate in Stall 2 and Raghuveer Singh gets on with him well and has a good record on him. However, he is conceding weight all around here and may find one or two too strong for him today.
WISE CHILD:-Small in stature but usually quite consistent this 4 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav has been lightly raced having had just 8 starts till date and has managed to finish 2nd on 4 occasions with a solitary success to his name so far. He had just one run during the last Pune season ending up a fair 3rd over this trip but ran 4 times during the last Mumbai season, finishing runner up to Oracle and Clymene over this trip before ending a failed favourite last time out when only 4th just behind Juggernaut with whom he is closely matched again today. He has been showing out well in the morning trials of late, usually goes well fresh and looks to have an excellent chance today to add to his tally.
STALLONE :- Comes from the yard of Faisal Abbas and this 4 year old son of Rebuttal appears to be trying to rediscover his best form having appeared to have suffered a setback after his last win early in the Mumbai season. He scored back to back wins over this trip, gaining a fluent maiden success back in August and following that up with a gritty win over Hopeilicious back in November. He reappeared after that only at the end of February where he finished a close 4th behind Juggernaut and he is weighted to gain revenge with that rival. However, his last run over 6 furlongs was poor as he finished well down the field and he has well being to prove after that. Stable rider G. Amit has been booked to ride and although he is quite capable of returning to winning ways, he is probably best watched today.
COLUMBIANAPRINCESS :- Unbeaten 3 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, she makes her handicap debut today bidding for a hattrick after 2 fluent wins in her juvenile season. She has plenty of speed and this appears to be her trip at present, scoring an emphatic win on debut at 30/1 in the Dr. MAM Ramaswamy Juvenile Sprint on Derby Day and followed that up with an equally impressive victory 2 months later in The Bahrain Trophy where she toppled the odds on favourite Riquewihr. She appears to have been well prepared for her seasonal reappearance and Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride. She does appear to have been handed a stiff mark on her handicap debut but is likely to improve again and appears to be a leading contender to maintain her unbeaten run.
HEROINE :- Got abroad 4 year old filly from the MaleshNarreduyard, Heroine too appears to have had her career set back by some sort of injury as after running promisingly during the last Pune season, she will be having only her 2nd start in almost a year. After making an eye catching debut over 6 furlongs during the last Bangalore summer she emerged an extremely impressive 1100M winner around this time last year, winning by 6 lengths and clocking an extremely fast time in the process. She was then brought to Pune where she finished a good 2nd to God’s Own over 1000M and she looks very well placed on the scales on that form. However, she was off the track for an extended period, having only 1 run in Mumbai at the end of February where she finished well behind Juggernaut and Stallone. She again returns to racing after a 4 month gap but has been working pleasingly of late and should benefit from that lung opener. Yash Narredu who was up when she was victorious returns to ride and she appears to be the main danger to the younger 3 year old.
CONCLUSION :- The unbeaten Columbianaprincess is expected to continue her progression and is the confident selection to get the better of this field of mainly exposed handicappers. Heroine looks to be the main danger and could prove to be a threat if back to her best form along with the consistent Wise Child.
Race No. 3 :- The Hurricane Plate – Div. I – Class III – Distance :- 1000M
GOD’S OWN :- One of 2 speedsters from the Narendra Lagad yard, she appears to be the lesser fancied of the pair judging from jockey bookings with T.S. Jodha taking the ride today. She was in sparkling form during the previous Pune season, rattling off a hattrick of wins over this trip in great style but she seems to have been struggling with her handicap mark since then and went winless in 8 runs in Mumbai. She now seems to have come back to a mark not too high above her last winning one and could possibly spark a revival back on her favoured Pune track. She is not without hope and should come into consideration but the yard appears to have a stronger contender in Wild Fire.
WILD FIRE :- Stable companion of God’s Own, this speedy 4 year old daughter of Varenaar is another who really came into her own during the last Pune season and showed blinding speed when scoring a wide margin maiden success and shattering the 5 furlong course record in the process. She followed that up with another impressive win over Sprinters Cup runner up Lincoln before going down to Goldie’s Pet in her hattrick bid. She returned to racing only in the latter half of the Mumbai season and seems to be have been slowly working her way back to fitness since then. She has been blazing the track in her preparatory work, stable jockey Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and from a decent draw and a mark not too high above her last winning one, she looks to have strong claims to bounce back under conditions which she relishes.
HOUSE OF COMMONS:-Enigmatic 5 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he needs to be delivered late from off a strong pace but can be quite a potent force when things go his way. Winner of 2 of his 10 starts, he was in good form during the last Pune season but has had just one start since finishing 4th to God’s Own last September and is another who seems to be on his way back from an injury. He had just a solitary run on Derby Day during the last Mumbai season where he finished midfield and has been given time to come to hand since then. His recent track work suggests that he may be coming back to his best and he appears to hold the Narendra Lagad duo on their past form. In form apprentice K. Nazil takes the ride and from the plum No. 1 stall, he could very well prove to be a factor if back to his best.
PRINCESS P :- Well bred and lightly raced 5 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she too appears to be on the way back from a setback, overall having won 2 of her 9 starts. She was a fluent winner over course and distance in the lower class back in September but then did not race again until April where she finished up a fair 5th to Pokerface. She duly built on that run next time out when chasing home the progressive Southpaw and is likely to come on for that run. She has been working well, P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from S. Zervan and if she has improved for that last effort, then she looks to have an excellent chance to return to the winner’s circle.
GOLD FIELD :- 4 year old filly from the yard of AdhirajsinghJodha, she is an established sprinter having won 3 of her 10 starts till date and comes into this race on the back of a fluent 6 furlong win on her last start in Mumbai. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness since that run, and although she might not be able to dominate today with the presence of so many speedsters in the field, she has stable rider Nirmal Jodha taking over in the saddle from rookie D. R. Shubham and may be able to score a quick encore so must make the short list.
ARC SHINE :- In form 4 year old filly who comes from the small yard of S. N. Joshi and has been performing with credit of late albeit over longer distances. Overall having run 15 times and having campaigned over this trip earlier in her career, she showed good improvement when stepped up to 7 furlongs in her last few starts winning fluently and then ending up a close 2nd to Star of Thea. She will now no doubt find this trip to be on the sharp side and 5 kilo claimer M. Ayyar taking over in the saddle also counts as a negative but if resuming in the same vein that she left off, then she could be a good outsider.
CONCLUSION :- This looks a good opportunity for Princess P to return to winning ways and if building on her promising last effort, she is selected to score. House of Commons looks well handicapped but has something to prove returning from a setback while the speedy Wild Fire is clearly a danger in the short Pune straight.
Race No. 4 :- The Gamble for Love Trophy – Class I – Distance :- 1200M
HOLY SMOKE :- The class act in this field, the 6 year old gelding from Faisal Abbas’ yard has already acquitted himself as a high class sprinter and has won 7 of his 17 starts, his last win coming on his penultimate run when tackling a good field of sprinters in the RWITC Ltd Sprint Challenge back in December. He finished midfield in the S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship and is having his first start since but is noticeably eased in grade. K. Nazil takes a useful 3.5 kilos off his back breaking weight of 65 and although he is taking on some up and coming youngsters, he seldom runs a bad race and cannot be ignored.
ABBEY :- Stable companion of Holy Smoke who has also developed into a fine handicap sprinter she has won 6 and finished 2nd in 7 of her 22 starts till date and after being a 5 furlong specialist for much of her career, she has shown an ability to get the 6th furlong of late. She managed to get the better of several of these in a similar contest in Mumbai but has been struggling with her penalty every since. She likes to dominate from the outset and the short Pune straight and the booking of P. Trevor are both positives. The draw has not been kind in Stall 11 and she may find some of the younger horses improving past her so she looks a lively outsider at best and has it all to do.
TIMELESS :-One time Classic hopeful who lost his way midway through his career but rediscovered himself dropping down to sprints in the recent past and has 2 wins and a narrow defeat to his name in his last 3 starts when returning from a short break. He is closely matched with Mygrator on their last running but is likely to have been freshened up further over the summer break and has been moving attractively in the morning trials. C.S. Jodha gets up a leg up in the saddle today and he looks to have an excellent chance of resuming his progress.
MYGRATOR :- Well bred and highly regarded 4 year old gelding trained by Malesh Naredu, he has not quite lived upto expectations till date but has a smart overall record of 4 wins and 4 seconds from his 12 starts till date. He was in rousing form during the last Pune season, rattling off a string of 4 consecutive victories and went agonizingly close to scoring over this trip back in January when just nosed out by Abbey with Excellent Gold a close 4th on the same terms. His last run behind Timeless was a shade disappointing though and it looks tough for him to reverse the placings. He has been working well and should be involved with P.S. Chouhan up but will need to pull out some improvement to win this.
SUMMER RAYS :- Wonderfully consistent 4 year old filly from the yard of Imtiaz Sait who has developed into a 6 furlong specialist and all her previous 4 victories have come over this trip. She was pipped by Excellent Gold over this trip back in Mumbai and looks hard to reverse the form with that rival and she has appeared to be in the grip on the handicapper since scoring her last win, a narrow one over Gazino back in January. She was easily beaten by Timeless when the pair last met back in Mumbai and even though she is slightly better off on the scale for that run, she looks to have more of a place chance with Zervan in the saddle and winning looks quite tough.
EXCELLENT GOLD :- Another progressive 4 year old, this one from the Narendra Lagad yard who has made his mark as a sprinter and managed to win 4 races on the trot before being narrowly beaten the last twice. He finished a close 4th in a similar contest on his penultimate run and does not have to find a lot to reverse the form with Mygrator who finished just ½ a length ahead of him that day. He appears to have scope to improve being more lightly raced than most of these and should have been freshened up by the break. His trainer usually has his string fit and ready early in the season and off the low weight and with stable rider Dashrath Singh up, he looks to have a strong chance to score.
CONCLUSION :- An interesting Class I contest which looks quite open on paper and fitness will probably play a big role so a paddock check is advised. Timeless and Excellent Gold appear to be the two to focus on while the others in with a chance are Mygrator, Summer Rays and the experienced Holy Smoke.
Race No. 5 :- The Golden Edition Plate – Div. I – Class IV – Distance :- 1200M
DANCE THE DREAM :- Unexposed and potentially smart filly trained by Imtiaz Sait, this half sister to multiple Group Race winner Jack Frost made a stylish winning debut on Derby Day to emerge a most convincing winner of the B.K. Rattonsey Memorial Multi Million. She was possibly thrown into the deep end in the Poonawalla Multi Million in her next start and understandably was overwhelmed. She has been rested and given time to improve since then and reappears off what looks a relatively fair opening mark. She is expected to improve substantially for just her 3rd start and her lead up work has been quite impressive. P. Trevor has been booked to ride and she looks like one of the strong bets of the day and should be hard to beat.
DIVINE POWER :- Potential improver this 3 year old gelding from the Altaf Hussain stable has had 3 prior runs to his name and stepped up from his educative run on this track on debut to score a smooth maiden success over 1000M in Mumbai. He was then tried in the Breeders Produce Stakes but found the opposition too tough and finished well beaten. He too has been rested since then and is likely to have improved and strengthened over the summer. He has plenty of scope to improve on just his 4th career start and the drop to 6 furlongs is likely to suit. C.S. Jodha now takes over in the saddle in the absence of David Allan but the draw has been unkind to him. He is expected to leave his last running well behind and should give a much better account of himself today.
MOUNT OLYMPUS :- Modest 3 year old performer from the stable of Narendra Lagad he made a successful winning debut over this trip in a weak maiden contest but was then found out the next twice over 1400M, finishing well beaten on both occasions after trying to make all the running. The return to 6 furlongs is likely to suit him and he has been working well but he will need to step up markedly on the bare form to be a factor. Stable rider Dashrath Singh has been booked but he looks more of a place contender and will find it hard to beat the more fancied pair of 3 year olds.
ROYAL MEWS :- Well bred but enigmatic 5 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas she has managed just one win from her 13 starts till date, the win coming over this trip though back in March. She came very close to repeating on her penultimate start when just held by Make It Shine again over this trip and she is now weighted to gain revenge with that rival. However, both those runs came in mainly older company and she looks hard pressed to be able to tackle the improving 3 year olds. However she seems to be making some progress late in her career herself, and with in form apprentice K. Nazil booked to ride, she seems to merit each way consideration and can possibly sneak into the frame.
TILL END OF TIME :- Lightly raced 4 year old from the M.K. Jadhav stable, she seemed to be progressing nicely with her racing and after making late headway to make the frame over 1000M on her 3rd start she went on to score he maiden win over 1400M finishing on late to pip Dixieland close home. She was tried over longer distances the next twice but failed to make an impression so it is interesting that she is dropped back in trip now. She seems to have been given enough prep work to be fit enough first time out and T.S. Jodha who usually rides her has been declared. She still appears to have the scope to find some more improvement and although she has to return to form and prove that this shorter trip suits, she is worth keeping an eye on and could be a good outsider.
ASTRAL FLARE :- well bred 4 year old China Visit filly from the Vishal Gaikwad yard, she seems to be taking her time to come to hand is still a maiden after 4 starts. Her first 2 runs were over course and distance towards the end of last Pune season and she finished a modest 4th on both occasions without showing much improvement. She then ran twice in February both times over a mile and after running a forward race first time out, finished a promising 2nd to Tar Heel last time out. She resumes over a trip likely to be sharp for her now and the booking of N.S. Parmar suggests that she may be out for an airing but she has a nice pedigree and runners from the yard must be respected in this grade. Can upset if looking well.
CONCLUSION :- Dance The Dream is the confident selection to live up to the promise of her debut run where she looked an exciting prospect. She can be forgiven a poor run in the Poonawalla Million last time out and should resume her upward curve. Divine Power looks to be the main danger with Astral Flare the dark horse at longer odds.
Race No. 6 :- The Dr. S.R. Captain Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
BAYMAX :- Represents modest connections coming from the small stable of Trainer Vinesh but is the highest rated in this field and has performed with credit on both his starts so far. He ran a forward race on debut over this trip, kicking on to finish 3rd to Between The Waters and duly built on that performance next time out when a close 2nd to the highly regarded Frieze. Both his runs have been over this trip and he has the potential to progress again. There does not appear to be any preparatory track work on record which is a slight concern but the booking of P. Trevor who rode him on debut catches the eye and he is likely to give a good account of himself. He has decent maiden form to his name and has bagged the rail draw so must be respected.
BIG BEN :- Debutant from the M.K. Jadhav yard who is a half brother to Mekong Delta who has performed well for the same Trainer and looks a smart sort on paper but is likely to come into his own later over longer distances. He has been given a fair amount of prep work so should be fit enough first time out and N.S. Parmar has been booked to ride. A paddock check is advertised to ascertain his fitness but if looking ready, he deserves each way consideration.
CHOSEN ONE :- One of the most experienced runners in the line up having already run 4 times till date and has not done much to speak of so far, his best effort being a 5 length 3rd to Dance The Dream on his 2nd start. His subsequent runs over 1400M have been poor so it is interesting that his trainer drops him down to the minimum trip and he has run in much stronger company so looks to have been eased in grade. He is not certain to be suited by the minimum trip but C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and he can strike if suited by the drop in distance. Keep an eye.
DANCING HOOVES :- Given an educative run way back in January when making his debut and is likely to have learnt plenty from that experience although he is returning from a long absence. He is a full brother to Shield of Achilles who won 3 races on the trot in his limited career so he has a promising pedigree and has been showing good speed in the morning gallops of late. Trained by Dallas Todywalla who usually has his horses fit and ready early in the season, he looks a potential improver and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, looks one to consider each way.
ENCHANTED :- Speedy 3 year old from the Malesh Narredu yard, she raced twice in quick succession towards the end of the Mumbai season and arguably sets the form standard on her debut effort in the Banarsidas Million where she finished runner up to Run Forest Run with some useful types in behind her. She was turned out again quickly within the space of a week in a 5 furlong maiden which may not have suited her and after being hailed as the winner, was collared late on by rank outside Charles Bridge. That run probably came too soon for her so she can be forgiven it and having being rested and well prepared, she now looks set to make amends and is strongly fancied.
SANCERRE :- Fashionably bred debutant from the Sanjay Kolse yard, she is a half sister to Pune Derby winner Hills and Stars although the other siblings have run just modestly in Western India, including His Highness and Highraz both of whom were trained by Imtiaz Sait. She has moved nicely in her limited workouts but appears to be a little underdone and is likely to need this educative run and should find this trip a bit sharp. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and she is given a small each way chance on her impressive bloodlines.
CONCLUSION :-Enchanted appears to be working the best of this lot and is taken to get the better of Baymaxhere with Chosen One an interesting outsider for those looking for value provided he has the speed to tackle this drop in trip. Sancerre looks the best of the debutants.
Race No. 7 :- The Severianno Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1600M
SMART N NOBLE :- Highly regarded but under performed 5 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G he has a nice pedigree but has been plagued by injury throughout his career and has only managed 1 win in his 16 starts till date. He has raced very sparingly over the last few seasons and has had just one run apiece in the previous Mumbai and Pune seasons. However, his mark has dropped substantially as a result, this trip looks right and A. Imran Khan has been booked to ride. He could very well bounce back if returning to his best and is worth considering if he is looking well in the preliminaries.
ARASHI :- 4 year old filly trained by Vishal Gaikwad, she took her time to come to hand but seemed to be finding form early in the Mumbai season and was an impressive maiden winner over this trip back in January, winning by a large margin in the lower class. She was then off the track for a couple of months, reappearing only in April and was possibly a bit rusty when going down fighting to Flower Dust. She should strip fitter and improve for that run and looks to have a strong chance to get back to winning ways now.
PRICELESS ART :- Trained by Malesh Narredu, this 4 year old daughter of Excellent Art owned by the Poonawalla family began her career promisingly but seems to have gone off the boil in her last couple of starts. An unlucky loser over an inadequate 5 furlongs on debut, she showed good resilience to score a battling maiden success on her 2nd start upped to 7 furlongs when holding off Collegium and Adonijah to win narrowly. However, she was disappointing in her next 2 starts in similar contests finishing well held on both occasions and has been rested since her last run in March. She could have improved over the summer, has been kept relatively fresh and with Yash Narredu reunited with her, looks who could improve and bounce back although she does have question marks surrounding her.
COSIMO :- Earlier trained by Altamash Ahmed, this 6 year old half brother to Ocean and Beyond has looked a potentially useful type but has failed to live upto expectations and was sold into Narendra Lagad’s yard a couple of starts ago. Overall a winner of just 1 of his 19 starts, he showed good improvement for his new connections when just failing to score last time out in an older horses contest over 1400M, succumbing to Golden Eclipse by half a length. He seems to have maintained his condition judging from his recent workouts and Dasrath Singh has been booked to ride. He looks to be on a reasonable mark at present, and if building on that last effort, can reward his connections with another win.
HOPEILICIOUS :- 4 year old maiden trained by NiradKaranjawala, he has been knocking at the door for some time now over a variety of trips and has gone close on a couple of occasions but is still winless from 12 starts. He has finished runner up in his last 2 starts over 6 and 7 furlongs and is now being upped to a mile for the first time. He is not certain to stay this longer trip but seems to be well within himself at present, T.S. Jodha takes the ride and if he continues to progress then he could very well be a factor in this open contest.
HUZZAH’S GRACE :- 4 year old filly who took advantage of her plunging mark to score a battling maiden success over this trip back in March getting the better of hot favourite Angels Harmony close home to win decisively. However she ran inexplicably poorly next time out under a penalty but seemed to leave that running behind last time out when making good late headway over 6 furlongs to be a late finishing 3rd to Nembe Greek with Hopeilicious 2 lengths ahead of her in 2nd. She should relish the return to this more suitable trip and is still relatively unexposed. C.S. Jodha takes the ride and she looks quite capable of bouncing back and returning to winning ways.
LUCKY LUCIANO :- Well bred 4 year old gelding who had come down considerably in the scales but finally seemed to find form in his last 2 starts and after finishing a promising 2nd to Komandant over 2000M, went on to gain a clear cut maiden success over the same trip convincingly beating Whoopsidaisy and Silver Moon. He has not been unduly penalized for that win and looks to have further scope to improve. He has been working well and although the drop in trip is not ideal, S.A. Amit takes the ride and he should make a bold bid to go in again.
CONCLUSION :- Difficult to pick a winner here with several chances and this race is probably best left alone. Arashiand Huzzah’s Grace make the most appeal.
Race No. 8 :- The Classic Talk Plate – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
STAR ANISE :- well bred 4 year old filly from the Faisal Abbas yard who had been showing gradual progression with her racing and finally came good at the 8th time of asking when getting up late to pip odds on favourite Optimum and score an upset win over 1200M with Golden Tower back in 3rd. She was relatively unfancied that day so has only been penalized 4 kilos for the win and could unlock some more improvement. She has top weight to defy in this large field but could improve again and is worth considering each way with G. Amit in the saddle.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- Exposed 5 year old mare trained by M.P. Jodha, she has managed to win 1of her 19 starts till date but now looks to have come back down to a workable mark and ran a couple of suggestive 2nds towards the end of the Mumbai season including on her last start when a distant 2nd to Rio De Janeiro over this trip. She appears to have maintained her condition well over the summer and has moved well in her preparatory work. D.S. Daman takes over in the saddle now from inexperienced apprentice and she is another who runs with a strong each way chance.
GOLDEN TOWER :- Progressive 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard who is relatively lightly raced and has been showing good early speed in her last couple of starts. After doing nothing of note in her first 3 runs, she led for a long way over 1200M in her penultimate run before kicking on to finish a decent 3rd to Star Anise. She was well fancied next time out with today’s rider up and dropped to the minimum trip but could not sustain her effort and weakened to finish a close 3rd to Milwalkee and Arc of Passion. M. Ayyar has been retained to ride again today but unfortunately she has gotten a wide outside draw in gate 15 and that could be a serious impediment to her chances. She is likely to improve and must be considered but the draw could prove to be a stopper and tempers enthusiasm.
BEWITCHED :- Well bred maiden 4 year old who is another transfer to M.K. Jadhav from C.D. Katrak and who showed signs of coming to hand in her last start over 1000M where she finished an unextended 3rd behind Royal Blood and Abraxas. She has been working very well of late suggesting that she has made further progress and the booking of P. Trevor is noteworthy. She is a potentially unexposed type who could just be coming to hand and looks a strong contender to score if reproducing her workouts on the track.
SKYSURFER :- 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who caught the eye in the paddock on several occasions during the Mumbai season but failed to score on the track and is still a maiden after 7 starts. She campaigned exclusively over 1200M in her 4 runs and performed well on each occasions, placing twice and finishing in or just outside the frame on the other 2 occasions, not been a long way last time out when 5th but only a length behind the winner Highland Woods. She continues to work well on the Pune course, should not be bothered by the drop to the minimum and appears to be fit and well. Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and she merits strong each way consideration.
FINANCIER :- Very interesting and well bred 4 year old maiden who was trained for much of her career by C.D. Katrak with whom she was skilfully brought down in the scales to a very attractive mark and gave glimpses of ability on her first run with Nosher Cama when making disinterested late headway to finish 3rd to Bohemian with a feeble rider up. That was her first run of some note and she is likely to improve from that effort and progress again. Having been untried till date, she could well be treated kindly be her current mark and with P.S. Chouhan taking over in the saddle now, she is one to monitor very closely indeed.
GANDALF :- 11 race maiden 4 year old gelding trained by Asad Siddiqui who stepped up markedly on his previous form on his penultimate start when flying home late to be an excellent close 2nd to Golden Horde over 1200M. He may not have been at his best in his last start when only 3rd to the very well backed Transform and he can be forgiven that run. He looks another with the scope to find some improvement and with the feeble Amyn Merchant replaced by Bhawani Singh and the rail draw to boot, he looks an interesting outsider.
CONCLUSION :- Another race which it is probably better not to punt but Bewitched and Financier both appear relatively well treated at present and both have run suggestively in their last starts and have smart pedigrees. A market move for either one could prove significant
