From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 7th September 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 06 Sep 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Friday, 7th September 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No.1 :- The Delhi Race Club Cup – Terms, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1000M
KILKARRY BRIDGE :- Good looking son of Strong Suit from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he made a highly impressive winning debut over 1200M earlier this season, showing terrific speed to blitz his rivals and win from end to end clocking a smart time in the process. He was well prepared that day but is sure to improve with the benefit of experience and looks an above average sort. Cavarozzi who finished 4th that day has gone on to win subsequently albeit over a much longer trip. He has been working well since that run and although he has to concede weight to the maidens, he looks an above average type and is strongly fancied to dominate this small field with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
RIQUEWIHR :-Speedy half sister to Constantine who comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and has already had 4 runs till date, making a bright start to her career but not quite going forward from there. She too made an impressive start to her career way back in December over this trip where she sped away from her rivals to win by a large margin but that form has had plenty of holes poked in it since. Sent off an odds on favourite in the Gool S. Poonawalla Million, she saw Star Inspiration make a mockery of that form to beat her by 7 lengths. She then went on to finish runner up to stable companion Madagascar in a 3 horse contest again over 1200M and dropping back to this trip on her last run of the season, ended up 3rd behind Columbianaprincess and Excellent. It is possible that she may have been freshened up by the break and her lead up work has been good. However, she lacks a run on the Pune course and also seems to need to improve appreciably to get the better of Kilkarry Bridge. P. Trevor takes the ride but she looks the most likely runner up today.
DESTINED FOR GLORY :- 3 year old maiden filly trained by C. Rajendra, she has had 3 starts so far, making her debut over 1200M back in Mumbai and then having run twice this term, over 7 and 6 furlongs respectively. She has been well beaten in all her 3 runs so far and appears to still need more time to come to hand. She has probably been entered here to grab some valuable stake money in this small field but needs to make a giant leap forward if she is to trouble the principals. Rank outsider with G. Amit in the saddle.
HIGHLAND EMPRESS :- Interesting Excellent Art filly from the yard of Rehanullah Khan, she was obviously well thought of by her connections as she made her debut in The Bahrain Trophy in Mumbai where she finished 5th, beaten 5 ¼ lengths by Riquewihr (3rd) in receipt of 4 kilos so she looks out handicapped against that rival again today. She was given a lung opener over 1200M on this track finishing last of the 9 runners behind Bernice but she should be fitter and sharper for that run and the switch from S.A. Amit to P.S. Chouhan is a positive one. Her last few workouts have been quite encouraging and although she has plenty to do on the scale to get the better of Riquewihr, she looks to have a small upset chance if making further progress.
CONCLUSION :-Kilkarry Bridge created a very good impression on debut and is confidently selected to keep his unbeaten record. Riquewihr and Highland Empress should battle it out for the 2nd spot.
Race No. 2 :- The Ishpingo Plate – Div. II – Class IV &V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
ROYAL CLASSIC :-Aged 7 year old gelding trained by M.P. Jodha he is a veteran of 29 races and has a fair record, having won twice and placed on a number of occasions and now takes a marked drop in grade. His last victory came early in the Mumbai season back in November over this trip where he came with a powerful run to upset the younger horses. He did not create much of an impression in his subsequent runs although he did manage a close 3rd behind Polyneices and Firewings just a couple of runs ago so still retains some ability. He is having his first run of the season with 5 kilo claimer D.R. Shubham up and there is no recorded track work so a paddock check is advised as he may be a touch short on fitness. He is worth considering though on the pick of his form and could be involved if fit and ready to go.
KISS FROM A ROSE :- Well bred but unpredictable 5 year old mare trained by S.A. Waheed who has run 18 times till date and has managed a solitary success which came over 1400M back in March 2017 but she has now dropped back to that mark so looks well handicapped at present. She has been woefully out of form over the past 2 seasons but has dropped in the handicap as a result and she has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs. The only thing that makes her even worth looking at presently is that she has been doing some decent track work of late and has also been sharpened up with a Mock Race. Jockey Akshay who takes over from M. Ayyar does not have a very notable win record but she could be something of a quiet gamble in the making and one should keep a watch, especially if there is some money for her.
ROYSTON ROCK :- Unexposed 5 year old mare from the stable of Mansoor Shah, she has had 9 runs so far without creating much of an impression but has run promisingly on a couple of occasions, both times with the same rider in the saddle. After being given 2 runs already this season in the higher class with feeble riders astride, she had Amyn Merchant up last time as well and made good progress from the rear over this trip to finish just outside the frame, ending up a close 5th behind XoXo, with Diwali Lights 4th that day, a length and a quarter ahead of her. She has the scope to improve on that run and being untried so far, she could be better than her current mark. She is taking on mainly exposed older handicappers and if she can improve on that last effort then she could be a factor and bears close watching.
COMMANDPERFORMANCE :- Well bred maiden 5 year old gelding from the in form stable of Dallas Todywalla, he has had 14 runs so far without much success, having managed to place on a couple of occasions but he too has come down significantly in the weights as a result. He has been doing some excellent work in the morning trials of late suggesting that he may finally be coming to hand and Neeraj Rawal now takes over in the saddle from S.J. Sunil. He has no form to recommend his chances but neither does most of this field and if able to reproduce his excellent track work, he may be good enough to score an overdue maiden success so he should be considered.
BAY OF LOVE :-One of two runners owned and trained by H.J. Antia, he is now 8 years of age and a veteran of 38 races with 2 previous wins although it has been 1 ½ years since his last win. However, he has slipped to a mark which is below his last winning one and he showed that he still had zest for racing last time out when finishing on nicely to be runner up to Yutaka over this trip with the same rider up. He is one of the few horses in this field who has current form and looks well handicapped so he must be considered as one of the frontline contenders and does have a good chance to earn himself another bracket if turning up in the same mood.
DIWALI LIGHTS :- Stable companion of Bay of Love who has a similar profile but has managed just 1 win from 28 starts till date but also looks well handicapped at present and ran suggestively last time out when finishing 4th to XoXo just ahead of Royston Rock whom he faces on similar terms. He has had 2 runs this season so should be fit enough, S.A. Amit is a decent Jockey booking and he did finish runner up to Transform over this trip on his last run in Mumbai so he still seems to retain some ability. Bay of Love may just be a slightly stronger candidate from the yard but he too, is worth taking into consideration and should not be ignored.
RISING CONCERT :-Exposed 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who last saw the race course in December and so is returning from an extended absence, having won once in 26 previous attempts. His win came back in October 2016 off a mark of 12 and he is now rated 6 so he looks well placed on that score. He appears to have been well prepared for his reappearance run having been given plenty of work and has been moving quite well in the morning gallops and will have the services of Dashrath Singh in the saddle. He is another who could be involved if in a galloping mood and looks an each way player if fit and ready to go.
CONCLUSION :-With most of the runners having very little form to go by, this is clearly a race which is avoided from a betting standpoint. Bay of Love appears to be the form choice on his 2nd last time out while both Royston Rock and Commandperformance have the potential to be better than their current marks. Proceed with caution
Race No. 3 :- The Dinkoo N. Chenoy Trophy – Class II and III – Distance :- 1000M
CLYMENE :- Very speedy and progressive 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas, who is unbeaten over 1000M having won all her 4 previous starts over this trip with her only defeat coming when upped to 7 furlongs in the F.D. Wadia Trophy last year. She did look like the handicapper was finally catching up with her when last seen in Mumbai when an odds on favourite but given a big scare by Double Nine and managing to hold on grimly by a head. She is 3 kilos worse off with Double Nine for that run and is having her first run of the season while he has already had a lung opener so he looks to be better placed on the scales. However, she is very sparingly raced so does have the scope to have unlocked further improvement over the summer and has moved well in a Mock Race and in her morning workouts. S. Zervan takes the ride today and she is dangerous to ignore and could very well continue her unbeaten spree over this trip in spite of being out handicapped. Leading contender.
DOUBLE NINE :- Solid 5 year old handicapper trained by Nosher Cama, he has been a very consistent sprint handicapper over the years, winning 3 of his 20 starts so far and placing on 9 other occasions. He was in cracking form during the recent Mumbai season, winning twice and running Clymene very close on his last run that term and he is 3 kilos better off on that form. He has had a lung opener this season to gain some fitness when finishing 5th behind Wild Fire last time out and should have stripped fitter today. He has done some sparkling work since the last run, P.S. Chouhan his retained rider is up again today and he looks a strong handicap contender and should be right there at the finish.
GLYNDEBOURNE :-Owner mate of Clymene, trained by Vishal Gaikwad, she is a very interesting contender who has done most of her racing over 1400M so far but seems to be dropping to sprinting now and drops down to this minimum trip for the very first time. Winner of 3 of her 9 starts so far, she has been tried over 6 furlongs the last twice and ran encouragingly on her reappearance when runner up to Perfect Star who has gone on to frank the form. She has been working well since the run so looks fit and well and P.Trevor now takes over in the saddle for S. Zervan. However, she is taking on some speedsters and the short Pune straight will not be to her advantage so she may find things happening too quickly. She could be a potential dark horse over this trip though and must come into consideration.
WILD FIRE :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who seems to relish the Pune track and was at one time the 5 furlong course record holder, having done all of her winning here. She bounced back to winning ways last time out over this trip when winning convincingly and 5 kilo penalty does not appear to be too harsh. She has bagged the plum rail draw and with Dashrath Singh in the saddle, should try to make every post a winning one again.
CONCLUSION :-A tricky contest in spite of the small field but for once, I will overlook the handicap and nominate Clymene as the selection. Although she just held on from Double Nine last time out, she is expected to have made further progress over the summer and should go well fresh. Double Nine is the clear handicap choice with Glyndebourne the dark horse in the fray
Race No. 4:- The Atmosphere Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
CHARGING TIGRESS :- Versatile 6 year old mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha she has been a good servant to connections over the years, winning 3 of her 29 starts and finishing 2nd or 3rd on 12 occasions and she is usually quite effective over this trip. Although it has been a while since her last win, she looks to be in good nick and finished on nicely to be a close 3rd to Domination and Masterofbalantrae last time out. That was an older horses contest and she is now taking on younger horses so has her work cut out for her today off top weight. D. S. Daman takes over in the saddle now from 5 kilo claimer, she seems to be in good form and looks to have an each way chance although she may struggle to win against the younger horses.
GALLANT KNIGHT :- Well regarded 4 year old gelding from the stables of Karthik G, he was quite highly campaigned earlier in his career but some of his best performances have been over this trip so he should be suited by it. Winner of just 1 of his 11 starts so far, he won his maiden over course and distance around this time last year and began the season well with a late finishing 2nd over 1000M to Princess P. He ran poorly when upped to 1400M last time out in a big field but should appreciate the return to this trip and has been working very well. A. Imran Khan who has ridden him both times this season keeps the ride, he looks fit and well at present and stands an excellent chance to return to the winner’s circle today and is strongly fancied.
BESHIKTASH :- Another sparingly raced 4 year old this one from the yard of S. K. Sunderji, he has run 8 times so far with 2 wins to his name but appears to be a moody sort who needs strong handling. Winner over 7 furlongs in Class III in January, he went on to finish runner up to Alyaties over this trip on his last run in Mumbai where he had Slam Dunk and Charging Tigress behind him. He has had a lung opener this season already when finishing 6th behind Costa Brava and just ahead of Gallant Knight and should be fitter and sharper today. C.S. Jodha who rode him that day is up again today, he looks to be in good condition and is another who has a decent each way chance in this competitive event.
GOLD FIELD:-Speedy 4 year old stable companion of Charging Tigress who has a good record of 3 wins from 11 starts and is effective over both 5 and 6 furlongs. She was an easy winner over Nembe Greek over this trip on her last run in Mumbai and had a good run over 1000 M on the opening day of this season when 3rd behind House of Commons and should be fitter and sharper for that run. D.R. Shubham claims a useful 5 kilos in the saddle and she has a decent draw in Stall 6. She is expected to build on her reappearance run and is another who looks to have a good each way chance.
TRIPLE THREAT :- 5 year old Mare trained by Mansoor Shah, she has managed 1 win in her 15 starts so far but has been running and placing consistently in similar contests for most of the Mumbai season. She is closely matched with Gallant Knight on their meeting over this trip in Mumbai where he was runner up and she finished 4th, and she has run a forward race on her reappearance when a good 3rd behind Pioneer and Bottega Louie over 1400M. The drop down to this trip will suit her, P.S. Chouhan takes over in the saddle from S.J. Sunil and she is likely to make a bold bid to earn herself another bracket. However, she is likely to be taken on for the lead by Slam Dunk so may not be able to dominate.
SLAM DUNK :-Solid front running 5 year old handicapper trained by H.J. Antia he has been very consistent in these sort of contests and is a winner of 2 of his 23 starts so far but has placed on 8 occasions also. He showed he was in good form on his seasonal reappearance over 7 furlongs, leading until the bend and although no match for Costa Brava staying on well to finish a close 3rd. The shorter trip is likely to be to his advantage and Hanumant Singh who gets along with him really well replaces weak 5 kilo claimer in the saddle. He looks to be well placed on the scale, has a good draw in Stall 2 and is likely to make a bold bid to win this from end to end.
CONCLUSION :-Very competitive with several chances. Gallant Knight is selected to return to winning ways over his favoured trip as he appears a classy sort who has been very highly campaigned in the past. Slam Dunk looks well placed on the scale and is a good alternative to win from pillar to post while Triple Threat and the speedy Gold Field are others worth considering.
Race No. 5 :- The Rambus Plate – Class IV and V – Distance :- 1200M
NAVIGATOR :-Improving China Visit 3 year old gelding who made his debut just this season and has shown good improvement from first run to 3rd Making his debut over 1000M on the opening day, he made late headway to finish 5th behind Enchanted over an inadequate 5 furlongs. He showed good improvement when upped to 1400M next time out, running a forward race and only collared late on by 2 potentially smart 3 year olds. He makes his handicap debut now over what looks a fair opening mark and is likely to be suited by the slight drop in trip. Dashrath Singh replaces P. Trevor in the saddle, he is working well and if he can improve again on that last effort, then he stands an excellent chance to make it 3rd time lucky.
LESREL :-Potentially smart lightly raced got abroad gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad stable, he was sent off favourite over this trip when making his debut back in December but faded out after being prominent and finished down the field. He returned after a long absence to run a good race on reappearance, finishing a fair 3rd to Yutaka but then ran poorly on his last run, dropped back down to 1000M when no match for Iron Age and ending up a poor 4th. He does not appear to be progressing with his racing although the return to 6 furlongs is likely to help him. Akshay is a good front running rider so connections may be experimenting today but in any event, he needs to show some improvement before he can be seriously considered. Can make the frame.
MY PRECIOUS :-Enigmatic 4 year old filly trained by Kartik G she has a smart sprinting pedigree but does not appear to be straightforward and is still a maiden after 11 starts having finished runner up on 2 occasions. She made a suggestive reappearance over 1200M last time out, improving leisurely to finish just behind Lesrel and has the scope to improve again. She has lacked consistency in her runs so far so cannot be certain to build on that last effort but is she is able to find some improvement then she could very well be involved in this weak field. Bhawani Singh who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she looks one who has the potential to upset if she has her galloping shoes on.
HIGHLAND WIND :- Improving 4 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan he is still a maiden after 11 starts having placed on a couple of occasions in the past. He seemed to be taking his time to come to hand and after having a run earlier in the season, he appeared to be coming to hand over 1400M last time out with Sandesh up when finishing on to be 3rd although no match for the winner Questionable. The drop in trip is not certain to be in his favour and H. Zeeshan now takes over in the saddle. WE most likely have not seen the best of him just yet and he looks likely to improve later in her career but he could make some more progress and run into the frame here.
OUTSTANDING :- Well bred 4 year old filly from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has been fancied on a couple of occasions in the past but still does not quite seem to have come to hand and has failed to finish in the first three in her 13 runs till date. She has slipped down quite a bit in the scales as a result and has already had 2 runs this season so should be fit. She appears to have made some improvement judging from her most recent workouts and C.S. Jodha is back in the saddle, taking over from S.J. Sunil who rode her last time out. She does have the potential to upset if she can make some more progress and looks an interesting outsider who could prove to be value.
CONCLUSION :-Navigator ran well last time out and looks to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark at the 3rd time of asking. Outstanding and Highland Wind could give him the most to do.
Race No. 6 :- Race No. 2 :- The Ishpingo Plate – Div. II – Class IV &V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
ROYAL MEWS :- Well bred 5 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas, she took her time to come to hand and has managed to win only 1 of her 16 starts so far. That victory came over this trip back in March where she was a convincing winner over Fribourg in a 4 years old and over contest with Good Thing finishing a close 4th that day about 2 ½ lengths behind the winner conceding 8 kilos so she is much worse off with that rival today. She has struggled under her penalty since that win and has already had 3 runs here in Pune without making much impression. She takes a slight drop in grade now and good 3 ½ kilo apprentice Raghuveer Singh takes over in the saddle. She has been working well of late and can be considered in this company if returning to her best form.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :-5 year old mare trained by M. P. Jodha who has won 1 of her 21 starts till date but appears to have come down close to her last winning mark now and has been threatening to strike on the last couple of occasions. She has finished 3rd on both her runs so far this season, both coming over the minimum trip, the first time out when 3rd to Skysurfer and Furiosa and then last time out ending a close 3rd just behind Arc of Passion and Furiosa. She had an inexperienced apprentice on last time out and also a wide draw so she can be forgiven that run and the extra furlong should suit. D.S. Daman takes over once again, she looks well handicapped at present and with better handling seems a strong contender to score.
FABIO :- Inconsistent and unreliable 5 year old gelding trained by Sanjay Kolse, he too has won 1 of his 21 starts except his victory was over 1000M on his debut run and he has been struggling to make a mark since. He has been very inconsistent since then, managing to place on a couple of occasions and last time out over 1400M looked to be getting back some form when finishing 3rd to Frosted and Eiger’s Tiger. Inexperienced 5 kilo claimer has been booked to ride which is a bit of a deterrent and he comes with plenty of risks attached so while he may be involved in the finish, it is probably safer to look elsewhere.
GOOD THING :-Interesting 5 year old mare who began her career with Adhirajsingh Jodha and was held in quite high regard but did not perform upto expectations after her fluent maiden victory and has slowly come down in the weights and moved recently to the yard of C. Rajendra. She did finish on to be a close 4th behind Royal Mews over this trip a couple of starts ago and is very well placed on the scales with that rival. She also had a decent lung opener on the track when 5th over 1400M to I Am The Way and has been working quite well of late. The booking of Dashrath Singh is quite encouraging and she looks to have a good chance to score another win for her small yard. Strong fancy.
SMART CHOICE :-Now 6 years of age and a veteran of 27 races, she began her career with Pesi Shroff but failed to show any sparkle but then moved to Vijay Kasbekar’s yard for whom she has done quite well, winning 2 races already as well as placing on a number of occasions. She has been skilfully brought down in the scales since her last win over course and distance back in October and looked to be returning to form last time out when finishing a good 3rd to Snow Blast and Furiosa. She is out handicapped by Adams Beginning on a line through Furiosa but the booking of A. Imran Khan today suggests that connections fancy their chances and if able to build on that last effort, she looks one of the principal contenders to strike back up to 1200M.
ARC OF PASSION :- Exposed 5 year old mare, this one from the yard of S.N. Joshi, she has run 25 times so far with just a solitary success but she was largely untried in several of her earlier starts and she has been very consistent since scoring her maiden win over 1000M back in March. She has been very consistent since then finishing 2nd on 3 of her 4 starts since with the start in between being a lung opener on her reappearance where she lacked a touch of fitness. She seems to be in good heart at present, and while K. Nazil is swapped for 5 kilo claimer M. Ayyar, she looks to have a good chance and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-Adam’s Beginning has been knocking at the door for a while now and suffered from inexperienced handling last time out when finishing a close 3rd. She looks well placed on the scales and with a better rider up is taken to score. Smart Choice with A. Imran Khan up looks a danger as does Good Thing with Dashrath Singh up.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
