From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 10th March 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 09 Mar 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 10th March 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Ronaldo Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
KHARTOUM :-Lightly raced but well performed 5 year old gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who has had 6 starts so far and won on 2 occasions and seems to be returning from a setback with a new ownership. Runner up in each of his first 2 starts – over 1400M on debut in Pune and then just pipped by Grand Accord over a mile in Mumbai, he went on to shed his maiden tag at the 3rd time of asking, scoring a convincing win over Artus over 2000M and going to repeat over a mile next time out, easily beating Jager Bomb and the odds on favourite Admo. He seemed to suffer some sort of a setback then and returned after a 6 month break on the final day of Pune to finish 4th to Roberta over 2000M. He has had just a solitary run this season in his new colours, running a decent race to finish 4th to Spitfire over this trip, and should come on for that effort. He has been working well since that run and with Jockey Akshay among the winners this season, he looks likely to be involved in the finish and looks to have a good each way chance.
KINGSMAN :- Well bred and improving 5 year old gelding trained by Deepesh Narredu, he made a belated racing debut just this season finishing on eye catchingly from the rear to be 4th to La Rondine over 1200M and was a hot favourite over 1400M next time out but got going late and went down by a whisker to My Precious. He duly made amends next time out scoring easily by 3 lengths from Aurora Australis who is much better off at the weights with him today. He repeated that success upped to a mile next time out when convincingly beating Classicus by 2 ½ lengths and was not disgraced in his hattrick bid, finishing 4th but beaten only a length by Flying Visit and may still have further improvement. He has been working well of late, P.S. Chouhan takes the ride today and although out on the scale with Aurora Australis, he should have improved enough to beat her again today. Leading contender.
WESTERN FRONT :-Rapidly improving 4 year old gelding from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has been in fine form this season and seems to be improving with every run, now bidding for a hattrick after back to back middle distance wins. After being given 2 easy runs in Pune to get him fit, he seemed to really come into his own in Mumbai, first finishing runner up to more fancied owner mate Vintage over 1400M and then went on to shed his maiden tag upped to a mile next time out when comfortably beating Rogue One by a length and looking value for more than the official margin as he seemed to idle once in front. He was even more impressive over 1800M last time out when defying the handicap with Rogue One and going on to beat Kimberella by 1 ¾ length. He is up a further 4 ½ kilos but seems to be progressing still and with S. Zervan in the saddle again today, looks to have an excellent chance to complete his hattrick and is greatlt respected.
PABLO :- Progressive 4 year old gelding who is a full brother to Confiance and Si Gentillesse and has down well in his 6 race career so far, winning just once but never finishing out of the first three in all his races and is stepping up to this mile trip for the very first time. Trained by Sanjay Kolse, he scored his maiden success over 1200M in the recent Pune season, easily beating Outrageous and Lethal Steps before finishing 3rd to Costa Brava and Flag Flying upped to 1400M which looks strong form. He has had 2 starts this season, just failing to catch Steppenwolf over 1200M on his reappearance run in December and then finishing a close 3rd to Flaming Martini and Mozart again over 1200M on Derby Day. There is no reason why he should not get the mile trip, he has been working exceedingly well and with the in form A. Sandesh in the saddle, looks a danger to all and must be seriously considered.
AURORA AUSTRALIS :-Veteran 6 year old mare from the stable of Hosidar Daji who has run 18 times till date but only found form during the recent Pune season. She scored back to back wins in her first 2 starts there, shedding her maiden tag over 1400M and going on to repeat under a penalty before running a good 2nd to Grand Tenton in her bid for a hattrick. She has not been that effective in 3 starts this term but did finish runner up to Kingsman on her penultimate run and is 7 lengths better off with that rival on that run so for those who go purely by handicap, she should finish ahead of Kingsman. However, she ran poorly over this trip last time out and seems to have lost her form for the time being. Amyn Merchant here regular saddle partner is up again today and although she does look to have a chance on paper, she looks vulnerable against the younger horses and may have to wait a bit longer to get back to the winner's circle.
CONCLUSION :-A tricky opener and the ones to focus on appear to be Kingsman, Western Front and Pablo. Kingsman has shown good form and may have been freshened up by the short break while Western Front appears to be improving with every run. Pablo is tackling this longer trip for the first time but finished on well last time out and should get it.
Race No. 2 :- The Mulraj Goculdas Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1400M
HOLY SMOKE :-Well performed 7 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who used to be a force to reckon with in his younger days but just seems to have lost a bit of his zip in recent times. Winner of 7 of his 26 starts he has been struggling since scoring his last win over 1200M back in December 2017 and although he has run respectably on several occasions, he has not looked like being able to repeat that feat anytime soon. He has had 4 starts this season, running respectably in small fields and did finish runner up to Bateleur over 1200M on his penultimate run before running 4th in the S.C. Jain. S. Zervan who has been riding him most of the season keeps the ride and he is likely to finish in the frame again but looks to be more of a minor berth contender and winning looks very tough in this company. Rank outsider.
BATELEUR :-Injury plagued but classy 5 year old gelding in the care of Vishal Gaikwad, he has a 33% strike rate from his 9 starts so far and has done well this season when returning from a year off the track although he has raced only over sprints so far. Finishing a good 2nd to Iron Age on his reappearance, he went on to score a wide margin victory over 1200M and was made favourite in the S.C. Jain after the withdrawal of Ruffina but ran below par to finish a poor 5th. He seems to have been freshened up after that run as his workouts have been good and he moved impressively in a Mock Race 2 weeks ago where he finished ahead of Mystic Bay. Neeraj Rawal is back in the saddle replacing Leigh Roche, the step up in trip is likely to suit him and if his legs hold out, he looks the most likely to add another bracket and is strongly fancied.
GRAND ACCORD :-5 year old gelding from the Karthik G. yard who has developed into something of a mile specialist with all his 5 previous wins in his 15 race career having come over that trip. He was in cracking form towards the end of the last Mumbai season and continuing into Pune, scoring 3 wins in a row over this trip and adding a 4th on his reappearance this season, pipping Brainstorm close home. However, he seems to have lost his way somewhat in his last 3 starts albeit in tougher company and needs to find a way to bounce back. Good apprentice K. Nazil has been booked to ride, the drop to 7 furlongs is not ideal but he could have a say in this small field and should not be overlooked.
EYES FOR YOU :- Improving 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who has the maximum scope to improve in this field having run just 6 times but has to cope with a marked drop in trip after contesting the Oaks and the Derby in her last 2 starts, finishing runner up to Roberta on the former occasion. She did finish a close 3rd the last time she contested a handicap over this trip but her mark has taking a beating because of her classic performances and she may be a bit too high in the scale for what she has achieved. Man of the moment A. Sandesh takes the ride, she receives weight all around and looks to have to beat Bateleur to win this.
CONCLUSION :-Bateleur is the selection here in spite of his poor performance last time out as he looked to be in good form before that and moved well in his most recent Mock Race. The 7 furlong trip should prove more suitable and if he does not feel his legs, he should win. Eyes For You is the obvious danger but the negatives against her are that she is taking a marked drop in trip after having been trained for a mile and a half and may have lost some of her zip and also, she is very stiffly handicapped for a winner of just 1 race and Sandesh may have to overcarry 1-2 kilos as well.
Race No. 3 :- The K. M. Munshi Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1000M
IRON AGE :-Speedy 4 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who has won 4 of his 8 starts so far for an excellent 50% strike rate and excels over this minimum trip. He has run thrice this season after scoring impressive back to back wins in Pune over 1000M, coming up short on the 2 occasions that he contested 6 furlongs although the last of those was in the S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship but scoring an easy win the only time he ran over 1000M, winning comfortably from Bateleur with several of these in behind. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness in his most recent workouts and returning to his pet trip of 1000M, he looks hard to oppose. S. Zervan gets the ride today, he has bagged a good draw in Stall 2 and in spite of conceding weight all around, appears to be the most likely winner.
EXCELLENT GOLD :-Well performed 5 year old gelding who is one of two runners for Narendra Lagad in this field and will be ridden by K. Nazil with stable jockey Dashrath Singh opting for Wild Fire. He has won 4 of his 16 starts so far, all his 4 wins coming in a sequence after gaining his maiden victory over this trip back in September 2017 but he has been struggling with the handicapper since gaining his last success in December 2017. All his 3 wins since his maiden victory have been over 6 furlongs and in fact he drops to this trip for the first time since his maiden win which looks interesting. He has run well in his 4 starts this season, finishing 2nd to Gazino a couple of runs ago and was favourite last time out and ran a forward race before weakening to finish 4th. It will be interesting to see what tactics are adopted today as he went to the front last time out but he looks an interesting outsider and could spring a surprise.
BESHIKTASH :- Lightly raced and enigmatic 5 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji who does not appear to be the easiest of rides but clearly has plenty of ability as he is a winner of 4 of his 11 starts. He too has never tackled this 1000M trip as yet having raced only over 6 and 7 furlongs and is returning from a 3 month break so will have fitness to prove. His only run this season came back in December where he finished on well with the same rider up to pip Lesrel over 1200M. It is uncertain whether he will have the speed to tackle this trip to the minimum trip but his last couple of workouts have been impressive and he cannot be ignored.
WILD FIRE :- Very speedy 5 year old grey who in fact is the course record holder over 1000M in Pune and is another who is a specialist at this minimum trip but has been woefully out of form for some time now. More exposed than many of these, she has raced 24 times so far, winning on 4 occasions but has run poorly in her 5 starts this season. The only reason why she merits consideration at all is that she has been ridden mainly by whipless apprentices this season and this is the first time that Dashrath Singh takes a leg up. She has come down to Class II company now and if she has her galloping shoes on then she has the potential to upset.
POKERFACE :-Improving 5 year old gelding trained by Nosher Cama and to be ridden by retained Jockey P.S. Chouhan. He has won 4 times in 15 starts so far and has been making steady progress up the handicap ranks and comes into this fresh off a win in the lower class over course and distance. He has run 4 times this season, all over the minimum trip, finishing runner up to Riquewihr on the opening day and then after a couple of 4thplaced finishes, scored a fluent unfancied victory over Charging Tigress with the feeble B. Nikhil in the saddle. He has only been penalized 4 kilos for the win which looks fair but is now upped in grade and is not certain to confirm the form with Charging Tigress in spite of being better placed at the weights. He looks to have each way claims here and should make a bold bid to repeat.
CHARGING TIGRESS :-Still retains her zest for racing at age 7, this versatile mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha has won 4 of her 37 starts so far but has also placed on as many as 18 occasions and is usually quite consistent. She has had a feeble 5 kilo claimer up on her last 3 starts and showed signs of coming back to form last time out when finishing on strongly to be runner up to Pokerface. The booking of A. Sandesh today catches the eye, she looks to be in good heart and if building on that last effort, she looks capable of sneaking into a place although winning against the younger horses looks tough.
CONCLUSION :-Iron Age is confidently selected to get back to winning ways, dropping back down to his per trip and looks hard to oppose. Pokerface appears to be the main danger while Beshiktash is capable of springing a surprise in spite of returning from a short break.
Race No. 4 :- The Jayramdas Patel Gold Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
KENNEDY :-Lightly raced and still improving half brother to Jacqueline from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he does not appear to possess even half the ability of his illustrious sister but looks open to further improvement after just 3 starts and seems to be a late maturing type. Given plenty of time to come to hand as he looked a backward sort initially, he missed his 3 year old season and made his racing debut as recently as December, hard ridden throughout over a mile and ending up 3rd to Golden Hind. Upped to this trip next time out, he again made hard work of it but began to draw away in the closing stages and ultimately scored by 3 lengths from Retained Asset and Fanfare. Connections decided to take a shot at the Bangalore Derby on only his 3rd start but he was way out of his league and finished in the ruck. He has been given time to strengthen and improve since returning and reappears now at a much more realistic level. He has not been given any trackwork since the last month or so and S. Zervan gets up in the saddle today replacing Leigh Roche. He still looks likely to improve as he matures and is fancied to get back to winning ways today.
FLEUR DE LYS :- 4 year old filly who began her career in the care of S. Waheed but has now moved to the stables of Imtiaz Sait and has run just 6 times so far so has the scope to improve further. She scored her maiden success over a mile in Pune, making all the running and kicking on well to hold off Golden Hind but then ran poorly when favourite on handicap debut next time out and did not race again that season. She looked to have improved on her reappearance here when finishing runner up to Notting Hill over 1400M but then again disappointed last time out when only 5th to Lorraine. She is returning from a 2 month absence on her first start for her new yard and looks to have improved judging from her most recent workouts. She steps up to this more galloping trip for the first time, looks likely to be suited by it on pedigree and with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, looks a very strong contender to gain another success.
BRAZOS :-Exposed but consistent 6 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard he is a winner of 2 of his 19 starts and has been in good form in his last few starts. He has also finished runner up on 4 occasions including in his last 3 starts, having been 2nd on all 3 starts this term. All his 3 runs this season have been over 2400M finishing runner up to Tar Heel on his reappearance and then going on to chase home Momentum the last twice. He looks to be holding his form quite well and should not be troubled by the shorter trip but looks less likely to improve than the lightly raced 4 year olds. A. Sandesh being in the saddle is a positive and he clearly does merit consideration but may find one of the younger horses improving past him.
IT'S A DEAL :-6 year old gelding from the yard of Faisal Abbas who seems to have a similar profile to Brazos having won 2 of his 24 starts. He had come down considerably in the scales and took advantage of that to score his 2nd career success on his opening run of the season beating Arrecife over an inadequate 1400M with the same rider up. He was promoted to this class and has been quite consistent in 3 runs since, making the frame on all 3 occasions and finishing 3rd twice, last time out to Star Aligned and Strong Storm. The step up to this trip looks likely to suit him much better as his maiden win came over this trip and he should not be ignored with Amyn Merchant back in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-The well bred Kennedy is likely to be a warm favourite here but he may be worth taking on today with the comparatively as unexposed Fleur De Lys. She looks likely to be suited by this step up in trip and seems to have improved since moving to ImtiazSait. With Kennedy not really having shown a high level of form till now, she could be able to tackle him today.
Race No. 5 :- The C.N. Wadia Gold Trophy (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2400M
CAPRISCA :-Beautifully bred but inconsistent 5 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has an excellent overall record of 6 wins from his 18 starts, amongst his successes a fluent win in the Indian St. Leger in Pune but he also has several below par efforts amongst those victories including the last twice when running poorly in the Jiwajirao Scindia and the Eclipse. He began the season with a good effort over a mile when a late finishing 2nd to Cambridge in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy but flopped as a short priced favourite when only 4th of 5 to Jack Frost next time out and was found to have bled thereafter. He may have needed that run in the Eclipse to regain some fitness and as a tester and is likely to be fitter and sharper today. The step up in trip is also likely to suit him and the booking of A. Sandesh catches the eye. He looks to have a strong chance if running upto his best but there will always be a niggling doubt with him and he comes with plenty of risks attached.
MATHAIYUS :-Top class 6 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who's promising career has been plagued by injury problems but he has still managed to win 8 of his 13 starts and was himself a St. Leger winner in his Classic season. However, he broke down after his Leger win and was off the track for a year and a half, making his comeback in the Eclipse Stakes this season where he was given an easy run as he was clearly short on fitness. That run should have put him spot on for this contest and he moved well in a recent Mock Race. He is another who clearly has injury concerns but if he has returned to close to his best, he looks hard to oppose with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle.
B FIFTY TWO :-7 year old gelding from the ImtiazSait yard who's best years seem to be behind him now and his runs this season have been generally disappointing. He has run 5 times this season a few of those in handicaps but has not managed to score in spite of some relatively easy opportunities and was found out by Turning Point last time out over a mile. His stamina also seems to be stretched over this 2400M trip and he is likely to be the pacemaker for Caprisca. S. Zervan takes the ride today but the small field may play to his strengths and if allowed an easy lead up front and to control the pace, he may spring a surprise.
VULCAN :-6 year old colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who is a confirmed stayer over the trip and has generally been in good form this term and has less injury worries than most of these in the field. He can front run although his runs this season have been from off the pace so it will be interesting to see what tactics will be adopted today off bottom weight. Dashrath Singh takes the ride today, he has been working well of late and in spite of lacking the class of the Classic winners, he looks capable of upsetting at the weights and is dangerous to ignore.
CONCLUSION :-The classy Mathaiyus looks to have found a good opportunity to continue his already impressive record and should win this easily if back to his best. Caprisca looks a very real danger but has problems of his own but he should be a threat if not bleeding and running upto his ability while the bottom weighted Vulcan can also upset.
Race No. 6 :- The Nadia Mary Homi Wadia Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
CASTILIAN :-Speedy looking debutant from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad who's sire was a Champion Sprinter in the UK and looks to be a speedy sort on paper. A paddock check is clearly advised to ascertain his condition but he appears to have been given enough work to be fit and ready to go. Akshay has been booked to ride today but he has been among the winners this season and it would be no surprise if he got his career off to a winning start.
TRACK STAR :-Once raced Leitir Mor gelding trained by Altaf Hussain who was sent off favourite in a weak 1000M maiden as he looked the fittest of that lot but was outdone by lesser fancied stable companion Silver Flames and could only finish 3rd. He should clearly benefit for that run and strip fitter today and the jockey switch from Amyn Merchant to A. Sandesh is a big positive. He has not been drawn the best in Stall 10 but the yard seems to be in good form at present and he should run much better than last time out and be involved in the finish.
ATHULYA :- Phoenix Tower filly with a speedy pedigree who also comes from an in form yard, being trained by S.K. Sunderji and is having her 3rd start having had 2 runs already over the minimum. 6th to Ms Boss on her debut, she finished on late over 1000M next time out to be a close 6th to Oui Savage, making up good ground from the rear suggesting that this additional furlong would be to her advantage. She has been working well since the last run, S. Zervan takes the ride again today and she is another who is worthy of each way consideration and can improve enough to be a factor.
BELENUS :- 3 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who created a good impression on debut over this trip, showing good speed to lead for a long way before going down to possibly fitter Gallantry. She is likely to have improved from that run and learnt from the experience and seems to have maintained her form judging from her subsequent workouts. She has bagged the Plum rail draw to boot and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle taking over from Robbie Downey, she is likely to attempt to make all the running and looks a strong contender to go one better.
MIRABILIS :- Once raced 3 year old filly from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who catches the eye on pedigree, being a full sister to Your Royal Majesty and is likely to have improved plenty from her debut effort. She made no show on her debut over this trip back in January when finishing 10th behind Thailand but was probably out for an airing that day and should be fitter and sharper today. N.S. Parmar who rode her first time out keeps the ride, she has been fitted with a tongue strap today and in spite of being drawn very wide in stall 12, is dangerous to ignore and should leave her debut run well behind.
TRISTAR :-Interesting looking debutant from the stable of Nosher Cama, this daughter of Surfrider has been moving quite pleasingly in her morning workouts and looks to be an interesting prospect. From a family that has produced some decent types in the past such as Long Range, winner of 4 races in Hyderabad, News O'Star (2 wins) and Tinogona and Native Lady in Western India, she is another who is worth a cursory check in the paddock and with retained rider P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and a good draw in Stall 2, is capable of being involved.
CONCLUSION :-Belenusshowed good speed on debut and with a good draw and the advantage of experience is fancied to give the Todywalla stable another 3 year old winner. Mirabilis is nicely bred and expected to run much better than on debut while Castilian also looks a speedy sort and is considered
Race No 7 :- The Angelique Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
ISINIT :-Aged 7 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi who has run 42 times so far, winning twice and placing on 13 occasions as well. She has looked to be in fine form this season, running consistently over sprint trips in similar contests and scored the 2nd of her career wins over 1000M back in January. She has managed to place in all her 3 starts since, last time out ending up a good 2nd to Angels Harmony in a similar contest. She looks to be very well within herself at present, in form 3 ½ kilo claimer M. Ayyar has been booked to ride and she is likely to run well again today and has a strong each way shout.
PULVERIZE :-Unexposed and relatively untried 4 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik Ganapathy he has run 11 times so far without success but has tumbled down in the weights as a result and looks quite attractively handicapped at present. He did end up a faraway 2nd to Valegro over 1400M on his final run of the Pune campaign and has run respectably in his 2 starts this term. After being ridden by the feeble A. Prakash last time out, decent apprentice Vishal Bunde takes over in the saddle today and having run a forward race last time out, he looks capable of being involved and is one worth keeping an eye on with potentially more scope for improvement.
EBONY :-5 year old mare trained by Altamash Ahmed who has been knocking at the door for some time now but is still a maiden after 14 starts. She usually tends to be quite consistent and has placed in 3 of her last 4 starts, again running well last time out when 3rd just behind Isinit and is likely to win one of these before too long. A.S. Peter who has been riding her this season is up again today and although she has been drawn wide in Stall 12, she is another who looks capable of scoring and must come into consideration.
RAIN DANCE :- Aged and exposed 7 year old mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who is another who has come down significantly in the weights and looks to be on a handy mark at present. Winner of 3 of her 36 runs so far, her last win came in April last year off a mark of 30 and she is now rated 25 so looks to be well placed. She has had 4 runs this season and has run suggestively the last twice when dropped back into this grade, last time out making up a lot of ground from the rear to finish 5th to Bhaktawar. She has been working quite well of late, S.S. Baria takes over in the saddle from D.R. Shubham and she is an outsider who could spring a surprise and is worth taking into consideration.
RED CARNATION :-Maiden 4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has run 8 times so far over a variety of trips and has managed to place on 3 occasions. He has had 2 starts this term, needing the lung opener over 7 furlongs on reappearance and ran promisingly over this trip last time out when finishing on to be 3rd to El Commandante and has now been eased in grade. J. Chinoy takes over in the saddle today, he looks the most fancied of the yard's 3 runners and with further improvement likely, he looks to have a very good chance to claim his first success.
WHO'SYOURDADDY :- Another well bred and potentially unexposed 4 year old, this one from the yard of MaleshNarredu, he has been tried mainly over longer distances so far and has been unplaced on 5 occasions but has been showing speed in the morning gallops and drops down to sprinting for the first time today. He had a run over 7 furlongs a couple of weeks ago as a lung opener with a feeble 5 kilo claimer on board and has S. Zervan in the saddle today which is a marked improvement. He has been working very well for a while now and if reproducing his excellent track work, looks a leading fancy to score here and must be respected.
SHE IS A SPY :- 4 year old filly trained by S.S. Shah who has a similar profile to Red Carnation, having run 8 times and placed on 2 occasions and she has generally been in good form in 3 starts this term. Going very close to opening her account on reappearance when just failing to catch Bourbon Princess, she finished 5th to El Commandante next time out and was 3rd to Tasch last time out over this trip. She looks to be finding some consistency over this trip and A. Sandesh returns to ride her replacing Dashrath Singh. She looks to hold a good each way chance in this company and is another who should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-Tough finale as always and it is probably better to concentrate on the 4 year olds. Red Carnation may be the answer here, having finished a good 3rd to El Commandante last time out in the higher class and with scope for further progress. Who'syourdaddy has been working well and also looks a danger with Zervan up today while Pulverize and She Is A Spy complete the shortlist.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
