From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 12th January 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 11 Jan 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 12th January 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Perceived Value Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
WESTERN FRONT :- Well bred and improving 4 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has run thrice till date and after finishing well down the field in his first 2 runs, looked to have improved over the winter when finishing on well to be 2nd over 1400M to odds on owner mate Vintage last time out, himself well clear of the 3rd placed Lambretta. He has been working well since that run suggesting that he has improved further and makes his handicap debut in the lowest grade. The mile trip is likely to suit him, P. Trevor has been booked to ride and in this field consisting mainly of maidens, he looks to have a strong chance to shed his maiden tag .
GOLD MEDALIST :- 3 year old Dean’s Kitten gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji, he is a bit more exposed than some of the other 4 year olds but has been running quite well in similar contests. He has run 9 times in total and when competing in this grade for the first time on his last start in Pune, was well fancied but failed to catch Aquarius by a long neck. He ran well over 1800M on his seasonal reappearance here as well to finish 3rd to Bluebell but has to bounce back from an indifferent effort last time out when finishing 5th to Eagleinthesky. C.S. Jodha takes the ride today replacing P. Trevor and he is another who looks to have each way claims and should be involved.
ETERNAL MEMORIES :- Unexposed 4 year old who comes from the stable of Imtiaz Sait and looks to have an attractive pedigree, being the first foal of Fond Memories. She created a good impression on debut when making late progress from the rear to finish up 4th to Bushtops in a decent race and was strongly fancied over a mile next time out but ran poorly to finish up 6th of the 7 runners behind Tasawwur but had an excuse as she jumped out awkwardly, losing a lot of ground at the start. She jumped level on her last run here and made up some ground from the rear to finish 6th to Eagleinthesky just behind Gold Medalist. Robbie Downey gets on for the first time today, replacing P. Trevor, she has been doing some impressive track work and if getting off on level terms then she is likely to run a very big race and should be involved in the finish.
ROGUE ONE :- Exposed and modest looking 8 race maiden trained by Narendra Lagad, he has had 8 runs so far over varying trips and while never looking like he was ready to win a race, he has managed to finish 3rd on 4 occasions including last time out on his seasonal debut when a distant 3rd to Barack and Perpetual Winning. He too is eased in grade into the lowest class and has Dashrath Singh in the saddle who has ridden him on most occasions. He seems to lack the scope of the lesser raced horses and although he does have frame possibilities, he does look more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
ROSPOMARE :- Nicely bred individual who comes from the stable of Faisal Abbas and has been largely untried in his 6 starts so far. A half brother to Indian 1000 Guineas 3rd Portia, he did nothing of note in his first 5 starts but showed a little improvement when upped to a staying trip for the first time, finishing up 5th to Tasawwur in a relatively strong field. That run suggested that he could be coming to hand, he has been working well since the run and has a good rider up for the first time with Neeraj Rawal replacing Amyn Merchant in the saddle. He looks likely to unlock further improvement over this middle distance trip and if building on that last effort, could prove to be a worthy contender .
SAFFRON FLOWER :- 5 year old filly trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who is still a maiden after 15 starts and is looking quite exposed at the present time. She has managed to finish runner up on a couple of occasions including on her last run where she made good headway from the rear to come and finish a faraway 2nd to Allegria over 1400M. However, for most of her career she has been largely inconsistent and does not appear to have much scope to improve. It is a positive that S.S. Baria takes over in the saddle today, replacing whipless D.R. Shubham but she too looks vulnerable against the unexposed younger horses and is more likely to fight it out for minor honours. Rank outsider.
SOLO MISSION :- Another rank outsider with a similar profile to Saffron Flower, this 5 year old from the Karthik G stable is winless from 16 starts and has tumbled down in the weights as a result. He did look like he was finding some form during the Pune season when finishing runner up on 2 occasions, the first time chasing home Eternal Dancer over 1400M and then finishing on late to be 2nd to Emotionless when upped to this trip so he could just be coming to hand. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and Bhawani Singh now takes over in the saddle from whipless apprentice. He could just be coming to hand now and if making some more improvement runs with an each way chance with the yard in very good form at the moment.
CONCLUSION :- A very opening looking contest to get things underway and it may pay to take a chance on the unexposed Rospomare. He did show some improvement when upped to a staying trip for the first time on his seasonal reappearance and has a good rider up for the first time. Western Front and Eternal Memories are both unexposed and capable of finding enough improvement to score and are also respected in this grade.
Race No. 2 :- The Onassis Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
TILL END OF TIME :- Well bred 5 year old mare from the stables of M.K. Jadhav who has 3 wins from her 11 starts so far but really seemed to come into her own during the recent Pune season where she scored back to back wins over this trip, showing a telling turn of foot on both occasions. She first picked up fast and late to get the better of Valegro over a mile with Zanzibaar back in 3rd that day and weighted to gain revenge today. She was even more impressive next time out when looking far superior to the opposition and cantering home by 4 lengths from Star Comrade and looking value for much more than the official margin. Her first run this season was a disappointment though, when well fancied to complete her hattrick but not showing any acceleration and ending up a faraway 4th to Bronx. She has to show that she still retains her Pune form as she does not appear to be totally straightforward but A. Sandesh who rode her to both her wins returns to ride her today with P. Trevor having taken the ride last time out and he possibly knows her better. She has something to prove after that last performance and although she could very well bounce back, she may find it hard to tackle Truly Epic today.
TRULY EPIC :- Well performed 4 year old colt in the care of Imtiaz Sait who has won 2 of his 9 starts so far but has been campaigned in all the top races and performed creditably on most occasions. 5th in both the S.A. Poonawalla Multi Million and the Pune Derby, he went on to score a fluent success in The Rajendrasinhji Million on his penultimate run where he got up late to beat the well performed Intense Stylist. He was given an easy run early in the season in a strong race where he finished 5th to Sacred Roman when ridden wide throughout and those who finished in front of him – Bronx, Bushtops and Smasher have all won since giving strength to the form. He has been working very well since the run and also moved well in a recent Mock Race and looks to have improved considerably. C.S.Jodha takes over in the saddle today and in this company, he looks hard to beat and is expected to win comfortably.
ZANZIBAAR :- Solid 6 year old handicapper trained by NiradKaranjawalla he has won 3 of his 31 starts until date and has also placed on 9 occasions and is usually effective over this sort of trip. All of his wins have been in Class IV company though and he tends to struggle when upped into this grade and needs to drop back down to the lower class before he can score again. He has had 2 runs this season so should be fit and ready to go and after being ridden by a whipless apprentice twice, P.S. Chouhan is back in the saddle today. In this small field, he is likely to enter the frame and run into a place but winning looks tough and he will have to be content with minor honours.
SASSY LASS :- 5 year old mare who comes from the stable of Asad Siddiqui and has been one of the stable’s leading lights for some time now, even thought good enough to contest the Indian 1000 Guineas. She came up short that day but hit some good form during the recent Pune season, getting up late to pip Queens Best over 1200M on the opening day and going on to add a 7 furlong success next time out, comfortably beating Hudson and Queens Best. She finished a respectable 3rd behind Desperado and Barbaresco on her last run of the season and warmed up for this race well when finishing a good 3rd to Hyannis and Grand Tenton. The mile trip should not be a problem for her, Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and she is likely to challenge Till End of Time for the runner up slot and looks a good each way prospect.
CONCLUSION :- Truly Epic looks to be on the upgrade after his fluent win in Pune and is selected to win this without much resistance. Till End of Time and Sassy Lass should fight it out for minor honours
Race No. 3 :- The Bourbon King Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
JIGAR :- Relatively untried and unexposed 5 year old gelding from the Faisal Abbas yard, he has only run 7 times till date and has shown some promise over sprint races in the past. After 3 unplaced runs, he finished on nicely to be a close 3rd to Collegium and She’s A Tiger over 1200M on his last run of the previous Mumbai season and again ran promisingly early in Pune to finish 3rd to Abraxas and Malavika over this trip. He did not race again for 3 months but was sent off favourite over 1400M towards the end of Pune but could not raise a gallop and could only finish 5th to Aquarius. He has already had a lung opener this season over 7 furlongs with the same rider up and is now eased in grade back into the lowest class. He has been working quite well of late and this field looks very weak so he seems to have found a good opportunity to get off the mark and is respected.
ZEEMO :- 5 year old filly from the yard of Trainer S. Waheed who began her racing career in Pune and looks open to improvement after just 5 starts. She had 4 runs during the Pune campaign, putting in one performance of note when finishing a close 4th behind Outstanding over this trip but then ran poorly on her next 2 starts so she needs to bounce back. She may have needed the lung opener this season and has been working well of late suggesting that she has improved. Good 2 ½ kilo claimer K. Nazil has been booked to ride today and with the scope of further improvement she looks worth considering today and could add some pep to the finish.
OUTSTANDING :- 5 year old mare trained by S.K. Sunderji who appears to be one of two horses in the field with current form having finished 3rd on both outings this term. After finishing 3rd to Blitzkrieg and Bonafide on the opening day, she went on to run a close 3rd to Fire Flame and Macgyver last time out although the latter did let the form down somewhat on Thursday. She has won over this trip in the past though and the switch from R. Ajinkya to C.S. Jodha is a positive. This field looks a relatively weak one so she stands a strong chance to score and is the form pick.
GOLDEN TOWER :- 5 year old mare from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, she is an 8 race maiden who ran very poorly in her 3 starts in Pune but did show some speed towards the end of the last Mumbai season, finishing 3rd on a couple of occasions over sprints in similar company. She is having her first run for 3 ½ months now and an inexperienced claimer has been booked to ride so she may just be going out for an airing as there is limited trackwork too but if she can rediscover the speed that she showed in those earlier runs, then she could very well be a factor and should be included in calculations. Outsider.
ISINIT :- Aged 7 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi who scored his first career treble on Thursday so the yard seems to be in good form and she too ran a promising race last time out over 1200M, leading for a long way and only being worn down close home, finishing a good close 3rd to Rare Silver. Her overall record is quite inconsistent but she looks to be in good shape at present, and with 200M less to travel and top 5 kilo claimer A.S. Peter booked to ride today, she may very well try to make every post a winning one and looks to have a good chance to add to her win tally.
CONCLUSION :- A very weak field and probably a race which is best passed over. Outstanding seems to be the form choice having finished a close 3rd last time out while Isinitis also currently in good form. Jigar has the maximum scope to improve and could also be involved if putting his best foot forward.
Race No. 4 :- The Indian Air Force Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1000M
POKERFACE :- One of 4 runners owned by Jaydev Mody in this field and he is responsible for half the field, this 5 year old gelding is trained by NosherCama and is conceding weight all around. He has a good overall record of 3 wins from his 13 starts is most effective over this 5 furlong trip. He has had 2 runs already this season, finishing a close 2nd to Riquewihr on the opening day but found weight to be a stopper last time out when again 4th to that same rival, finishing ¾ length behind stable mate Fine Tune conceding 5 ½ kilos although he was in front of Gold Field and Princess P. He is worse off on the scale with Fine Tune today, Yash Narredu replaces A. Sandesh in the saddle and although he should run well again and could be involved in the frame, he looks outhandicapped and may need a slight drop in the weights before he can get back to winning ways. Place prospect.
PRINCESS P :- Speedy 5 year old handicapper from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has won 3 of her 14 starts so far and again is mainly effective over this minimum trip. Her last win came in Pune in August in a similar contest where she beat Gallant Knight and Wise Child quite comfortably but she failed to make an impression in her 2 subsequent runs. She finished behind Pokerface on her seasonal reappearance but that run was clearly to get her fit and S. Zervan now takes over in the saddle from P. Vinod which is a positive. She too looks to be a little high in the weights at present and although has frame possibilities, looks tough for her to win against some improvers.
FINE TUNE :- Very consistent 5 year old mare who is the 2nd runner from the NosherCama yard but appears to be fancied 2nd best as well with Joplin seemingly the yard’s main hope. She too took her time to come to hand but once finding form has maintained it consistently over the past year, winning 3 of her 13 starts and not finishing out of the first 3 in her last several runs. She did have the measure of Godsword on her last win in Pune, beating her by 1 ¾ lengths in receipt of half a kilo so she is slightly worse off on the scale with that rival today. She warmed up for this with a fair 3rd behind Riquewihr last time out and with N.B. Kuldeep claiming 3 ½ kilos in the saddle, looks a strong each way contender again today although winning looks tough.
BETWEEN THE WATERS :- Improving 4 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard, he has performed with credit in his limited career so far and seems to be improving still. Impressive winner over course and distance on his racing debut last season he was not seen out again until 6 months later in Pune where he looked rusty and in need of the run when finishing 4th to Nextstar with Godsword 2 ½ lengths behind him in 5th that day and they are closely matched at the weights although Between The Waters has improved markedly since then. He stepped up to 6 furlongs for both his runs this term, first finishing runner up to Arabia on the opening day which looks strong form and then going on to score a convincing win over Shivalik Queen last time out. He has only been penalized 4 ½ kilos for that win and seems to have progressed again judging from his subsequent work. C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from Neeraj Rawal today and although the drop back to the minimum is not ideal, he looks a leading contender and has a strong chance for a quick encore.
JOPLIN :- Lightly raced and progressive 4 year old grey who looks the main hope of the NosherCama yard and will be ridden by stable first jockey P.S. Chouhan. Beginning her racing career only in August in Pune, she has been nothing but impressive and looks open to plenty more improvement. Runner up to Bernice when unfancied over 1200M on debut, she went on to score a facile maiden victory next time out and again was impressive when winning in Class IV on the opening day, easily holding Chosen One with the pair well clear of the rest. She has incurred a 5 ½ kilo penalty for her last win but has been working superbly since the run and looks to have a lot more to give. She has to beat Between The Waters to win this but looks a leading fancy and stands an excellent chance to complete her hattrick.
GODSWORD :- Modest looking 4 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard, she has had 8 starts so far and has not quite progressed from her bloodless maiden win which came on this track last season and she ran 5 times in Pune without adding to her tally. She too returned from a 4 month break and managed to place on a few occasions over sprints, last time out upped to 7 furlongs and finishing a well held 3rd to Lorraine. She has been upped in grade without winning so takes on tougher opposition today and although she appears to be well handicapped on a line through a couple of these, she looks more of a minor berth contender with Dashrath Singh in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- The 2 progressive 4 year olds – Joplin and Between The Waters should fight it out between them with a clear preference for the former who has been winning her races with a bit in hand and still seems to be ahead of the handicapper.
Race No. 5 :- The RamniwasRamnarainRuia Gold Cup (Grade 3) – Terms, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 2000M
AWESOME ONE :- Handsome dark bay colt who is an exciting prospect for Deepesh Narredu in his first season as a Trainer and has acquitted himself well in his limited career so far. Runner up to Excellent on debut on this track last season, he went on to score 2 impressive wins in handicaps, comfortably beating Lethal Steps over 1400M on his only run in Pune and then again looking classy when returning from a layoff to win convincingly in Class III, beating Grand Tenton who went on to score next time out. The Indian 2000 Guineas probably came a bit too soon for him in his career but he was not disgraced finishing 4th behind some top horses and he has 3 ¼ lengths to find with Sacred Roman on that running. There are no clear pointers regarding staying ability from this pedigree as his half sisterAlyaties was a sprinter but Dean’s Kitten is clearly an influence for stamina and the mare Aim to Achieve is by Galileo so he is expected to stay at least this far. He has been working very well since the last run, looks to be progressing nicely and if getting the trip well, could be involved in the fight for the finish with Yash Narredu in the saddle.
SACRED ROMAN :- Trained by Pesi Shroff, this Holy Roman Emperor colt has always been held in high regard by his connections and is another who appears to be peaking at just the right time. Strongly fancied on his racing debut in Bangalore against the likes of Desperado and Shesmyscript, he finished 4th that day but probably needed the run and scored a workmanlike maiden victory upon his return to Pune, putting in a 2nd run to hold off Jetfire and win over 7 furlongs. He was made to work hard again on his seasonal debut here over a mile but showed good resilience to hold off Bronx and win narrowly. The 2000 Guineas was probably a touch too soon for him and while he finished almost 7 lengths adrift of Star Superior that day, he is open to more improvement and is expected to get better and better with each step up in trip and looks to have hopes of gaining revenge over this longer trip. His workouts since the Guineas suggest that he is making steady improvement and with Y.S. Srinath flown down especially to ride and stamina worries about Star Superior he looks to have an excellent chance to win this.
STAR SUPERIOR :- High quality colt who has had to live in the shadow of Sir Cecil throughout his career but is a champion in his own right, winning 5 of his 9 starts and yet to finish out of the first two in his career, of late finding only Sir Cecil too strong, having finished runner up to him on 3 occasions. He is at his best over a mile and did make Sir Cecil work in the 2000 Guineas but being by Excellent Art he does clearly have stamina concerns especially down the long Mumbai straight. On paper there is no reason why he should get beaten here but both his previous runs over 2000M have not been totally convincing and he might just get found out by a stronger stayer over this trip. Leading contender nonetheless but looks a shade vulnerable.
TASAWWUR :- The unknown quantity in the field, the only unbeaten runner and also the one with the maximum scope to improve, this son of Multidimensional trained by AdhirajsinghJodha is the proverbial dark horse here and could surprise many by running significantly better than his rating. Both his wins have been solid efforts, getting up late on debut to nose out Mystic Flame over a mile and looking strong at the finish over 9 furlongs when beating Tar Heel on his debut on the Mumbai track. His style of racing suggests that he is a strong staying type and should relish more galloping ground. He is taking a marked step up in grade but is also improving at a rate of knots and should be able to hold his own in this company. He looks a dark horse and is capable of springing a surprise so dangerous to ignore with Sandesh in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- a fascinating contest on paper in spite of the small field and while there is no obvious reason on paper why Star Superior should lose this having 6 ¾ lengths to spare over Sacred Roman and even more over Awesome One and enjoying a 22 point rating advantage over his next highest rated rival, he is a suspect stayer and could prove to be vulnerable over this 2000M trip. At the likely cramped odds, it may be worth taking a chance on Sacred Roman who looks a typical Shroff improver who should get better with more distance and may be able to reverse the Guineas form over this longer trip .
Race No. 6 :- The Rochester Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
BEEMER :- One of two runners from the Dallas Todywalla, he is a son of Leitir Mor and is a half brother to Bewitched who did not quite live upto her potential when racing and looks an interesting type. He has been working quite well in his limited workouts so far but seems slightly less prepared than his stable companion today. Suraj Narredu gets a leg up in the saddle today, he is likely to give a good account of himself on debut and could be one to keep an eye on in the longer term.
SILVER KING :- Comes from the stable of Imtiaz Sait and although he does not have much to show from the pedigree aspect with the dam Connivance having thrown several progeny with none in particular standing out, but he appears to be a forward sort and has been given plenty of prep work so is likely to be fit and ready to go. The yard has been in decent form of late although not so much with their juveniles and he may have a fitness edge with some of the others today and looks an each way contender with Robbie Downey in the saddle.
WARRIOR CLAN :- Another interesting looking debutant from the Adhirajsingh Jodha stable this son of Hymn comes from a dam with a good American line and has been showing out quite well in the morning gallops. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness but he too is expected to be a decent type and should run well first time out. Dashrath Singh takes the ride today, he is picked up a wide draw in Stall 11 but can take a hand in proceedings and looks worthy of each way consideration.
COPPER QUEEN :- The only one in the field with prior experience, she has run twice so far, finishing last of the four runners behind Starringo on debut and then showing a little improvement when ending up 3rd to Tommaso next time out with the runner up Ms Boss scoring smartly on Thursday to give strength to the form. She is expected to be much better with the extra furlong as both her previous runs were over 1000M and with Leigh Roche to guide her and the advantage of experience, she looks a strong fancy to make it 3rd time lucky and is a leading contender.
MIRABILIS :- The 2nd runner from the Pesi Shroff yard and the one who appears to have a nicer pedigree being a full sister to Your Royal Majesty and an exciting future prospect if she is anywhere as good as her brother. She does not appear to be fully wound up today so looks like going in for an educative run with N.S. Parmar booked to ride and also a wide draw in Stall 13. She is entitled to need this run but is worth a cursory paddock check and could prove good enough to score first time out if looking fit and well.
MISSING YOU :- Full sister to Unforgettable You from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she looks the more forward of the yard’s 2 runners and has been working extremely well in the build up to this race. She has had enough work to be fit and ready to go and looks to be in forward condition although a paddock check with most of these is mandatory. Yard has a good strike rate with it’s juveniles, she looks a smart sort on paper and is expected to run a very big race and take a hand in the finish with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride.
THAILAND :- Another very exciting prospect, this debutant from the Hosidar Daji stable has arguably been working the best of this lot and catches the eye on pedigree as well. Her full brother Shivansh developed into a Champion colt in Kolkotta, winning 5 of his 7 starts, finishing 3rd in the Kolkotta 2000 Guineas and winning the Kolkotta Derby and she is likely to do even better over further in due course. She has been blazing the track in her prep work, looks to be in fine condition at present and P. Trevor has been booked to ride. Yard already had a good debut winner with Royal Crystal for the same owner and this one also looks a forward sort and must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- Tough to call with some exciting debutants from big yards represented but with the advantage of experience, Copper Queen is selected to make it 3rd time lucky. Thailand and Missing You both appear forward types with good pedigrees who are capable of scoring on debut while Mirabilis is also respected.
Race No. 7 :- The R.M. Mandal Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
STRONG STORM :- Promising looking 4 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she has won 1 of her 7 starts so far and was campaigned in the regional classics in the Autumn after convincingly beating Truly Epic and Barack on her 2nd start over 1400M, running 3rd to Realms of Fantasy in the Deccan Fillies Championship before finishing down the field in both the Mysore 1000 Guineas and the Indian 1000 Guineas. She did make a good reappearance run though over a mile when finishing on to be runner up to Lucky Luciano and reverts to handicap company again now. P. Trevor takes the ride today, she seems to be working quite well and should prove a danger to all in spite of top weight and could very well resume her progress and earn another bracket today.
EXCELLENT SORRENTO:-Interesting looking 4 year old colt trained by Malesh Narredu and to be ridden by Suraj Narredu, he made an impressive racing debut in Pune in spite of looking relatively soft, coming with a strong late run to score over 1200M on debut and he was entered next in the Rajendrasinhji Million but did not seem to run upto his best and trailed in last of the 6 runners behind Truly Epic. He has been rested and given time to improve since then and has been judiciously prepared with this event in view so should be fit enough. He is an unknown quantity who is open to plenty of improvement on just his 3rd start and could prove to be a strong factor here if ready to go after the break. Respected.
LORRAINE :- Nicely bred 5 year old mare trained by NosherCama who just seems to be coming into her own and has been in good form in recent times. Disqualified when gaining her maiden success a couple of starts ago, she took advantage to win decisively over 1400M and showed that she had progressed on her last start here when in spite of feeble assistance from the saddle, she finished on nicely to be runner up to Kilkarry Bridge over 1200M. She should be fitter and sharper for that run, will appreciate the extra furlong and P.S. Chouhan takes over in the saddle replacing B. Nikhil which is a positive. She looks likely to progress again and seems to have a strong chance to continue her progression.
FLEUR DE LYS :- Improving 4 year old filly from the yard of S. Waheed she has run 5 times so far and has looked generally progressive except for one terrible run when a firm favourite over a mile but finishing in the ruck. She gained her maiden success over a mile getting the better of Golden Hind by a length and after running that poor race as a favourite, showed she was on the way back on her reappearance run here when finishing on nicely to be 2nd to Notting Hill over this trip. She has been working well since the run and is expected to improve again and looks a strong each way contender with K. Nazil in the saddle taking over from P.S. Chouhan.
JUNO’S GUEST :- well bred 4 year old filly from the stable of Vinesh, she has run just twice so far so looks open to plenty of improvement and seems to be progressing nicely at present. She was quietly fancied on her racing debut in Pune but looked green and inexperienced and made a little late headway to finish 6th behind Pablo over 1200M. She learnt plenty from that run and showed that the support that day was not unjustified when making a winning debut on this track again over 1200M, winning from end to end with Akshay in the saddle and looking to have a bit more to give. She steps up a furlong in trip and A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle which is a big positive. She has been kept fresh since the run and is likely to make a bold bid to repeat.
CONCLUSION :- Strong Storm is selected to appreciate this return to handicaps and get the better of the lightly raced pair of potential improvers in Excellent Sorrento and Juno’s Guest both of whom shape as live dangers.
Race No. 8 :- The Bourbon King Plate – Div. I – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
MAKE IT SHINE :- Veteran 8 year old mare trained by Vijay Kasbekar who had a good winner on Thursday, she has won 3 of her 36 starts till date and has generally acquitted herself well in this company in similar contests. She has come back down to her last winning mark now, has already had 2 runs this season so should be fit and has been working very well of late suggesting that she has come back to form. Decent 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj has been booked to ride and she looks a good each way prospect in this open handicap and must be considered.
BRAVE :- Unreliable 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has won 1 of his 11 starts so far and has appeared to have been improving with his racing this season. He has run twice already this term, finishing 5th over this trip to Romantic Warrior on reappearance and then improving to finish 3rd to Flaming Martini with the runner up Findlerhof a decisive winner on Thursday. Dashrath Singh keeps the ride, he should not mind the return to the minimum trip and appears to have each way claims if in a galloping mood.
BLITZKRIEG :- Aged but in form 7 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he took advantage of a straightforward opportunity on the opening day, coming with a strong late run to pip Bonafide on the post and score his 3rd career victory. He followed that up with a decent performance under a penalty last time out to finish on and be a close 4th to Bonafide just a shade behind Good Thing who was 3rd that day. He looks to be in good touch at present, Malam Singh seems to get along with him well and while he is not expected to improve much, he looks an each way contender if able to hold his form.
GOOD THING :- Aged 6 year old mare from the stable of C. Rajendra she is a winner of 1 of her 23 starts but seems to be on a handy mark at present and ran a couple of good forward races in defeat in her last few starts. She finished a close 3rd on her final run in Pune as well as her opening run of this season and did not appreciate the step up to 6 furlongs last time out when finishing 6th. The return to this trip should suit her and she will have a stronger rider today with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride. She does not appear completely straightforward but does have the ability to strike if running upto her best and is another worthy of consideration.
GOLDEN HORDE :- 6 year old gelding trained by BezanChenoy who has been in sparkling form this season and looks ready to add another win to his existing tally. He finished on pleasingly to be a faraway 2nd to Flying Visit first time out and last time just failed to reel in Royston Rock over 1200M, ending up a good close 2nd. He is taking on older company again today, gets 3 ½ kilos off in the saddle with Vishal Bunde booked to ride and should not mind the drop to the minimum trip. He looks the form horse here and is strongly fancied to make it 3rd time lucky.
SILVER CAP :- Maiden 5 year old from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he has run 13 times so far without success although he has managed to finish 3rd on a couple of occasions. He has showed early speed in the past so is likely to appreciate this drop to the minimum but does not appear to be completely straightforward. He has had a run this season to blow away the cobwebs and is taking on mainly older company today. He looks a strong player with S. Zervan booked to ride and could trouble them all if he is in the right frame of mind.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky finale but Golden Horde has been running well this season and should make it 3rd time lucky at the expense of Make it Shine who has been working very well.
