From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 21st February 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 20 Feb 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 21st February 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
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Race No. 1 :- The Noble Opinion Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
STRONG STORM :-Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who has run 9 times so far, scoring her solitary victory over course and distance on her 2nd career start last season and has been working her way back into form over handicaps after being campaigned in a number of regional Classics as well as the 1000 Guineas. She looked to be coming back to form last time out when running a forward race and kicking on to finish runner up to Star Aligned and seems to have maintained her condition since that run 11 days ago. P. Trevor who usually rides her retains the ride and she looks to have each way claims but may find a couple of these too tough to concede weight too, including owner mate Sullivan and is likely to be involved in the minor places.
SULLIVAN :- Lightly raced and improving owner mate of Strong Storm, this 4 year old gelding is also nicely bred and is trained by Pesi Shroff and has run just 3 times so far, scoring his maiden success last time out over course and distance when finishing on well to get the better of Jetfire. Making his debut last season, he ran a good 3rd behind Mozart and Oomph which looks strong form but seemed to suffer a setback after that and did not race again until January this year where he finished on promisingly to be 3rd to Findlerhof. He duly built on that last time out with a maiden success and is expected to improve further on just his 4th start. S. Zervan who rode him last time out keeps the ride and the 5 kilo penalty may not be enough to stop him. Leading fancy to repeat.
ABERLOUR :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding from the stable of Altamash A. Ahmed, he has run 7 times till date but does not appear to be totally straightforward, scoring a maiden victory over a mile in Pune in the lower class. He has had 3 runs already this season so fitness should not be an issue and finished on strongly from the rear on his penultimate run over 1400M to be a flying late 3rd to Kingsman. However, he was not so good last time out when only 6th of 7 to Flying Visit although that was in the higher class. He is dropped back down in grade today, S.A. Amit takes the ride and if building on the form of his earlier run, he does have possibilities and can be involved.
MEDICI :- Another lightly raced 4 year old improver, this one from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, he too has had 7 runs so far and only ran once or twice a season in his first couple of seasons but seems to have come to hand this term. After finishing 4th in his first 2 runs this term, over 6 furlongs and a mile, he showed a smart turn of foot over this trip last time out to score a resounding maiden success over Pleiades who has gone on to frank the form. He has a 6 kilo penalty to contend with for that win but he seems to have maintained his form and fitness judging from his subsequent workouts. A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle today from C.S. Jodha and with some more improvement likely he shapes as the main danger and should make a bold bid to repeat.
WEEHAWKEN :-Interesting 5 year old gelding from the NosherCama yard who has taken his time to come to hand is also very lightly raced, having had just 3 prior starts, all of them quite well spaced out. He has a nice pedigree coming from the same family as stalwarts like In The Spotlight and Ray of Light and after 2 unplaced efforts in his first 2 runs, showed some zest for racing on his seasonal reappearance over 1200M when finishing 3rd to Flying Visit. He has been working very well since that run so is expected to improve and should appreciate the additional furlong. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and he is an unknown quantity who could trouble them all and may be worth chancing at a price if looking fit and well.
CONCLUSION :-Sullivan won fluently last time out and is selected to go in again with his main danger appearing to be another impressive last outing winner Medici. The well bred Weehawken can also improve and is respected and feared
Race No. 2 :- The D.W. Reid Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
SPITFIRE :- 4 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff yard, he was a one time Classic hopeful and has been well travelled throughout his 10 race career, competing in several regional classics and acquitting himself fairly well without winning. After doing well in his juvenile campaign, finishing runner up to Star Superior in the Shapoorji Pallonji Colts Championship, he summered in Ooty finishing 4th in the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas and chasing home My Opinion to be runner up in the Nilgiris Derby which is over a mile. However, he came up short in the Bangalore Colts Trial finishing 5th behind Sir Cecil and was put away, reappearing early this season and scoring his 2nd success in Class III over 1400M beating Timeless Deeds by a little over a length. He ran respectably in the Calcutta 2000 Guineas when 4th to Adjudicate and then went down south to run 5th to Arabia in the Chennai equivalent. He was probably in need of the run last time out when reappearing on this track, running a forward race before retiring to finish 4th to Texas Gold. He has been eased in grade now, should be fitter for the run and P. Trevor takes over in the saddle from S. Zervan. He looks to have a strong chance to get back to winning ways but faces another improving sort in Flying Visit who may be a bit more progressive.
FLYING VISIT :- Lightly raced and progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he made a belated debut only this season and has quickly developed into what looks an above average type, winning 2 of his 3 starts. Outclassing the opposition over 6 furlongs on debut, he scored a wide margin success over 6 furlongs and had an excuse next time out over a mile when jumping awkwardly from the gates, refusing to settle early on but still finishing on well to be runner up to Golden Hind. He duly made amends last time out over this trip, making all the running on this occasion and kicking on well to beat Snowden and Truly Epic. He looks likely to improve again for the run and Robbie Downey is back in the saddle replacing S. Zervan. He may just have a bit more scope for progress than Spitfire and is just given the edge in receipt of 3kilos. Leading contender to go in again.
QUESTIONABLE :- Half brother to Anatevka from the S.A. Waheed yard, this 5 year old gelding has also made good improvement during the recent Pune season, scoring back to back victories over 7 furlongs and after having a lung opener early in the season, looked set to resume his progress last time out when finishing to be runner up to Safdar although he is not weighted to reverse the form. He has been working well of late so looks to have come up from his last effort and P.S. Chouhan as usual takes the ride. He does have possibilities and can be involved but may find the two 4 year olds too strong for him. Each way candidate.
SAFDAR :- Well bred 6 year old gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan who seems to have been revitalized in the last 6 months, claiming 2 of his 3 career wins during that period including on his penultimate run when making all to score from Questionable by 2 ½ lengths. The booking of A.S. Peter in place of Neeraj Rawal offsets his penalty somewhat and gives a chance to confirm the form with Questionable, he is likely to try and make all the running in this small field and off the low weight, looks to have an outside chance to upset.
CONCLUSION :-This should be a straight fight between the 2 improving 4 year olds – Flying Visit and Spitfire with an edge to the former who may have a little more scope to improve and is in receipt of 3 kilos.
Race No. 3 :- The Blurr Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years & Over – Distance :- 1200M
AME :- Aged and exposed 7 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who is a veteran of 40 races having won twice before but placed on 10 occasions. He is usually effective in this grade and over this sort of trip and the booking of A. Sandesh today suggests that connections fancy their chances. He did not race during the Pune season so returned from a long absence at the beginning of this season and has run 4 times so should have managed to regain fitness. He finished just outside the frame when back in this grade over 1000M last time out and with the additional furlong likely to suit, he merits consideration in spite of top weight and a wide draw.
ANDALUCIA :- Maiden 5 year old mare from the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji who is well bred and lightly raced having had just 5 runs so far so looks open to some amount of improvement and is running off a handy mark. Unplaced in her first 3 runs, she returned from a 5 month absence to finish a respectable 3rd to Dusky Siren over this trip and last time out did not appear to be overly interested when a leisurely 6th to Poco Azul over 1400M. She is returning from a 6 week break but has moved well in her most recent workouts and in spite of stable apprentice R. Ajinkya taking over in the saddle from P. Trevor, she looks a danger to all back down at this trip and appears to be one of the frontline contenders.
HIGHLAND WIND :- Another 5 year old maiden, this one from the stable of Rehanullah Khan, he too looks an interesting contender who has come down to a handy mark and does not appear to have been seriously tried until now. He has run 14 times till date of which his two decent runs have come over middle distances so it is interesting that he opens his current campaign over this trip. He has been rested and well prepared for his seasonal debut and P.S. Chouhan takes over today from Kishore Kadam which is significant. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition but if looking fit and well, he is worthy of serious consideration. Dark horse.
GOLDEN TOWER :-Sparingly raced 5 year old mare in the care of Imtiaz Sait who has run 9 times so far without success and seems to still not have come to hand just yet. She did show some speed over sprints towards the end of the last Mumbai season but ran poorly in her 3 runs in Pune. She did show signs of making some progress on her seasonal reappearance when finishing 4th to Isinit over 1000M and should be able to build on that performance. Raghuveeer Singh taking over from the feeble AniketKarande is a positive, she should strip fitter for that run and if she is able to unlock some more improvement, she looks to have each way claims and can be involved.
MACGYVER :- Like so many of these, this 5 year old grey gelding trained by S. Waheed is still a maiden but has been largely untried in most of his 13 starts and is better judged on his 2 efforts this term in similar events. Beginning his career with B. Prakash he was given time to come to hand and brought down in the scales and looked like he had found form when finishing on nicely on his penultimate start to be runner up to Fire Flame with today’s rider on board. He was well fancied last time out with P. Trevor up but could only finish 4th to Felix Felicis but that may not have been his true running and he deserves one more chance. He looks to be well within himself at present and seems to be primed for a very big run today.
TOP WIZARD :- Another aged and exposed handicapper this 7 year old from the Narendra Lagad stable has also come back down to what looks a handy mark but his overall win record is uninspiring having managed only 2 prior wins in his 43 starts. He showed that he retained zest for racing when just failing to score on his final run in Pune when a flying late 2nd to more fancied stable mate Dance of Fire and does not appear to have been tried in his 4 runs this season although he has run respectably. He finished 4th to Saffron Flower last time out with feeble 5 kilo claimer up and now has the services of Bhawani Singh which is a positive and from the No. 1 rail draw, looks a good value outsider.
CONCLUSION :-Many possibilities as is the case in these Class V events, but it may pay to go with Macgyver. He has been skilfully brought down to a handy mark and his last run is best ignored. Reunited with K. Nazil he can score. Andalucia and Highland Wind are also potentially better than their current marks and head the list of dangers
Race No. 4 :- The Brave Hunter Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
WESTERN STYLE :- Untried and unexposed 4 year old gelding from the stable of S.S. Shah who has had just 2 prior starts over 1400M being unplaced on both occasions and looks likely to be suited by more galloping ground. Both the runs have come in maidens so he is making his handicap debut and N.S. Parmar has been in good form this season and riding well. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and his track work since the run suggests that he has improved. There is no obvious form to recommend his chances but in this lowly grade, he is an unknown quantity and could spring a surprise. Considered.
ARRECIFE :-11 race maiden from the yard of Zadmal Singh, this well bred 5 year old mare has been in decent form this term and has made the frame in all her 3 starts so far. Just failing to get the better of Aberlour on her final start in Pune, she carried over that form here when a close 2nd to It’s A Deal over 1400M on reappearance and went on to run a faraway 3rd to Golden Hind, upped to Class IV next time out. Back down in this grade, she finished on late last time out to be a close 4th over 1800M to the reopposing Fanfare. She is slightly better off at the weights although has less scope to improve but should be suited by the extra furlong and with A.S. Peter in the saddle, looks a good each way prospect.
SMART VISION :- Well bred and untried maiden 6 year old gelding from the stables of Karthik G, he is another who has plummeted in the weights with a string of poor efforts and looks to be feasibly handicapped at present. A leap of faith is required to support him as he has shown no form in 3 runs this term and the only reason to consider him at all is that stable rider Bhawani Singh takes over in the saddle today after 3 runs with S. Jaykumar and he takes a marked step up in trip. He is a rank outsider who can cause a stunning upset and may be worth taking in the Jackpot Pool.
BENEVOLENCE :-4 year old filly with a nice staying pedigree trained by ImtiazSait and has run a couple of decent races in the past but is yet to pass the post first after 8 runs. She has placed on a couple of prior occasions over this sort of trip including a fair 3rd behind Artus on her penultimate run but she has to bounce back from a below par performance last time out when finishing well beaten over 2400M. The return to this trip is likely to suit, she can be forgiven one bad run and the booking of A. Sandesh today is encouraging. She looks to have each way claims in this field if regaining form and is another who must be considered.
FANFARE :- Steadily progressive China Visit 4 year old who looks to have finally come to hand this term and after ending up a faraway 3rd to Kennedy over this trip on reappearance, showed a good attitude to stick her neck out in a 3 way duel and score her maiden success over 1800M last time out, getting the better of Rogue One and Sylvester in a battling finish. The last named has gone on to strengthen the form last week and she is only up another 4 kilos of which 1 ½ are claimed by R. Ajinkya who takes over from C.S. Jodha today and has been riding well for the yard. She seems to be going the right way at present and is given a very strong chance to repeat if unlocking some more improvement.
CONCLUSION :-Fanfare showed a good attitude last time out to gain her maiden success and a 4 kilo penalty should not be able to stop her from successfully following up today. She is selected to get the better of Benevolence who can be forgiven a poor run last time out and the consistent Arrecife
Race No. 5 :- The Red Buttons Plate – Class IV & V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
PHILADELPHIA :-6 year old handicapper from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has won 2 of her 23 starts so far but is usually quite consistent over sprint trips. She has run thrice so far this season, beginning the season well when runner up to Romantic Warrior over 1000M and going on to score over 6 furlongs on her penultimate run, beating Dusky Siren convincingly by 2 ¼ lengths. She ran poorly when upped in grade last time out over 1200M but will be suited by the return to this class as also the return of Neeraj Rawal who seems to get the best out of her. She has top weight to defy in a competitive contest but is expected to leave that last running behind and from a good draw, looks to have an each way shout.
SLAM DUNK :- Another demotee, this one from the H.J. Antia yard, he has won twice from his 25 starts so far but has also managed to place on 9 occasions and has run forward races on all 3 starts this season. Taking on higher class opposition last time out with N. Nadeem in the saddle, he led for a long way and kicked on to finish a good 4th to Flaming Martini. He is now eased in grade into the lower class and S. Zervan takes the ride and he is usually a front runner so should not mind this drop to the minimum trip. He looks a very strong contender on the strength of his last run and in this lower grade, looks likely to succeed.
MALAVIKA :- Speedy 5 year old mare trained by Altaf Hussain who has been having a good spell at the moment, she is effective over this minimum trip and has placed on 8 occasions from her 15 runs but has managed to win only once. She looked to be in good form during the recent Pune season with some good placed efforts after scoring her overdue maiden success early in the season and is having her first run of the current campaign but seems to have been well prepared. Good 3 ½ kilo claimer M. Ayyar has been booked to ride, she has been given enough work so should be ready to go and if recapturing her Pune form, she should be right there at the finish.
RIDGEWOOD STAR :-6 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who is a stable mate of Philadelphia and seems to have a similar profile to her, having won 2 of his 24 starts till date. He did begin this season with a fluent win over 1200M, beating Rare Silver convincingly and finished on to be 4th to Flower Dust last time out again over 1200M. He may not be ideally suited by this minimum trip but has been working well of late and A. Sandesh is an eye catching Jockey booking. He is another who is worthy of consideration in this competitive event and can add some pep to the finish if in a galloping mood.
ROYSTON ROCK :-In form 6 year old mare trained by Sangramsingh Joshi who only recently seems to have hit form and after running quite consistently throughout the Pune season, scored her maiden success on her last start there and quickly added another on her reappearance, taking advantage of her lenient mark. She was dropped to this trip for her hattrick bid and made a brave effort ending up a close 4th to Hudson in a bunched finish and upped to 6 furlongs last time out again ended up a very close 4th to Choo Mantar with a feeble rider. She appears to be very well within herself at present and H. Zeeshan takes over today in the saddle. She has bagged the No. 1 rail draw, looks fit and well and should make a determined bid to earn another bracket and should not be ignored.
ADELE :-Speedy but quirky 6 year old mare trained by Nazak Chenoy who is a winner of just 1 of her 15 starts so far, finally scoring her maiden success over this trip in Pune when convincingly beating Romantic Warrior. She has been quite consistent in her next few starts, going very close to a back to back double when just failing to peg back Nextstar with Malavika back in 3rd that day. She made a satisfactory reappearance over 6 furlongs when finishing 3rd to Philadelphia whom she should be able to reverse the form with today. She has to bounce back from a poor last effort but she may have just been giving an airing that day with Amyn Merchant up and with P. Trevor returning to ride her today, she is likely to make a bold bid to gain another success.
CONCLUSION :-A tricky looking contest with several chances but Slam Dunk ran very promisingly against better opposition in the higher class last time out and now dropped in grade and taking on older opposition, he is fancied to score. There are plenty of threats including the in form Adele with P. Trevor up.
Race No. 6 :- The A.F. S. Talyarkhan Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
GALLANTRY :-Debutant chestnut colt from the Malesh Narredu yard who has been catching the eye in the morning gallops and also managed to win a recent Mock Race although he was stretched to hold on in the closing stages. He looks to have been well prepared to have a bold show on debut and A. Sandesh has been booked to ride. The only other foal from the mare, Venezia has been impressive in Kolkotta winning 2 of her 5 starts till date so there are positive signals from the pedigree as well. He looks set to run a big race on debut and appears to be one of the principal contenders.
ARROWHEAD :-One of 2 runners from the Pesi Shroff yard and appears to be the less fit of the pair judging from preparatory work. He catches the eye on pedigree being a half brother to Sacred Roman and should develop into a decent sort. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness but he appears to be a classy sort on paper and could very well be good enough to tackle this lot although the trip also appears to be on the sharp side. Leigh Roche takes the ride and although likely to need this outing he is very dangerous to ignore.
BELENUS :-Another attractively bred debutant, this one from the Dallas Todywalla yard she is a full sister to the highly rated Benefactor and has moved well in her limited amount of workouts and also jumped out well from the gates during stalls practice. Robbie Downey is an interesting booking for the yard and she is likely to give a good account of herself on debut and looks a strong each way contender.
BELGRAVIA :-The 2nd of the runners from the Pesi Shroff yard, this one will be ridden by P. Trevor and also has a smart pedigree being a full sister to Sullivan who runs earlier in the card. She appears to have been better prepared than Arrowhead today and might be the fitter of the pair. She has been given enough work to be fit and ready to go. She has bagged a decent draw in Stall No 3 and with those who have run not really having much form to go by, she looks a strong candidate to make a winning debut.
DIVIJA :-Another nicely bred debutant who catches the eye on paper this 3 year old daughter of Speaking of Which is trained by S.K. Sunderji although the other progeny of Congrats have not really fired. She too has been showing out well in the morning trials and is likely to be fit and ready to go. The yard has been in red hot form this season so she must be respected and is likely to be involved.
PROPERLY POSH :- The only runner amongst the fancied lot with prior experience having run a very promising race on debut when coming with a scything run from a long way back to look a big danger before her run flattened out but she was found to have bled after the race which is a concern. She is likely to have learnt from the education and stripped fitter and has been kept fresh since the run. The advantage of experience is clearly with her, Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and if she does not bleed again then she could trouble them all and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-With practically no form to go by here, pedigree, trackwork and paddock looks will have a say and a decision is best arrived after seeing the horses in the paddock. Those that should be considered look to be Gallantry, Belenus and the Shroff trained duo
Race No. 7 :- The Blurr Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :-6 year old gelding trained by Vinesh, he has won 2 of his 19 starts till date, the wins coming over 1400M but he should be able to tackle this shorter trip. His last was in January last year and he has run poorly since then so needs to show that he retains his old ability. He has come down markedly in the weights though and with in form apprentice M. Ayyar booked to ride, he looks an interesting outsider if he has his galloping shoes on.
FIREWINGS :- Earlier known as Cherry Blossom she is a well bred and lightly raced 5 year old who began her career with Pesi Shroff before being sold into her current yard and is a winner of 1 of her 10 starts till date. She won her maiden race on her 5th start over 1200M actually dead heating with Polyneices back in April last year. She has been out of form since then, running thrice in Pune and twice so far this term and has now been dropped in grade into the lowest class. She has had 2 runs this season so should have gained enough fitness and the booking of K. Nazil catches the eye. She is another who looks capable of striking off her current mark if able to put her best foot forward.
ISINIT :-Aged 7 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi who has managed to win just 2 of her 41 starts so far but has looked in fine form this season and has been running really well in her last few efforts. She scored impressively over 1000M a couple of starts ago in a similar contest and went really close to repeating over this trip last time out, worn down late by Pleiades close home. She has been turned out again quickly with H. Zeeshan taking over in the saddle today and has bagged the plum rail draw. She is likely to make a bold bid from the front again today and looks a strong each way contender.
MAKE IT SHINE :-Aged 8 year old mare from the yard of Vijay Kasbekar who has won 3 of her 38 starts so far and was in cracking form towards the latter half of the last Mumbai season over sprint trips. She seemed to go off the boil in Pune but has been running more promisingly back on her favoured Mahalaxmi track and has finished a close 4th twice over sprint trips recently. Her last run in the Higher grade was respectable and she has been working well. Raghuveer Singh who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she is another who must be considered in this very competitive finale.
FABERGE :-Lightly raced 5 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has the maximum scope to improve among this lot and has been in good form this term. He has run 7 times till date and after 5 unplaced efforts, showed good improvement in his last 2 starts, finishing a close 3rd to Bourbon Princess before being runner up to Felix Felicis last time out. He has been working well since the last run so could have progressed again and S. Zervan takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha. The yard is in excellent form at present, he has bagged a nice draw in Stall 2 and in this older company he stands a very good chance of shedding his maiden tag and looks a leading contender.
ANGELS HARMONY :-5 year old mare from the Altaf Hussain yard who has an unconvincing win record of just 1 win from her 21 starts, that win too being a totally unfancied win over a mile. She has been racing mainly over middle distances for quite some time now and returns to sprinting after a long time so may find the trip sharp. However, she has been given 3 runs this season to get her fit and A. Sandesh takes over for the first time this season replacing Akshay Gaikwad which suggests connections are strong. She may still have some wiggle room off her current mark and looks another who could provide some value but as an outsider only.
EBONY :- 5 year old mare trained by Altamash Ahmed who has been knocking on the door for quite some time now but has played bridesmaid on a number of occasions and is still searching for that first success. She went very close to beating Officer in Command over this trip on her penultimate start and last time out, was trapped wide throughout and could not give off her best. A.S. Peter who has been riding her retains the ride, she is worth giving one more chance too and is likely to be involved with a better draw today.
TRANSFORM :- 5 year old mare from the in form stable of NosherCama who has been relatively untried in her 15 race career but was a fluent winner in a similar situation when well backed last March. She has been skilfully brought back down in the weights since then and has hinted at a revival the last twice, finishing on to be 4th to Flaming Martini when last raced 2 months ago. She has been rested and well prepared since then, has been working well and P.S. Chouhan takes the ride. The yard has been doing very well with it’s older horses this season and she looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways
CONCLUSION :-A very difficult finale and probably best left without a wager. Transform is put forward as a tentative suggestion
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
