From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Wednesday, 15th August 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 14 Aug 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Wednesday, 15th August 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The True Elegance Plate – Div. II – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
WABI SABI :- Lightly raced 4 year old filly from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard, she is still a maiden after 7 starts having made her debut on this track last August. She had 3 runs during the last Pune season and 4 in Mumbai with her best effort being on her 3rd start over course and distance when finishing a length 2nd to Aurelia in maiden company. The handicapper has given her a chance after her poor efforts in Mumbai but she still has scope to improve and seems to be working well of late. Stable jockey D.S. Daman has been booked to ride and she merits each way consideration if running upto her best.
SHAKIN STEVENS :- Another maiden 4 year old, this one trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has been working well for a long time now but has failed to reproduce it on the track so far, having flopped when well fancied on a couple of occasions. However, he appeared to have improved on his seasonal reappearance over this trip when he went to the front from his wide draw and finished a very close 3rd to Eternal Dancer in the feeble hands of Mansoor Khan which was his best effort to date. Divine Spark who finished 2nd that day and Aquarius who finished 4th both reoppose and while he is ½ length worse off with Divine Spark on the scale, the switch to Neeraj Rawal and the No. 1 stall as opposed to Stall 14 should tilt the scales in his favour. If he is able to build on that last effort, then he looks to have a very strong chance to score today.
XOXO :- Half brother to Wabi Sabi from the yard of S.S. Shah he is winless from 10 starts till date but has been relatively consistent and has been tried over trips ranging from 1200 – 1600M and he has managed to place on a couple of occasions. He too made a smart reappearance when a close 2nd to Arabian Storm over this trip last time out with the same rider up. He comes off marginally better off than Tally Ho who finished 3rd that day, has been working well since the run and is another who can shed his maiden tag if unlocking some more improvement. Makes the short list.
TALLY HO :- Inconsistent and unreliable 5 year old trained by Narendra Lagad, he has run 21 times till date and has a solitary success to his name winning over 1000M on this track in September last year. He showed signs of rediscovering form when finishing on late to be a close 3rd behind Xoxo in a race where he had a more fancied stable mate. He is not certain to repeat that run again but is closely matched with Xoxo on that running and if running upto the same level, then he can very well be involved in the finish with T.S. Jodha astride today in place of Bhawani Singh.
DIVINE SPARK :- Aged and exposed 7 year old gelding who’s losing run has now stretched to 16 but she has gone close a couple of times in the past over this trip and was finishing on best of all last time out when ending up a close 2nd to Eternal Dancer just ahead of Shakin Stevens and Aquarius. The switch from Yash Narredu to C.S. Jodha is a positive and she is half a length better off with Shakin Stevens at the weights but may struggle to confirm the form with the latter much better off with his draw and new rider. Looks likely to make it into the frame again today but place seems a safer option and may find one or two too good again today.
AQUARIUS :- Another fully exposed 5 year old, this one from the M.K. Jadhav yard, he has run 20 times without a win and seems to have slipped to a reasonable handicap mark at present. He made leisurely late progress last time out to finish up 4th behind a couple of these but looks held by them on the last run and although he may run into a place again, minor honours appear the best that he can hope for with D.A. Naik’s win record not at all encouraging.
CONCLUSION :-A trappy looking contest like most of these are but it is noteworthy to note that most of the principals had their previous run over course and distance on the same day and that the timing of the upper division was significantly quicker than the lower division which would lead me to side with Xoxo as the selection to get the better of Shakin Stevens who should benefit greatly from a much better rider and a kinder draw
Race No. 2 :- The Nawab & Begum Faiyaz Husain Memorial Trophy – Div. II – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
DANCING HOOVES :- Twice raced Arazan gelding from the stable of Dallas Todywalla, he has been catching the eye in morning work since his juvenile days but failed to make an impression on his debut way back in December when finishing last of the 5 runners over 1200M behind Octavius and he did not run again in Mumbai. He was given a lung opener on this track over 1000M on the opening day and ended up 6th behind Enchanted, finishing 2 ½ lengths behind Navigator who runs in the other division. He is a full brother to Shield of Achilles who did well over 6 furlongs in Western India and this is a good Indian family which traces back to Forest Regent (winner of 5 races) and Star Presentation, who won the Deccan Derby and was placed in the Mysore and Bangalore Derbies. He may be worth trying over this more galloping trip with S. Zervan replacing Neeraj Rawal in the saddle and although he is likely best watched today, he can add some spice to the finish if taking to the longer trip.
MASAR :- Full brother to Khartoum from the yard of S.A. Waheed, he is one of the more experienced runners in the line up having run thrice before and made the frame on every occasion. Competing in the very first race for 2 year olds at the end of the last Pune season he finished a distant 3rd to Desert Pride and built on that performance upped to 6 furlongs next time out in Mumbai when finishing a fair 3rd to Silver Locket but did not progress again next time out when only 4th behind Mount Olympus. He is having his first start since then but seems to have improved and strengthened over the summer and his recent trackwork has also been encouraging. P.S. Chouhan has been booked to ride and if having improved over the break, then he looks to have a good each way chance.
NOTTING HILL :- Also thrice raced and from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji, this half brother to Amaris ( a winner of 2 races from 15 starts in Mysore) made his debut in a very hot maiden race on Derby Day and was understandably out of his depth finishing dead last. However, he showed the benefit of that run when reappearing over 1400M in April to end up a close 4th to Truly Epic. He has already had a run this season, finishing a fair 4th to Awesome One over this trip and should have a fitness advantage today. A. Imran Khan takes over in the saddle for S. Zervan today and he looks to have a strong chance today and is respected.
VALEGRO :- Got abroad debutant from the Pesi Shroff yard who is out of top miler in the UK Canford Cliffs with the dam out of a Danzig mare so like most from the yard, he looks the part on paper. He has been relatively well prepared to be fit enough on debut and has put in some decent workouts over a mile so should be suited by the 7 furlong trip. A. Sandesh takes the ride and he may be good enough to beat this field on debut and looks a strong fancy although a paddock check is advised to see that he is fit enough.
MERLOT :- Another debutant this one by Saamidd who has been doing well with his progeny of late and is trained by Faisal Abbas. The mare comes from a successful Indian line having produced the great Tintinnabulation along with Handy Man and Albertino and Merlot too should be a smart sort. She too has been working quite well in the lead up to this race and should be fit and ready to go on debut. Yash Narredu takes the ride, and if she is looking fit and well then she too deserves serious consideration and is expected to run well.
CONCLUSION :- With those that have run not setting the world alight, the two well bred debutants look capable of scoring first time out and Valegro is the selection to make a winning debut with Notting Hill appearing to be the best of the raced horses and having a fitness advantage. Merlot also looks promising and is respected
Race No.3 :- The Enlightenment Plate – Class II & III – Distance :- 1200M
EXCELLENT GOLD :- Progressive 4 year old trained by Narendra Lagad who has an admirable strike rate of 4 wins from 9 starts, rattling off a sequence of 4 consecutive victories between September and December last year as well as running some good races in defeat subsequently. He ran below par on his reappearance though in a similar contest when finishing a poor 5th behind Timeless although that was in the higher class and he is now eased in grade but goes up significantly in weight. He should be fitter and sharper for the run and A. Sandesh now takes over from Dashrath Singh in the saddle. However, he may find weight to be a stopper and although he cannot be ignored he may struggle to score in this company.
GAZINO :- Another speedy 4 year old colt from the Nosher Cama stable, he has an excellent strike rate of 3 wins from his 9 starts and has yet to finish outside the frame in his career. He has looked very progressive over this trip and seems to hold Excellent Gold on a line through Summer Rays. However, his last run was way back in January so he is returning from a long break although he has been working extremely well and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness. P.S. Chouhan his regular rider is on board again today and if he is fit and ready to go then he can continue his progression and would be a danger to all.
GLYNDEBOURNE :-Yet another progressive 4 year old who has been racing up the handicap ranks and comes into this race bidding for a hattrick after 2 fluent wins in her last 2 starts. Having been campaigned exclusively over 7 furlongs for most of his career she showed no ill effects when dropped to this trip last time out, scoring effortlessly from end to end over Bunting and Fringe Benefit. However, she does have a 6 ½ kilo penalty to contend with which could prove to be stiff against this opposition and the fact that Sandesh has opted for Excellent Gold instead of her suggests that she may just need this lung opener. She has been well prepared though, S. Zervan is a decent alternative and she cannot be left out of consideration.
STAR OF THEA :- Stable mate of Excellent Gold who has made a remarkable transformation since switching to front running tactics and has been going from strength to strength, winning 4 of his last 6 starts and finished a close runner up in the other two. He is effective over both 6 and 7 furlongs and showed good determination in his last start over course and distance earlier in the season to hold off Take Five and score in the lower class. He is up a further 4 ½ kilos now and faces his toughest task yet but is currently in great heart and T.S. Jodha seems to get on very well with him. He will try to make a bold bid from the front yet again and must be respected.
IN THE STARS:- Another very promising and progressive 4 year old filly who is a half sister to Holy Smoke and has managed to win 3 of her 4 career starts to date, the last one in the care of Dallas Todywalla to whom she shifted after beginning her career with C.D. Katrak. She showed a taking turn of foot on Derby Day to come from a long way back and score over Gallant Knight over this trip but that run came way back in February and she too will have fitness to prove after the long absence. She too however has been working exceptionally well and has the maximum scope to improve among this lot. P. Trevor who rode her last time out is up again today and receiving weight from most of her rivals, she looks to have an excellent chance to continue her upward curve and if fit enough first time out, she will take a lot of beating in this hugely competitive affair.
QUEEN CREDIBLE :- Exposed 5 year old mare trained by Rehanullah Khan, she has been quite versatile with regards to trip but appears to be best over 1000M at present. She has managed to win 3 of her 21 starts till date but is usually quite consistent and has placed on a number of occasions. She finished 3rd behind Gazino over this trip back in Mumbai and looks relatively well placed on that form and she should be fit enough after having a run already this season when finishing on to be runner up to Wild Fire over 1000M. C.S. Jodha is an encouraging Jockey booking and although she looks to be more of a place contender she may find it tough to win in this company. Each way chances.
LADY SERGEANT :- Speedy but inconsistent 5 year old mare trained by S.S. Shah she has a decent overall record of 3 wins from 10 starts but seems to lack a bit of consistency with her wins coming every alternate start. She beat Sprinters Cup runner up Lincoln on her last win back in Mumbai so that looks decent form and she has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs. She has been working well since the run, Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha and she could be a dark horse who could spring a surprise if she has her galloping shoes on.
CONCLUSION :- Probably one of the most competitive races of the day but In The Stars looks a Group Class sprinter in the making and in spite of the long lay off, is selected to continue her winning spree. Gazino, also returning from a long absence is working very well and is feared along with the rapidly improving and in form Star of Thea.
Race No. 4 :- The Nana Ragunath Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
COLLEGIUM :- Solid 4 year old handicapper from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has won twice but has placed on 7 occasions and is usually quite effective over this trip. He was in excellent form towards the end of the last Mumbai season, scoring over this trip in the lower class, convincingly beating She’s A Tiger and Jigar with the same rider up. He went on to finish runner up to Bunting under a penalty and caught the eye on his earlier run this season when making leisurely progress to finish a disinterested 4th to Star of Thea. He should improve and strip fitter for that run and looks a big danger to all in spite of top weight. R. Ajinkya claims a useful 2 ½ kilos in the saddle and he looks set to run a very big race and is strongly fancied.
MAKINO :- Solid 5 year old handicapper trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been out of form for some time now but is extremely capable over this trip when on song, his last win coming around this time last year with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle. He has been fighting a losing battle with the handicapper since then and although he has run a couple of decent races in defeat, one would like to see a little more spark from him before seriously fancying him. He has had a lung opener already this season to blow away the cobwebs and has been working very well since the run. He definitely comes into the reckoning on the pick of his form and with Neeraj Rawal back on board, he definitely merits consideration.
ANGELS TOUCH :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Karthik G who just seems to be coming into her own and gained a confidence boosting maiden victory last time out when easily accounting for Sandalphon and Eiger’s Tiger in the lower class over 1400M. She has been penalized 6 ½ kilos for the win although the drop in trip does not appear to be ideal but is likely to progress again and may yet be ahead of the handicapper as she contested mainly tougher races before this. A. Imran Khan who rode her last time out retains the ride and she should make a bold bid to repeat.
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :- 5 year old mare trained by A.M. Jadhav who had lost her way after beginning her career in promising fashion and after several poor runs, bounced back to form on her last run in Mumbai when getting up late to score an upset win over Cosimo and Relentles Pursuit over 1400M in an older horses contest. She is having her first start since then and has to prove that she is resuming in the same vein although the drop in trip should not be a problem. N.S. Parmar who rode her to victory takes the ride again and she cannot be completely discounted but she looks a little short on prep work and is also not the most reliable. Can be considered for Jackpot.
ORION’S BELT :- 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who is a winner of 2 of her 15 starts and has run reasonably well the last twice, having come back down to a workable handicap mark. She went very close on her penultimate run over 1400M when a half length 2nd to Mount Mckinley and ran fairly well last time out dropped to this trip, making the running and keeping on to be a close 4th to Epiphany. She is having her 3rd run in a short period of time but looks to be in good heart and may attempt pillar to post tactics again. The wide draw in Stall 11 is a disadvantage but T.S. Jodha takes the ride and she looks an each way contender again.
SAFDAR :- Well bred 5 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan who is probably better than his form figures of 1 win from 18 starts suggest. He has come down considerably in the weights with a string of poor performances but showed some sparkle last time out over this trip when finishing on from the rear to be runner up to Sporto. His solitary career win came off a mark of 34 and he is now rated 33 so he looks well placed on the scales and it is significant that after several runs with apprentice Riders, A. Sandesh has been booked to ride today. He could be well treated on the handicap and looks an interesting contender here who could strike if building on the last effort.
CONCLUSION :- Another competitive handicap to sift through but Collegium ran promisingly last time out and could earn another bracket with the benefit of the run with R. Ajinkya getting on well with him. Safdar is respected with A. Sandesh up and looks a danger along with last time out winner Angels Touch
Race No. 5 :- The Nawab & Begum Faiyaz Husain Memorial Trophy – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
BARBARESCO :- Half brother to Heather and Sassy Lass who comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and who’s last couple of workouts have been very promising. A paddock check would clearly be advised to ascertain his fitness and he may be a touch underdone today. However, he is making his debut against opposition that does not look particularly strong and he could have the ability to tackle this lot and make a winning debut with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
DEAN’S GOLD :- Dean’s Kitten gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has done nothing of note in his 3 runs till date but all his previous 3 runs have been over 1000M and he steps up to middle distances for the first time. He has had a lung opener in Pune to blow away the cobwebs and after 3 runs with average riders, Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride today. He has been working quite well of late and if he takes to the longer trip, then he looks to have a decent each way chance.
NAVIGATOR :- Full brother to Viking who made an eye catching debut over 1000M on the opening day, making up ground from the rear to be a late finishing 5th to Enchanted and will be much better suited over this more galloping trip. He is likely to strip much fitter after the run and seems to have improved judging from his recent track work. P. Trevor is an eye catching jockey booking for the yard, he is the highest rated runner in this field and looks to be a leading contender to improve on his debut run and score now.
ORIANA :- Full sister to Silken Star who was given an educative run over 1000M towards the end of the Mumbai season and is likely to have learnt plenty from that experience. She has been given a fair amount of work leading up to this first run in Pune and also went a Mock Race where she finished down the field. She is an unknown quantity with a nice pedigree and could be anything so she is worth respecting with Yash Narredu on board and could figure in the frame.
CONCLUSION :- Barbaresco looks a promising sort and is tipped to make a winning debut. Navigator with P.Trevor up and the benefit of a run looks a very live danger
Race No. 6 :- The Mayor Baburao Sanas Memorial Independence Million powered by SRS Group – Class IV and V – Distance :- 2000M
KIMBERELLA :- Lightly raced Western Aristocrat 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait, she appears to be developing into a decent stayer but has to concede weight all around in this large field. She has run 7 times till date and is a winner of 2 of those races, both her wins coming over a mile, the last of them on her penultimate run in Mumbai where she got the better of Momentum by a little over a length. She has had the advantage of a run already this season when chasing home In It To Win It over 1800M and appears to have come on for that run. P. Trevor has been booked to ride and she must come into consideration although she may be out handicapped against one or two of these.
SMART N NOBLE :- 5 year old gelding sporting the famous silks of Dr.M.A.M. Ramaswamy who has been relatively lightly raced and a winner of 1 of his 14 starts. He returned after a long absence towards the end of the Mumbai season and has had a run here as well to regain some fitness. He looks quite attractively placed on the scale and should stay this far, with his solitary win coming over a mile. He did contest the Pune Derby as a 3 year old so clearly was held in very high regard and if retaining any of his old ability, could be a dark horse who could upset here with A. Imran Khan in the saddle.
STAR BRIGHT :- Nicely bred and unexposed China Visit filly who is in the care of young Deepesh Narredu and has only raced twice so far and has plenty of scope to improve. She made her debut over an inadequate 6 furlongs back in February where she finished midfield but showed marked improvement when upped to a mile last time out when she spread eagled her Class IV rivals to win handsomely by a little over 5 lengths. She will no doubt have unlocked some more improvement over the break and has been judiciously prepared and given a Mock Race to get her fit enough. The only perplexing thing is the booking of C. Umesh to ride and if memory serves me right, he is yet to ride a winner and his inexperience when count in a race of this nature. She clearly looks to have an excellent chance on paper but the jockey booking tempers enthusiasm.
SWIFTNESS :- Another well bred and solid stayer in the making, this filly from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha but she is another who appears to be returning from a setback and it will be a great training feat if she can win this first time out. She showed gradual improvement with a step up in distance and scored her maiden victory on this track last September over 2400M beating Carnival and Lady Be Good. However, she seemed to suffer a setback since then, having just one run at the end of December in Mumbai where she finished last of the 6 runners and she has not raced since then. She has been moving well in her limited workouts and D.S.Daman has been booked to ride but she will be surely rusty after such a long break and is entitled to need this run. Rank outsider.
TAR HEEL :- Progressive looking 4 year old who is the 2nd runner for the yard in this race and seemed to come to hand towards the latter half of the Mumbai season. After no show on his first few starts, he scored a fluent victory over a mile in February where he beat Astral Flare quite convincingly. He then went on to finish runner up in his next two starts, going down narrowly to Yellowstone and then finishing 2nd to In It To Win It upped to this trip last time out in Mumbai and he appears to hold Kimberella on that form. He has been working well on the Pune track, C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and he is another who looks to have a serious chance on form and must be considered in this highly competitive event.
ARTUS :- Another well bred 4 year old, this one from the stable of Nosher Cama who has run just 8 times and is another who seems to be just coming to hand. After being fancied on a couple of occasions and failing, he scored a decisive maiden success over 1800M in Class V, easily beating Finest Moment and Dazzling Eyes and then showed further improvement up at this trip when runner up to Khartoum the pair clear of the rest. He has not had a lung opener on this track which is a slight negative but he has been working well and performed reasonably in a Mock Race. Retained rider P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and he must be given a chance if he is fit and ready to go.
MOMENTUM :- Improving half brother to Oaks winner Tiger Tops who is in the care of Pesi Shroff and should improve eventually into a solid stayer. Having raced twice in Mumbai, he was given an educative debut run over a mile where he finished midfield and showed the benefit of that run next time out when he finished runner up to Kimberella with whom he is weighted to gain revenge. He missed out on his lead up run this season when withdrawn at the gates and failing to take part about 10 days ago and he appears to be well placed on the scale. He looks to have the potential to score in this company and is respected with N.S. Parmar in the saddle.
ASTRAL FLARE :- Comes from the yard of Vishal Gaikwad and is another who looks to be coming to hand in her last 2 starts. Having raced 5 times overall, she did not show much in her first 3 starts but then dropped into Class V, was a firm favourite but found Tar Heel too strong and she looks closely matched with her rival on that run. She has had the benefit of a run this season when going down narrowly to Grey Flannel over an inadequate 6 furlongs with Till End of Time close behind in 3rd and this longer trip will be right up her alley. A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle from N.S. Parmar, she is working well and from the bottom of the weights, she deserves serious consideration.
CONCLUSION :- This race is traditionally competitive and this year’s renewal is no exception and winner picking looks very tough. The ones to short list appear to be Astral Flare, Tar Heel, Momentum and Star Bright.
Race No. 7 :- The Unforgettable You Plate – Class V – 4 Years Old & over – Distance :- 1600M
ABERLOUR :- Well bred and lightly raced 4 year old trained by Altamash Ahmed who made an impressive debut back in Mumbai over 1400M when making good late headway to finish an eye catching 3rd to Celestial Light. He had a lung opener over 1200M on the opening day of the season and should be fitter and sharper for that run. He has been working very well and he ran an impressive Mock Race 10 days ago when finishing a ½ length 2nd to Tanjo. The step up to a mile will clearly be in his favour and the switch to S.A. Amit from S. Jaykumar is a positive. He looks an unexposed type who looks well placed on the scales and if reproducing his mock race effort, looks a strong fancy to make it 3rd time lucky.
EIGER’S TIGER :- Veteran of 36 races this 5 year old from Narendra Lagad’s yard has managed only 2 previous victories although he has placed on 11 occasions. He seems to have come down to a mark which is not too high above his last winning one and the mile trip looks to be ideal. He showed that he still had zest for racing when finishing on late to be 3rd to Angel’s Touch over 7 furlongs and has a fitness advantage today. A. Sandesh is also a rare and eye catching Jockey Booking for the yard and he looks set to run a very big race and should have a bold show.
ARRECIFE :- Well bred and relatively unexposed 4 year old who does not appear to be completely straightforward and is still a maiden after 7 starts. Her 2 best runs have come over 1400M but those runs are interspersed with some below par efforts. She too has had a lung opener this season running the same race as Aberlour on the opening day and is likely to be fitter and sharper today. The step up to a mile is likely to suit and she has been working well. A. Imran Khan has been booked to ride suggesting that connections fancy their chances and she looks to have each way claims if in a galloping mood.
CRISTO BOSS:-Maiden 5 year old gelding trained by Vijay Kasbekar who’s losing run has stretched to 20 now and although he has gone close on a number of occasions, finishing 2nd 4 times, he does not appear to be totally genuine and rarely runs two consistent races. He looked like his turn was not far away last time out when finishing on strongly to be runner up to Angels Harmony over a mile and if he can reproduce that effort with N.S. Parmar retaining the ride, then he stands a good chance to score an overdue maiden success.
RICARDUS :- Well bred but under performed Arazan 5 year old trained by S.K. Sunderji, he gained his maiden success over 1400M just a few starts ago and on his last start in Mumbai dropping down to 1200M, he finished 3rd to Isinit. He is tackling this mile trip for only the 2nd time although he finished well beaten on the previous occasion. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and is another who merits each way consideration with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
ANGEL COIN :- 4 year old filly from the small stable of S. N. Joshi she has run 13 times till date and has mainly been out of form in most of her starts but did show some ability on her penultimate start when runner up to Raise A Grand over 1400M, the only other time that K. Nazil has taken the ride. The winner has gone on to frank the form since and she has had a run already this term to get her fit. K. Nazil has been booked to ride again, she does still have some scope to improve and could be a lively outsider from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :- Aberlour looks a well bred sort who is expected to improve on just his 3rd start and is selected to get off the mark. The list of dangers is long the well handicapped Eiger’s Tiger and Cristo Boss heading them.
Race No. 8 :- The True Elegance Plate – Div. I – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
FABIO :- Exposed 5 year old gelding from the stable of Sanjay Kolse who has managed just 1 win in 19 starts till date but is beginning to look extremely well handicapped with his mark having tumbled from a high of 43 down to 30. He has been eased in grade into the lowest class and the booking of Neeraj Rawal is encouraging. That being said, he has looked well handicapped in the past but has run poorly and needs to show that he retains some ability. He is given a small upset chance if he has his galloping shoes on but comes with plenty of risks.
LESREL :- Promising 4 year old got abroad from the yard of Vishal Gaikwad, he has had just one run, making his debut way back in December where he was sent off favourite over 1200M and showed early speed to lead until well into the straight before weakening and dropping away. He has not been raced since so has been given time to improve and come to hand and his recent workouts have been very encouraging. He has tremendous scope for improvement, looks to be feasibly weighted and with good apprentice H. Zeeshan booked to ride, he looks set to give a much better account of himself and is one of the leading fancies.
BRAVE :- well bred but lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he is clearly held in high regard by his connections and began his racing as late as February this year. He was quietly fancied on just his 2nd career start where he was the medium of a sizeable gamble but could only end up 4th to Wilshire over this trip. He was again strongly fancied over 1400m on his seasonal reappearance and seemed to be making it before being caught virtually in the last stride by I Am The Way and the slight drop in trip should suit. He has the edge over Lesrel in fitness, has A. Sandesh booked to ride and looks to have a strong chance to finally gain his first success.
YUTAKA :- Exposed 4 year old handicapper from the S.K. Sunderji stable who took advantage of a lenient mark to score his maiden success over this trip back in December but has appeared to be in the grip of the handicapper since that time. He has had 5 runs till then and hinted at finding some improvement last time out over 1000M when running on to finish 3rd to Impala. C.S. Jodha who rode him that day retains the ride and he looks to have a chance to make the frame again today but lacks the scope of the unexposed improvers and looks more of a minor berth contender.
GOLDEN HORDE :- Bezan Chenoy trained 5 year old gelding who has managed to win 1 of his 11 starts but seems to have a similar profile to Yutaka and has struggled to progress since gaining his maiden victory. He did run on to finish 4th to Sporto on his seasonal reappearance though making late headway and if he can build on that last effort then he could be given frame claims. Stable apprentice Santosh G has been booked to ride and he too looks an each way player.
OSPREY ARROW :- Began her career with Pesi Shroff but was soon sold into the yard of S.N. Joshi and ran a promising first race for her new connections when making late headway to finish 4th to Malavika over 1000M and the switch from C. Umesh to K. Nazil is a positive. She is still a relatively unexposed sort who is working well and could be an interesting outsider.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be between the 2 lightly raced potential improvers Brave and Lesrel who are expected to fight out the finish. The latter has more scope to improve and has been working well while the former has a fitness and form advantage.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
