From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 2nd December 2018- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 01 Dec 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 2nd December 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Kanthara Plate – Class IV & V, 5 Years & Over – Distance :- 1000M
FURIOUS N FAST :- 5 year old mare who is trained by Nirad Karanjawala who is usually effective over further but has been eased in grade and will be suited by the long Mumbai straight. Overall a winner of 2 of her 16 starts and while both her wins have come over 6 and 7 furlongs, she showed she retains her ability when entered in a similar contest to this on her penultimate start, finishing up 2nd over 1200M to Gloriana. She has been working very well of late, K. Nazil takes the ride and claims a useful 2 ½ kilos off and having also bagged the rail draw, she looks to have a chance in this company and is given a good chance in spite of the sharp trip.
LOCARNO :- Speedy but aged 7 year old mare from the Mansoor Shah camp, she is a veteran of 37 races having won on 3 previous occasions, her last win coming in a similar contest to this back in February with the same rider up and she has warmed up for this having finished 3rd to Riquewihr on the opening day. She seems to have lost a bit of her speed with age but now drops into an older horses contest and is expected to give it a good go with the benefit of the run with H. Zeeshan retaining the ride.
CEZANNE :- 7 year old gelding who has a nice pedigree and was quite highly regarded and well performed in his youth when in the care of M.K. Jadhav. A setback seemed to affect his ability somewhat and he was moved to the stable of young A.M. Jadhav who has been trying to get him back to his best. He is a winner of 3 of his 34 starts but all of his wins came early in his career and we have to go back to March 2016 for his last win which came over this trip off a mark of 51. He did manage to finish runner up to Smart Choice a few starts ago back in Pune but then ran poorly in his next 3 starts so he does not seem to be reliable. He could have been freshened up by the short break, Vishal Bunde takes over in the saddle from Akshay and although the percentage call is to oppose, he is given a small chance to upset as he looks well placed on the scales if in a galloping mood.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding who began his career with Imtiaz Sait but suffered a setback and was bought over by H.J. Antia who brought him back from a year off the track and managed to win a race with him in Pune. He has had just 9 starts so far, and showed that he retained his potential on his return to racing, finishing runner up to Adele over 1000M on his return and going one better next time out, beating Highland Lass by ¾ length over 1200M. He did not seem to appreciate the step up to 7 furlongs on his last run so return to this trip is logical and he appears to still have scope for some more improvement. M. Ayyar replaces Vishal Bunde in the saddle today, and if bouncing back from that last poor run, he looks very capable of adding another bracket.
PHILADELPHIA :- Exposed 5 year old mare from the stable of Dallas Todywalla, she has developed into a consistent sprint handicapper who usually gives a good account of herself in similar contests but has only managed to win once in 20 starts till date, having placed on a number of occasions. She performed upto the same level in a short 3 race Pune campaign and nearly pulled it off over 1200M last time out when looking a winner but just collared by Scion close home, ending up a good 2nd. Her trackwork since the run suggests that she may have improved somewhat, Neeraj Rawal is arguably the strongest rider in this field and in this company, if she can build on that last effort, then she looks to have an excellent chance to earn herself another win.
ALPINE EXPRESS :- Speedy 5 year old mare from the small yard of Vinesh, she has dropped down to a very attractive mark in the scales but has been off colour for some time now and needs to show that she retains her ability. She is a winner of 3 of her 23 starts, all her wins coming over the minimum trip but her last win was back in March 2017 and she has put in some woeful efforts since then including 4 lacklustre runs in Pune. 5 kilo claimer P. Kaviraj has been booked to ride today and she looks very well handicapped on the pick of her old efforts but although working well, she has a bit to prove and can be considered a rank outsider at best.
BRAVE :- Smartly bred and relatively lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he began his racing career just this year and has only run 9 times so far, winning on 1 occasion. After having a couple of educative runs, he was fancied on a number of occasions tried over distances from 1000-1400M, going close on a couple of occasions but failing before he finally got up to score on his penultimate run over this trip beating Komodo Dragon by 1 ½ lengths. He ran poorly under a penalty next time out but return to this trip will suit and he is still relatively unexposed. Dashrath Singh takes the ride today and he clearly appears one to consider and is very capable of bouncing back.
CONCLUSION :- These older horses contests always prove to be tricky and one is advised to avoid a wager in these races in general. Philadelphia is the tentative selection as she went very close last time out, tends to be consistent and has been working very well. The lightly raced duo of Romantic Warrior and Brave are also feared as both have the scope to improve while Furious N Fast is also respected on this drop in grade.
Race No. 2 :- The Master Shifu Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 2000M
BOLD MARCH :- 5 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G, he was a Classic hope in his 4 year old season and was campaigned in many of the top races winning the Breeders Produce Stakes as a juvenile and finishing runner up in the Mysore 2000 Guineas. Although having a decent overall record of 3 wins and 5 seconds from his 26 starts, he seems to have gone off the boil since his last win over 2000M in March 2017, his last decent effort coming on this track over a mile when 3rd to Uncle Scrooge. He has been given a lung opener on the opening day finishing 4th to Spitfire and A. Imran Khan is now back in the saddle replacing whipless apprentice so connections will be stronger today. However, he does need to show that he still has zest for racing and could be taken as a rank outsider today.
GLORIOSUS :- 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has developed into a consistent middle distance handicapper winning 2 of his 14 starts but finishing outside the frame on just 2 occasions and has slowly progressed up the handicap ranks. He ran thrice during the recent Pune season and looked like he was coming back to form last time out when chasing home the highly regarded Roberta over this trip, easily holding Othello who ran 3rd that day. He seems to have maintained his condition since the run as he has been working well and Robbie Downey now takes over in the saddle from Akshay Kumar. He looks to have a strong chance in this company and should be one of the frontline contenders to return to the winner’s circle.
LUCKY LUCIANO :- Improving 4 year old from the in form stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he failed to impress much in the early part of his career but has been quite consistent in his last 7-8 starts and comes into this fresh off a win on the opening day, putting in a strong run in the straight to beat Strong Storm comfortably by 2 ½ lengths. He has been penalized 5 kilos for that win which seems fair and will be better suited by more galloping ground as most of his form is over this sort of trip. He looks to be well within himself at present, Dashrath Singh who rode him last time is up again today and he looks the form horse here and should make a bold bid to repeat.
STAR BRIGHT :- Well bred and sparingly raced 4 year old filly who has moved from Malesh Narredu to his son Deepesh Narredu and has plenty of scope to improve still. She began her racing career belatedly only in February and after being given an educative run over 6 furlongs first time out, showed she was a class act when decimating the opposition over a mile on just her 2nd start, beating Ebony running away by 5 ¼ lengths. She did not reappear until Pune then, sent off favourite for the Independence Million and not given the greatest of rides when finishing a late finishing runner up to Astral Flare and she holds Lucky Luciano (3rd) convincingly on that form. She looked rusty when running after a 2 month lay off over a mile last time out and is sure to have improved for that and stripped fitter. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride today, she has been working well and with the maximum scope for improvement amongst this lot, she looks the one to beat and is strongly fancied.
GNOSTIC EYES :- Enigmatic 4 year old trained by Rehanullah Khan, he does not appear to be completely straightforward but seems to have gotten his act together in recent times and both of his wins have come within his last 5 starts. Finally shedding his maiden tag over 7 furlongs in April when emerging a convincing winner in the lower class, he duly built on that in Pune when adding a 2nd win over 1800M convincingly beating Sylvester and Double Down by 3 ¾ lengths. He ran a bit below par on his penultimate start but quickly bounced back last time out again over 1800M, finishing on the fastest to be runner up Oriana and looks open to further improvement. He comes in at the bottom of the scale here, K. Nazil claims a further 2 ½ kilos in the saddle and running practically bareback, he could be a danger to all.
CONCLUSION :- Competitive in spite of the small field but Star Bright looked a shade rusty last time out and is sure to have stripped fitter. Her run in the Independence Million places her very well in this company and she looks likely to provide another winner for her promising young trainer. Lucky Luciano appears well held on their previous meeting and a greater danger could be the feather weighted Gnostic Eyes who also seems to be improving steadily.
Race No. 3 :- The Astana Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
ARIZONA PIE :- Unexposed 3 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has been given 2 educative runs in maiden company in Pune and makes her handicap debut in the lowest class. She has a decent pedigree, being a half sister to Janeiro who won 1 race from 3 starts in Bangalore and also Al Maisha, formerly known as Comic Timing who won back to back races in Western India. She will be ridden by talented apprentice H. Zeeshan although the draw has not been kind to her in Stall 11. She has been working with some good horses from the yard and looks to have a good each way chance.
FABERGE :- Sparingly raced 4 year old from the stable of S.K. Sunderji, he has been unplaced in 5 starts till date having been tried over a variety of trips without success. However, it is significant to note that his recent trackwork has been vastly improved suggesting that he may be coming to hand and for the first time, P. Trevor has been booked to ride replacing S. Zervan. He too has been largely untried till date and could prove to run a much better race today. Each way player.
LILIBETH :- 4 year old filly who comes from the stable of Narendra Lagad but in contrast to some of the other runners, appears to be quite exposed with 1 previous victory from her 13 starts. She has come back down to her last winning mark now so looks well handicapped and had a run on the opening day to blow away the cobwebs so should strip fitter. Dashrath Singh now takes over in the saddle replacing 5 kilo claimer and with the benefit of the run and if she has returned to her earlier form, she looks to have a decent each way chance.
BOURBON PRINCESS :- 3 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji she is a little more exposed having run 6 times already over varying trips and has managed to place on a couple of occasions. She has run thrice apiece in Mumbai and Pune with her best effort coming in Pune over this trip when finishing 3rd to Eyes For You although beaten quite a long way. She has already been tried once in this grade last time out, finishing up 6th to Flammeus. However, she has been working quite well and should be respected as a 3 year old running in this grade. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today in the absence of C.S. Jodha and she looks capable of battling it out for minor honours but may find it difficult to win today.
SHE IS A SPY :- Bred to be speedy being a full sister to Lady Sergeant owned by the same connections and a half sister to Born To Win and Naumee with the family already having done quite well in Western India and she began racing only in the last Pune season and after 2 educative runs, seemed to be coming to hand last time out when finishing 5th just outside the frame to Royston Rock. She has been working well since that running suggesting that she has improved and the booking of A. Sandesh today catches the eye. She is another unexposed type who looks likely to improve and is expected to run a big race today and be in the thick of things.
DIWALI LIGHTS :- 7 years of age but showed that he still has zest for racing during the Pune season and was rewarded with a win among older horses over this trip, finishing on strongly to get the better of stable companion Bay of Love and then again making good late headway to finish 5th behind Dance of Fire. He looks a shade vulnerable against the younger horses but T.S. Jodha has been booked to ride, he has proven form over this trip and may be able to sneak into a place.
CONCLUSION :- Again a tough one to call with plenty of ifs and buts and best avoided from a betting perspective. The 3 year olds, She Is A Spy and Arizona Pie appear to have good potential while Faberge with Trevor up and Lilibeth look the best of the older lot
Race No. 4 :- The Aristos Plate – Class IV & V – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
ADONIJAH :- Highly regarded 4 year old gelding who began his career with Pesi Shroff before moving to Vishal Gaikwad and proved to be an expensive failure as a favourite on several occasions over varied trips. He has run 10 times so far so still have scope for some improvement but was a failed favourite on 4 consecutive attempts during the last Mumbai season before finally redeeming himself somewhat on his last run in Pune where he fought back well to score over 1800M holding off Smart N Noble and Flashing Honour in a fighting finish. He is likely to have gained some confidence from that win but is returning from a 3 month break over a trip which is likely to be on the sharp side. However, the booking of Leigh Roche today suggests that connections fancy their chances again, he should have gained some confidence from the win and should make a bold bid to repeat under a 4 Kilo penalty.
THEA’S PET :- Previously known as Rishab’s Pet and in the care of Faisal Abbas, she is a winner of 1 of her 9 starts, proving to be a 5 furlong speedster in her earlier days but seemed to suffer some sort on injury after finishing a close 2nd to Ascension last December and was bought over by Narendra Lagad. She returned after a 10 month break to run 2 easy races in Pune and makes her seasonal debut over what looks a trip that is too long for her. Hanumant Singh has been booked to ride today and she is likely to hit the front and run a forward race but it has been seen that many times front runners kick on and she looks the type who could just pull off a stunning upset at a huge price and may be worth including in the Jackpot Pool.
MIGHTY WARRIOR :- 5 year old gelding who sports the famous gold and brown silks of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy and is trained by Karthik G, he too has been a late maturing type beginning his racing career just last December in promising style when making late headway to finish an eye catching 2nd to Walk On By. However, he did not race again until July and ran pleasingly in his last 2 starts in Pune, finishing an unextended 4th on both occasions. He had a lung opener already this season when finishing 3rd to Lesrel a couple of days ago over 1200M and is turned out again quickly over this additional furlong. He looks to have an each way chance in this field and although Bhawani Singh is on board, merits consideration.
KINGSMAN :- Well bred and very highly regarded 4 year old trained by Deepesh Narredu, he was forced to skip his entire juvenile season and made a belated racing debut as a 4 year old on the opening day and finishing on in eye catching fashion from the rear to be 4th to La Rondine over 1200M. He had been working very well prior to that, should have learnt plenty from that experience and should enjoy the step up to 1400M today. P.S. Chouhan who rode him last time out keeps the ride again today, he is expected to improve and with normal progression, should be hard to beat in this company.
MY PRECIOUS :- Stable companion of Mighty Warrior, this 4 year old filly has a lovely sprinting pedigree but has failed to impress on a number of occasions and is still a maiden after 14 starts. She ran 4 times during the last Pune season, her best effort being when finishing a faraway 3rd to Lesrel over 1200M and she still seems to be searching for her best distance. The booking of 3 ½ kilo claimer Vishal Bunde looks interesting though and at the feather weight, she could sneak into the frame and looks like a good outsider.
CONCLUSION :- The well regarded Kingsman is expected to improve for his debut run and is selected to get the better of the top weighted Adonijah who should take some confidence from his overdue maiden success and could be a danger in spite of the trip being sharp. For those willing to have a touch at a fantastic price, Thea’s Pet could be a potential money spinner attempting to make all.
Race No. 5 :- The Sardar H.S. Brar Memorial Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1600M
BRAINSTORM :- Classy and progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff, he has performed admirably in his limited career so far, winning 3 of his 6 starts till date with one narrow defeat last time out. After scoring back to back wins in Mumbai over middle distances, he went to Bangalore to campaign for the summer, scoring a smart win in the highest class there. Returning to Pune for a solitary effort in September, he went down fighting by a whisker to Perfect Star and has been brought along steadily since that run. He appears to be a Group horse in the making, seems to be in fine fettle at present and with A. Sandesh booked to ride, looks set to resume his upward curve and strike here.
TURNING POINT :- 4 year old filly from the S.K. Sunderji yard who clearly has ability but is also moody and temperamental and is a notorious slow starter on a number of occasions. She has managed to finish in the frame in 12 of her 14 starts though, winning on 4 occasions although she was winless during the recent Pune season, finishing 3rd behind Brainstorm on her penultimate run before finding herself out of her depth in The Fillies & Mares. She should have been freshened up by the break, has Neeraj Rawal to partner her today and definitely has strong each way claims and is likely to be involved in the finish again.
FOREST FAIRY :- Another well bred and progressive 4 year old filly who has been brought along steadily under the astute tutelage of veteran Bezan Chenoy and is another with a cracking overall record, winning 4 races and finishing runner up thrice in her 9 starts till date. She overcame a rare poor run on her penultimate effort to outclass the opposition over a mile upped to this grade last time out where she comfortably beat Texas Gold and Turning Point to win with a bit in hand. She is slightly worse off at the weights with Texas Gold but has the ability to defy the handicap and with P. Trevor in the saddle again, looks likely to make a bold attempt to repeat and should be a big danger to all.
GRAND ACCORD :- Progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Karthik G. he too has an enviable record of 4 wins from his 11 starts so far and really seemed to come into his own over this trip over which he has gained all his 4 wins. Starting from the end of the last Mumbai season, he rattled off 3 wins in a row over a mile before the sequence was broken last time out when upped to 2000M and finishing up only 5th some way behind Lord of the Sea. The return to a mile is likely to help him and could unlock some more improvement and he has been working quite well of late. A. Imran Khan his usual rider is in the saddle again and although this could prove to be his toughest test yet, he looks very good over this trip and cannot be ignored.
LORD OF THE SEA :- Strong staying 4 year old who is a stable mate of Brain Storm but has looked a bit out of form in recent times and is also likely to find this trip to be on the sharp side. Winner of 3 of his 15 starts so far, he is usually more effective with plenty more galloping ground and had 3 lacklustre runs during the recent Pune campaign although his last effort was a bit better when he finished 3rd to Gold Bond over 2000M. The presence of Leigh Roche in the saddle should also help him a great deal and he cannot be left out of consideration but Brainstorm appears to be the yard’s leading hope and Lord of the Sea may struggle to make a mark in this company. Upset chance.
TEXAS GOLD :- 4 year old colt who is trained by Hosidar Daji and possesses a strong turn of foot but seems to be battling against the handicapper at present. Winner of 4 of his 14 starts till date, he is effective over this sort of trip and did finish runner up to Forest Fairy on his penultimate start and is slightly better off at the weights today. He has to bounce back from a dismal performance last time out but usually goes well fresh and must be respected on the handicap with K. Nazil claiming a useful 2 ½ kilos.
CONCLUSION :- Brainstorm is the confident selection to continue his rise up the handicap ranks before graduating to Group company. Forest Fairy looks to be the obvious danger while Grand Accord is also respected going over his pet distance
Race No. 6 :- The Hall Of Famer Trophy – Maiden 2 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
ASTOUNDING BAY :- One of 2 runners in the field who has had the benefit of prior experience, he was thought to be a forward sort and was sent off favourite for the inaugural 2 year old race in Pune but looked very green and inexperienced and could only manage to finish a faraway 5th behind Arabesque. He will no doubt have learnt plenty from that run, the extra furlong is sure to suit him better and he has the huge benefit of experience and has also had blinkers snapped on to help him focus. He has been working quite well since the run and with Yash Narredu in the saddle, is expected to run a much better race today.
GODS PLAN :- Interesting debutant from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who is one of the first progeny of Leitir Mor to race in Western India and looks a smart sort being a half brother to Rikki Tikki Tavi who finished 3rd to Sir Cecil and Star Superior in the Bangalore Colts Trial Stakes. His other half sister Glittering Gold was also well performed winning 2 of her 11 starts and finishing 3rd in both the South Indian 1000 Guineas and the Mysore 1000 Guineas Grade 3. He has just been given a couple of easy workouts so a paddock check is advised but he could be a potentially useful sort and must be considered with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
ROYAL CRYSTAL :- Another debutant, this one a son of Western Aristocrat trained by Hosidar Daji he is arguably working the best of this lot and has impressed the most on his preparatory work. He too has a nice pedigree, being a half brother to Checkmate who performed creditably in Western India for Pesi Shroff while his half sister Queen’s Hall is a winner of 1 of her 5 starts in Madras. He has been showing good speed in the morning gallops and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle looks set to give a very good account of himself on his racing debut.
TOMMASO :- Got abroad debutant from the M.K. Jadhav stable, he has been reportedly working better than the yard’s recent 2 year old winner Nammaqua and another who seems to have been given enough work to be fit and ready to go first time out. He has been displaying good speed in his morning work, represents powerful connections and will have the benefit of having Leigh Roche in the saddle who is sure to give him a good education. He looks a smart sort as well and should be one of the frontline contenders today.
EYE CANDY :- Strong Suit Filly from the yard of Dallas Todywalla, she is a half sister to the speedy Cherry Blossom but unlike many from the yard, appears to be a backward sort and has only gone a couple of easy workouts so far. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness and she could just be going out for an airing today but she must be respected with P. Trevor in the saddle and could add some pep to the finish.
CONCLUSION :- Not much to go on here except pedigree and trackwork but the ones to focus on appear to be Royal Crystal and Tommaso both of whom see to be in forward condition. Gods Plan comes from a good family and must be respected as also Astounding Bay with the huge benefit of experience
Race No. 7 :- The Dashmesh Stud A.C. Ardeshir Trophy (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1600M
CAPRISCA :- Winner of the Indian St. Leger and flying the flag for the younger generation, this son of Steinbeck who is one of 3 runners for Imtiaz A. Sait will be ridden by Robbie Downey still searching for his first winner in Western India and could well prove to be one. He is bound to find this trip on the sharp side but he has been in rousing form and was unlucky not to score in the RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup over 2000M last time out. He is the highest rated horse in the field but has a Group I penalty to carry as a result and is conceding weight all around but has been working extremely well and definitely looks to have a strong chance with the long Mumbai straight likely to suit.
B FIFTY TWO :- The second runner from the Imtiaz Sait yard, the 6 year old is already a multiple Group race winner and went desperately close in this race last year before being nabbed right on the line by Temerity. Overall a winner of 8 of his 36 starts, he usually likes to set his own pace nowadays and is especially effective in small fields. He led for a long way in the RWITC Gold Cup before being swamped close home and may be suited by the shorter trip. P. Trevor who knows him very well keeps the ride and he looks to have an each way shout although age does seem to be catching up with him slowly.
CAMBRIDGE :- Probably the horse with the maximum potential in this field, this lightly raced son of Burden of Proof has been masterfully handled by P. Shroff, who has kept him racing sparingly but has gradually been climbing up the handicap ranks with an astounding record of 7 wins from his 9 starts so far. Barring a trip to Chennai to contest the South Indian 2000 Guineas in which he finished 3rd, he has an amazing sequence of 7 wins on the trot in Western India never having more than 2 or 3 runs in a season but maintaining his condition in unbelievable fashion. He took the step up to Group company in his stride last time out when winning the Pune City Gold Cup from New England and although he has been penalized for the win, he could very well have more to give. A. Sandesh his regular rider is back on today replacing Neeraj Rawal and he looks a leading fancy who could continue his amazing streak and looks hard to oppose.
SELFIE STAR :- The other 4 year old in this field, this strong striding grey trained by Dallas Todywalla has acquitted herself with credit in her 15 race career, winning 5 races but seems to come up a bit short at this level until now. The mile trip should suit her well and she usually runs well fresh so she should be at her best. She was a convincing winner over B Fifty Two in the Eve Champion Trophy and although she has always come off 2nd best to Caprisca when the pair have met, she stands a chance with the 6 kilo pull in the weights. Neeraj Rawal who rode her throughout Pune keeps the ride and she could give all the colts a run for their money.
NEW ENGLAND :- Tough and powerful 5 year old gelding who is the 3rd runner for the Imtiaz Sait yard and probably the one with the best chance on paper. Winner of 6 of his 20 starts he made a meteoric rise up the handicap ranks but just seems to be struggling to make his mark in Group company although he is getting closer with every attempt. He was the fastest moving at the finish when runner up to Cambridge last time out and now has a 3 kilo advantage at the weights which gives him a very strong handicap chance. The booking of Dashrath Singh tempers enthusiasm somewhat as his big race record is not particularly inspiring but the horse looks fit and well and must be given a leading chance on the scale.
CONCLUSION :- A fascinating contest with Imtiaz Sait appearing to hold a very strong hand but it is hard to oppose the Pesi Shroff trained Cambridge. The 4 year old has been going from strength to strength with each of his runs and just about seems to do enough to win on each occasion. New England looks very well in at the weights while the Leger winner Caprisca is dangerous to ignore with the long Mumbai straight likely to suit him
Race No. 8 :- The Astana Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
CASABLANCA :- Smartly bred 3 year old trained by Malesh Narredu who is making her racing debut in this lowest grade and looks a potentially good sort on paper. A half sister to Gloriosus she has been judiciously prepared with this event in view and has also been given a Mock Race to sharpen her up. She has been pleasing in the morning trials and with good apprentice A.S. Peter booked to ride, she is likely to attempt to make all the running in spite of being drawn wide in Stall 11. She looks a smart sort and is given a strong chance in this company.
COOL EYES :- Well bred 4 year old gelding who began his career with C.D. Katrak before moving to the yard of Imtiaz Sait and seems to still be finding his feet, having run 9 times so far. He did show some ability in a 7 furlong maiden when 3rd to Collegium over 1400M but failed to subsequently do anything of note. He has been eased down to the lowest grade, Raghuveer Singh takes the ride and if his new trainer has been able to unlock some improvement then he does have an each way chance in this weak looking field .
DUSKY SIREN :- 5 year old mare trained by Subhag Singh, she is still searching for her maiden success having failed to hit the mark on 17 previous occasions and she has been tried over a number of trips. The encouraging thing to note here is that she gave one of her best performances so far over this trip on her penultimate run when flashing onto the scene from nowhere to be a flying late 2nd to Dance of Fire with the 3rd placed Julio Cesaro also a winner since. The longer Mumbai straight will be to her advantage and T.S. Jodha who rode her that day, keeps the ride. She is clearly not the most reliable type but if she can reproduce the form of that earlier 6 furlong run then she must have a very strong chance .
ANDALUCIA :- Maiden 4 year old filly in the care of Trainer S.K.Sunderji who has run just thrice so far and is practically unexposed. She made her racing debut back in January on this track and after 2 runs last season was given just a solitary run in Pune so she has been given time to come to hand. She is returning from another long absence but has been eased into the lowest grade and P. Trevor has been booked to ride for the first time. She is an unknown quantity who could potentially be better than her current mark and is worth keeping an eye on if she is fit and well.
FELIX FELICIS :- Another untried 3 year old filly, this one from the yard of Vijay Kasbekar who has run 5 times so far without doing anything of note. Her last run was back in September so she is returning from a short break but her last couple of workouts have been quite eye catching suggesting that she has made some progress. B. Nikhil is an interesting jockey booking as his win record is not great but she looks a dark horse who could upset if reproducing her good track work.
TOP WIZARD :- 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who is another who has dropped down to what looks a very workable mark and advertised his well being on his last start over 1000M when finishing on strongly to be runner up to stable companion Dance of Fire. The additional furlong is likely to be in his favour, he looks very well placed on the scales and with Hanumant Singh taking over today, he looks to have strong each way claims if in a galloping mood again
CONCLUSION :- A tricky finale where it is difficult to select a winner. Casablanca and Felix Felicis have potential among the 3 year olds while Dusky Siren and Top Wizard look the ones to focus on among the older horses
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
