From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 8th September 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 07 Sep 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 8th September 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Rosmini Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1000M
LOCARNO :- 7 year old mare from the Mansoor Shah stable who is today to be ridden by 5 kilo claimer M. Ayyar. She is a veteran of 33 races, has managed to win thrice before and seems to retain her ability as her last win was just a couple of starts ago in February in Mumbai where she convincingly beat El Tycoon by 1 ¼ lengths. She made a good start to the season on the opening day with the same rider up when finishing a good 3rd to Columbianaprincess with Glorious Land back in 5th that day. She looks to be still in good heart, appears to have maintained her condition and should make a bold bid to gain another success.
INVICTUS MANEO :-4 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsing hJodha who is sparingly raced having run just 5 times so far and won his first 2 starts convincingly both of them over this trip. His only previous run on this track was his maiden run which he won convincingly by 4 lengths from Arc Shine. He went on to win his first run in Mumbai as well, coming with a late run to pip Multistar and El Tycoon and he comes out 5 ½ lengths better off with Locarno on a line through that rival. He flopped badly on his hattrick bid finishing a faraway 9th and was then stepped up to 6 furlongs where he made good late headway to be a fast finishing 4th behind Chaplin. He moved up to 7 furlongs for his final run and did not fare badly finishing runner up to Glyndebourne and now returns to the minimum trip. He is having his first run of the season but has been sufficiently prepared, has got a good draw in Stall 2 and will be ridden by 5 kilo claimer D. Shubham. He has to show that he does not find this trip too sharp now but has scope to have made further progress and looks a strong contender to get back to winning ways .
GLORIOUS LAND :- Well bred 5 year old mare who began her career as Motherland with Dallas Todywalla with whom she managed to win 3 races and reach a rating of 54 before shifting to the yard of Adil Dajee for whom she has already had 8 starts, Her new trainer has taken his time with her and she did manage to finish a good 2nd behind Ascension in Mumbai over this trip and again looked like her turn was not far away last time out when ending a good 2nd under top weight to Fine Tune with Malavika just ¾ length away back in 3rd. She has come back to a mark around her last winning one, seems to be well within herself at the moment and if making some more progress from her previous run, then she looks to have a strong each way chance with C. Umesh taking over in the saddle from D.S. Daman.
LOIRE :- 4 year old filly who is one of three runners from the Narendra Lagad stable in this race and appears to be the most fancied of the trio with good 3 ½ kilo claimer Raghuveer Singh booked to ride. Loire has run 9 times so far with 2 wins to her name and she appears to be another who likes the Pune track, recording back to back wins over course and distance last season, her only 2 runs of note with the others being poor performances. She has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and should be spot on for this run and has been working quite well of late. She has been struggling in Class III company since her last win but may enjoy returning to her favoured track and although she has to prove that she is in the same sort of form, she can spring a surprise if running upto her best and looks an interesting outsider.
MALAVIKA :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Altaf Hussain who took 11 starts to shed her maiden tag but finally managed to do so this season and was a shade unlucky last time out as she was blocked and hampered at a crucial stage and was finishing on again the fastest to be a close 3rd to Fine Tune just ¾ length behind Glorious Land. She looks to be in excellent form this season and has managed to bag the rail draw today. She seems to be in great heart at present and with leading jockey C.S. Jodha in the saddle, looks to have an excellent chance to earn herself another bracket .
NEXTSTAR :- Lightly raced and still improving 4 year old grey from the stables of Imtiaz Sait, she has run 10 times so far and managed to win on 2 occasions although both the wins have been well spaced out with some very ordinary efforts in between. However, she seems to be just coming into her own as she managed to win comfortably from Royal Ace on her last start over 1000M in Mumbai and began this season in good form, finishing runner up to Impala who has gone on to run well in the higher class. Yutaka and Snow Blast who finished 3rd and 4th that day have gone on to win subsequently so the form looks strong and with the distinct possibility of further improvement from that lung opener, she looks a strong contender to succeed. Good 2 ½ kilo apprentice H. Zeeshan takes over in the saddle from P.S. Chouhan and from Stall 7, she is greatly respected.
CONCLUSION :-A competitive event to get things underway and the pair to concentrate on appear to be Nextstar and Malavika. The former is just given the edge with the form of her race working out very well but the latter is in great form this season and could dominate from the rail draw. InvictusManeohas scope to improve and is also respected dropping back to his favoured distance
Race No. 2 :- The B.K.Lagad Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
ANGELS TOUCH :- Beautifully bred 4 year old filly from the in form stable of Karthik G, she has run 12 times so far and seems to have just come right, having 2 wins to her name which have come from her last 2 starts this season. Thought to be a Classic Contender in her juvenile days, she contested the Bangalore Fillies Trial in the Summer and went on to take her chance in The Indian Oaks but came up short. She reverted to handicaps and ran poorly in 2 Class IV events but really seems to have come into her own this term. She made her seasonal reappearance over 1400M in Class IV company and proved to be too strong beating Sandalphon by 3 ¼ lengths and dropped to 1200M last time out, followed up equally convincingly when a 4 ¼ length winner over Orion’s Belt. The step up to a mile should not trouble her as she should stay this far and she looks to be very much on the upgrade at present. A. Imran Khan who was up both starts this season retains the ride and although she has to concede weight all around today, she looks to be one of the principal contenders and is strongly fancied to complete her hattrick .
GOSHAWK :- Quirky got abroad 4 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who clearly has plenty of ability and a smart turn of foot but needs to have things going exactly his own way and likes to be delivered late from off the pace. He has had 8 starts so far and has managed to win once but has finished 2nd on as many as 4 occasions. After proving to be an expensive failure a couple of times when tried over sprints, he showed improvement when upped to middle distances and switching to hold up tactics when finishing on well to be a good runner up to Brainstorm over a mile in Mumbai. He was a fluent winner over 2000M next time out, beating Adonijah and Grand Accord by 2lengths but again flopped as an odds on favourite next time out when no match for Texas Gold over 1800M. He clearly was in need of the run last time out after the long lay off and should be a different proposition today. He seems to have the scope to improve further, has C.S. Jodha in the saddle today and receiving 7 kilos from Angels Touch, he looks a strong fancy.
KIMBERELLA :-Improving 4 year old filly from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, she too appears to be a bit quirky and seems to lack consistency but she has a similar record to Goshawk with 2 wins from 8 starts and her best runs have been over this distance. She was a convincing winner over this trip on her last run in Mumbai, beating Momentum and Sandalphon by 1 ¼ lengths and she comes out far better than Angels Touch on handicap on a line through Sandalphon. Her 2 runs this season have been modest, finishing runner up over 1800M to In It To Win It on reappearance and then ending a late finishing 4th in the Independence Million over 2000M. She should be fully fit after 2 runs this season and the drop to a mile should suit. A. Sandesh has been booked to ride and off the low weight, she looks to have a strong handicap chance.
CONCLUSION :-Goshawk appeared to be a smart type towards the end of the Mumbai season and having had a lung opener here, is selected to get the better of the very well handicapped Kimberella who should relish the drop to a mile and go well with A. Sandesh. Hattrick seeking top weight Angels Touch is currently in great heart and is also feared in spite of conceding plenty of weight
Race No. 3:- The Portrush Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
TIMELESS DEEDS :- Sprightly 4 year old handicapper from the stables of Narendra Lagad she has run 20 times till date and has managed to win on 2 previous occasions although going very close to adding a 3rd when a favourite last time out on her seasonal reappearance. Both her previous wins have come on the Pune track, the last of them coming towards the end of the last Pune season off a mark of 39 and she has now come back down to 41 so looks to be reasonably placed on the scales. She made a good reappearance run here, going down narrowly to Golden Weaver and should strip fitter for that run. Her work since the race has been satisfactory and with expected improvement, she looks a danger to all in spite of top weight and must be respected with T.S. Jodha in the saddle.
SILVER LOCKET :-Very interesting once raced 3 year old filly from the stables of Karthik G. who is returning from a long lay off but has the scope to improve considerably. She made her debut way back in December over 1200M and in spite of looking gross and being unfancied, was an impressive 3 length winner over Fundamental Right. However, she presumably had some sort of a setback after that run as she has not seen the race course since then. She was given a very easy Mock Race a couple of weeks ago and has just had one piece of work since then so she may be a touch short on fitness and a paddock check is clearly advised. She is entitled to need this run after the long absence but is potentially a smart sort and could be classy enough to win this so is greatly respected.
ANATEVKA :-Comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and has an impeccable pedigree by Multidimensional out of Smashing and is a full sister to Questionable who was an impressive maiden winner just recently. She has had 2 runs so far one apiece in Mumbai and Bangalore, both over 1200M and has finished a distant 4th on both occasions. Making her debut in the Banarsidas Million towards the end of the Mumbai season she finished 4th to Run Forest Run and then travelled to Bangalore where she contested a rich million race but was again beaten a long way behind Sea Quest. She has been rested and prepared since then and the additional furlong is sure to suit. This looks a much easier contest for her and with S. Zervan in the saddle and a decent opening mark, she looks a leading fancy to score if fit and ready to go.
SANDRA :- Another unexposed and nicely bred 3 year old filly, this one from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, she too has run just twice so far, making her debut in Mumbai over 1000M and finishing midfield behind Charles Bridge and then showing some improvement upped to 6 furlongs on her last run on this track when finishing on late to be 3rd behind Eden Rock and Scion. She should strip fitter for that run and looks likely to find some more improvement for the further step up in trip. She has been working well since her last run, has C.S. Jodha in the saddle and looks to have strong each way claims and is expected to run well.
NIGHTFALL :- Enigmatic 5 year old who has shifted yards a couple of times and after beginning his career with C.D. Katrak and then having a stint with Faisal Abbas is finally having his first run for Mansoor Shah and has H. Zeeshan booked to ride. He has run 16 times till date and has been mainly unplaced in most of his runs save for an upset start to finish victory which he gained when totally unfancied over a mile on this track last August. After a string of poor efforts he looked to be regaining form on his last run in Mumbai when finishing 3rd over 2000M to Komandant and has been given plenty of work to get him fit. He has plenty of question marks surrounding him today and is likely best watched to see if his new trainer can unlock some improvement. Rank outsider.
CONCLUSION:-This should go to one of the 3 year olds and in spite of the long lay off it may be worth chancing Silver Locket if the odds are lucrative as she created a very good impression on debut. Anatevkahas not yet come to hand and is also greatly respected while Timeless Deeds looks the form pick and can upset the applecart if the 2 youngsters come up short today
Race No. 4 :- The AkkasahebMaharaj Trophy (GR.3) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
RUFFINA :-Top drawer and high class filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who has swept all before her and capped a memorable last season with a fluent victory over several of these in the Sprinters Cup in Kolkotta. She clearly was in need of the run last time out after the long lay off and the combination of the lack of a run and Neeraj Rawal riding her for the first time so her go down narrowly to the fitter and better handicapped Timeless by a long neck. She is expected to leave that running well behind now, should be fitter and sharper and is now expected to make amends and gain revenge on her conqueror. She is the class act in this field and with the benefit of the run is confidently expected to get back to her winning ways. Hard to oppose.
TIMELESS:- 4 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji, he has gone from strength to strength since reverting to handicaps, winning 4 of his last 5 starts and 6 of 14 overall and taking advantage of the weights and his fitness to score a memorable victory over Ruffina in the Turf Club Trophy. He had a 6 ½ length weight advantage that day which is now narrowed to 3 kilos and with the shorter trip also to the Filly’s advantage, it looks hard for him to confirm the form. He is expected to run well again and should be right there fighting out the finish but may have to settle for minor honours today with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
HOLY SMOKE :-Seasoned Group Race performer this 6 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas is a winner of 7 of his 19 starts and has been acquitting himself well in Group company over the last year. He was a winner of this race last year, holding off Dancing Prances by ½ a length and went on to win the RWITC Ltd. Sprint Challenge in Mumbai, beating Siobhan and Captain Courage on similar Terms. He ran a cracker when late finishing 3rd to Timeless on the opening day and looked a strong handicap fancy in the Turf Club Trophy but ran well below par. The return to 1200M should suit him, S. Zervan takes the ride and he is a wily customer who will try hard to defend his crown and should not be ignored.
SIOBHAN :-Speedy 5 year old mare who developed into a very useful sprinter and has been campaigned in various centres all over India, winning 7 of her 27 starts. She could only manage 7th in the Sprinters Cup though and her 2 recent efforts in Bangalore have been modest and she appears to have limited scope to improve at this age. She has been working well on this track though, looks to be reasonably weighted and has the services of A. Sandesh. Her trainer has a good track record with the horses which he has brought to this centre and she looks to have a small chance to upset.
LINCOLN :- Speedy 4 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who was a gallant runner up to Ruffina in The Sprinters Cup and looks to be well placed on the scales on that form. He was beaten only ¾ length that day giving 1 ½ kilos and is now receiving 6 ½ kilos from Ruffina which is a 7 ¼ kilo swing which is quite substantial. He looked below his best during his runs in Bangalore which have been disappointing but may be slowly coming to hand and he finished a close 3rd to Accolade and Castlebridge last time out with Captain Courage and Siobhan both behind him. C. Umesh takes the ride today, his prep work has been good and for those looking for value, he has the potential to upset Ruffina on the scale
CONCLUSION :- Ruffina should have shrugged off the rustiness of her last run and should be hard to beat back down at her pet trip but for those looking to oppose her or put off by the likely cramped odds, may find value in taking a chance on Lincoln. He finished ¾ lengths behind her in the Sprinters Cup conceding 1 ½ kilos and is now in receipt of 6 ½ kilos which is a substantial swing and he looked to be returning to his best last time out when a close 3rd to Castlebridge. For those who strictly follow handicap, he looks a strong contender.
Race No. 5 :- The Radio One Run – Terms, Maidens – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
NOTTING HILL :-Quite experienced having already run 4 times so far and probably has the best form of those that have already raced. This 3 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard made his debut in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million but found the opposition too strong and finished last of the 11 runners. He was then upped to 7 furlongs towards the end of the season and went on to finish a modest 4th behind Truly Epic. He appears to have improved over the summer as he reappeared with a decent 4th behind Awesome One again over 1400M before running a forward race last time out and only being collared late on by Merlot. The drop to 6 furlongs does not appear to be ideal but he sets the form standard and with A. Imran Khan keeping the ride, he looks a strong contender to score in this company.
TIGER KINGDOM :- Debutant from the stables of S.A. Waheed he has an attractive pedigree by Multidimensional out of Alice Springs and has been solidly prepared for his debut run. He has been given plenty of preparatory work so should be fit enough and has been moving well in the morning gallops. He looks a decent prospect on paper and although entitled to need his first run, looks a promising sort and seems primed for a bold show with S.G. Prasad booked to ride.
FLAMING MARTINI :-Another debutant who looks an exciting prospect on paper and is a half sister to the well performed Chief of Command, owned by the Poonawalla family and trained by Dallas Todywalla. She makes her racing debut in what looks to be a relatively easy maiden set and looks to be working the best of these youngsters and moved very attractively in a Mock Race over this trip. She looks a very exciting prospect on paper, S. Zervan has been booked to ride and she should be classy enough to beat this lot on debut and is a leading fancy.
IMPROVISSO:-Well bred got abroad youngster who comes from the stable of M.K. Jadhav and appears to be progressing nicely with his racing. Given an easy educative run over 1000M on the final weekend of the Mumbai season, he made leisurely progress with a feeble rider to finish 5th behind Charles Bridge and showed that he had improved significantly for that run when making good late progress on his seasonal reappearance again over 1000M to finish runner up to Enchanted and catching the eye in the closing stages. The additional furlong is likely to be in his favour and the jockey switch from D.A. Naik to A. Sandesh is a huge positive. He has been working well since the run and looks likely to improve again and must be seriously considered here.
MYRCELLA :- Trained by young Shazaan Shah, this Dean’s Kitten filly has also raced twice so far, finishing midfield over 5 furlongs on her debut back in Mumbai and showing some improvement upped to this trip last time out when finishing a faraway 3rd to Kilkarry Bridge. She is likely to have benefitted from that lung opener and stripped fitter and is expected to progress again. Talented apprentice H. Zeeshan takes the ride today replacing P.S. Chouhan and although she will need to improve significantly to be considered for win purposes, she looks to have a chance to battle it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :-Flaming Martini looks a very exciting prospect on paper and moved extremely well in a Mock Race. She is likely to have too much class for this weak maiden lot and is the confident selection. Improvissolooks to be the next best along with last time runner up Notting Hill
Race No. 6 :- The Lago Medio Plate – Class IV & V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1800M
GNOSTIC EYES :- Bred in the purple 4 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan who has not quite lived upto expectations just yet but seemed to be coming to hand towards the end of the Mumbai campaign when he scored a fluent maiden victory over 1400M comfortably beating Forever Free by 2 ½ lengths. He was given a lung opener over an inadequate 6 furlongs earlier in the season with Kishore Kadam up and should be much fitter and sharper for the run. His only other previous run over 1800M was a modest one but he should stay this far and A. Sandesh now takes over in the saddle which is a big positive. He has the scope to have improved further, has been working well and looks a big danger to all in spite of shouldering top weight.
BRAZOS :- Quirky 5 year old trained by M.K. Jadhav who has managed 1 win from his 13 starts till date and does have some ability but also does not seem to be completely straightforward. His maiden victory came over a mile back in March 2017 off this sort of mark but he seemed to have a setback after that win and was off the track for quite a while. He has been slowly working his way back into form since his reappearance in November and last time out gave the first signs that he was coming to hand when finishing on strongly to be 4th to Lorraine over 1400M, covering a lot of ground in the straight with the same rider up. D.A. Naik has a very poor win record so he may still need a run or two more but the longer trip should be to his advantage and he holds very strong frame claims if he is able to build on that last effort.
ROMANTIC EYES :-Same ownership as Gnostic Eyes but this one is trained by ImtiazSait and is another well bred sort whom we are probably yet to see the best of. A. Imran Khan takes the ride today on this daughter of China Visit and she appears to be steadily improving for her new yard, running her best race yet last time out when no match for Aloha but beating the rest over 2000M. She has scope for further improvement, should not mind the slight drop in trip and looks to have strong each way claims again today.
STAR ACE :-Exposed 6 year old handicapper trained by Dallas Todywalla she is already a 33 race veteran having managed just 2 wins but she is usually quite effective over this sort of trip. She did manage a win towards the end of the last Mumbai season but appears to be in the grip of the handicapper after that and has fared modestly in her 3 runs this season. She is likely to give it a good go with NeerajRawal in the saddle but may find one or two of these to be too strong and should fight it out for minor honours.
SHIVALIK SKIES :-Trained by the shrewd Vijay Kasbekar, this 7 year old mare has dropped to a very attractive mark in the scales and has run with promise in her last 2 starts suggesting that her turn is not too far away. She first caught the eye when covering plenty of ground from the rear to be a late finishing 4th to Aloha over a mile and last time out again made late headway to be runner up to Pathan over this trip. She has been knocking at the door for some time, S.G. Prasad retains the ride and she looks to have a good chance to gain a winner for her small yard.
CONCLUSION :-A tough finale with the winner likely to emerge from Gnostic Eyes, Romantic Eyes and Shivalik Skies
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
