From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 23rd September 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 22 Sep 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 23rd September 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The D.D. Pillai Trophy – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
COSIMO :- Veteran handicapper trained by Narendra Lagad who has come down substantially in the weights into the lowest class but has an unenviable record of just 1 win from his 22 starts till date. His win came almost a year and a half ago in an older horses contest over 1400M where he scored by 2 ½ lengths from Dancing Prince but he has not been able to come close to repeat that feat although the closest he managed was towards the end of the Mumbai season, again over 1400M when he went down narrowly to Golden Eclipse by half a length showing he still had zest for racing. He has failed to impress as yet in 3 starts this term, and after being ridden by a full jockey in his first 3 runs, he is now entrusted to 3 ½ kilo claimer Raghuveer Singh. He should be fit enough and looks on a handy mark at present but needs to show that he still retains his ability and is given a small upset chance at best.
EAGLEINTHESKY :- Got abroad 3 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who was given a nice introductory run just 2 weeks ago over 1200M when he was not given a hard time, was green and trailing in the early part but picked up in good style towards the end and was a fast finishing 4th behind owner mate Improvisso. He is sure to improve tremendously for that run and looks likely to appreciate more galloping ground so he should be suited by the mile trip. S. Zervan now takes over in the saddle from N.S. Parmar, he looks to be taking on mainly exposed and older opposition and with normal progression, he should be a leading fancy to shed is maiden tag at just the second time of asking.
FLASHING HONOUR :- Comes from the in form stable of Karthik G. and is another who is starting to look extremely well handicapped but is an unreliable sort and does not always turn up in a galloping mood. He tends to be lethargic in the early part of the race and the jockey has to work very hard to get him going but he does have ability once hitting full stride. Winner of 2 of his 37 starts, he has slipped back down to a very workable mark now and indicated that he still retained his ability when finishing on strongly over 1800M last time out to be a close 3rd to Adonijah just behind stable mate Smart N Noble. He is not guaranteed to turn up in the same mood again today but if running upto his best then he is capable of being involved with Bhawani Singh keeping the ride.
EXCELLENT ELLA :- Once raced half sister to Zanara from the Malesh Narredu yard, she made her debut towards the end of March back in Mumbai over 1200M where she was sent off a favourite but could only manage to finish 6th behind Dazzling Star and the form of that race has not been great. However she has been given time to improve since then and makes a belated comeback after almost 6 months. She should have improved and strengthened up over the summer and is expected to give a better account of herself over this longer trip and is now in the care of young Deepesh Narredu with Yash Narredu booked to ride. She is likely to need this run after the long absence but has been working well and is given a good each way chance of what looks a decent starting mark.
HONOURABLE EYES :- Maiden 4 year old from the Imtiaz Sait yard who has run 8 times sofar over varying trips without success, although her best effort came over this trip when attempting to make all the running and kicking on to be a close 2nd to Massimo. However, she has failed to reproduce that form in several runs since then and 2 starts this term have been mediocre at best, last time out finishing a faraway 7th to Star Aligned. She is eased in grade into the lowest class and A.Imran Khan now takes over in the saddle for P. Trevor but she is another who needs to show a bit more on the race grass and is probably best watched today. Place contender.
GANDALF :- Tiny 4 year old who comes from the small stable of Asad Siddiqui and although still a maiden, has been running with some promise in his last few starts. Although winless from 13 starts till date, he showed that he had ability for the first time when finishing on strongly to be a close 2nd to Golden Horde over 1200M and looked to be coming back to that sort of form last time out over 1400M when making good late headway from the rear to be 2nd to Questionable. His style of racing suggests that the additional furlong will suit him even better and K. Nazil who rode him last time out is up again today. He looks to be very much the form horse and is greatly respected here
CONCLUSION :- Eagleintheskywas an eye catcher on debut over an inadequate 1200M and over this longer trip and with normal improvement expected, he is selected to score. Gandalf who finished on strongly over 7 furlongs last time out looks the form pick and the main danger while the reappearing Excellent Ella is also feared.
Race No. 2 :- The Janardhan Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
CHARLES BRIDGE :- Interesting and unbeaten runner from the Sanjay Kolse yard who is making a belated reappearance after a long break but was an impressive and unfancied maiden winner over 1000M on the final weekend of the Mumbai season. He was in the rear turning for home but picked up in taking style once the penny dropped to power home down the centre of the track and collar the odds on favourite Enchanted to win stylishly. He is making a comeback after a gap of around 5 months and understandably may not be fully wound up today so a paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness. However, he is clearly a promising sort, he has been working quite well and the booking of A. Sandesh suggests that connections are quite serious. He should be much better suited by this middle distance trip and looks primed for a bold show.
PACIFIC DUNES :- Seasoned 5 year old handicapper from the Bezan Chenoy yard, he is a full brother to Indian Oaks winner Manifold but has failed to display his true potential and has managed to win only 2 of his 16 starts so far having been tried over a variety of trips. He did finish a good 2nd to Centaurus over 1400M a couple of starts ago in Mumbai and looked in need of the lung opener on his seasonal reappearance, making late headway to end up a decent 4th behind Arabian Storm. He should strip fitter for that run and has been working well since suggesting that he has improved. He again is not the most reliable sort but can raise a gallop and with good apprentice Raghuveer Singh taking over from Santosh G, he looks a strong each way contender and should be involved.
MOUNT OLYMPUS :- 3 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad yard who began his career with a pillar to post victory over 1200M in January but has not quite gone on from there and has been struggling to prove his worth since then. He was well beaten in his next 2 starts over 1400M although managing to place on both occasions and his two 6 furlong runs this season have been quite lacklustre. He does step up to the mile trip for the first time now, has 3 ½ kilo claimer Vishal Bunde taking over for the first time from Dashrath Singh, and if being suited by the longer trip, he could run into a place and add some spice to the finish. Rank outsider.
ORIANA :- Potentially smart 3 year old filly trained by Malesh Narredu, this half sister to Capriole and full sister to Silken Eyes was given an educative run during the Mumbai season and showed vast improvement on her reappearance over 1400M when finishing on strongly from midfield to collar the early leader Navigator only to be shocked on the post by another unexposed type in the form of Barbaresco who is held in high regard. She was only beaten a long neck that day and is sure to make considerable progress and strip fitter since then. Her workouts since the run have been quite attractive, Yash Narredu who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she now looks a leading fancy to make amends and enter the winner’s circle for the first time.
STORMBORN :- Improving 3 year old colt trained by S.K. Sunderji, he has run thrice so far, twice in Mumbai and once this season. Making his debut in the same race as Excellent Ella, he finished a decent 5th behind stable companion Intense Stylist and dropped to 1000M next time out, showed a little improvement when finishing 3rd to Frieze and Baymax. She made her reappearance over 1200M in a similar contest but looked rusty and could only end up 7th to WabiSabi 3 weeks ago and should improve for that effort. He steps up to this trip for the first time and should progress again and S. Zervan keeps the ride. He looks to still need a little more time to improve but looks to have an each way chance and comes into consideration.
CONCLUSION :- Oriana should build on her promising effort over this trip last time out and is the selection to go one better with the benefit of the run. Charles Bridge made a good impression on debut and looks a promising sort but is running after a long lay off while Pacific Dunes and Stormborn look place prospects.
Race No. 3 :- The Magansingh P. Jodha Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1200M
HOLY SMOKE :- Seasoned 6 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who is already a proven Group Race performer and has a fine record of 7 wins from his 20 starts to date. He ran a cracking race on his reappearance on his last run in handicap company when finishing on strongly from the rear under a big weight to be a close 3rd behind Timeless. However, he was a shade disappointing in his next 2 runs in Group company and now returns to handicaps and is reunited with K. Nazil who rode him on the opening day. He has still been showing out extremely well in morning work and this company is decidedly easier so he could bounce back to form and must be respected.
GOVERNOR GENERAL :- Another consistent 6 year old gelding with a good overall record, this one is trained by M.K. Jadhav and has been in cracking form in his last few starts. Scoring narrowly over Timeless on his final run of the Mumbai season, he showed that he had retained that ability over the summer when finishing on strongly over 1400M on his reappearance and just failing to collar Cambridge with Summer Rays and Congressional finishing behind him that day. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness and should not be troubled by the slight drop in trip. Sandesh takes over in the saddle from P. Trevor and knows the horse well and he is expected to be bang there in the firing line.
CLYMENE :- Speedy and progressive 4 year old filly who is a stable companion of Holy Smoke but has done almost all of her racing over 1000M and has to prove that she has the stamina to stay this longer trip. She was unbeaten in 4 starts over 1000M and ran creditably on her reappearance as wel but was no match for Glyndebourne who reopposes today. She is 1 ½ lengths better off with Glyndebourne on the last run but may struggle to reverse the form with her stamina in doubt over the longer trip. She is expected to run well and can run into a place but may find the trip stretching her.
GLYNDEBOURNE :- Classy and progressive 4 year old filly trained by Vishal Gaikwad who seemed to miss the Classic races due to some setback but after racing over 1400M for most of her career, seems to have found her niche as a sprinter and has been excelling over sprints of late. She has won 4 of her last 5 starts, the last 3 of these have been over sprints and after finishing a close 2nd to Perfect Star over 1200M on reappearance, she tackled 5 furlong speedsters comfortably to emerge victorious beating Clymene by 1 ½ lengths. The additional furlong should suit her much better than it will her owner mate and hence she is a leading fancy to confirm the form in spite of her penalty. She looks a leading contender to go in again with P. Trevor keeping the ride and looks hard to beat.
SUMMER RAYS :- 4 year old filly who is a 6 furlong specialist and would have to be given a very strong chance on the pick of her form but has been woefully out of touch this season in spite of good trackwork and needs to prove that she retains her old ability. Trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has finished in the first two in 8 of her 15 starts, winning on 4 occasions but has drawn a blank this term. Fancied on both runs this season, she ran miserably on the opening day when finishing well behind Holy Smoke and was as disappointing over 1400M last time out when only 5th to Cambridge. She has been given a month off since the last run which may have freshened her up and has Prashant Dhebe up for the first time this season. She looks to have an upset chance if returning to form.
CONCLUSION :- Glyndebourne seems to be progressing very nicely and looks hard to beat in her current form. She won smoothly over 1000M and the return to 1200 should suit. Holy Smoke appears to be the main threat while Summer Rays can trouble them if returning to her best
Race No. 4 :- The C.A. Kuts Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
QUEEN CREDIBLE :- Well performed 5 year old mare from the stables of Rehanullah Khan, she has been in good form this season and is now eased in grade after 2 runs in the higher class. She made a smart reappearance over 1000M with Bhawani Singh in the saddle, finishing on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Wild Fire and again put in a good performance up at this trip when a close 4th behind Perfect Star and Glyndebourne who have gone on to frank the form decisively. She has been working very well since the last run, A. Sandesh who has been booked to ride has an excellent strike rate riding for the yard and she needs to be seriously considered and should be a live danger to all
BOTTEGA LOUIE :- Another good quality 4 year old filly from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has performed with credit in her limited career so far and has been a shade unlucky on several occasions. Runner up on as many as 5 occasions in her 8 runs since her fluent debut win, she was once stood down in the Stewards Room and was twice pipped on the post in a photo including on her first run this season when nosed out on the line by Pioneer. She was being driven along over this trip last time out but finished on well and just failed to catch La Magnifique by ¾ length conceding 7 kilos. She is better placed on the scales today, has been working well since the last run and C.S. Jodha keeps the ride so she looks a strong contender to earn another bracket and looks to have a very good chance to go one better today.
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- Very highly regarded and promising 4 year old filly trained by Altamash A Ahmed who appears to be fulfilling her potential and just coming to hand after she was hampered early in her career by a setback. She was tried over longer distances in Mumbai but appears to be a pure sprinter and has impressed in both her runs over this trip this term. She came with a strong run to challenge Polyneices on her reappearance before being shocked late by Epiphany and duly made amends last time out, holding off Bottega Louie and Epiphany to prevail. Her penalty will make life tougher but she seems to be in fine shape at present and should make a brave bid to repeat and continue her progression with in form Neeraj in the saddle.
EDEN ROCK :- Speedy 3 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard who won both her first 2 races over sprints, scoring a wide margin maiden win by 5 lengths in Mumbai and in spite of looking soft, lasted out to prevail by a long neck over this trip on reappearance holding off the late finishing Scion. He was used as a pacemaker in the F.D. Wadia Trophy over 1400M and did not quite see out the trip so the return to sprinting seems logical. He is still unexposed after just 3 starts, has been working very well and with S. Zervan in the saddle, could trouble the older horses if progressing again although he needs to improve on the bare form.
EPIPHANY :- Well bred and improving 4 year old filly trained by NazakChenoy, she has presumably been chosen over Eden Rock by P. Trevor and is a winner of 2 of her 7 starts. She was an impressive winner over La Magnifique on her reappearance, coming with a strong late run to win cosily and she followed that up with a good performance next time out when 3rd behind La Magnifique and Bottega Louie. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness and although out handicapped, should run well and be involved.
CONCLUSION :- Bottega Louie looks to be in a good position to gain an overdue second success and should turn the tables on her conqueror La Magnifique. Demoted Queen Credible is also in good form and must be feared.
Race No. 5 :- The Indian St. Leger (Grade 1) – Terms – 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 2800M
CAPRISCA :- Bred to stay and is well performed, having won 5 of his 13 starts so far but ran a shocker in the Idar Gold Trophy last time out when tackling 2400M and needs to bounce back from a way below par effort. He has run poorly the only other time he has tackled 2400M so there are serious doubts of his ability to get the trip and A. Sandesh takes over now with Trevor booked to ride Dancing Dragon. He seems to be working well since the run and could make the finish interesting if living upto his pedigree but only all available evidence, he seems to be a non stayer.
DANCING DRAGON :- Quickly developed into a high class performer rattling off 5 wins in a row but is another in whom there are stamina doubts as he was soundly beaten by Kambaku over 2400M last time out. He is still very much on the upgrade and looks to possess plenty of class but is an uncertain Stayer over the trip and hence his chances look bleak in spite of having the assistance of P. Trevor in the saddle. Working well and should do his best.
KAMBAKU :- One of 4 out station runners in the field and probably the one with the stoutest pedigree and appears to be peaking at just the right time. Winner of 5 of his 15 starts he performed modestly as a 3 year old but began to show prowess over staying trips just this summer and his last performance was most impressive in The Governors Cup where he led from start to finish and easily beat Dancing Dragon who did not appear to be gaining on him. That run suggested that this longer race would be within his compass and he has been working well of late. Yash Narredu has been booked to ride and he looks a solid stayer in the making and could very well be too strong for this lot and dictate right from the start.
REUNION :- Hyderabad challenger trained by R.H. Sequiera, he too looks to have the stamina to see out this trip and has already shown that he stays the trip when finishing 3rd to Desert God in the Bangalore St. Leger where he was 2 lengths behind Sana. He had earlier finished 3rd to Kambaku over 2000M conceding weight so looks closely matched with that rival again today although the longer trip is an unknown for Kambaku. Reunion will be ridden by Hyderabad based rider Akshay Kumar and while there is no obvious reason why he should turn the tables on Sana today, he is a proven stayer over this trip and that is a huge advantage in this field. Strong each way contender.
SANA :- The queen filly of Kolkotta who is already a Multi Classic winner at her home centre and has been in decent form of late. Finishing 3rd to Dancing Dragon and Lady In Lace in The Maharaja’s Cup she went on to prove that she had the stamina for this trip when faring best of the younger horses in the Bangalore St. Leger ending up runner up to the mighty Desert God. She then came to Pune where she contested the Idar Gold Trophy over 2400M and needed every yard of the trip as also a power packed finish from Y.S. Srinath to get up on the line and pip Vulcan who is just a decent handicapper. While that form does not look earth shattering, she had Selfie Star well beaten in 3rd and over this longer trip, she is likely to do even better. She looks a leading contender in this company and appears to be the one they all have to beat.
SELFIE STAR :- Winner of the Eve Champion Trophy this season, the stout grey is no doubt vastly improved but she still seems to lack the stamina for 2400M and will most likely be found wanting over this trip. She looked a winner at the top of the bend in The Idar Cup but could not pass the battling Vulcan and eventually ended up a well held 3rd. Her stamina is sure to be stretched over this even longer trip and in spite of being in great heart and having Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, she may be able to sneak into a place at best unless the race becomes an absolute crawl.
CONCLUSION :- Sana clearly seems to have the best credentials among this lot and will most likely emerge victorious in the final Classic of the season. Kambaku appears to be developing into a good stayer as well and although untested over this trip, appears to be a live danger. Dancing Dragon is a class act but appears unlikely to stay and he will be a force to reckon with if does indeed get the trip
Race No. 6 :- The Mohammed Rasheed Beg & Rahat Beg Trophy – Terms, Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
BUSHTOPS :- Twice raced got abroad from the M.K. Jadhav yard who is returning from a long lay off but has been solidly prepared and looked an above average type on debut. He ran a cracking race on debut when runner up to Augustus Caesar over 1400M, making good late progress under a kind ride and was a hot favourite when reappearing after a month but ran way below par to finish a dismal 6th to Truly Epic. He was put away for the summer but has been painstakingly prepared to make a winning comeback and has been well prepared including smart Mock Race with Class I Governor General. He should be fit and ready to go and with A. Sandesh up, is a strong contender to make a winning return and is strongly fancied.
EL COMMANDANTE :- Excellent Art gelding from the yard of Altaf Hussain who has had 2 runs so far, both over 1200M and should good progression from first run to 2nd. Sixth to Run Forest Run on his debut towards the end of April, he returned after a long break 3 weeks ago and showed good improvement to finish runner up to Eyes For You who looks a smart sort. He should strip fitter for that run, the extra furlong looks likely to suit and with A. Imran Khan retaining the ride, he is expected to give a good account of himself and is a strong contender.
JETFIRE :- Improving 3 year old trained by young A.M. Jadhav, he has shown good improvement this season, finishing runner up on both starts till date. After having a couple of runs in Mumbai to get him fit, he finished on strongly over 1400M on reappearance to be a good close 2nd to Frieze and although no match for impressive Intense Stylist last time out, he finished well clear of the rest of this field. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and although he may be found out by one of the unexposed improvers, he is working well and hold strong each way claims with N.S. Parmar booked to ride.
KENNEDY :- Dean’s Kitten debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who is a half brother to the mighty Jacqueline and looks an exciting prospect on paper. He has been given a decent amount of preparatory work but still does not appear to have come to hand and may need this educative run to jump start his career. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness and S. Zervan takes the ride today and if looking fit and well, then he could have the class to tackle this lot first time out.
WESTERN FRONT :- Once raced colt trained by Dallas Todywalla he has a nice pedigree by Strong Suit out of Koh Samui and was given an introductory run earlier this season, finishing mid division behind Kilkarry Bridge and looks sure to improve. He has been working well since the run, should be suited by the additional furlong and P. Trevor now takes over in the saddle which is a positive. He is expected to leave that debut run well behind and should be involved in the finish if progressing from that run.
ETERNAL MEMORIES :- Another well bred debutant, this one from the yard of Imtiaz Sait she too looks a nice prospect on paper and has been given enough track work to be fit and ready to go first time out. She has been moving well in the morning trials and in form Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride. She looks set to run a big race on debut and is another worth considering.
CONCLUSION :- Bushtops has been well prepared for his reappearance and looks the likely winner with Sandesh in the saddle. Kennedy is an exciting debutant from a powerful yard and is also to be watched with great interest.
Race No. 7 :- The D.D. Pillai Trophy – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
RED INDIAN :- Half brother to the Classy Tiger Tops but has come nowhere close to emulating his sister in his 3 runs until now and may still need some more time to come to hand. Trained by Pesi Shroff, he has run thrice so far, twice in Mumbai and once on this track, all 3 times over a mile and has finished well down the field on all 3 occasions. He did manage to finish 3rd on his 2nd attempt but that was effectively in a 4 runner field and he was 5 ½ lengths behind the runner up. He was last of 7 behind Raise A Grand on his only run in Pune but that was in the higher class, he has been eased in grade and his recent trackwork suggests that he has improved. S. Zervan will be in the saddle today and he should be considered but looks likely to need a little more time.
GRAND CHIEFTAIN :- Another relatively untried 3 year old, this one from the stables of Karthik G. he too has run 4 times till date and did run a couple of decent races on his first 2 starts. He was a faraway 4th to Steppenwolf on debut over 1200M but ran a little better next time out over 1400M when finishing 3rd to Kanchenjunga and Nobleman. However, he was no match for Excellent in his final start of the season and ended up 7th and occupied that same position on his opening run in Pune, behind Pablo over 1200M. He is likely to strip fitter for that run, will appreciate the longer trip and the presence of A. Imran Khan again indicates that connections are trying their best. He too, needs to show a little more spark on the track but can be considered each way if finding some more improvement.
DOUBLEDOWN :- Comes from the Deepesh Narredu stable and appears to be the form choice in this field as he showed improvement upped to a staying trip for the first time when making good headway from the rear of the field to be a fast finishing 3rd to Gnostic Eyes over 1800M which was his best run till date. He had previously been raced mainly over sprints without doing much but this run indicated that he was coming to hand and he is totally unexposed over middle distances. His work since the run has also been encouraging, Yash Narredu takes the ride and if building on that last effort, he looks a strong contender to give his young trainer another winner early in his career.
SHIVALIK SKIES:-Aged 6 year old mare trained by Vijay Kasbekar, she is a 32 race veteran and has managed to win only once but has slipped down to a very attractive mark and looked like she was ready to earn another bracket with some encouraging runs earlier in the season. She first caught the eye on reappearance over this trip when she was well behind turning for home but made up an impressive amount of ground in the straight to finish a flying 4th to Aloha only 3 ½ lengths behind the reopposing Star Ace. She went even closer next time out when again finishing on from the rear to be runner up to Pathan although having no chance with the winner. Her last run was quite dismal though when finishing well behind Double Down and Star Ace and she needs to bounce back from that poor performance. S.G. Prasad who has been riding her all season keeps the ride and if that last run is ignored then she has a good chance to be involved and looks a danger.
STAR ACE :- Fully exposed 6 year old handicapper trained by Dallas Todywalla she has been given plenty of racing with 2 wins and 4 seconds from her 33 starts and has been finishing just outside the frame in similar contests this season and seems to be running upto the same level without improving. She can be effective over this trip but looks quite exposed and in spite of being partnered by the in form Neeraj Rawal, she looks likely to fight it out for minor honours at best.
CONCLUSION :- Double Down caught the eye with his finishing effort over1800M last time out and if he can improve on that performance then he looks likely to give young Deepesh Narredu another training win early in his career. The well bred3 year olds, Grand Chieftain and Red Indian appear to be the main dangers.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
