From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 24th August 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 23 Aug 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 24th August 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Secret Romeo Plate – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1600M
GOLDEN HIND :- Comes from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, is clearly the highest rated runner in this field and also seems to have the best form, having finished runner up on both his starts so far. Making his debut back in March in Mumbai over 1200M, he finished on in pleasing fashion to be runner up to the highly regarded Dazzling Star. He looked soft and not totally wound up on his run here earlier this season but still made another highly rated sort in Hammersmith pull out all the stops before going down fighting by ¾ length over 1400M. He will undoubtedly have stripped fitter for that run and the additional furlong looks likely to suit. A. Sandesh who was up that day, retains the ride, he looks to be progressing nicely and looks a leading fancy to win at the third time of asking.
PONDAROSA :- Excellent Art gelding from the yard of Trainer Vinesh, he has run thrice till date and showed some promise on his 2nd run of life back in Mumbai over 1400M where he finished on to be a close 3rd to Excellent and Awesome One with Gold Magic well behind him that day. He did finish some way behind Golden Hind on his seasonal debut though and will need to improve significantly to reverse that form. However, he has been working well since that run, Yash Narredu takes over in the saddle from Neeraj Rawal and he looks to have a good each way chance.
FANFARE :- Nicely bred 3 year old filly trained by the in form S.K. Sunderji, she had 3 runs in Mumbai in her juvenile season, twice over 6 furlongs and the last run stepped up to 7 and ran modestly on all 3 occasions. 4th on debut to Octavius over 1200M she went on to finish 5th to Mount Olympus over the same trip and then returned after a 2 month break to finish 4th over 1400M to Kanchenjunga. She is having her first run this season but appears to have improved significantly over the summer as her recent track work has been excellent and the step up to a mile should also suit. C.S. Jodha is also in top form as is the yard, and although a paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness, she looks a potential improver who could spring a surprise if reproducing her good work.
FLEUR DE LYS :- Arazan filly from the yard of Trainer S.A. Waheed who is a half sister to Imperial Heritage who has run twice before and is another likely to be suited by this longer trip. Both her previous runs have been over sprints, making her debut over 1000M in Mumbai and finishing 4th to Impala with some good horses in front of her. She looked to have improved when reappearing her over 1200M almost 3 weeks ago when making late headway to finish 4th to Bernice which also appeared to be a strong race. She too has been working extremely well since the run, looks likely to improve on just her 3rd career start and the switch from J. Chinoy to P.S. Chouhan is also a positive. She should be well fancied and seems to be the main danger to Golden Hind.
RED FIRE :- Burden of Proof filly who is one of two runners for the stable of Dallas Todywalla and is also having her 3rd start and taking a big step up in trip. She was given an educative run over 1000M towards the end of the Mumbai season, finishing a faraway 6th to Rose Gold and looked in need of the run on her reappearance here over 1200M where she finished well behind Fleur De Lys. However, she too should be fitter and sharper today, the longer trip may suit her better and she also appears to have improved judging from her recent track movements. T.S. Jodha is replaced in the saddle by S. Zervan and she looks another who could fight it out for minor honours if showing some more improvement.
CONCLUSION :- Golden Hind appears to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark and has ticks in most of the boxes and is the confident selection. Fleur De Lys is likely to give him the most to do while the well bred Fanfare looks a dark horse.
Race No. 2 :- The Nirmal Ruia Trophy – Class I and II – Distance :- 1400M
CONGRESSIONAL :- Aged 7 year old gelding trained by Bezan Chenoy who was a force to reckon with over this trip in his younger days and has a fine record of 6 wins and 7 seconds from his 31 starts. However, like most of the good ones from his generation, age seems to be taking it’s toll and he looks vulnerable against the younger horses. He finished on nicely to be 4th over 1200M on his seasonal reappearance behind Timeless where he had both Mygrator and Summer Rays behind him but could only manage 6th again behind Timeless in the Turf Club Trophy. He drops into a handicap again and A. Imran Khan replaces T.S.Jodha in the saddle so although he should run well again, it looks tough for him to tackle the younger horses and place appears to be the best that he can hope for.
CAMBRIDGE :- Sparingly raced 4 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff stable, he was a one time Classic hopeful and was prepared accordingly but was a shade disappointing in his lead up to the 2000 Guineas where he finished runner up to Bottega Louie and had to win the race in the Stewards room. He was taken to South India instead to contest the South Indian 2000 Guineas and finished a well beaten 3rd to Tutankhamun. Returning to Western India, he scored a fine win over 1400M in a Million race on Derby Day with Summer Rays back in 3rd and then went on to score an easy win over a mile last time out, beating Supreme General comfortably in a 2 horse race. He is having his first run of the season and has fitness to prove back from the long break but clearly has plenty of ability and with A. Sandesh in the saddle, looks to have a fine opportunity to extend his already excellent record.
GOVERNOR GENERAL :- Consistent 6 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav, he is quite versatile with regards to trip, tackling anything between 1000-1400M and has finished in the first two on 10 of his 17 starts, winning on 5 occasions. After a couple of near misses in the recent Mumbai season, he ended the season with a narrow win over 1200M where he got up late to pip Timeless with Mygrator back in 3rd. He appears to be a little short on preparatory work but the booking of P. Trevor suggests that connections fancy their chances. He is expected to run well and can be involved.
MYGRATOR :- Another promising 4 year old from the Malesh Narredu yard, he was unstoppable on this track last season rattling off 4 straight wins in a row from 1000M to 1400M before finishing runner up to Ruffina on the opening day of the Mumbai season. He ran poorly in the Indian 2000 Guineas however and seems to have lost his spark since then although he did go very close over 1200M in January when just failing to collar Abbey. He has had a lung opener on the opening day of the season when finishing 6th to Timeless just about ½ a length behind Congressional who was 4th and is expected to improve for that run. He has yet to show that he has returned to the form of last season but looks to be on a decent mark and if returning to his best form, he can trouble them all with P.S. Chouhan astride.
SUMMER RAYS :- 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has a good overall record and has made steady progress up the handicap ranks but has to bounce back from a below par effort on the opening day where she was strongly fancied but finished only 7th in the race won by Timeless. She is usually at her best over 6 furlongs but has done reasonably well over 1400M as well and looks to be very well placed on the scale. She is much better placed with Cambridge on their earlier meeting in Mumbai and has been working well for most of this season. She may just have been rusty last time out and looks to have a big chance at the weights if leaving that running behind. C.S. Jodha takes the ride today and she looks a very strong fancy if that last run is ignored.
CONCLUSION :- Cambridge looks a smart sort who has been carefully nurtured by his astute trainer and is a strong fancy to continue his winning spree but he faces a strong rival in the form of Summer Rays who is very well placed on the scale. Cambridge finished 3 ¾ lengths ahead of her over this trip in Mumbai receiving 4 ½ kilos and is now conceding 7.5 kilos which is a swing of 8 ¼ kilos. Plus Cambridge is having his first start of the season while Summer Rays has already had a lung opener. Hence, the Imtiaz Sait ward looks to have leading claims but she needs to bounce back from a very poor effort on the opening day. The race should be between this pair.
Race No. 3 :- The Desert Carnival Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
IRON AGE :- Smart 3 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who is making his handicap debut and has performed admirably in his 3 starts till date. Runner up to Mount Olympus on debut over 1200M when looking to still have a lot of condition on him, he was a warm favourite over 1400M next time out but was no match for Spitfire and ended up 3rd with Shae running on to take 2nd. He was then dropped back to 1200M next time out and with P. Trevor taking over for the first time, scored a smart maiden win over Pablo and Barack, winning quite effortlessly. He is tackling this minimum trip for the first time but should have the speed to tackle it and has been well prepared for his reappearance and moved well in a Mock Race when runner up to Adjudicate. Trevor takes the ride again today and up against mainly exposed handicappers, he is a leading fancy to make a winning first appearance on the Pune Track. Leading contender.
KINGSTON HEATH :- Good looking but erratic 5 year old gelding from the Bezan Chenoy stable, he is a winner of 1 of his 10 starts and has been campaigned exclusively over sprint trips till date, his maiden win coming over this distance. He appears to have been injury prone and has been sparingly raced and was probably in need of the run last time out when returning from a long break and finishing 5th over this trip to Fine Tune. He should be fitter and sharper for the run and A. Imran Khan takes over in the saddle from stable apprentice. He has been working well and should be given a decent each way chance if improving from that last effort.
ABRAXAS :- Speedy and fully exposed 4 year old who is one of 3 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable and is bidding for a repeat after scoring an overdue maiden success over course and distance last time out. She seemed to lack the stamina to see out her races earlier in her career but has improved as she has matured and took advantage of a weak field last time out to give her young apprentice his first career win. Her rider’s claim negates her 4 kilo penalty so she is running off practically the same mark, she has a good draw in Stall 3 and will make a brave bid to win from end to end and score a quick encore.
TRANSFORM :- Lightly raced and relatively unexposed 4 year old gelding trained by Mansoor Shah, he looked to be coming to hand midway through the Mumbai season and after a couple of promising efforts, scored a decisive maiden win over 1200M on his penultimate run in the lower class, winning comfortably with the same rider up. He was given a lung opener last time out to get fitter and that run should have put him spot on for this. He still has scope to improve, H. Zeeshan returns to ride him again and he is an unknown quantity who could be better than his current mark and must be respected.
FIREWINGS :- Earlier known as Cherry Blossom, she began her career with Pesi Shroff before recently moving to the yard of Narendra Lagad and she appears to be the most fancied of the yard’s 3 runners judging from Jockey bookings with stable jockey Dashrath Singh being declared to ride. She has run 6 times overall, showing gradual improvement with her racing and dead heated with an odds on stable mate of Transform over 1200M on her last run in Mumbai to score her maiden win. She too was given a run over 1400M earlier in the season to get her fit and should be effective back down at this minimum trip. She too looks to have the scope to improve, has been working well and looks to have a good each way chance.
LESREL :- Interesting got abroad 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad, he has raced just twice till date and still looks to have plenty of scope to improve. He was sent off a warm favourite when making his debut over 1200M way back in December and showed early speed before retiring and finishing mid division. He again looked rusty when well fancied on his reappearance last week and went on to finish 3rd to Yutaka again over 1200M. He should strip fitter for the run and is turned out again quickly with J. Chinoy now taking over in the saddle. The drop to the minimum trip is likely to suit him and at the weight difference, he looks to be the main danger to Iron Age.
CONCLUSION :- Iron Age looks a smart sprinter in the making and with the Imtiaz Sait yard finally breaking their duck last week, he looks a strong fancy to make a winning handicap debut. Lesrel is expected to improve for his lung opener last week and shapes as the main danger.
Race No. 4 :- The Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1800M
LORD OF THE SEA :- Solid staying 4 year old from the Pesi Shroff yard who has won 3 of his 13 starts till date but nowadays seems to be more effective over longer trips as he contested 2 regional Derbies and The Stayers Cup. He was clearly in need of the run last time out over a mile when finishing last of the 9 runners behind Auburn and should strip fitter for the run today. S. Zervan takes over in the saddle today from Y.S. Srinath and although he is expected to do much better, he faces a tough ask conceding weight all around.
ZENON :- Another highly regarded and progressive 4 year old gelding who was thought to be a Classic prospect who looked promising after back to back handicap wins over 2000M in Pune and Mumbai. However, he could only finish 7th in the Indian Derby and ended 6th in the Bangalore Derby a week later after which he was gelded. Overall a winner of 3 of his 9 starts, he is having his first run since his gelding operation and moved from Pesi Shroff to Vishal Gaikwad. His recent track work has been quite promising, this handicap looks a much more realistic task and with A. Sandesh in the saddle, he looks a strong contender to get back to winning ways.
GLORIOUS EYES :- Solid and consistent 5 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait, she is a winner of 3 of her 20 starts with her last win coming a couple of runs ago over this trip where she got up late to collar Zanara on similar Terms. She has finished 4th in both her runs since but is likely to have been freshened up by the break but there does not appear to be any preparatory work so she may be out for an airing. She looks to have a good chance to confirm the form with Zanara though and with C.S. Jodha booked to ride, she must be respected.
ZANARA :- Front running 4 year old trained by Dallas Todywalla, she changed ownership at the beginning of the Pune season and was an emphatic pillar to post winner last time out over course and distance. A five and a half kilo penalty for the win seems fair and unlike most of these runners who have some excuse or the other, she is totally straightforward and in good form. She is unlikely to be taken on for the lead by any of these so should get her conditions again and with Neeraj Rawal retaining the ride, she looks to have a strong chance to repeat and is greatly respected.
SIMON SAYS :- Well bred but unreliable 6 year old gelding from the stables of HosidarDaji, he has won 3 of his 22 starts till date, scoring back to back wins on this track around this time last year including more than half this field over 2000M on his 2nd win and he looks well handicapped on that form. He had just 2 runs during the Mumbai season and was given a lung opener here to blow away the cobwebs. He is working well, has in form apprentice K. Nazil in the saddle and looks to have a chance to upset from the foot of the weights.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be mainly between the returning potentially smart Zenon and the in form front running Zanara who should get conditions to suit her today.
Race No. 5 :- The SuChaliyo Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
MASTEROFBALANTRAE :- Classy and sparingly raced 5 year old who was unbeaten in his first 3 starts and narrowly lost his unbeaten record over course and distance last time out when pipped right on the post by the well backed Domination. That was his first run of the season so he is expected to strip fitter for it and Kishore Kadam is replaced in the saddle by S. Zervan which is a positive. However, he is conceding weight all around again and while last time was a 5 years old and over race, he is now giving weight to some potentially smart youngsters. He could still prove to be good enough to win this and cannot be ignored but he may find one or two of the youngsters to be too strong for him. Respected.
COLUMBIANAPRINCESS :- 3 year old speedster from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard, she is the stable star and has managed to win all her 3 previous runs over 1000M in most impressive fashion. Winner of 2 rich juvenile races in Mumbai, she faced a stiff task on her handicap debut last time out but proved upto the task holding off Wise Child to win comfortably. She steps up to 6 furlongs for the first time today and has to prove that she gets the extra furlong but looks to be very progressive and has not been stopping at the end of her races. She looks to have maintained her form and fitness and with Dashrath Singh to guide her, she looks a strong contender to stretch her unbeaten run to 4. Hard to beat if she gets the trip.
BOTTEGA LOUIE :-Quality 4 year old trained by S.K. Sunderji, she has been a trifle unlucky in most of her races and is better than her record of only 1 win in 8 starts shows as she has finished 2nd on 4 occasions, once winning the race but being demoted in the Stewards room. She looked a winner on her reappearance here over 1400M but was pipped right on the post by Pioneer who looks one of the leading 3 year olds. Her solitary win has come over this trip, she should be fitter for the run and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle and the yard in red hot form at present, she looks one of the leading contenders and is expected to run a very big race.
NEMBE GREEK :- 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas, she has developed into a useful handicapper who is effective over 5 and 6 furlongs and is a winner of 2 of her 12 starts. She was a decisive winner over this trip on the concluding weekend of the Mumbai season, scoring easily from Hopeilicious and Huzzah’s Grace and did not run badly on her reappearance here behind Star of Thea and Take Five, ending up a close 3rd. She has been working well since the run and although facing much stronger opposition today, she does make each way appeal with A. Sandesh in the saddle and must come into consideration.
EPIPHANY :- Another lightly raced and improving 4 year old trained by young NazakChenoy, she has won 2 of her 6 races so far and was very impressive last time out when coming with a strong late run to swoop past Polyneices and La Magnifique and win a shade cosily. That was her first run of the season so she will no doubt improve for the run and may confirm the form with La Magnifique in spite of her penalty making her 3 kilos worse off on the scale. She seems to have maintained her form and fitness judging from her track work and with P. Trevor up again, she should make a bold bid to repeat.
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- Very highly regarded 4 year old trained by Altamash Ahmed, she seems to be working her way back into form after a setback and has raced just 7 times till date winning once. Her reappearance effort over course and distance was promising and she was well fancied, coming with a strong run in the straight but being overwhelmed by Epiphany close home. She is 3 kilos better off with that rival on the run but has to prove her consistency and if she can build on that last effort then she could be a big danger to all with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- This looks highly competitive but Columbianaprincess is selected to maintain her unbeaten record and take the step up to 6 furlongs in her stride. The list of dangers is considerable though with Bottega Louie and top weight Masterofbalantrae feared most
Race No. 6 :- The Picasso Plate – Class IV and V – Distance :- 1400M
FLOWER DUST :- 5 year old mare who had been brought down considerably in the scales and showed that she was well handicapped when scoring back to back wins over this trip back in Mumbai. She has been given a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and should be fitter and sharper for the run and H. Zeeshan now takes over in the saddle from whipless apprentice. She may yet be ahead of the handicapper at present and looks a big danger to all if resuming in the same form as in Mumbai.
WILSHIRE :- Well bred Phoenix Tower gelding who is a winner of 2of his 10 starts till date and likes to come from well off the pace so is worth a try at this more galloping trip. His wins have come over 1000M and 1200M and after winning decisively in the lower class, he has not run badly both starts in this grade. His reappearance run over 1200M came last month and he finished midfield behind Star of Thea with S. Zervan in the saddle. He has been working well since that run and P. Trevor now takes over in the saddle. He is going over a new trip now and has to prove his liking for it, but must be considered each way and cannot be ignored.
HUDSON :- well bred 4 year old filly trained by MaleshNarredu who like Flower Dust was a wide margin maiden winner over 1200M back in Mumbai in the lower class and looks to have some more improvement left in her having run just 6 times so far. She finished a very close 3rd behind Mount Mckinley and Orion’s Belt over this trip last time out and should be able to build on that effort. She looks to have potential to progress further and must be respected with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle.
SASSY LASS :- Well bred 4 year old filly from the small yard of Asad Siddiqui who was considered a 1000 Guineas prospect and after running inconsistently towards the end of Mumbai, looked to be vastly improved when winning convincingly over 1200M on the opening day. She has been working well since the run suggesting that she has maintained her condition and K. Nazil now takes over from Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, claiming a useful 2 ½ kilos. She is closely matched with Queens Best on the last run, is likely to be better suited by the additional furlong and stands a strong chance to continue her progression and provide an encore.
ARASHI :- 4 year old filly trained by Vishal Gaikwad who was managed to win 1 of her 7 starts till date and after scoring a fluent maiden success in Mumbai a couple of starts ago, finished runner up to Flower Dust on her penultimate start with Queens Best back in 3rd. She looked in need of the run over a mile on the opening day when finishing 5th to Angel’s Harmony but is likely to leave that running well behind with the benefit of the run. N.S. Parmar replaces P. Trevor in the saddle which is a negative but she looks well placed on the scales at present and should try and resume her upward curve now.
DAZZLING STAR :- Very highly regarded by her connections and showed that this support was not misplaced when making a most impressive winning debut over 1200M, beating Golden Hind and Intense Stylist. She is sure to have improved considerably for her debut run and is likely to have strengthened up over the summer. She has been well prepared for her reappearance run here, has been working well and A. Sandesh has been booked to ride. She looks to have been given a fair mark for her handicap debut and provided that she is fit and ready to go, she will take a lot of beating.
QUEEN’S BEST :- Fashionably bred 4 year old from the Karthik G yard, she has not quite lived upto expectations just yet and could not match the finishing kick of Sassy Lass over 1200M last time out, ending up a decent 2nd. She is stepped up to this longer trip for only the 2nd time today and was well beaten by Flower Dust and Arashi the last time that she tackled it. A.Imran Khan who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she looks an each way player but is uncertain to appreciate the longer trip.
CONCLUSION :- Another competitive handicap but the once raced Dazzling Star looks a smart type in the making and should be better than her opening handicap mark. Her trainer excels at readying horses after a break and with A. Sandesh up she looks the most likely winner. Arashi, Sassy Lass and Hudson all appear to be dangers along with the top weighted Flower Dust.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
