From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 22nd September 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 21 Sep 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 22nd September 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Pennywise Plate – Class IV & V, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
GOLDEN WEAVER :- Nicely bred and sparingly raced but somewhat inconsistent 4 year old filly trained by Hosidar Daji, this half sister to Class I filly Renee has run 7 times so far, winning on 2 occasions but has been inconsistent and the wins have been interspersed with some poor efforts. She began the season well and got up late to pip Timeless Deeds and score over 1400M on her penultimate run before being tried over a mile and running dismally finishing 7th of 8 to Grand Accord. She has been given a bit of a break to freshen her up, has been working well in the interim and the drop to 6 furlongs should suit plus she comes back to Class IV. K. Nazil who has been riding her all season is up again today and if returning in a galloping mood, she could prove to be a threat.
HUDSON :- 4 year old filly trained by Malesh Narredu who comes from a decent Indian family and is a full sister to Mystic Flame who ran last week for Pesi Shroff and is also a half sister to Southern Emperor and Mystic Romance. She too has run 7 times so far and has performed well ever since shedding her maiden tag back in February when a wide margin winner over this trip. Both the runs this season have been over 1400M, finishing a close 3rd to Mount Mckinley on reappearance before finishing runner up to Sassy Lass last time out. The drop to 6 furlongs is likely to suit her and she appears to be in good heart at present. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride as usual and returning to the distance of her previous victory, she appears to hold strong form claims.
TENERIFE :- Trained by S.K. Sunderji, this 4 year old China Visit filly has a similar profile to Hudson and Golden Weaver having raced 7 times till date and placed on 4 occasions with 1 prior victory. After a string of decent placed efforts in Mumbai, she gained her maiden success on her final run of the season, holding on grimly by a length from Queens Best over this trip with Wabi Sabi 6th that day although she has improved significantly since then. She has had a lung opener this season over this trip finishing 6th behind Epiphany and has been working well since then suggesting that she has improved. She has the scope to progress further, P. Trevor takes the ride and she looks to have decent each way claims with the benefit of the run.
FIREWINGS :- Formerly known as Cherry Blossom, she began her career in the care of Pesi Shroff with whom she had her first 4 starts before moving to Narendra Lagad and managed to dead heat for first with Polyneices on her first run for her new yard. She has had 2 starts this season, getting a lung opener over 1400M on her seasonal debut but showing the benefit of that last time out over 1000M when in spite of jumping slowly, finishing on strongly to be runner up to Iron Age who has gone on to win again. She has been working impressively since that last run and seems to be progressing nicely at present and the step up to 1200M looks likely to suit. Dashrath Singh is in the saddle and if alert in the early part of the race, she could prove to be a danger to all.
WABI SABI :- Slightly more experienced than the others having run 9 times in total, she seemed to lose her way after a promising beginning to her career but seems to prefer the Pune track where she has a much better record. She was strongly fancied on her reappearance run over this trip but found Xoxo to be too strong but made no mistake next time out with the same rider up when she came with a strong late run to score from Orion’s Belt and Godsword. She has only a 4 kilo penalty to contend with for the win and should improve again. She is slightly worse off with Hudson on a line through Orion’s Belt but the win will have given her confidence and she should try hard for a quick encore.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be quite competitive with most of the runners having similar profiles but Hudson has run well both starts this term in good company and returning to her winning trip, is selected to get the better of Wabi Sabi who returned to form in good fashion last time out. The moody Golden Weaver could prove to be a danger if in a galloping mood
Race No. 2 :- The Change of Luck Plate – Class II & III – Distance :- 2000M
GRAND ACCORD :- Rapidly progressive 4 year old who is currently in great form and has convincingly won his last 3 starts in succession, all over a mile and may not have stopped improving yet. Trained by Karthik G, this son of Dream Ahead has run 10 times overall but all of his 4 wins have been over a mile, so he has to buck the trend today as he steps up in trip. His only prior attempt at this trip was back in February and he ran well to finish a close 3rd behind Goshawk so he should stay this far. He has won both his starts this season convincingly over a mile, comfortably accounting for Bunting and Sumaaq last time out and the handicapper has been lenient with him, upping him only another 5 kilos. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since the last run, A. Imran Khan retains the ride and in spite of stepping up slightly in trip, he looks to have an excellent chance to maintain his unbeaten run this season and complete a hattrick. Strong fancy.
LORD OF THE SEA :- One time Classic prospect from the yard of Pesi Shroff this 4 year old son of Dean’s Kitten appears to have plenty of stamina in his pedigree. He has run 14 times so far and managed to win on 3 occasions but it has been a while since his last win and he seems to be slowly working his way back into form. Last time out over 1800M, he was staying on steadily towards the end, ending up 4th with Sussex Pride just ahead of him and Zanara the runner up that day and all three seem to be closely matched today. The extra furlong is likely to be to his advantage and Zervan who rode him last time out keeps the ride but he may just need a little more time before reverting to winning ways and looks to be more of a place contender today.
ZANARA :- Solid front running 4 year old from the in form stable of Dallas Todywalla who has done well in her career so far with 3 wins and 4 seconds from her 13 starts and she has been in cracking form this season as well. After getting a lung opener over an inadequate 7 furlongs, she was a convincing winner over 1800M convincingly beating Flying Dragon and last time out again over 1800M, ended a close runner up to Drogo with Sussex Pride 2 ¼ lengths away and Lord of the Sea a close up 4th. She is at her best when allowed to bowl along in front and is unlikely to be taken on for the lead today as last time out, she was forced to cut pace with Zenon for much of the journey which may have found her out in the closing stages. She is 1 ¼ lengths worse off on the scale with Sussex Pride and if not hassled in the early stages, could control the gallop and must be respected with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
SUSSEX PRIDE :- 5 year old colt who has done well for the small stable of Subhag Singh, with 4 wins from his 27 starts and he is effective over this trip. His last win came over this trip back in January when he convincingly outstayed Samarjeet and he has been working his way back into form this term. He finished on well last time out over 1800M to be a good 3rd, 2 ¼ lengths behind Zanara and the point to note that day is that T.S. Jodha lost his whip at the top of the straight so he may have been a bit closer and is still better placed on the scales with Zanara and Lord of the Sea with his rider’s claim. The booking of K. Nazil suggests that connections are fancying their chances today and he looks to have a good upset chance on the handicap and could prove an interesting outsider.
GOLD BOND :- Progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he too has been progressing nicely with his racing and after needing his first few starts to get to peak form, has not looked back since, winning his last 3 races on the trot and he appears to be very versatile with regards to trip. He impressed when reappearing from a 4 month break over a mile in March when running a close 2nd to Dixieland and stepped up markedly to a mile and half next time out, he showed good stamina to shed his maiden tag holding off Happy Birthday and Gdansk. He was again dropped in trip to 1800M towards the end of the season and scored over Counsellor by 1 ½ lengths but he was being eased down close home and was value for more than the official margin. He again showed he had improved over the summer on his reappearance run here 3 weeks ago, this time over a mile when staying on strongly and showing good battling qualities to hold off Nobleman and score by three parts of a length. He has only been penalized a further 4 ½ kilos for the win and is likely to improve for the run. He comes into this race at bottom weight and Neeraj Rawal is replaced by Dashrath Singh but he seems to be progressing very nicely at present and looks a strong fancy to make it 4 wins in a row.
CONCLUSION :- This is likely to be a straight fight between the two in form and progressive horses Gold Bond and Grand Accord and the former is just selected, with improvement expected from his first run of the season, his versatility in trip and the handy 8.5 kilo weight advantage. Sussex Pride is very well handicapped and could be a lucrative outsider for those searching for more value.
Race No. 3 :- The Menorah Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
BRABOURNE :- 5 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has a good overall record having finished in the first three 9 times in her 13 starts so far with 2 previous wins. However, she appears to have been struggling with the handicapper since her last win which came on this track last season over 1400M and although she has been runner up on a number of occasions since, she has yet to earn herself another bracket. She was again runner up to Grand Accord over this trip on her reappearance early in the season but next time out ran poorly when better placed on the scale and ended up 5th again behind Grand Accord who beat her comfortably in spite of his penalty. There is a suspicion that she is not really a weight carrier as she has been battling with top weight for some time now so although P. Trevor is up and she has been working well, she looks to be more of a place prospect and could struggle to carry the weight again.
DESPERADO :- Very interesting 3 year old gelding who comes here with a lofty reputation from Bangalore and seems to be developing into an exciting prospect. He has had just 3 runs so far, getting an educative run in the Winter over 1200M when finishing an easy 3rd and then showing how much he had improved when unbeaten in 2 runs in the Summer. He caught the eye of many a knowledgeable on reappearance over 7 furlongs when comfortably beating Poonawalla Multi Million winner Corfe Castle and then went on to win the Bangalore Summer Million in style over this trip, easily beating Secret Roman by 3 ¾ lengths. He is open to plenty of improvement on just his 4th career start and this well may be his lead up race before the Pune Derby. He makes his handicap debut off a stiff looking mark, but is expected to take it in his stride and looks a leading contender to make a winning first appearance on this track with regular rider Arshad Alam in the saddle.
GLORIOSUS :- 2nd runner from the Imtiaz Sait stable and possibly the better fancied of the two with A. Sandesh being booked to ride today. Winner of 2 of his 12 starts so far he seems to be most effective over this trip and has been quite consistent in his last several starts, his last win coming over 1800M on Derby weekend when he finished on strongly to get the better of Costa Brava. He has had a lung opener this season over 2000M when 3rd to In It To Win It so should strip fitter today and looks to have a good each way shout.
SASSY LASS :- Well regarded 4 year old filly trained by Asad Siddiqui who just seems to be coming into her own this season and is bidding for a hattrick after 2 fluent wins over shorter trips earlier in the campaign. Running promisingly without winning on her first several starts, she was considered good enough to contest the Indian 1000 Guineas and ran respectably to finish midfield behind Lady In Lace but then struggled in handicaps after that. However, she appeared to have blossomed over the summer as she was a fluent winner over 1200M on the opening day and won even more impressively next time out when upped to 7 furlongs, looking strong at the finish which suggests that the additional furlong should not trouble her. She has been penalized a further 5 kilos now, but appears to be still progressing and must rate as a live danger to all. Neeraj Rawal who rode her on the opening day and who is having a good season returns to ride her taking over from K. Nazil and she looks a strong contender to complete her hattrick.
BARBARESCO :- Another interesting contender from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he was an eye catching winner on debut over 1400M when showing a neat turn of foot to get up and score over Oriana and Navigator and created such a good impression that his trainer supplemented him for the F.D. Wadia in just 10 days time. He still looked green and inexperienced that day and was wayward under pressure, ending up a fair 4th behind Excellent. He has had almost a month off since then so has been given time to come to hand but is again faced with a stiff task on handicap debut, taking on Class III opposition. He comes into this off a low weight though, will clearly be suited by the mile trip as he is coincidentally a full brother to Sassy Lass and with S. Zervan in the saddle and receiving 8 kilos from Desperado, he looks to be a clear danger at the weights and must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- The Bangalore challenger Desperado looks to be a classy prospect in the making and is confidently expected to tackle this Class III opposition. The unexposed Barbaresco in receipt of 8 kilos rates as the main danger along with the hattrick seeking Sassy Lass.
Race No. 4 :- The Hallmark Run – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
WHITEWALKER:-Maiden 3 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has run 5 times so far and except for his debut run, has run exclusively over this trip but has failed to impress so far. After ending a faraway 3rd on debut to Star Attraction and Riquewihr, he has displayed good speed in his morning work and was quietly fancied on a couple of occasions but has run disappointingly, his best effort coming when 4th to Godsword in a weak maiden. He has had one run this season, finishing 6th of 8 to Shivalik Queen but should be able to improve on that performance and strip fitter. P.S. Chouhan as usual takes the ride and his last couple of workouts have again been impressive but he needs to reproduce it on the race grass so although he does merit each way consideration in this maiden set, he is probably best watched until showing some more improvement.
ACTIONABLE:-Dean’s Kitten debutant from the Malesh Narredu yard he is a half brother to Power Shadow and Logano, both of whom were speedy handicappers in Western India although his sire is likely to bring a little more stamina into the mix. He has had just 3 easy workouts so may be going in for an educative run and Yash Narredu has been booked to ride. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition and he is entitled to need this first run. He may eventually be better over further in due course but comes into consideration if looking fit and well.
FALCONETTE :- Experienced 3 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard, she is the most experienced of this lot having run 7 times already but is also the only one with current form having finished runner up over course and distance last time out. She had 6 starts in Mumbai and did not have much to show for it but appeared to have improved over the summer as she finished runner up to Shivalik Queen. She seems to have been working well since that run and the booking of A. Sandesh catches the eye. She does not set a very high standard to aim at but this looks a weak maiden and accordingly she is given a good chance.
MARIANELLA :- Daughter of Arazan who comes from the powerful yard of Pesi Shroff and could be classy enough to tackle this lot on debut. Her dam Coccinella was also trained by Pesi Shroff and was a useful sprinter and she seems to have been given enough prep work to be fit and ready first time out. She has bagged the plum rail draw, has N.S. Parmar in the saddle and could be too good for this opposition and looks set to make a winning debut.
CONCLUSION :- With this looking a relatively weak maiden on paper, debutant Marianella is selected to get off to a winning start at the expense of Falconette who ran a decent 2nd over this trip last time out. Actionable has a decent pedigree and can also upset.
Race No. 5 :- The Pune City Gold Cup (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1600M
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :- Loyal servant to connections and as good as ever even at age 7, he is one of two runners for Pesi Shroff in this competitive event and is the highest rated runner in this field. He has proved himself time and again in this company, performing with credit in Terms races over middle distances and appears to be equally well suited by 7 furlongs and a mile at this stage. He made a gallant reappearance here in the Turf Club Trophy over 7 furlongs finishing a commendable 3rd behind Timeless and Ruffina and is sure to improve for that run and strip fitter today. Y.S. Srinath who rode him that day is up again today and in spite of conceding weight and taking on younger opposition again, he is greatly respected and would be a most popular winner, were he to score.
B FIFTY TWO :- Well bred 6 year old gelding who is the first of two runners for Imtiaz Sait in this yard and will be partnered by P. Trevor. He has developed into a quality Group Race performer although he appears to be most effective over 2000M and excels in small fields where he is allowed to control the gallop. However, he has several noteworthy performances over this trip as well, the last of which was a close 2nd to Your Royal Majesty in the Harisinghji where he finished ahead of New England and Whomakestherules. He was well beaten by Selfie Star in the Eve Champion Trophy on reappearance but he may have been a shade rusty and is expected to strip fitter today. He is another who seldom runs a bad race and could be dangerous if controlling the gallop from the front.
CAMBRIDGE :- Sparingly raced and hugely progressive 4 year old gelding who is trained by Pesi Shroff and deserves a crack at a race of this nature having excelled in his career so far. Winner of 6 of his 8 starts till date, he made an impressive reappearance after a long lay off when scoring over 1400M about a month ago, not looking fully wound up and winning a shade snugly from the late finishing Governor General. He is expected to improve for that run and strip fitter now and Neeraj Rawal takes the ride replacing A. Sandesh who switches to New England. The mile trip should be well within his compass and although taking on much tougher opposition, he is worth his place in this line up and must be respected.
NEW ENGLAND :- Well performed and promising 5 year old who is a stable mate to B Fifty Two and is very likely to win a race of this nature before too long. Winner of 6 of his 17 starts so far, he has struggled to make his mark in Group company although running with credit and is still searching for that elusive first Group Race success. He ran a promising race on his seasonal debut in The Turf Club Trophy when finishing on late to be a length behind Your Royal Majesty in the Turf Club Trophy and may be able to reverse the placings with the 7 year old as he appears to have come on significantly since the run. A Sandesh replaces S. Zervan in the saddle, he has been working extremely well and maybe today is the day that he can gain that overdue Group victory.
PERFECT STAR :- Quality 4 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G he has been in cracking form this season winning back to back races in handicaps and is another who looks set for a crack at a race like this coming into it at the top of his game. 3rd in the Indian 2000 Guineas, he brings strong Classic form to the table and has returned with a vengeance this season over shorter trips. A. Imran Khan who has ridden him throughout this season is up again today and although he appears to be unsuited by the Terms of the race, he looks in fine fettle at present and should be one of the leading contenders to emerge triumphant.
AUBURN :- Another very interesting 4 year old, she is the only filly in the field and is also the lowest rated runner here but still commands a great deal of respect. She is very lightly raced so has the maximum scope for improvement and has a good career strike rate overall. After finishing 4th in the Indian Oaks, she bled on her final start of the Mumbai season when finishing 4th to Gloriosus but appears to be a filly transformed in her last 2 starts. Fresh from a break she was a convincing Class II winner in Ooty over the summer and was hugely impressive when reappearing over a mile on this track last time out, where she demolished class II opposition by 6 lengths easily beating Selfie Star in a smart time. She will no doubt improve for that run and strip fitter and in spite of being unsuited by the Terms, she looks to have plenty of scope and is greatly respected with S. Zervan taking the ride.
CONCLUSION :- An extremely competitive affair with several horses able to stake a claim but it might be worthwhile to side with the Vishal Gaikwad ward Auburn. A late maturing sort, she appears to be just coming into her own and in spite of the terms being against her, is selected to beat the boys. The other 4 year old Perfect Star looks a worthy adversary while the ever reliable Your Royal Majesty and New England appear the best of the older horses.
Race No.6 :- The Noble Prince Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
BLITZKRIEG :- 27 race veteran trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has managed to win 2 races both of them over the minimum trip and appears to have come down to a competitive mark again and found a relatively weak field. He has come back down to his last winning mark in the scale and has had 2 runs this season so should be fit enough to win. Kavraj Singh takes the ride and he looks to have a good each way chance in this company and should be involved in the finish.
BEE QUIRKY:-Speedy 5 year old mare who was initially trained by H.J. Antia but recently moved to the yard of Vijay Kasbekar and is another who appears to be relatively well in at the weights. Winner of 1 of her 14 starts and sold into this yard after that, she has been steadily prepared by her shrewd trainer and looks set to return to winning ways. She ran a promising race on her seasonal reappearance with an inexperienced apprentice on board, leading till the bend and kicking on to finish up 4th. She should be fitter for the lung opener and the most successful of the current apprentices A.S. Peter has been booked to ride today. She has unfortunately pulled a wide draw in Stall 10 but looks a danger to all and is likely to make a bold bid from the front.
ARC OF PASSION :- Another 5 year old mare this one from the yard of S.N. Joshi, she has been holding her form quite well since gaining an overdue maiden success back in March when scoring over this trip beating Arvan and Tally Ho. She has been quite consistent since then finishing runner up on her next 2 starts and after running suggestively on her reappearance, just failed to catch Furiosa on her penultimate run. Her last run upped to 1200M was a shade disappointing but it came in a no whip race and although she ended up 9th she was not too far behind the winner so that run can be ignored. After having been ridden by apprentice Jockeys in her last several starts, the booking of P.S. Chouhan today clearly catches the eye and she looks to have an outstanding chance to earn herself another bracket.
OUTSTANDING :- 4 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji, she has a nice pedigree but has taken her time to come to hand and is still a maiden after 14 starts. She did run a couple of promising races over this trip in the past but has been largely inconsistent and ran very poorly the only previous time that she was fancied over 1200M in Mumbai. However, she did look like she had made a little improvement over the summer when running suggestively last time out, finishing on well from the rear to be a faraway 2nd behind Lesrel. She is entitled to improve for that run and strip fitter, S. Zervan replaces P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and she had bagged the plum No. 1 draw. She is yet to convince that she has early speed so the drop in trip is not certain to suit but she does have scope to improve and cannot be ignored in this weak field.
RISING CONCERT :- Aged 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad he has managed to win just 1 of his 27 starts and has dropped right down in the weights after a string of poor efforts. However, he did catch the eye when having his first start since December over 1200M last time out, showing good speed until the bend and kicking on to finish up 4th. The drop down to the minimum trip is likely to suit him and good apprentice Raghuveer Singh takes over in the saddle, claiming a useful 3 ½ kilos so he is running practically bareback. He is not the most reliable sort but if building on his last effort, he looks to have an each way chance.
CONCLUSION :- A poor contest to end the day and Arc of Passion with P.S. Chouhan up is selected to get the better of the speedy Bee Quirky. Outstanding has scope to improve and is also considered.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
