From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 3rd February 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 02 Feb 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 3rd February 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Tattersalls Million – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
BARACK :-Lightly raced 4 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff he is a full brother to Bold Majesty and has already showed he is above average in his limited career so far. Making his debut in March of last year over 6 furlongs he was given a nice educative run and finished on well to be 3rd behind Iron Age and Pablo but then failed as an odds on favourite upped to this trip next time out when a poor 4th to Strong Storm. Presumably something was amiss as he was off the track for 8 months but looked vastly improved this season when coming with a strong run to beat Perpetual Winning on his return by 3 lengths. He has been handed a very stiff 7 ½ kilo penalty for that win but is sure to improve immensely for the run and has been working well since the run. He is 2 lengths worse off with Perpetual Winning for that last run but is expected to have improved enough to confirm the form and with Leigh Roche in the saddle, looks a strong contender to go in again.
PERPETUAL WINNING :-4 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who has run 8 times so far with a single success to his name but has been quite consistent this season without adding to that success. 3rd to King Khalil over 7 furlongs on his seasonal debut, he went on to finish runner up to Barack on his penultimate run and with blinkers slapped on and dropped to 6 furlongs last time out, he finished on strongly and just failed to catch Flaming Martini by three parts of a length. He is a neck better than King Khalil on the scale from the last run so it should be very close between the two again. Robbie Downey who has ridden him on the last 2 occasions keeps the ride, he continues to work well and seems to just hold the edge on the handicap.
HODSON’S HORSE :- Unbeaten 4 year old in the care of Adhirajsingh Jodha who made his debut a little over a month ago in a weak Class IV field over 1200M and showed a good attitude to score by 1 ¾ length from Anniversary Girl. That being his first run, he looks sure to improve and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. He has a 5 kilo penalty to contend with for the win but seems to have maintained his form and with S.A. Amit taking over from S.S. Baria in the saddle, he should make a strong bid to repeat although the company looks a lot tougher today. Considered nonetheless.
KING KHALIL :- Nicely bred 4 year old gelding trained by Deepesh Narredu, he made an impressive start to his racing career by scoring a pillar to post success over Valegro and Perpetual Winning over this trip on debut and was taken to Hyderabad to contest the Golconda 2000 Guineas on just his 2nd start but quite understandably found the task to be beyond him and finished well beaten. He returns to a much more realistic level now and has been working extremely well since returning from Hyderabad. He looks open to plenty of improvement having just his 3rd career start and with YashNarredu in the saddle, will be looking to bounce back to winning ways. He looks a strong contender and should try to win from end to end again.
CORMORANT :- Another sparingly raced 4 year old gelding from the stable of Faisal Abbas he is still a maiden after 4 starts and did not quite build on his eye catching debut performance last Mumbai season where he finished on strongly to be runner up to Divine Power over 1000M. He was well fancied in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million next time out but finished a modest 4th to Dance The Dream just a shade ahead of Perpetual Winning (5th). He was off the track for a long time after that reappearing on the final day of the Pune season where he was given an easy run over 1000M, ending up 4th to Julio Cesaro. He was withdrawn on his intended reappearance here but ran well over this trip about 3 weeks ago, making good progress from the rear to finish a good 4th to Findlerhof. He is likely to improve for that run, has been working well since then and has the potential to spring a surprise so should not be ignored with S. Zervan in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-A tough opener but the nod just goes to King Khalil who was an impressive start to finish winner on debut and has been blazing the track for a while now. Top weighted Barack is a live danger and is feared while the consistent Perpetual Winning holds a slight edge on the pure handicap.
Race No. 2 :- The Rusi Patel Trophy (Grade 3) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1600M
SERJEANT AT ARMS :-Former winner of the Indian 2000 Guineas and one of best milers seen for a long time, he is returning from a one and a half year absence having last raced in India in the August of 2017 where he romped home in the Group 2 Karnataka Mile Championship Cup in Bangalore. Trained by S.S. Attaollahi he is a winner of 12 of his 14 starts his 2 defeats coming over further, a shock 2nd to Ice Glacier in the Mysore Derby and a battling 2nd to Hall of Famer in the Indian Derby, both trips outside of his comfort zone. He has been well nigh invincible over this mile trip although he has fitness to prove after such a long break as he was withdrawn on his intended reappearance in Bangalore in early January. He was extremely impressive in a Mock Race about a week ago where he won effortlessly although taking on mainly Class III and IV rivals and looks as good as ever. SuprisinglyAkshay Kumar has been booked to ride in place of A. Sandesh who partnered him throughout his career and knows him inside out but he looks the class act in this field and it would be most fitting were he to win this as this race is framed in honour of Rusi Patel, who’s son Vispi is a part owner.
CAMBRIDGE :-Highly talented and well performed 5 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who has steadily developed into a top class middle distance performer and also has an excellent record of 9 wins from his 12 starts till date, including an amazing 8 wins on the trot in Western India. He has been travelling all over the country this season, showing he was as good as ever when convincingly beating Caprisca and New England in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy (Grade 3) before travelling to Kolkotta to Annex the D Khaitan Memorial Calcutta Gold Cup (Grade 2). He then went down to Chennai to contest a 7 furlong Terms race but ran below par finishing a distant 6th so needs to bounce back from that poor effort. He may not have been suited by the Chennai track as he has run below par there in the past as well and back on home turf and with NeerajRawal in the saddle, he looks set to return to winning ways and must be respected.
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :-Stable companion of Cambridge and the mount of Leigh Roche, he is another top class middle distance horse but just seems to be getting on in years now at age 8. Having an admirable record of 13 wins from his 44 starts including 21 placed efforts, he seldom runs a bad race and has finished 3rd in both his runs this season. He finished 3rd to Ruffina in the F.H. Tapia Memorial Million where he was 2 lengths behind New England on the same terms and then travelled to Chennai where he was again 3rd in the same race as Cambridge. He has been working very well and must be respected but there is a suspicion that he may find one or two too good for him here.
COSTA BRAVA :-Improving 5 year old gelding who is the 3rd runner in this race from the Pesi Shroff yard and deserves a crack at a race like this having proved he has surpassed the handicap level and has won 5 of his 9 starts till date including 3 second placed finishes. Both his handicap wins this season have been most impressive, giving weight and a beating to Excellent and outclassing Class I opposition last time out to win as he pleased. However, he does appear to be best over 1400M and seemed stretched over a mile in between where New England gave him 10 kilos and a beating so he looks totally out handicapped on that score as he concedes 2 kilos to that rival today. P. Trevor keeps the ride and he should run well but it looks very tough to finish ahead of New England on paper and he may have to settle for minor honours today.
NEW ENGLAND :- In form 6 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he looks a very strong contender on the scale as he comes into his race off a low weight and has been running extremely well. Winner of 7 of his 23 starts overall he has run thrice so far this season, finishing a close 3rd to Cambridge in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy, beaten a length receiving 3 ½ kilos and he is now in receipt of 5 so has a ½ length advantage on paper. He went on to convincingly beat Costa Brava dropped into handicap company and then made the great Ruffina pull out all the stops last time out in the F.H. Tapia Million where he went down fighting by ½ a length albeit receiving 8 ½ kilos. He looks in fine fettle at present, A. Sandesh takes the ride and on paper he appears to be the main threat to the Serjeant.
CONCLUSION :-Wonderful to see Serjeant At Arms back on the Turf and the way he moved in the Mock Race last week he seems to retain all of his old ability. He should prove too good for this lot. New England and Cambridge looks closely matched on paper and look to be the main dangers.
Race No. 3 :- The Ebco Worksmart Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Grade 3) (Terms, 3 Years Old Only) – Distance :- 1400M
MALWA :- Out station challenger from the stable of S.S. Attaollahi, he is unbeaten in his only start so far, creating a favourable impression when coming with a powerful late run from the rear to score by 1 ¾ length from Silent Guardian who reopposes today. He has been working very well since the run suggesting that he has improved further but he had to be ridden out to win his Mock Race 10 days ago and looks a touch vulnerable under his penalty. A. Sandesh who rode him last time out keeps the ride today and he must come into consideration but may find one or two of these too strong and may struggle to concede the weight to the maidens.
HUNT FOR GOLD :- Daughter of Leitir Mor with an attractive pedigree out of Oaks winner Pleasure Hunt, she is a half sister to Moondancer – winner of 6 of her 12 starts and also to the highly rated Our Excellence who won 2 races and finished 3rd in the Poonawalla Million. She put in a workmanlike effort to win her maiden on debut, racing in the rear before the penny dropped and she got a fortunate opening on the inside but she looked to be drawing clear at the finish and should be fitter and sharper today. She beat Trouvaille by 2 ½ lengths that day but is not certain to confirm that form under a penalty as the runner up is also expected to improve. However, the timing that day was 1.23.52 which was faster than the Class I timing recorded by Ruffina of 1.24.30 which is very commendable. She has been working very well since the run, Y.S. Srinath takes over in the saddle today for Leigh Roche and in spite of her penalty she is likely to be involved and looks a strong each way contender.
KARIEGA :- Kingda Ka filly who was also a winner on debut over 1200, looking green and inexperienced in the early stages but picking up well once into the straight and coming through the middle with a strong run to take charge and winning quite comfortably in the end. Her timing though of 1.12.17 was slower than both El Commandante and Flaming Martini on the same day so from that aspect she needs to find radical improvement. She may not have been fully wound up that day though and is expected to improve considerably. Leigh Roche keeps the ride for Vishal Gaikwad and she does merit consideration but Hunt for Gold beat Starringo by a much larger margin and she looks likely to battle it out for minor honours.
SPEED AIR :-Attractive looking chestnut colt trained by Malesh Narredu who made his debut in a strong 6 furlong maiden 3 weeks ago and looked soft and babyish in the paddock. He was in the rear for much of the journey but was seen making good late headway from the rear to finish an impressive 4th behind Thailand and Missing You and is sure to have learnt plenty from that experience. He has been working well, YashNarredu takes the ride and if building on that last performance, he is expected to run a very big race today and looks to have a strong chance to score.
TROUVAILLE :-Nicely bred Surfrider gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he chased home Hunt For Gold on debut over this trip. He too looked green and inexperienced in the early part and was in the rear with Hunt for Gold but while she got an opening along the inside, he had to come around the outside covering more ground and was also impeded by the wayward Divine Glory just when getting into full stride. In the circumstances he stands a good chance to gain revenge receiving weight from his conqueror. He too is expected to improve from his debut run, P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha, his subsequent work has been good and he looks to have a very good chance to score.
CONCLUSION :- This should be between Trouvaille and Hunt for Gold who finished 1-2 on their previous meeting over this trip in which they clocked an excellent time which was faster than Ruffina’s Class I race on the same day. The former who did not get the clearest run that day and now gets a 3 kilo pull in the weights is marginally preferred. Speed Air also made an eye catching debut and could prove to be a danger
Race No. 4 :- The S.M. Shah Eclipse Stakes of India (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2000M
DESERT GOD :- 2016 Indian Derby and Invitation Cup winner who returns to India after an unsuccessful stint abroad and has been rattling off the wins albeit over longer trips. Multiple Group Race winner who has won 15 of his 21 starts, he is likely to find this trip to be on the sharp side but still looks the Class Act in this field and although returning from a short break, was in cracking form, winning the President of India Gold Cup and the Golconda St. Leger convincingly when last seen in October. He is conceding weight all around but still looks to be far too classy for these rivals and with David Allan reunited with him, he still appears to be the one to beat.
CAPRISCA :-Well bred but enigmatic 5 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who was also the winner of the Indian St. Leger last year and has won 6 of his 17 starts but does not always seem to give his best effort. He made a good start to the season when finishing on late to be runner up to Cambridge in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy but then ran a shocker when a short priced favourite for the JiwajiraoScindia Trophy, trailing in a wretched 4th of the 5 runners and well beaten by both Jack Frost and Raees so he has a bit to prove now. The additional furlong is likely to be in his favour and he has been working well since the run but it is impossible to tell what sort of mood he will turn up in. Robbie Downey keeps the ride and while he must be given a chance if running upto his best, he is not totally straightforward and is probably better left alone.
MATHAIYUS :- Beautifully bred and well performed 6 year old who has an enviable record of 8 wins from his 12 starts and is also a former St. Leger winner, scoring a famous win over Winter Renaissance when last seen on the track in September 2017. He is coming back from a lengthy absence so is likely to be quite rusty although 2000M seems to be a good starting point for him. He has been diligently prepared for this reappearance run, tenderly handled and given as many as 4 Mock Races, the last of which he seemed to be moving quite well although Salazaar was more impressive. Y.S. Srinath his regular rider gets back in the saddle today and he does merit consideration but looks likely to need this run after such a long lay off. Outside chance.
SALAZAAR :-Well performed 6 year old gelding trained by Irfan Ghatala who has managed to win 8 of his 20 starts so far and comes into this after finishing runner up to Watchmyscript over this trip in Bangalore at the end of December. He should strip fitter and come on for that run and moved impressively in a Mock Race 10 days ago where he looked to be moving better than both Mathaiyus and Smasher. SurajNarredu takes the ride today, he is a consistent performer who deserves his place in this line up and looks to have a good each way chance.
SMASHER :-Improving 6 year old gelding who comes from the stable of Pesi Shroff and although lightly raced, has won 4 of his 10 starts so far and seems to be really coming into his own at present. Returning from a long lay off this season having not raced throughout Pune, he needed a run to hit full form and scored a most impressive 9 ¾ length win over Oaks winner Roberta over this trip and then after running a shade below par when runner up to Bushtops on his penultimate run, gave an imperious performance over 2400M last time out, winning by a large margin and clocking a terrific time of 2.28.79. He looks way out on the handicap scale but appears to be in the form of his life at present and although the drop to this trip in this company does not look ideal, he is currently in great heart and cannot be ignored off the low weight. N.S. Parmar takes the ride and he is very dangerous to ignore and is quite capable of taking this.
CONCLUSION :-Desert God looks to be way better than this lot and his class is expected to prevail in spite of the slightly sharp trip and top weight. Smasher has been in great form and can give him a fight along with Salazaar who impressed in a recent Mock Race.
Race No. 5 :- The B.K. Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
CLIFFS OF CAPRI :-One of two runners from the Pesi Shroff yard, this one is a got abroad gelding who’s dam First at Summer came here in foal to Elusive Quality and looks a smart sort on paper. He was given an educative run over 5 furlongs 5 weeks ago and made late headway from the rear to finish 5th behind Tommaso. He is sure to have learnt plenty from that run and stripped fitter and he should appreciate the extra furlong. P. Trevor who rode him last time out gets a leg up again today, he appears to have improved from the last run and is expected to run a much better race and be involved in the finish.
DESERT EMPIRE :- Hard to fault him on pedigree, coming from the family of Desert God and Indian Pharoah he is owned and trained by S. Padmanabhan and will be ridden by David Allan. Making his debut a month ago over 1100M in Bangalore where he looked very green and inexperienced and was in the rear turning for home but began to get the hang of things late in the day and motored home to finish up a good 3rd. He is sure to improve considerably for that run and should give a much better account of himself today. He looks the part on paper and should have a big role to play today.
GOD’S PLAN :-Once raced colt from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad, who looks to have a fine pedigree with the mare already having produced two black type performers from her first 2 foals. His half sister Glittering Gold was 3rd in the Mysore 1000 Guineas and the South India 1000 Guineas while his half brother Rikki TikkiTavi finished 3rd in the Golconda 2000 Guineas and Derby and also in the Bangalore Summer Colts Trial Stakes. He ran a forward race on debut, leading until well into the straight before retiring to finish 5th to Royal Crystal and he has had plenty of time to improve from that run. He has been working very well since the run suggesting that he has progressed, Imran Chisty has been booked to ride today and he is another who looks to have strong each way claims and is likely to have a say in the finish.
RESOLUTE :-Debutantrunner from the Malesh Narredu yard, he is the son of the mighty Set Alight and appears to be a promising sort on paper. His half brother Shaman was runner up in the Calcutta 2000 Guineas, 3rd in the Calcutta Derby and won 4 of his 14 starts while the half sister Satellite was also a Black Type Performer winning 7 of her 24 starts and also finishing runner up on 7 occasions. He has been brought along steadily in his preparatory work and moved nicely when finishing mid division in a recent Mock Race without being extended at all. He is taking on horses with prior experience so this is a tough ask first time out but he looks the part on paper and with Yash Narredu taking the ride, is very dangerous to ignore.
CONSCIENCE :-Stable companion of Resolute who is a half sister to Adjudicate and is another who looks to have a very attractive pedigree and warrants serious consideration. She appears to have been quite well prepared for her debut run and finished ahead of Resolute in the Mock Race, chasing home the hard ridden Malwa. She too looks entitled to need this educative run but commands respect on her fine pedigree and if looking fit and well may be worth chancing with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
MISSING YOU :- Daughter of Arazan from the Dallas Todywalla yard she is probably the form choice in this field, having created a very favourable impression on debut when finishing on strongly to be runner up to Thailand over this trip, giving the winner first run and leaving herself too much to do. She is sure to have learnt plenty from that experience and is likely to be much more prominently placed today. Her trackwork since the run has been superb, SurajNarredu takes the ride and she looks to be the one to beat and is most likely to emerge victorious.
CONCLUSION :-A tough race with plenty of potentially smart types but Missing You did enough on her debut to indicate that she was good enough to win this and with the benefit of experience, is selected to prevail today. Conscience and Resolute appeal the most among the unraced runners while God’s Plan and Cliffs of Capri are also respected.
Race No. 6 :- The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Grade 1) -Terms, 4Years Old Only – Distance :- 2400M
PIONEER :- Phoenix Tower colt trained by Malesh Narredu, he is the winner of the Pune Derby and has been successful in 4 of his 7 starts so far but has not had a run since his Pune Derby win and it would be an incredible Training feat if MaleshNarredu could get him ready to win this first time out. Leading 3 year old in his juvenile season, he looked the best of the local challengers in the Poonawalla Million but ran very poorly and followed that up with another poor effort in the Bangalore Summer. He looked on the way back to form when reappearing in Pune and getting up late to score over 7 furlongs before running a creditable 3rd to Excellent and Adjudicate in the S.A. Poonawalla Multimillion conceding weight all around before his fairytale win in the Derby. He has been working well and had a Mock Race about 10 days ago and P. Trevor takes the ride but it looks a very big ask for him although he does look to be right there on form.
SACRED ROMAN :-Holy Roman Emperor Colt from the stables of Pesi Shroff who looks to be improving with every run and could possibly be peaking at just the right time. He has run just 5 times so far so is one the least raced of the principal runners and looks to be progressing with each step up in trip. Winner of a 7 furlong maiden in Pune on his 2nd run, he went on to score over a mile in Class III, putting in a workmanlike performance on both occasions and doing just enough to win. He ran a fair 3rd in the Indian 2000 Guineas finishing almost 7 lengths behind Star Superior but narrowed that gap considerably in the Ruia, going down fighting by just half a length. He stands a good chance to turn the tables over the extra 400M, looks a strong staying type and could very well prove to spring a surprise and topple them all. Dark horse .
SIR CECIL :-Champion unbeaten colt from the yard of S. Padmanabhan who looks to be extremely special and is 8 from 8 so far and already a multiple Classic winner, proving his Class when holding off Star Superior to win the Indian 2000 Guineas. The longer trip should be to his advantage, and he looks head and shoulders above this lot but he has had his preparations hampered by some niggles and a setback which kind of levels the playing field. There is no doubt that if fully fit he is most likely to emerge victorious but if not 100% then it is possible that he may get upset today. David Allan his usual saddle partner takes the ride and connections are quietly confident so all going well, he should be the one to shine and establish himself as one of the all time greats. Hot favourite.
STAR SUPERIOR :- Top class colt in his own right and the pride of the Rajesh Narredu stable, he has won 6 of his 10 starts and has been an age old rival with Sir Cecil, duelling with him on 3 previous occasions and coming off 2nd best every time. He showed good resilience to come and catch Sacred Roman late on in the Ruia, winning a shade cosily by ½ a length but there are serious stamina concerns over him travelling the extra 400M. He has been immaculately prepared, looks as well as can be and his final spurt was superb so with regular rider Suraj Narredu in the saddle, he cannot be ignored and if staying the trip, should be right there in the fighting line.
ADJUDICATE :-Suddenly emerged from out of the clouds to challenge the Colts and looks a very serious out station contender who has made remarkable improvement over the last couple of months. Racing in Western India for the first part of her career she was well held by both Pioneer and Excellent on a couple of occasions but appears to have been transformed once moving into the care of James Mckeown. She was a facile winner of the Kolkotta 1000 and 2000 Guineas and perhaps gave her best performance yet when thrashing the field in the Kolkotta Derby, clocking a fast time in the process and winning by a large margin. She has the big advantage of being a proven stayer over this trip but will be partnered by a new jockey as David Allan has to ride Sir Cecil and A. Sandesh takes over the mantle. She clearly should be a potent force and has the potential to topple the colts so cannot be taken lightly.
EYES FOR YOU :-Another well bred and improving filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who looks a bit short on class compared to some of these but proved she stayed well when finishing runner up to Roberta in the Oaks. She too has had just 5 starts so looks capable of making further improvement and Robbie Downey who rode her last time out keeps the ride. She appears to be a rank outsider in this company but stays well and may just pull off a stunning upset.
CONCLUSION :-It is hard to oppose a fully fit Sir Cecil and in all likelihood it is he that will emerge victorious but there has been a cloud surrounding his preparation and his build up has not been ideal. At the likely cramped odds a lucrative alternative could be Sacred Roman. He came to within half a length of Star Superior in the Ruia Cup over 2000M and could well turn the tables over the additional 400M. He seems to be improving with every run and looks likely to stay well. Adjudicate also looks a very real danger having showed she stays the trip and winning as she pleased in a fast time and is also feared
Race No. 7 :- The Padmini & Gobind Jhangiani Million – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
STAR COUNCILLOR :-6 year old gelding from the Karthik G stable who has a poor overall record of just 1 win from his 15 starts having also finished runner up on 3 occasions. He has had 2 unplaced runs this season but has been eased in grade after a long time into Class III and has a positive jockey switch with A. Imran Khan taking over in the saddle. He has been working extremely well since his last run so looks in good form at present and if returning to his best form, looks capable of having a say and should not be ignored.
INTENSE STYLIST :- 4 year old gelding who is in the care of S.K. Sunderji and has a 50% strike rate, having won 3 of his 6 starts so far and looks best over 1400M. A wide margin winner of his first 2 races in Pune he found himself stretched by the mile trip when collared late on by Truly Epic on his final start but began the season well giving weight and a beating to Merlot and Jetfire. He came up short in the 2000 Guineas finishing mid division and has been working very well since then. He lookd to be a leading contender on form and must be respected with P. Trevor in the saddle.
MOZART :-Top drawer 4 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who has run just 5 times so far winning twice and displayed a high level of form in his juvenile season. Beating fitter Oomph over 1200M on debut when not fully fit, he went on to finish a close 2nd to Pioneer in the Breeders Produce Stakes beating Adjudicate and went on to claim the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas in Ooty. He returned from a long absence last time out but ran a forward race before weakening to finish 3rd behind Valegro and should be much fitter and sharper for the run. Akshay Kumar takes over in the saddle replacing N.S. Parmar, he is likely to have improved and now looks a strong contender to return to the winner’s circle.
BETWEEN THE WATERS :- Stable companion of Intense Stylist as also owner mate and will be ridden by NeerajRawal and has also looked a progressive sort although confined to sprint trips so far. He has won twice and finished runner up twice in his 5 runs so far, winning fluently over this trip on his penultimate run beating Shivalik Queen and last time out unlucky to be hampered at the start but still finishing on strongly to be runner up to Joplin over 1000M. He will relish the return to this trip, NeerajRawal takes the ride and although it looks hard to trouble the 2 principals he could be involved for minor honours and is likely to finish in the frame. Each way contender.
FLAMING MARTINI :- Well bred and progressive 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla, she has shown excellent improvement this season and comes into this race bidding for a hattrick after 2 back to back wins over this trip on her last 2 starts. Beginning the season finishing runner up to La Rondine, she went on to score a wide margin maiden victory next time out but was hard pressed by Perpetual Winning last time out and will need to find some more improvement against what looks to be tougher opposition. She seems to be well within herself and David Allan retains the ride so she cannot be left out of consideration but needs to progress further if she is to complete her hattrick.
PABLO :- Another lightly raced and improving 4 year old, this one from the yard of Sanjay Kolse he is yet to finish outside the first 3 in his 5 runs so far – winning once and finishing 2nd and 3rd twice. He returned from a 3 month break last time out to finish an excellent close 2nd to Steppenwolf and is sure to come on for that run although he has now been upped in grade. A. Sandesh takes the ride, he looks to be working quite well and could cause a flutter from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :-Highly competitive but the main contenders appear to be Mozart and Intense Stylist and they are likely to fight out the finish.
Race No. 8 :- The Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Million – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
MIGHTY WARRIOR :-6 year old gelding from the Karthik G stable and it would be a memorable win if he could claim this race in honour of his illustrious late owner. He has run 7 times so far but showed improved form last time out when sprinting clear of Chosen One to score his maiden win over course and distance. He is still relatively unexposed over this trip so could unlock further improvement, is up 5 ½ kilos for the win and Bhawani Singh keeps the ride. He looks to have a strong chance to repeat and must be considered.
JULIO CESARO :-4 year old gelding who is one of 5 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard in this field and appears to be the best fancied of the lot with C. Umesh taking the ride. He has run 11 times so far mainly over this trip and after failing to see out his races early in his career, scored a fluent maiden success on his last start in Pune beating Clark Kent convincingly in a fast time. He needed a run this term to find his feet but looked like he was ready for another success when finishing a good 2nd to Sharareh over this trip. The two of them are likely to be closely matched again today but he seems to be in good nick and looks a strong contender to return to winning ways from the No. 1 rail draw.
BONAFIDE :-Improving 4 year old filly who is owned and trained by Deepesh Narredu and finally gained a maiden win at the 6th attempt last time out when scrambling home to score from Night Watch. The form of that race has not worked out all that well so she will need to improve again and although YashNarredu takes the ride and she has only been penalized 4 ½ kilos, she may find it tougher in this company and place seems a safer option today.
TRUE GRIT :-Well bred 5 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who returned from a short break last time out to score his 2nd career victory from his 10th start on his seasonal reappearance, well ridden by Parbat Singh to win decisively by 2 lengths from Golden Horde. He will no doubt improve for that run and strip fitter today and a 4 kilo penalty seems fair. He has been working well since the run, R. Ajinkya takes over in the saddle today and he is likely to make a bold bid to repeat and provide a quick encore.
DIVINE POWER :- Enigmatic 4 year old gelding from the Altaf Hussain yard who has been working his way back into form after losing his way since his maiden success last season over course and distance. The return to 5 furlongs seemed to suit him on his final run in Pune when making late headway to finish runner up to Skysurfer and he seemed disinterested last time out when making his seasonal debut, alerted only late on and finishing on to be a leisurely 4th behind Sharareh and Julio Cesaro. That run should have put him spot on for this, N.S. Parmar takes over in the saddle for N. B. Kuldeep and he looks a strong each way player and can strike if he has his galloping shoes on.
SHARAREH :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who after running suggestively on a couple of earlier occasions, showed a smart turn of foot to gain her maiden success over Julio Cesaro last time out. She could have won with a bit in hand as she seemed to idle when hitting the front and the switch from Bhawani to P.S. Chouhan is a big positive. She looks to have further improvement in her still and a quick encore is dangerous to rule out. Respected in spite of her penalty.
CONCLUSION :-A very tricky finale where run of the race could play a crucial role and hard to recommend anyone with certainty. Shararehis put forward as a tentative suggestion in the hope that she will improve and gain confidence from her win and seemed to have a bit in hand last time out.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
