From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 29th November 2018- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 28 Nov 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 29th November 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Siachen Plate – Div. II – Class IV & V, 4 Years & over – Distance :- 1200M
SKYSURFER :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad, she is a winner of 2 races from 10 starts, both of those wins coming during the recently concluded Pune season during which she finally seemed to come into her own. Winner of her maiden over 1000M at the beginning of the season, she was off the track for over 2 months before returning to finish a faraway 3rd to Enchanted upped to this trip. She then dropped back to 5 furlongs again on Derby weekend and bounced back with another win, holding off the late finishing Divine Power to score in this class. She looks to be progressing nicely with her racing at present and has only been penalized 4 kilos for the last win. Dashrath Singh who rode her in her last 3 starts is up again today, and in spite of top weight, the field does not look very strong and she stands a good chance to score.
RIDGEWOOD STAR :- 5 year old gelding from the Dallas Todywalla yard who’s overall record is unconvincing with just 1 win to his name in his 21 runs so far, that win coming over course and distance but back in March 2017. He had just one run during the last Pune season so is returning from a longish break but seems to prefer the Mumbai course and the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye as he has run well whenever he has been on board. He is working well and merits each way consideration.
WABI SABI :- Lightly raced 4 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who does not appear to be totally straightforward, having won just once and placed 2nd twice in her 11 race career so far. After inconsistent performances in her first several starts, she seemed to come to hand midway through the Pune season, finishing runner up to Xoxo in the lower class and building on that performance when getting up late to score in similar company over this trip, beating Orion’s Belt by ¾ length. She has run below par in her next 2 starts but may have been freshened up by the break and the booking of A. Sandesh is a positive. She is better placed on the scale than Skysurfer on a line through Xoxo and looks to have a good chance on the handicap if she turns up in the right frame of mind.
ROYAL ACE :- Well bred but underperformed 5 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he is still a maiden after 18 starts although he has gone close on a couple of occasions over this trip. He had a poor Pune campaign and after failing as a favourite at the beginning of the season, was given forward runs over longer trips to increase his fitness and sharpen him up. He returns to this trip for the first time in a while now but the booking of Amyn Merchant is inconclusive. He has been working well though and if reproducing that on the track he could be a facto.
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RARE SILVER :- Another fully exposed handicapper, this one from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, he is a 6 year old who has 1 win to his name from 26 starts and in the recent past has been out of form and looked to be largely in the grip of the handicapper. His last good run was over 7 furlongs back in April where he finished runner up to Fribourg and he too, skipped a majority of the Pune season and was given 2 easy runs towards the end to get him fit. Good apprentice Raghuveer Singh takes over in the saddle claiming a useful 3 ½ kilos and if bouncing back on his more favoured track, he looks well placed on the scales and can be involved.
POCO AZUL :- Hitherto untried 4 year old gelding from the stable of Mansoor Shah, he has been brought down in the scales to what looks a reasonable mark and showed signs of ability for the first time on the opening day when running a forward race and kicking on to finish 4th to Blitzkrieg. Akshay is replaced in the saddle today by H. Zeeshan which is a positive, he has a fitness advantage over his rivals and could spring a surprise off the low weight especially if there is money for him.
CONCLUSION :- A trappy looking contest to get things underway and Skysurfer is the selection to continue her progression as she seemed to be improving nicely throughout the Pune season. WabiSabiwith Sandesh up looks a danger although she is unreliable while the feather weighted Poco Azul can spring a surprise as well.
Race No. 2 :- The Quasar Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 2000M
RAEES :- Accomplished 5 year old stayer trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has already proven himself over distance trips and has an excellent 33% strike rate over his 21 race career having won 7 times before. After being the subject of the controversial ride which saw C.S. Jodha get suspended, he looked to have returned to his best the last twice, grittily holding on to take the Suresh Mahindra Trophy from Frivolous who reopposes today and then perhaps putting in his best performance last time out in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup when holding off stable companion Caprisca to score. He comes into this race at the top of his game and even though he is worse off at the weights with Frivolous, he has the services of P. Trevor in the saddle and looks the most likely winner in this small field.
VULCAN :- Strong staying 5 year old gelding from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he too is at his best when allowed to control the gallop from the front in small fields as he showed on his penultimate run when almost pulling off a huge upset win in The Idar Gold Trophy over 2400M, being nabbed right on the line by the hard ridden Sana. He is likely to get his conditions today and A. Sandesh is a positive jockey booking so if he is allowed his own way up front, he may prove to be too stubborn to pass and although looking out at the weights, is very dangerous to ignore.
FRIVOLOUS :- Trained by Malesh Narredu, this 5 year old colt was a one time Classic prospect and on his debut, easily beat future Indian 1000 Guineas winner Mrs. Patmore so there is no doubting his ability but he seems to have had problems throughout his career and although he has only finished off board once in his 13 race career winning thrice, he does not appear to have done himself justice. He tackled the gruelling 3200M trip for the first time last time out and was finishing on strongly, just failing to catch Raees. He is better placed on the scales over this shorter 2000M trip and with Yash Narredu in the saddle looks a very clear danger on the handicap.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of being worse off at the weights, the in form Raees is selected to get the better of the well handicapped Frivolous who is a big danger if running upto his best.
Race No. 3 :- The M.H. Ahmedbhoy Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1800M
ASTRAL FLARE :- Well bred and improving 4 year old filly trained by Vishal Gaikwad, she has been making steady progress throughout her 6 starts so far and shed her maiden tag in no uncertain Terms when last seen way back in August where she was a cosy winner of the Independence Million over 2000M, surging clear at the top of the bend and scoring with a bit in hand. Prior to that she had just failed to catch Grey Flannel over 6 furlongs although Tar Heel did manage to get the better of her over a mile last Mumbai season and is better placed on the scales for that run. Her absence over the last 3 months is a bit of a concern but she may have just been given time to improve further and has moved well in her last couple of workouts. Man of the moment Leigh Roche is in the saddle today and if she has maintained her condition or improved since that last win, then she stands an excellent chance of going in again.
TASAWWUR :-Attractively bred half brother to Star Style who won 2 races from 16 starts in Mysore, he impressed one and all on his racing debut last month when finishing on strongly over a mile to pip the strongly fancied Mystic Flame and score at the first time of asking and is expected to improve appreciably for that debut run. His trackwork since the run suggests that he has made further improvement and he could be anything and may still be well placed on the scales. The additional furlong is likely to be to his advantage, and A. Sandesh who has been booked to ride is likely to be in the driver’s seat having ridden Astral Flare to victory last time out. Tasawwur looks a very promising sort and looks a leading contender to keep his unbeaten record and win his 2nd straight race.
TAR HEEL :- 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who is far more exposed than the top two but does have a clear handicap advantage over Astral Flash from their last meeting which was on this track over a mile back in April. Tar Heel scored by 1 ¼ lengths that day conceding 3 kilos and is now in receipt of 2 ½ kilos so he is almost 7 lengths better off on the scale although the filly may have improved enough to offset that advantage. In contrast, Tar Heel had a relatively quiet Pune season, finishing well behind Astral Flare in the Independence Million and just having one more since then. He did look quite consistent in the latter part of the last Mumbai season but Robbie Downey who is on board today still looks to be finding his feet at Mahalaxmi. Tar Heel has been working well and looks a decent each way contender although the more fancied pair may improve past him.
ARTUS :- Beautifully bred 4 year old filly who has not quite lived up to her potential so far but gave signs that she was returning to her best last time out when finishing on well to be an unfancied 2nd to more fancied owner mate Zanzibaar over a mile with a feeble rider up. Her only prior previous success came over course and distance last season off a mark of 22 and the switch from B. Nikhil to P.S. Chouhan is clearly a positive. She looks to be in good condition at present and merits each way consideration but may find it hard to topple the lightly raced improvers and may have to settle for minor honours.
BRAZOS :- Sparingly raced 5 year old gelding who took advantage of his lenient handicap mark last time out to score a battling victory over 2400M, given a forceful ride by A. Sandesh and found to have bled after the race so this is first start since then. He has been penalized 5 kilos for that win but the connections seem to have a stronger hope in Astral Flare and with claimer Vishal Bunde booked to ride today, he may just be out for an airing. Can upset.
CONCLUSION :- This should be a straight fight between the two unexposed and improving types Astral Flare and Tasawwur and it looks hard to choose between the pair. The filly if she is fit and well after the long lay off may just get the nod.
Race No. 4 :- The Grand Passion Plate – Class V – Distance :-1600M
PATRIOT’S DAY :- Fashionably bred 3 year old gelding from the yard of Vishal Gaikwad who is by Zoffany out of a Galileo mare Perseida, he has been given time to come to hand and has been untried in his 2 runs so far, both coming quite well spaced out and is now eased into the lowest grade. Making his debut towards the end of the last Mumbai season, he was given an easy educative run over a mile, finishing last of the 4 runners behind Madagascar in what appeared to be a specially framed race. He was given time to improve and learn from that run and had just a solitary unextended run in Pune as well, finishing midfield over 6 furlongs behind Enchanted and making up good ground in the straight after trailing till the bend. The step up to a mile looks sure to suit him and he seems to have improved for that run, judging from his recent workouts. Leigh Roche takes over in the saddle from Kishore Kadam today which is a big positive, he has plenty of scope to improve and in this grade, taking on mainly exposed handicappers, he looks a very strong fancy to score.
MEDICI :- Another nicely bred 3 year old, this one a son of Phoenix Tower from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he has run 4 times till date, making the frame on 3 occasions and possibly ran his best race over 1400M last time out on the final day of the Pune season where he finished a close 4th behind Sacred Roman in a maiden contest. He too looks open to further improvement and has been working well of late suggesting that he has come on for that run. P. Trevor who rode him last time out, keeps the ride, the additional furlong is likely to suit him and although the yard has a poor overall strike rate of winners, he looks an each way prospect and must come into consideration.
EMOTIONLESS :- 4 year old filly with an attractive pedigree but just seems to be coming into her own, remaining largely untried in the early part of her career when trained by C.D. Katrak but plummeted down in the weights as a result and finally seems to be coming right for her new trainer. She hinted that she was finding form on her penultimate run when finishing 4th to Aquarius over 7 furlongs and made no mistake over a mile last time out, scoring with authority by 5 lengths over Solo Mission and Dazzling Eyes. She has incurred a 6 kilo penalty for that win which is a bit stiff but has been working very well since that run and may yet be well treated on the handicap so should make a bold bid to repeat. P.S. Chouhan who was in the saddle last time out as well keeps the ride, she appears well within herself and could give the 3 year olds a run for their money and looks the form choice.
EIGER’S TIGER :- Given plenty of racing in spite of only being aged 5 and this gelding from the Narendra Lagad stable is already a 41 race veteran having won on 2 previous attempts but placed numerous times. He looked to be on a competitive mark throughout the recent Pune season and did go close on a couple of occasions but failed to earn himself another bracket. The booking of A. Sandesh today suggests that connections fancy their chances and he should run well and can be involved in the frame but looks likely to struggle against the potential improvers and appears to be more of a place prospect.
HUZZAH’S GRACE :- 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait, she has run 16 times so far and also looks quite exposed, having a solitary maiden success to her name which came over course and distance back in March where she got up late to shock the favourite Angels Harmony and steal the race close home. She has failed to really progress and build on that last win on her subsequent starts and ran 5 times in Pune without much success in similar contests although she would finish just outside the frame on most occasions. She has dropped back down to a mark from which she could be competitive and Robbie Downey now gets up a leg up replacing Akshay Kumar who rode her last time. She is another who looks capable of battling it out for the minor places but may struggle to take the first two spots.
MASTER OF STUDIES :- Well bred and highly regarded 4 year old who began his career in the care of Altamash Ahmed and much was expected of him but he failed to deliver on a number of occasions and was recently sold into the yard of S. Waheed. He has run 10 times so far without making any impression but was well backed last time out failed to make an impression and finished only 9th a long way behind Emotionless who was 4th. He looks very well placed at the weights at present, has been given time to progress further and good apprentice K. Nazil has been booked to ride today in place of H. Zeeshan. He looks a rank outsider who has the potential to upset although one would like to see him show a bit more on the race grass before jumping to back him. Keep an eye.
CONCLUSION :- Patriot’s Day looks a typical potential improver representing powerful connections and is selected with Leigh Roche in the saddle to make it 3rd time lucky although he is yet to show much on the track. For followers of form, Emotionless is a very worthy alternative, having won impressively last time out and looking like she has plenty more to give.
Race No. 5:- The Mayor’s Trophy – Class IV, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
NOTTING HILL :- Comes from the yard of S.K. Sunderji and is the highest rated runner in this field but as a result has to concede weight all around. He is a half brother to Amaris who was a consistent performer in Mysore winning 3 of his 20 starts and himself has made steady progress in his 5 runs till date, finishing runner up the last twice. Showing good improvement this season, he first finished a close runner up to Merlot over 1400M on his penultimate run and again ran well dropped down to 1200M to finish a distant 2nd to Improvisso. He appears to have the strongest form in this field, P. Trevor has been booked to ride and he looks to be one of the principal contenders here and looks to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark.
OUTRAGEOUS :- Got abroad 3 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff stable, she caught the eye on her racing debut in August over this trip when flashing onto the scene late from a mid field position to end up a commendable 2nd to Pablo and was strongly fancied next time out in the Villoo Poonawalla Million but ran disappointingly and could only finish a poor 4th to Excellent Sorrento. She did not look particularly well in the preliminaries that day and that was just her 2nd start so she clearly does have the scope to improve. She has moved quite well in her limited workouts on this track and the in form Leigh Roche now takes over in the saddle replacing S. Zervan. She can be forgiven one poor run at this stage and is expected to give a much better account of herself today.
HIGHLAND EMPRESS :- 3 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who has been running consistently over sprint trips in the recent past but does not appear to be improving much. She has run 5 times in all and has finished 2nd or 3rd in her last 3 starts, all over 1000M and the form looks ordinary. She was a distant 2nd to Joplin on her penultimate run and last time out, was beaten into 3rd by Julio Cesaro and Clark Kent, which also looks modest form. She does not seem to be finding much improvement and merely holding her form and hence it is hard to fancy her from a win perspective. Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle today replacing A. Sandesh and although the additional furlong is likely to suit her, she needs to unlock some more improvement in order to be a factor. Place prospect.
JUNO’S GUEST :- Interesting filly from the small yard of trainer Vinesh who looks decently bred and was the subject of a major punt on her racing debut in the same race as Outrageous where she was heavily backed before the off but looked inexperienced and could only make a little late headway to finish 6th. She is expected to improve for that run and strip fitter and clearly must have shown something to warrant that strong support. Akshay has been booked to ride today replacing S.S. Baria and if there is strong support for her again, from a good draw she could prove to be an interesting outsider although a leap of faith is required to side with her.
MYRCELLA:-Exposed Dean’s Kitten filly trained by young Shazaan Shah who has run 5 times so far without success, her best effort being on her 2nd run when she ended a faraway 3rd to Kilkarry Bridge. She had a poor Pune campaign, running thrice without creating much of an impression but comes in at a low weight and H. Zeeshan takes the ride. She looks capable of running into a place if finding some improvement but again looks a rank outsider.
CONCLUSION :- With the trainer and jockey both in red hot form at present, it may be prudent to side with Outrageous who gave glimpses of ability on debut and can be excused one poor run at this stage. She is selected to get the better of the consistent Notting Hill who arguably has the better form.
Race No. 6 :- The ShantidasAskuran Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1000M
CLYMENE :- Speedy and well performed 4 year old filly in the care of Faisal Abbas, she has a commendable record of 4 wins from her 7 starts so far and has been excellent over this 1000M trip in the past. However, she has looked in the handicappers grip since her last win 2 starts ago and was quite convincingly beaten by Glyndebourne over this trip on her penultimate run, although she is 2 kilos better off at the weights today. She found 6 furlongs stretching her last time out when only 4th to Governor General but will appreciate this 5 furlong trip better. She looks to be fit and well, S. Zervan has been booked to ride and from the plum rail draw, she looks to have a strong chance to return to the winner’s circle and must be respected.
GLYNDEBOURNE :- Owner mate of Clymene trained by Vishal Gaikwad and probably the more fancied one of the pair with Leigh Roche being booked to ride. After racing over 7 furlongs exclusively for a majority of her career and performing with credit, she took to the drop to sprinting quite well, finishing runner up to Perfect Star over 1200M and then going on to score effortlessly over Clymene dropped to this trip. However, she ran way below par last time out over 1200M when only 6th to Governor General and needs to bounce back from that effort. Her recent workouts have been quite pleasing and if returning to her earlier form, she is very capable of resuming her progress.
WILD FIRE :- Tearaway 4 year old grey filly trained by Narendra Lagad who excels over this trip she is a winner of 4 of her 19 starts overall although all of her 4 wins have been on the Pune track and she is yet to taste success at Mahalaxmi. She had a lucrative Pune campaign winning twice, the last time when completely unfancied and showing the stamina to last out 6 furlongs. She appears to be well within herself, will be ridden by 5 kilo claimer Aniket Karande who was successful aboard her in Pune and is likely to enter the straight in front but whether she lasts out or not is anyone’s guess.
SUMMER RAYS :- 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has won 4 of her 16 starts so far and developed into something of a 6 furlong specialist but seems to have gone off the boil of late and it is interesting that she is dropped to the minimum trip for the very first time in her career. She had 3 starts during the recent Pune season and was fancied on a couple of occasions but ran disappointingly so she needs to show that she still retains the spark and the desire to win. P. Trevor who rides her is likely to hold her up off what should be a strong pace and if suited by this drop to the minimum then she is capable of causing an upset.
DOUBLE NINE :- Solid 5 year old sprinter from the yard of NosherCama, he has been in rousing form for much of the past couple of seasons with an overall record of 3 wins but 10 places from his 21 starts. He ran just twice during the Pune season, finishing 3rd to Clymene and Glyndebourne last time out and there is no obvious reason why he should be able to reverse that form on similar terms. He has been working well as usual, P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and he is expected to give a good account of himself again but most likely will battle it out for minor honours.
WISE CHILD :- Small in stature but a speedy and consistent type, this 4 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav has been making steady progress up the handicap ranks, winning 2 of his 12 starts although he has finished 2nd on 5 occasions. He managed to secure just his 2nd win during the recent Pune campaign getting up late to beat Impala in Class III and did not get the clearest of runs upped to 6 furlongs last time out when making late headway with rookie apprentice to finish 4th to Triple Threat. He has been working well, the switch to A. Sandesh is a positive and although he needs to improve on the bare form, he stands an upset chance from the foot of the weights.
CONCLUSION :- Competitive sprint handicap and you should get price value for your selection. Clymene is given a marginal edge to get back to winning ways at the expense of owner mate Glyndebourne who also looks a big threat. Bottom weighted Wise Child is also respected
Race No. 7 :- The Snow Dew Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1400M
QUESTIONABLE :- Well bred 4 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed who took his time to come to hand but seems to have hit top form during the last Pune season winning both of his starts over this trip handsomely and comes into this bidding for a hattrick. He takes his time to get going so the long Mumbai straight should suit him but he is up a stiff 6 ½ kilos for his last win and is conceding weight to some very promising youngsters which looks a tough ask. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness, P.S. Chouhan keeps the ride and he is likely to run a good race again and should give a good account of himself. Each way player.
TIMELESS DEEDS :- Exposed but consistent 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who has managed to win 2 of her 25 starts so far but has been the epitome of consistency of late without winning, finishing 2nd in as many as 6 of her last 7 starts. She has already had a lung opener over course and distance on the opening day, finishing runner up to Spitfire and seems to have maintained herself well and has a fitness edge. Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle today replacing J. Chinoy and she is likely to come with her trademark late burst again but this race looks decidedly tougher than her earlier one and she is likely to fight it out for the minor places.
MADAGASCAR :- Potentially smart and sparingly raced 3 year old from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who was unbeaten in 2 starts last season and was probably rusty over this trip last time out when returning from a long break and in spite of being favourite could only manage to finish 5th behind Flag Flying. He is likely to benefit a great deal from that run and strip much fitter and S. Zervan who has ridden him throughout keeps the ride. He still has plenty of scope to improve, having just his 4th start, is working very well and is expected to give a much better account of himself today and is strongly fancied.
GRAND TENTON :- Another lightly raced and improving sort, this son of Kingda Ka is trained by Vishal Gaikwad and bounced back to form in no uncertain terms last time out when totally unfancied but powering his way to an impressive over Aurora Australis. Winner of 2 of his 7 starts, he still looks open to further improvement and 4 kilo penalty for the win seems to be very fair. He has been working very well since that last run, Leigh Roche replaces Akshay in the saddle which is a huge positive and he looks likely to make a bold bid to repeat and is expected to be in the thick of things.
AWESOME ONE :- Promising looking 3 year old colt who is very lightly raced but looks an exciting prospect and is in the care of young Deepesh Narredu. He has raced just twice till date, catching the eye on his debut towards the end of the Mumbai season when making late headway to be runner up to Excellent and building on that effort early in the Pune season when a comfortable maiden winner again over 1400M convincingly beating Lethal Steps who went on to confirm that form in a big way. He has been brought along steadily since that run and has to overcome a long absence but has been painstakingly prepared and moved well in a recent Mock Race so should be fit. He is being given a tough task on his handicap debut but should be upto the challenge and a big run is expected from him.
CONCLUSION :- In spite of the long lay off, Awesome One is a 2000 Guineas candidate and has been well prepared to make a winning comeback against seasoned opposition. Madagascar should be much sharper from his last effort and looks a big danger while the lightly raced Grand Tenton is also a threat with in form Leigh Roche on board
Race No. 8 :- The Siachen Plate – Div. I – Class IV & V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
ARABIAN STORM :- Speedy 5 year old gelding in the care of Narendra Lagad he has won 3 of his 22 starts so far and is effective over this sort of trip. He has had a lung opener already on the opening day when finishing 5th to Riquewihr over 1000M and will be more at home over the additional furlong. 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj has been booked to ride, he looks fit and well and although unlikely to find a great deal of improvement, looks an each way player if running up to his best.
UNTITLED :- 5 year old gelding from the yard of H.J. Antia who has a similar profile to Arabian Storm with 3 wins from his 22 starts and 2 of those 3 wins came around this time last season where he was in cracking form, scoring thrice in 4 starts. He has been steadily brought down in the weights since his last win, was untried in his 4 runs during the Pune season and has Hanumant Singh for the first time in a while which suggests that he might be fancied a bit more today. He is not too high above his last winning mark and if returning to the form of last season, he could be a threat to them all. Dark horse.
LESREL:-Got abroad 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who was held in high regard right from the outset and reposed his connection’s faith somewhat last time out with a sparkling performance after a couple of below par efforts when fancied. Making his debut last December when a favourite over 1200M, he blew up midway up the straight and was given time to strengthen, reappearing as late as August where he finished a poor 3rd to Yutaka again over this trip. He was no match for Iron Age next time out, dropped to 1000M but showed the benefit of those 2 runs last time out when he was completely unfancied but came with a powerful run in the hands of Akshay to win unopposed by just under 8 lengths. That performance showed that he may have finally come to hand and P. Trevor now takes over in the saddle. He has had just 4 starts so looks open to more improvement and if he can build on that last effort, then he will be very hard to beat.
SAFDAR :- Enigmatic and inconsistent 5 year old trained by Rehanullah Khan who managed to score only his 2nd career win after 22 starts last time out, having been fancied on a number of occasions over various trips but not showing any zest for racing before that. He had looked potentially well treated right from the start of the Pune season but failed to deliver a couple of times partnered with A. Sandesh before finally scoring on the last day of the season, pipping Sporto close home with Bhawani Singh in the saddle. He has only been penalized 4 ½ kilos for the win so could potentially still be well in on the scale and T.S. Jodha is an interesting jockey booking with Bhawani available to ride. He has bagged the No. 1 rail draw and if running upto the same level, stands a good chance for a quick encore.
GENTILLESSE :- Well bred, lightly raced and highly regarded 4 year old filly from the Sanjay Kolse yard who seems to be making her way back from a setback but has probably been trusted too early and has not fully come back to her best. Looking a smart sort in her juvenile season, she was off the track for an extended period and reappeared in the latter half of the Pune season. She received quiet support on the first 2 occasions but failed to show her trademark turn of foot and her last 3 runs she has finished well beaten. Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle today replacing apprentices who have been on the last thrice and although she has something to prove now, she could be a factor if returning to her best.
MIGHTY WARRIOR :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Karthik Ganapathy who made an impressive debut on this track last season when finishing on late to be a good 2nd to Walk On By over this trip. He did not race again that term, running thrice during the recent Pune season and running suggestively the last twice, finishing 4th to Gloriana in the lower class and then 4th again last time out to Skysurfer where he was within a length of the winner. The switch from A. Imran Khan to Bhawani Singh is a slight negative but he has plenty of scope to improve and is definitely worth considering in this company.
CONCLUSION :-Lesrel looked a smart sprinter in the making last time out and if that run was not a flash in the pan then he is hard to oppose. If he runs below par, then it looks very open with several looking to have decent chances.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
