From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 16th September 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Jaidev Plate Class IV& V, 5 Years Old & Over Distance :- 1000M
BENEFICIAL :-Experienced 5 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji, he appears to be most effective over this trip and is a winner of 3 of his 23 starts till date. All his 3 wins so far have come over the minimum trip, the last one coming towards the end of the Mumbai season in March in a similar contest where he beat Bidstone Hill and Grey Flannel quite convincingly. He has had 2 runs already this season so should be fit and drops back down to Class IV where he has won all his 3 starts. His last win came off a mark of 44 and he is now rated 46 so he is well placed on that score and he has been working quite well. He has not gotten the best of the draw in Stall 11 but Parbat Singh claims a valuable 5 kilos in the saddle and he clearly looks to be one with a good chance and is respected in spite of top weight.
CEZANNE :- 7 year old gelding who began his career with M.K. Jadhav before shifting down to the yard of young A.M. Jadhav and he has had 30 previous starts with 3 wins to his name. All the 3 wins came very early in his racing career and we have to go back to March 2016 for his last win but he too seems to be most effective over this trip. He has been woefully out of form for a long time now but his mark has plummeted as a result and he is beginning to look very well handicapped on the pick of his form. The 2 reasons to give him any consideration at all are, he returned from a long break showing zest for racing when making late progress to finish 4th behind WabiSabi over 1200M just 2 weeks ago and there is a positive jockey switch from D.S. Daman taking over in the saddle from D.A. Naik. He clearly has to prove that he still has what it takes to win but has a decent rider up for the first time in a long while and looks an interesting outsider who could spring a surprise at a long price.
SPORTO :-Speedy 5 year old gelding from the stables of AdhirajsinghJodha who is a winner of 2 of his 20 starts till date and is capable of tackling this 5 furlong trip although his better form and both his previous wins have been over 6 furlongs. He began this season in good style, showing plenty of speed to win from end to end over 1200M, beating Safdar by 3 ½ lengths but failed to handle a penalty over this trip last time out when finishing 7th behind several of these and needs to bounce back from that poor effort. Whipless apprentice D.S. Shubham is replaced in the saddle by S.A. Amit today and he also has the advantage of having bagged the rail draw. He showed that he was in good form on his previous effort but is not the most reliable so while he is capable of being involved he does not inspire confidence and has to improve markedly to reverse the form with those who finished ahead of him. Each way player.
KINGSTON HEATH :- 5 year old gelding trained by Bezan Chenoy, he is relatively lightly raced compared to most of these having had just 11 starts so far but he appeared to suffer a setback midway through his career and was off the track for a year and a half before returning in December last year. He has been steadily working his way back into form and his 3 runs this season have been promising. He finished a close 5th behind Fine Tune on reappearance and last time out, made good late progress to be 3rd behind impressive Iron Age. His trackwork since that run has been pleasing and A. Imran Khan who was up that day, keeps the ride. He is decently drawn in Stall 4 and if he is able to find a little improvement from that last run, then in this older company he stands a good chance to earn another bracket.
PHILADELPHIA :-Exposed 5 year old mare from the stables of Dallas Todywalla who has raced exclusively over sprints till date and has managed to win just 1 of her 18 starts and appears to be handicapped upto her level at present. She has managed to place on a number of occasions but has only one prior win to her name, a last gasp short head win over Rare Silver over 1200M which came back in November. She has not looked like winning since then although running fairly consistently and made a decent start to the season when 4th to Snow Blast with Furiosa 2nd and Smart Choice 3rd that day. NeerajRawal retains the ride and she is entitled to come on for that opening run and strip fitter. She looks to have a good chance to place again today but the percentage call is to oppose for win purposes.
FURIOSA :-5 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas who appears to be a 5 furlong specialist and has been in good form during the current campaign. Overall a winner of 2 of her 22 starts, her form figures this season read 2-1-2, all 3 runs coming over this trip. She finished runner up to Skysurfer on her first run of the season and took advantage of her fitness and a good draw to beat Arc of Passion next time out. She looked like gaining an encore on her last start but was reeled in late in the day by Snow Blast and seems to have maintained her form and fitness. P. Trevor takes over today from A. Sandesh so her connections clearly fancy their chances again today and from an excellent draw in Stall 2, she should make a bold bid to win from end to end and looks a frontline contender in this older company.
SMART CHOICE :- 6 year old mare trained by the shrewd Vijay Kasbekar, she is another who has been in good form of late and has done well since moving to this yard from Pesi Shroff midway through her career. She has managed to win 2 of her 28 starts, her maiden win coming over this trip after which she bagged a 6 furlong victory on this track last October. Her last win came off a mark of 30 and she is now rated 26 so she looks well placed on the scales and her last 2 runs have been very promising. After finishing a close 3rd behind Snow Blast and Furiosa over this trip, she went on to beat all bar Adam's Beginning over 1200M last time out and her rider's claim should give her an edge in the handicap with talented Raghuveer Singh taking over in the saddle today. She appears to be fit and well and looks to have a strong chance on the handicap.
CONCLUSION :-Very tough to call this one with the winner likely to emerge from the quartet of Furiosa, Smart Choice, Kingston Heath and Beneficial. Take your pick.
Race No. 2 :- The Dr. P.K. SardeshmukhMaharaj Trophy Class IV & V Distance :- 1200M
RUN FOREST RUN :- One of the better performed 3 year olds trained by young Shazaan Shah, he has a fine pedigree by Excellent Art out of Nora and has performed with credit on all his starts so far. Making his debut in a rich juvenile race on Derby Day, he was well fancied but ended runner up to Columbianaprincess over 1000M and was a short priced favourite in a 5 furlong maiden next time out but was pipped on the post by Impala. Stepping up to 6 furlongs for his 3rd start, he made no mistake when romping home victorious in the Banarsidas Million, beating Enchanted by 2 Ό lengths with some decent horses in behind. He was given a tough task on his reappearance when pitted against Class III opposition over 1400M where he raced wide throughout and ended up 4th behind Costa Brava in a strong field. He has now been eased in grade into the lower class, drops back to his favoured 1200M trip and should strip fitter for the run. His track work since the run suggests that he has improved and in spite of conceding weight all around, he looks a leading fancy to score in this company and is given an excellent chance with Yash Narredu booked to ride.
ENCHANTED :-Speedy 3 year old filly from the Malesh Narredu yard who likes to blaze a trail up front but like Run Forest Run, was found out in Class III company and is now eased in grade. Making her debut right at the end of the Mumbai season, she was convincingly beaten by Run Forest Run on debut and turned out again quickly on the final day, failed as an odds on chance when pipped close home by Charles Bridge. She made it 3rd time lucky on her seasonal debut when scoring a bloodless maiden win over Improvisso but had her limitations exposed when well beaten in Class III last time out. She steps back up to 1200M again today which may not be the best move with promising apprentice A.S. Peter booked to ride. She has been drawn wide in Stall 10 as well so although likely to attempt start to finish tactics again today, she is likely to be pounced upon by the closers. Upset chance.
DIVINE POWER :- Enigmatic 3 year old gelding from the stables of Altaf Hussain, he was an impressive maiden winner on his 2nd start over 1000M in Mumbai when scoring by Ύ length from Cormorant but has failed to sparkle in his 3 starts since, albeit over longer trips. He was well beaten over 1400M in the Breeders Produce Stakes and after getting a lung opener over 1200M on his seasonal reappearance, he was tried over a mile last time out ending up a modest 5th to Star Aligned. He drops back to 1200M again today and A. Imran Khan takes over in the saddle from S. Sunil which is a positive. His trainer appears to be experimenting with him to find the right trip so he is probably best watched until he can show signs of some form and could be a dark horse here if returning to his winning form.
SKYSURFER :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad and to be ridden by stable jockey Dashrath Singh, she has run 8 times so far and was winless till the end of the Mumbai season but looked vastly improved this season when scoring an impressive maiden win over 1000M very early this season, easily beating Furiosa and Adam's Beginning, both of whom have been victorious since. She has not run since then which is a slight concern that there might have been a small setback since the win and her last few workouts have also been easy ones. She has a 5 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for the win and now steps up to 1200M which should not be a problem. She has a decent draw in Stall 3 and if resuming in the same vein, she could prove a danger to all.
XOXO :- Another improving 4 year old who really seems to have come to form this season, this one trained by S.S. Shah, he was experimented with over middle distances earlier in his career without too much success but looks to have improved over the summer and has been bang in form over this trip this term. He finished a good 2nd to Arabian Storm over this trip on reappearance and duly built on that when scoring an impressive maiden success again over this trip when easily beating WabiSabi and Divine Spark in the same class. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness judging from his subsequent workouts and a 5 kilo penalty seems fair. N.S. Parmar who has been riding him this season keeps the ride and from the rail draw, he looks likely to make another bold start to finish bid and should try hard to repeat.
PATRIOT'S DAY :- Very interesting looking 3 year old got abroad trained by Vishal Gaikwad, he has had just one prior run, an educative one over a mile in Mumbai where he looked very green and inexperienced, ending up a distant 4th to Madagascar. He is no doubt likely to improve significantly for that outing and has been well prepared for his reappearance run and also given a Mock Race to get him fully fit. He has been given plenty of work so should be ready to go but the 6 furlong trip is likely to be on the sharp side for him. Kishore Kadam taking the ride suggests that he may be out for an airing today but he looks a classy sort on paper and is quite capable of scoring a stunning upset so do not ignore him.
BONAFIDE :-Very highly regarded3 year old filly running in the colours of the Poonawalla family and trained by Malesh Narredu. She made her debut in Bangalore back in July, contesting a hot Million race over a mile where she finished well beaten. However, she showed she had improved for that experience when making her reappearance over 1200M on this track and running promisingly to finish up 3rd behind Bernice who has gone on to give strength to the form. She has been rested and well prepared since then and is expected to have made further progress and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle and receiving 7.5 kilos from Run Forest Run, she looks to have an excellent chance to make it 3rd time lucky.
CONCLUSION :-This should be a straight fight between the two promising 3 year olds, Bonafide and Run Forest Run. The filly, receiving plenty of weight and having more scope to improve is the selection and is preferred. Patriot's Day could be the dark horse who may be worth chancing each way if looking well while Xoxo seems the main threat among the older horses
Race No. 3 :- The Villoo C. Poonawalla Million Maiden 3 Year Olds Distance :- 1200M
EXCELLENT SORRENTO :-Well bred Excellent Art debutant from the powerful Malesh Narredu yard who also sports the colours of the sponsors and looks set to make a good impression on his racing debut. The mare's first two progeny Golden Viper and San Ramon both won 4 races apiece but the last two foals thrown are both yet maidens so there are mixed messages from the dam's side. However, his workouts have been quite decent in the build up to this race although he did finish well behind Excellent Times in a Mock Race some time ago. He is likely to give a good account of himself on his debut with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride but may just find one or two of these to be too strong or forward for him today. Each way player.
EXCELLENT TIMES :- Another debutant from the stable of S.S. Shah, contrary to other Western Aristocrat's he has been showing plenty of speed in the morning gallops and looks a precocious and forward sort and he also impressed in a Mock Race where he had Excellent Sorrento well behind travelling strongly and beating some good older horses in good style. His work has probably been the best of this bunch and he looks a very strong contender to make a winning debut with A. Imran Khan in the saddle.
OUTRAGEOUS :- Got abroad 3 year old filly who is trained by Pesi Shroff and looked soft but made an impressive debut over this trip a little less than a month ago when finishing on like a rocket and catching the eye in the closing stages when a fast finishing 2nd behind Pablo, with Chosen One well held behind in 4th. She will no doubt have improved considerably for that run and is sure to have stripped fitter today. She has been kept fresh since the run and S. Zervan now takes over in the saddle from N.S. Parmar. She has the benefit of experience over her main rivals today and appears to be a strong contender to claim this rich prize and is greatly respected and fancied.
SHARAREH :- Full sister to Point The Star and Shakespeare both of whom are still maidens after 10 plus career starts so pedigree does not inspire but this once raced filly from the stables of Rehanullah Khan looks a better sort and made a satisfactory debut over 5 furlongs a little over a month ago when finishing a fair 4th behind Shivalik Queen and should improve for the run. The step up to 1200M is likely to suit and A. Sandesh now takes over in the saddle from Bhawani Singh. She has been working well since the run and although possibly lacking the class of some of the better bred sorts, she could run into a place with the benefit of experience.
CONCLUSION :- With the advantage of a good run under her belt over this trip, Outrageous is selected to get the better of the debutant Excellent Times who has been blazing the track in the morning trials and also showed good speed in a Mock Race and looks set for a bold show
Race No. 4 :- The S.A. Poonawalla Multi Million (Grade 3) Terms 3 Years Old Only Distance :- 1600M
PIONEER :- One of the leading 3 year old Colts in Western India with back to back wins to start off his career including a fluent win over Adjudicate and Mozart in the Breeders Produce Stakes and he was the local favourite for the Poonawalla Breeders Multi Million but reportedly ran with an infection and could not give off his best, finishing well down the field. He was taken to Bangalore for the summer but was very disappointing in his lead up race there and was rested and given time to come to hand. He looked on the way back to his best on his reappearance run on this track when putting in a powerful performance to collar Bottega Louie right on the post over 1400M in Class III, clocking a decent time in the process. That run came a month and a half ago so he has is likely to have strengthened up further and his work has been satisfactory. The mile trip is likely to suit him better and retained rider P.S. Chouhan is in the saddle. He is conceding weight all around but looks to be the best on form in this field and is strongly fancied to score.
NEW MOON :-Out station challenger from the Neil Darashah yard, he is an interesting contender, being the highest rated runner in this field and like Pioneer he is a winner from 3 of his 5 starts and comes into this contest bidding for a hattrick. He ran thrice during the Bangalore Summer campaign and after finishing 3rd to Capricious and Poseideon over 1400M, he went on to win his next 2 handicap races impressively over 1400M. He appears to have improved again judging from his most recent workouts and clearly comes to his centre at the top of his game. He deserves his place in this line up and with Arshad Alam in the saddle, looks an interesting out station challenger who must be respected.
EXCELLENT :-Rapidly progressive colt from the stables of Dallas Todywalla, he has been improving with every run and has yet to finish out of the first two having won 2 of his 3 starts so far, his only defeat coming over an inadequate 5 furlongs on debut. He was a facile winner of his maiden over 7 furlongs towards the end of the Mumbai season but burst into the Classic picture on his last start in the F.D. Wadia Trophy where in spite of having his first run of the season and appearing a touch underdone, he walloped race fitter rivals to win convincingly by 3 lengths. He looks likely to improve considerably for that run and should be able to take the mile trip into his stride. He has been working well since the run suggesting that he has improved further and should make a bold bid to make it 3 wins in a row. Neeraj Rawal who rode him last time out retains the ride and with further improvement anticipated, he looks to have an outstanding chance.
VAN DYKE :-Highly regarded and well performed colt from the stables of Vishal Gaikwad who looks a solid stayer in the making and his minimum trip in 4 starts so far has been a mile. An impressive winner of his maiden when he trounced the opposition by a huge 8 length margin, he was entered in the Shapoorji Pallonji Colts Championship on just his 2nd start and while no match for Star Superior, he ended a respectable 3rd behind Spitfire. He was then taken to Bangalore for a summer campaign, where he finished 4th in the Colts Trial Stakes before finishing on to be a faraway 3rd in the Bangalore Derby. He has been working well since the run and looks likely to give a good account of himself again today with A. Sandesh up. However there is a suggestion that he may just be tapped for speed by some of these milers and could find one or two too good today. Place prospect.
ADJUDICATE :- The second runner from the Malesh Narredu yard, this one to be ridden by C.S. Jodha and she too has been held in very high regard but now seems to have something to prove after 2 disappointing performances. After being a wide margin winner of her maiden in Kolkotta, she was sent to Mumbai where she was sent off favourite for the Breeders Produce Stakes but could only finish 3rd behind Pioneer and Mozart. Returning from a long absence and impressing in a Mock Race, she was again sent off favourite for the F.D. Wadia but found Excellent to be too strong and was run out of 2nd spot by Bernice as well. An argument can be made that it was her first start after a long lay off and she is entitled to improve plus she will get a weight advantage today but she looked better prepared than Excellent that day and it is hard to see her reversing the form even on better Terms. She has a bit to prove now and is probably best watched.
CONCLUSION :-A direct line through Adjudicate suggests that there is very little to choose between Pioneer and Excellent but with the latter having more scope for improvement and seemingly going the right way while Pioneer has already had 2 expensive failures, the nod goes to the Todywalla colt who is selected to continue his progression and take this. New Moon, the highest rated runner brings strong form to the table and could be the fly in the ointment here.
Race No. 5 :- The Serum Institute of India Trophy Class III & IV Distance :- 1400M
BUNTING :- Progressive 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav, she has done well in her limited career so far, finishing first in 3 of her 11 starts and placing in 3 as well. She was a back to back winner on this track last season and then ran a fine 3rd to Bottega Louie and Cambridge early in Mumbai before losing her way but bounced back towards the end of the season to gain her 3rd success over 1200M in Class III, comfortably beating Collegium by 4 Ύ lengths. She has had 2 runs this term, needing the lung opener when 5th behind Pioneer but then showing good improvement upped to this trip when runner up to Grand Accord. She has been working very well since the run and in form apprentice K. Nazil claims a useful 2 ½ kilos in the saddle. She looks to be in good form at present and a big run is anticipated from her.
COSTA BRAVA :- Very highly regarded 4 year old from the Pesi Shroff stable who just seems to be coming into his own at present and was well clear of a couple of these last time out when scoring by 6 lengths in The Panchshil Million. The step up to a mile should be in his favour and he looks open to plenty of improvement still. P. Trevor who rode him last time out keeps the ride, he still looks to be a potential Group Horse in the making and having looked to have maintained his condition since the last run, looks likely to defy the handicap and go in again. Leading contender.
FOREST FAIRY :- Well bred and herself sparingly raced 4 year old trained by Bezan Chenoy, she is yet to finish out of the first three in her 7 race career, winning thrice and finishing runner up thrice. She ran just twice during the last Mumbai season and after an impressive win over Sassy Lass and Glyndebourne on the opening day, missed the Indian Classics due to a supposed setback. She returned to score over 1400M in March and chased home Costa Brava last time out on her seasonal reappearance, finishing a close 2nd in a blanket finish for minor honours. She is expected to improve for that run and strip fitter and looks to have a better chance to gain revenge with the winner getting a hefty penalty. A. Imran Khan replaces Y.S. Srinath in the saddle and she is expected to run well and be in the thick of things but Costa Brava may just improve past her.
DOMINATION :- Quirky but effective 5 year old gelding who began his career with Malesh Narredu but recently was sold into the yard of Mansoor Shah and pulled off a smart gamble in an older horses contest last time out to pip Masterofbalantrae on the post over 1200M. He needs things to go exactly right for him but clearly does have ability and his new trainer may be able to eke out some more improvement. He should have no trouble getting upto a mile, his workouts after the run have been solid and with H. Zeeshan claiming 2 ½ out of his 4 kilo penalty, he still looks well handicapped and should make a brave bid to repeat although taking on younger opposition today.
COLLEGIUM :- Solid and consistent 4 year old handicapper from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he is a winner of 2 of his 16 starts so far, his last win coming over 6 furlongs in April in the lower class where he scored by 1 length over She's A Tiger. He went on to finish runner up to Bunting next time out and looks unlikely to reverse that form over this longer trip. He had a lung opener already when finishing on to be 4th to Star of Thea on his seasonal debut but has to prove his effectiveness at this mile trip as he has run just modestly the previous 2 times that he attempted it. C.S. Jodha takes the ride today but he seems to be more of a contender for the minor places and winning looks tough.
PABLO :- Another progressive 3 year old, this one from the yard of Sanjay Kolse, he has been going from strength to strength with each of his runs and was a fluent maiden winner over 1200M on his seasonal reappearance beating Outrageous who runs earlier in the card and may give some substance to the form. He sneaks into this race at a feather weight but also takes a significant step up in Class and trip although he is bred to get this far on his pedigree. He looks to be in great heart at present, is expected to improve again, and with A. Sandesh keeping the ride, looks a big danger to all off the low weight.
CONCLUSION :-Costa Brava may yet be ahead of the handicapper and in spite of his stiff penalty for his last win is confidently selected to go in again. Pablo, who also looks progressive and is receiving plenty of weight looks the main danger along with the consistent Forest Fairy.
Race No. 6 :- The Kumar R. Dalal Cup Class II & III Distance :- 1000M
MOONSHINE :-Classy 4 year old filly coming from the red hot stable of Karthik G who is having her first start in some time and running over a trip that is extremely sharp for her but yet needs to be respected for powerful connections. Winner of 3 races from her 6 starts in Mumbai, she saw her mark shoot up from 26 to as high as her current mark of 67, scoring wins over 6 and 7 furlongs and narrowly missing out on a 4th win on her last run when nosed out by Turning Point. She is entitled to need this run over a trip which will be plenty sharp for her but A. Imran Khan has been booked to ride and Perfect Star performed a similar feat on his return so she is dangerous to ignore.
COLUMBIANAPRINCESS :- Speedy 3 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, she is unbeaten over 5 furlongs in Western India, winning 3 races on the trot, 2 of them rich juvenile races in Mumbai before adding a Class III handicap, edging out Wise Child on her reappearance run here. She was tried over 1200M last time out but packed up in the final furlong after leading throughout to finish in midfield. She reverts back to 1000M again which seems to be her forte and could very well bounce back over this more favoured trip. Dashrath Singh, who rode her both previous starts this season is up again today and in spite of being drawn wide in Stall 8, she looks a fearsome competitor back down to her pet trip.
MALAWI :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained now by Vishal Gaikwad having moved to Western India from Bangalore and she is quickly finding her feet at her new centre. She has run twice this season, needing the experience when 5th on her first run but then showing improvement next time out to end up a very close 3rd to Wise Child and Impala beaten just a length. She looks likely to go on progressing, seems to be in good form at present and N.S. Parmar now takes over in the saddle. She is likely to be in the front rank again and fight out the finish but seems more of a minor berth contender again and may need to improve markedly to win in this company. Each way contender.
FINE TUNE :-Improving 4 year old filly trained by Mansoor Shah who won unfancied last time out and seems to be improving with every run of late. Taking her time to come to hand, she seemed to find form early in the Mumbai season and has been very progressive since then, winning her maiden easily over 1000M in January, and adding 2 more wins to her name, the last of them when making her reappearance on this track unprepared with rookie apprentice S. Joseph in the saddle. She should be much fitter and sharper today and stable rider P.S. Chouhan now takes over in the saddle which is a big positive. She is up a further 5 kilos today and taking on some speedy 3 year olds but she looks in fine trim and must be considered.
IRON AGE :- Looks a very speedy 3 year old in the making and has won his last 2 starts most impressively including over course and distance on reappearance when making mincemeat of his rivals to win without breaking a sweat by a large margin. That was his first run so he will no doubt improve for that effort and P. Trevor who rode him last time out keeps the ride. He has a stiff 7 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for that win but is expected to improve appreciably for the run and should make a strong bid to go in again in this tougher company.
IMPALA :- Yet another 3 year old who looks a smart sort, this one trained by Narendra Lagad, he comes into this race off a low weight and will be ridden by smart 2 ½ kilo claimer K. Nazil who takes a further 2 ½ kilos off in the saddle. He has been in rousing form this season, winning impressively over this trip in the lower class and then finishing a good close 2nd to Wise Child when tackling this company for the first time on his last start. He comes out much better than Columbianaprincess on the scale and looks to have a strong chance to score on the handicap.
CONCLUSION :-Iron Age was extremely impressive on his wide margin win in the lower class and looks to have the scope to improve further. He is selected to repeat. Impala is well placed on the scale and appears to be the main danger along with 5 furlong specialist Columbianaprincess.
Race No. 7 :- The Rao Saheb Kedari Gold Trophy Class IV & V Distance :- 1600M
DAUGHTEROFTHESUN :-Well bred got abroad 4 year old trained by MaleshNarredu who does not yet seem to have quite come into her own and has managed just 1 win from 12 starts so far. That win was a mile maiden on this track last August and although she has run well in defeat on several occasions since then, she has not yet looked close to repeating that feat. She began the season with a strong effort last time out when runner up to Star Aligned about a month ago, herself finishing well clear of the rest and she can build on that effort. Vishal Bunde claims a handy 3 ½ kilos in the saddle and in spite of the heavy weight, she looks to have a good chance to return to winning ways.
SMART N NOBLE :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding from the Karthik G. yard, he has finished runner up on 4 previous occasions but has managed to win only once in 19 starts with several forgettable efforts in between and he does not appear totally straightforward. He had a couple of lung openers this season to get him to full fitness and nearly managed to eke out a 2nd win last time out over 1800M going down by a neck to Adonijah. The shorter trip is likely to be to his advantage and he appears to have maintained his form and fitness and A. Imran Khan keeps the faith. The yard is in red hot form at the moment and hence he looks to have a good chance to go one better now and must be considered.
WILSHIRE :-Improving 4 year old Phoenix Tower gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji he has been gradually stepping up in trip with his racing and now tackles a mile for the first time since his juvenile days. Winner of 2 of his 11 starts so far, he likes to come from off the pace and has a strong turn of foot but both of his earlier wins have come over sprints and he has to prove that he stays this longer trip well. He has already had 2 runs this season, the last of them over 1400M where he finished 6th to Sassy Lass about 4 Ό lengths behind the winner. He seems to be going into unknown territory today but P. Trevor is a good judge of pace and if taking to the longer trip, he could be an interesting outsider.
ABERLOUR :- Nicely bred and seemingly unexposed 4 year old gelding trained by Altamash Ahmed, he has run just thrice till date so appears to have tremendous scope for improvement. Having run an impressive race on debut in Mumbai, he was given a lung opener earlier in the season and last time out, got up late in a fighting finish to prevail by a head from Arrecife with the same rider on board. He is expected to improve for that effort and has only been penalized 4 kilos for the win. His trackwork since the run has been good suggesting that he has improved and he should make a bold bid to repeat against more challenging opposition.
FLEUR DE LYS :-Improving 3 year old filly trained by S.A. Waheed, she seems to be progressing nicely with her racing and is coming off a gutsy maiden win over this trip last time out. Making her debut over 1000M back in Mumbai where she was given an educative run, she had a nice seasonal debut over 1200M when making late headway from the rear to finish a decent 4th behind Bernice in what seems to be developing into a strong maiden. The step up to a mile suited her immensely and after making all the running, she showed good resolve to hold off the odds on favourite Golden Hind and win decisively and should build on that effort. She has been blazing the track in the morning trials since then so appears to have taken a further step forward. NeerajRawal takes over in the saddle from P.S. Chouhan today and with further progression, she looks to have an excellent chance to repeat on her handicap debut.
TAR HEEL :- 4 year old gelding from the ImtiazSait yard who looked progressive towards the end of the Mumbai season but was disappointing on his only prior run this term, although that was a tough race the Independence Million where he finished well down the field. His earlier form was quite progressive though, fluently winning his maiden over this trip in the lower class and then running a good 2nd to two smart types in Yellowstone and In It To Win It, the last one being over 2000M. He may have been rusty for that first run and should strip fitter today and the yard is also in better form than they were earlier in the season so he looks an each way player in what looks a very competitive contest and must be considered.
TILL END OF TIME :- 4 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav who may not have given off his best just yet and is still unexposed having had just 8 starts. After a couple of promising efforts, he scored his maiden success over 1400M coming with a late run to collar Dixieland close home but his efforts since that win have been unconvincing. He again began this season with a very promising effort when flying home in a 3 horse photo to be a very close 3rd behind Grey Flannel over 1200M but then ran disappointingly when fancied in the Independence Million. He has been rested and well prepared since then, his recent workouts are good and A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle for the first time. He looks a potential improver who must be considered and could get back to winning ways today.
VALEGRO :- Once raced got abroad from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he has a beautiful pedigree by champion miler Canford Cliffs out of Choice House and is clearly much better than he showed on his racing debut when he was sent off a hot favourite but never got into the contest and ended well beaten behind Merlot over 1400M. That run was too bad to be true and the yard's runners clearly show a lot of improvement from first run to second so he is expected to do a lot better today and his trackwork since the run has been good suggesting that he has made some progress. S. Zervan takes over in the saddle from A. Sandesh today and from the bottom of the scale off a decent opening handicap mark, he could prove to be a danger to them all.
CONCLUSION :-Probably the toughest contest of the day but Fleur De Lys created a good impression when winning over a mile last time out and could have been given a decent chance by the handicapper. She is selected to get the better of the other 3 year old Valegrowho did not show his true colours when favourite on debut and is expected to run much better today. Till End Of Time with Sandesh up and the unexposed Aberlour complete the short list He
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
