From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 10th February 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 09 Feb 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 10th February 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Sonny Brar Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 2000M
GLORIOSUS :- 5 year old gelding who is one of 2 runners from the Imtiaz Sait yard and has developed into quite a consistent handicapper over middle to long distances with his record reading 4 wins 4 seconds and 4 thirds from his 17 starts. He has been in particularly good form this season with 2 wins and a 3rd from his 3 runs so far. All his runs have been over 2000M this season, beginning with a fluent victory over Lucky Luciano, and turned out again quickly, scoring a decisive 3 ½ length victory over Gold Bond and last time out in his hattrick bid ended up a close 3rd behind Lord of the Sea and Supreme General in a Class I contest. He looks out handicapped against a couple of these, 4 ½ lengths worse off with his stable mate for their last meeting but appears to have held his form throughout the season and is reunited with Robbie Downey who is unbeaten on him, having ridden him to both previous victories. He does have to concede weight all around here but looks in good form and is capable of defying the handicap.
TEXAS GOLD :- Slightly erratic but well performed 5 year old trained by Hosidar Daji, he is a winner of 5 of his 18 starts till date and comes into this race fresh off a fluent win over Excellent and Arabia over a mile with the same rider on board. He has gone up 4 kilos for the win but more significantly is tackling this 2000M trip for the very first time although his style of racing suggests that it should not be a problem. In fact, he has only gone beyond a mile once when racing over 1800M last season and that run culminated in a win where he had Gloriosus back in 4th and is better off with him on the weights for that run. He looks to be in good form at present, K. Nazil gets along with him well and he is expected to make a bold bid for a quick encore and must be given a strong chance to repeat.
BRONX :- 5 year old gelding in the care of Nosher Cama, he is the most lightly raced and probably the most progressive amongst these seasoned handicappers, having run just 6 times till date and managed to win 3 of those for a 50% career strike rate so far. He too has been in good form this season, almost giving 6 ½ kilos and a beating to Derby 4th Sacred Roman on his reappearance, going down by a whisker and last time out taking advantage of a straightforward opportunity to score a confidence boosting win by 3 ¼ lengths over Augustus Caesar. Both his runs this season have been over a mile so he too is tackling this trip for the first time but looks likely to get it. He has been well rested since his last run, seems to have maintained his form and condition and with regular rider P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, looks set to defy his 5 ½ kilo penalty and win this in good style. Leading contender and likely favourite.
GOLD BOND :- Stable mate of Gloriosus and is better placed than him on the scales from their last meeting but seems to have lost his form this season and needs to bounce back quickly. Winner of 4 of his 14 starts so far, his 4 wins came one after the other over varying trips but he travelled down to Mysore after his most recent win in September, finished down the field there and does not seem to have recovered since then. He has run thrice so far this season, finishing runner up to Gloriosus on his reappearance but then going on to run poorly the next twice and has not looked at his best till now. He is well placed on the scales and Neeraj Rawal takes the ride so he has possibilities on handicap so cannot be totally ignored although he does not inspire confidence.
SAGITTARIUS :- Very interesting 5 year old gelding trained by Sanjay Kolse who has run 11 times so far, winning twice and finishing runner up on 5 occasions and made a pleasing comeback last time out when returning from a 3 month break to finish a good 2nd to Bold March with both Texas Gold and Gold Bond behind him that day. He is sure to improve for that run and strip fitter now and will be suited by the step up to this more galloping trip as his previous wins have been over 2000 and 2400M. He seems to have the measure of all of these on the handicap and is running at a feather weight of 44 kilos. Good apprentice A.S. Peter has been booked to ride today replacing Niranjan S Parmar who rode last time and if he can build on that last effort then he is likely to try and make all the running and looks to have an excellent chance to succeed on the handicap.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky opener in spite of the small field but the two to focus on here appear to be Bronx and Sagittarius. The former is a progressive sort with a smart pedigree but is tackling this trip for the first time and has a stiff 5 ½ kilo penalty to contend with so it may be worth taking a chance on Sagittarius. He has proven form over the trip, had a nice lung opener over a mile and is likely to try and control the gallop from the front.
Race No. 2 :- The Tapped Cup – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
FINEST MOMENT :- Got abroad6 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G he is lightly raced for his age and has run 13 times so far, scoring his maiden victory on his 11th start last season when winning with aplomb over 2000M in Class V. However, he ran dismally next time out so does not appear to be completely straightforward and reliable. He made a promising return to racing over 1400M about 5 weeks ago when running after a gap of 8 ½ months and finishing on well to be 3rd to Safdar in an older horses contest, clocking a good time and he is now eased into the lower grade. He is likely to improve for that run, Bhawani Singh takes the ride and in spite of conceding weight all around, he looks a strong each way player and is dangerous to ignore.
AURORA AUSTRALIS :- 6 year old mare from the Hosidar Daji yard who has a nice pedigree and turned out to be a late bloomer, only finding form during the recent Pune season. She has a record of 2 wins from her 17 starts so far, both wins coming back to back in Pune over 1400M and she finished a close 2nd to Grand Tenton in her hattrick bid. She has run twice this season, both times in 5 year old& over races and after needing a lung opener over 6 furlongs first time out where she finished 5th, looked on the way back to form on her last effort when finishing runner up to Kingsman again over 1400M. She should not be troubled too much by the step up to a mile but is taking on younger horses as well today which could prove to be a stumbling block. Amyn Merchant who has been riding her in her last several races and knows her well is up again today and she is capable of scoring but looks more of a place prospect today and will likely fight it out for minor honours.
STRONG STORM :- Well bred and highly regarded 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who has run 8 times so far but has not quite lived upto expectations yet and after scoring her maiden win on just her 2nd start, has failed to progress. She was tried in the regional Monsoon Classics, finishing a faraway 3rd to Realms of Fantasy in the Deccan Fillies Championship but then finishing tailed off in the Mysore 1000 Guineas. She made a decent reappearance on her first run this season when finishing on to be runner upto Lucky Luciano over this trip but then ran poorly in the Indian 1000 Guineas and finished a faraway 6th to Lorraine over 1400M about 3 weeks ago. She has been working well since that run and could improve again but needs to show a little more on the track before being supported and looks to have just an upset chance today with P. Trevor in the saddle.
STAR ALIGNED :- Well bred and lightly raced 5 year old mare trained by Pesi Shroff who appears to have multiple problems resulting in her having only run 5 times till date. After getting 2 easy runs during the end of the last Mumbai season she showed what she was capable of when scoring a convincing 3 ½ length win over Daughterofthesun over a mile. However, next time out upped to 2000M, she ran a wretched race when finishing a well beaten 4th to In It To Win It and ran a shocker on her only run this season when tried over 2400M and finishing last of the 6 runners behind Tar Heel. She has been rested and given time to improve since then, the drop back to her winning trip seems to be logical and what is encouraging is that she has been working well with Class I horses from the yard. She does have a bit to prove after the last run but has the scope to improve and looks a strong contender with Leigh Roche up if reproducing her excellent work.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT :- Well bred and sparingly raced 4 year old filly trained by Altamash Ahmed, who is taking a marked step up in trip after having raced over sprints till date. She returned this season after an extended absence and ran promisingly over 1000M first time out when runner up to Highland Empress but came a cropper when tried subsequently over 1000M. She is worth a try at this significantly longer trip and is open to improvement after just 4 career runs. Neeraj Rawal as usual takes the ride and she is an unknown quantity and could prove to be a dark horse who can upset if suited by the step up to this trip.
LABURNUM :- Once raced 4 year old filly trained by Sanjay Kolse, she is another unknown quantity who could be capable of being better than her current mark. Making her debut over 1400M last month, she ran a forward race before retiring to finish 9th and she should have learnt plenty from that run and stripped fitter. The booking of A. Sandesh today catches the eye and a paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition. She is open to plenty of improvement on just her 2nd career start and looks another dark horse here.
HONOURABLE EYES :- Exposed 5 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard he is still a maiden after 11 starts and appears to have his limitations and does not seem to be progressing as expected. He has raced over distances ranging from 6 furlongs to a mile and a quarter and his best effort to date came over a mile on his 3rd run where he ended up a close 2nd to Massimo. He has run several times since then without creating an impression although he did finish on over 2000M last time out to be 3rd behind Emotionless and Jager Bomb. S. Zervan who rode him last time out keeps the ride, the step back to a mile should suit but it is suspected that one or two of these can improve past him and he looks to be more of a minor berth contender.
CONCLUSION :- The well bred and lightly raced Star Aligned is selected to get her career back on track over a trip which she has won over in the past. Both Fundamental Right and Laburnum are unknown quantities who look capable of upsetting while Finest Moment is also respected
Race No. 3 :- The N. M. Irani Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds only – Distance :- 1400M
THE CHEETAH :- Once raced Dean’s Kitten colt trained by young Deepesh Narredu, he made a promising start to his racing career over what looked a sharp 5 furlongs when finishing 4th to Ms Boss without being given an unduly hard time and is likely to have learnt from that experience and improved considerably. The runner up and 3rd placed horses that day have gone on to run well subsequently so the form looks good and the step up to 7 furlongs is expected to suit. He has been working well since the run, is expected to improve and with Yash Narredu in the saddle, seems to be a strong contender in this company.
VICTORIOUS SERMON :- Debutant colt from the Vishal Gaikwad stable, he has been showing out quite well in the morning gallops and looks to be a promising sort who has had enough work to be fit and ready first time out. P. Trevor has been booked to ride suggesting that connections fancy their chances and he must be respected as coming from a powerful yard. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness and he is entitled to come on for the experience but could be good enough to tackle this lot first time out and should not be left out of calculations.
DREAM :- Arazan filly who also looks a promising sort on paper, being a half sister to Classic winner Realms of Fantasy and also to the well performed The Ministerian and is trained by Nazak Chenoy. She too ran a promising race on debut in a strong maiden over 1200M making good late progress to finish just outside the frame behind Thailand and is expected to improve for the run. She too has looked to have improved judging from her recent track work and the switch from Amyn Merchant to A. Sandesh is a big positive. She has been fitted with a tongue strap today as well, looks likely to improve for the additional furlong and is another who appears to have strong form claims and stands a good chance to shed her maiden tag today.
ÉCLAIR :- Half sister to the enigmatic Uncle Scrooge, she is trained by Dallas Todywalla and also made a promising debut over this trip 3 weeks ago although in what looked to be a weaker race, finishing runner up to Makhtoob and should hold Walk The Talk on that run. She too is likely to improve for the experience and strip fitter and has been working very well since the run. Neeraj Rawal takes over from N.S. Parmar in the saddle today and although she does need to improve on the bare form, she looks to have a good each way shout and must be considered.
NEKHBET :- Another debutant, this one from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he is a half brother to Multi Classic winner Classic Style and is likely to develop into a strong staying type, looking a smart sort on paper. He has been given mainly easy workouts till date and looks likely to need this lung opener but could have enough class to tackle this lot first time out. A paddock check is clearly advised to ascertain his fitness but Leigh Roche has been booked to ride and if looking fit and well, he could be good enough to take this.
CONCLUSION :-Dream and The Cheetah both made promising debuts in decent quality maiden and look likely to improve so should fight this out with the benefit of experience. Of the debutants, Victorious Sermon looks the fitter of the two but Nekhbet could possibly be the classier and both are capable of scoring first time out.
Race No. 4 :- The Dr. Jagjit Singh Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
FRIEZE :- Well bred and lightly raced 4 year old representing the in form combination of the Poonawalla family and Altaf Hussain, she is returning from quite a long break, having last raced in October. She began her career in fine fashion, winning her first two races in good style but then came up short in the F.D. Wadia Trophy, finishing last of the 7 runners behind Excellent. She was given a break before reappearing in October over this trip in Class III, where she ended up a modest 3rd to Triple Threat. She appears to have been well prepared for her reappearance run and the booking of A. Sandesh suggests that connections fancy their chances. She is still unexposed in handicaps, has been eased in grade and with the yard in red hot form, she looks capable of having improved over the break and looks to have a strong chance in spite of conceding weight all around.
TENERIFE :- Well bred but exposed 5 year old mare trained by S. K. Sunderji who has managed to win 1 of her 9 starts till date, the win coming towards the end of the last Mumbai season over this trip. She seems to need a lung opener every season before finding form and hence should improve for her earlier run this season where she finished up well beaten over 1000M. She has been working quite well since the last run indicating that she has improved and she was quite progressive over this sort of trip earlier. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride, she has bagged the No. 1 rail draw and if returning to her best form she looks an each way player.
KING KHALIL :- Well bred and highly rated 4 year old gelding trained by Deepesh Narredu who is turned out again quickly after having been withdrawn last week when refusing to go into the gates and is having just his 3rd start so is expected to have further improvement. An impressive winner over 7 furlongs on debut he travelled to Hyderabad to contest the Deccan 2000 Guineas but came up short on just his 2nd career start. He has been working very well since returning back to Mumbai although the 6 furlong trip may be on the sharp side. He likes to dominate so is not ideally drawn in Stall 13 but looks a classy sort and appears to be a leading contender to resume his upward curve with Yash Narredu in the saddle.
ARABIAN STORM :- Speedy 6 year old gelding who has had a busy career, winning three of his 26 starts so far. He is bred to want longer distances but has been effective over this sort of trip and has had 3 runs this season so should be fully fit. He has come back down to his last winning mark so looks to be well placed on the scales and appears to be the most fancied of the yard’s 3 runners with S.A. Amit booked to ride. He has bagged a good draw in Stall No. 2 and can fight it out for minor honours although winning looks tough against some promising younger horses.
CONCLUSION :- The lightly raced and potentially smart King Khalil is selected to resume his winning ways after an unsuccessful visit to Hyderabad in spite of the trip being slightly sharp. Top weight Frieze shapes as the main danger if fit and ready to go after the break
Race No. 5 :- The Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Grade 2) (Terms, 4 Years Old & Over) – Distance :- 1200M
BATELEUR :- Very promising 5 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who was a Classic prospect in his juvenile season and returned this season after a long absence and seemed to relish the drop to sprinting, winning fluently over this trip last time out in Class I. Overall a winner of 3 races from his 8 starts, his earlier wins came over middle distances but he returned from over a year off the track and finished runner up to Iron Age over 1000M and duly built on that last time out when trouncing Holy Smoke and Clymene to win by a wide margin. He has been supplemented as a final entry for this race so connections must think that they have a serious chance and Leigh Roche takes over from Neeraj Rawal in the saddle. In spite of being unsuited by the Terms of the race he looks to be an upcoming sprinter in the making and must be respected on his first foray into Group Race company.
LINCOLN :- 5 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff yard who has been a quality sprinter in his own right, winning 5 and finishing runner up 6 times from his 17 starts so far. He ran Ruffina very close in the Sprinters Cup last year but while she seems to have thrived and blossomed since then, he appears to have taken a backward step although he began this season with a convincing win over this distance, easily beating Perfect Star, He was fancied to stretch Ruffina over 1000M last time out but in spite of receiving 8 ½ kilos finished well beaten. It looks near impossible to beat her now at level weights but Neeraj Rawal now takes over from whipless apprentice and if returning to his best form, he could come into the reckoning.
ST. ANDREWS :- Classy 6 year old gelding trained by Bezan Chenoy who developed into a solid Group Race performer and has been acquitting himself well without winning in Group company. Winner of 4 races from 18 starts he was runner up to Ruffina in The Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy and made a pleasing reappearance this season when runner up to Clymene over a sharp 1000M and is now better off at the weights. He should improve for that run and be suited by the step up to this trip and P. Trevor has selected him over Iron Age which could be significant. It once again looks impossible to beat Ruffina on the scale but he should be a strong contender to follow her home and could take the 2nd spot.
IRON AGE :- Improving 4 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who appears to be best over 1000M but is worth a try at a race like this and should give a good account of himself. Winner of 4 of his 7 races so far, he ran poorly over 1200M on his seasonal reappearance when 5th to La Magnifique but bounced back quickly dropped to 1000M when easily beating Bateleur on similar Terms. Robbie Downey takes over in the saddle today, he has been working well since the win but will need to be held up for the longest time and delivered at just the right moment. Outside chance to upset.
RUFFINA :- The queen of sprinting and one of the best horses to have graced the Turf in the last several years, this could conceivably be her last run on the Mahalaxmi track as she may be retired to Stud after the Sprinters Cup this year. Winner of 12 of her 14 starts and dominating all before her in her last 4 wins in a row, she appears to be in the form of her life although run close last time out by New England over 1400M. She is way better than the rest of the field on official ratings and is now at level weights after having conceded lumps of weight to them in the past. David Allan who knows her implicitly takes the ride, she looks the class act in this field and it is very hard to see her lose barring a mishap.
CONCLUSION :- The brilliant Ruffina looks almost impossible to oppose on paper and should romp home on these terms on possibly her last start on the Mahalaxmi track. St. Andrews and the potentially smart Bateleur should fight it out for the runner up spot.
Race No. 6 :- The Sprungli Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
BHAKTAWAR :- Fashionably bred but dickey legged 6 year old gelding who is in the care of C. Rajendra and finally gained an overdue maiden victory last time out at the 12th time of asking. Having threatened to score on a couple of occasions in the past, he looked a shade unlucky on his penultimate run when flying home to be a close 3rd behind Eagleinthesky after getting left at the start over a mile. He made no mistake last time out with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle over this trip scoring by just under 5 lengths over Allegria. He has been given a 5 ½ kilo penalty for that win but remains in the same grade and Neeraj Rawal keeps the ride. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness since the run, should have gained confidence for the win and looks to have a strong chance to repeat.
SIXTH EMPEROR :- 4 year old gelding who is one of 3 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard and is open to improvement having had just one previous run. Making his debut over 1200M in mid December, he lost his chances by getting left in the gates and was not given a hard time finishing last of the 9 runners. He is sure to have learnt from that experience and should strip fitter and is totally unexposed having just his 2nd start. He has a decent pedigree so could be better than his current mark, N.B. Kuldeep takes over in the saddle from K. Nazil and he could be a potential dark horse who could spring a surprise at a long price.
WESTEROS :- Once raced, nicely bred and highly regarded 4 year old colt from the Dallas Todywalla yard he is returning from a lengthy absence but has been judiciously prepared to have a bold show on his return and is expected to run a very big race. He made a promising debut last season over 1200M when not unduly punished to be finish 3rd to Run Forest Run in the Banarsidas Million in a reasonably strong field and has been well prepared for his return and also moved well in a recent Mock Race. He is entitled to need this run after the long absence but should be better than his current handicap mark and with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, looks capable of scoring if fit and well.
SUPER MARIO :- Unexposed and untried 5 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who has run thrice so far all over 1000M and run suggestively to finish just outside the frame the last twice. He is stepped up to 7 furlongs for the first time and is expected to be suited by more galloping ground. After being ridden by Amyn Merchant in his first 3 starts, good 5 kilo claimer A.S. Peter has been booked to ride today, he has been working well and is another unexposed improver who could be better than his current mark and looks to have a good chance to score.
NIGHT WATCH :- Well bred 5 year old gelding who is trained by S.K. Sunderji and looks open to improvement after just 5 career starts. After doing nothing of note in his first few starts, he seems to have found form this season and has been working very well right from the start of the season. He was a hot favourite on his seasonal reappearance over 1000M and got going far too late when finishing on strongly to be runner up to Bonafide but then ran poorly next time out over 1200M when he most likely did not give his true running. He continues to impress on the morning gallops and is now stepped up to 7 furlongs. P. Trevor is back in the saddle today replacing C.S. Jodha who was up last time out and if he is able to reproduce his excellent trackwork then he looks a very strong contender and could very well shed his maiden tag today.
ARTISTA :- Another unexposed and well bred 4 year old filly from the MaleshNarredu yard, she comes from a good Indian family, with her dam having produced the likes of Windstream, Nifty and Irises. She was quietly fancied on her racing debut over 1200M but failed to show speed and finished up a well held 6th behind Stormy Atlantic. She has had time to strengthen and improve over the winter and is bound to have come on from her debut experience. She was withdrawn on her intended reappearance on the opening day of the season but her recent workouts have been eye catching and she is sure to improve. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness and with Yash Narredu booked to ride, is another who has possibilities and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-An open looking contest but with the Sunderji yard currently in red hot form, it may be profitable to take a chance on Night Watch. He has been working very well for a while now and did not give his true running last time out. Artista and Westeros are both potential improvers and must be respected and last outing winner Bhaktawar also cannot be ignored.
Race No. 7 :- The Sprungli Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
FLIPPER :- 4 year old gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who is lightly raced and capable of being better than what he has shown so far. Making his debut only at the end of the Pune season, he has run thrice so far and showed a little improvement on his last start in the higher grade and now drops into the lowest class. He appears to have improved judging from his recent work and is unexposed so is capable of making an impression with in form R. Ajinkya in the saddle.
ACTIONABLE :- Nicely bred and unexposed 4 year old filly trained by MaleshNarredu who comes from a good family with her half brothers Logano and Power Shadow decently performed in Western India. She too was given 2 runs towards the end of the Pune season and finished well beaten on both occasions but is likely to have made some improvement over the winter. She is trying this trip for the first time and may be needing this lung opener but has been working well of late and could have the potential to surprise. Vishal Bunde takes the ride today and she should be observed in the paddock for fitness but is another worthy of consideration in this large field and could very well be involved.
DREAM TRAIL :- 5 year old mare trained by NosherCama who is another who has been untried till now, having run 5 times mostly over sprint trips although he did race over 1400M last time out. She is having her first run of the season but appears to have been well prepared for her reappearance and the booking of P.S. Chouhan suggests that connections fancy their chances today. The betting will probably be indicative of her chances but if there is money for her then she is sure to be involved and have a say in the finish. Do not ignore.
HI HO SILVER :- 4 year old grey filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard who looks to be improving with her racing and showed good improvement this season, showing signs of ability on her seasonal reappearance when making good late headway to finish 4th to Myrcella over 1200M. She is likely to improve for that run and strip fitter and has been working well since the run indicating that she has improved. She has bagged the No. 1 rail draw, Neeraj Rawal retains the ride and in this large field lacking strength in depth she looks to have a good chance if building on that last effort.
ROMANTIC EYES :- Maiden 5 year old mare from the stable of Imtiaz Sait who has run 12 times so far without success. She has gone close on a couple of occasions and ran possibly her best race on her seasonal debut over this trip when finishing a very close 3rd behind Sweeping Move and Dragonmoss. She ran poorly upped to 2000M last time out but now returns to this trip and the booking of P.Trevor catches the eye. She looks to have strong each way claims if running upto the same level and is another who is worthy of each way consideration.
LOVELY FAIRY :- Another promising and improving 5 year old mare from the stable of C. Rajendra she has run 14 times till date without success but appears to be coming to hand in her last couple of starts and is another who seems to have come down to a decent mark. She has run suggestively both starts this season and last time out finished a close 3rd over this trip to Alsace. She is capable of building on that last effort and with K. Nazil retaining the ride, looks a strong each way player and should be involved in the finish
CONCLUSION :- Lots of possibilities but not much form to go by and this race is probably best left alone from a betting standpoint. There are many unexposed types in the fray and the betting will probably give a clearer indication. Hi Ho Silver is just a tentative suggestion put forward as she ran promisingly last time out and has been working well to boot.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
