From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 14th March 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 13 Mar 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 14th March 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The W. Buckley Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
FANFARE :-4 year old China Visit filly from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who has run 9 times till date and managed to win once, the win coming on her penultimate start over 1800M when she narrowly got up to beat Sylvester and Rogue One and followed that up with a decent effort over this trip last time out when runner up to Benevolence. She appears to stay this trip well, looks to be in good touch and with R. Ajinkya retaining the ride and still in the same grade, she appears to have good each way claims and could possibly add another success.
SMART VISION :- 6 year old maiden gelding trained by Karthik G. who is relatively lightly raced having had just 15 starts, his best effort so far being a 3rd placed finish over 1200M which happened several starts ago and he has tumbled down in the scales with a string of poor efforts. He has had 4 starts so far this season, most of them with a feeble rider up and last time out was tried over this trip ending about 3 ¼ lengths behind Fanfare who was runner up that day. It is interesting to note that a decent rider has been booked for the first time today with K. Nazil taking over from Bhawani Singh and he could prove to be an interesting outsider who could add some pep to the finish. Worth keeping an eye on.
ROMANESQUE :- Nicely bred 4 year old gelding out of Multidimensional who is in the care of Imtiaz Sait and looks open to improvement after having had just 4 career starts so far. The dam Romantique has thrown one other foal called Vallerysthal who has won 2 of his 3 starts so far in Kolkotta so the pedigree looks smart. He did nothing of note in his first 3 starts, the first two of them over sprints and the last one over 1400M but he showed a little improvement when stepped up to a mile last time out, finishing 6th to Gold Medalist and just a neck behind Tianjin Honey who reopposes today. He looks to have improved further judging from his subsequent workouts and Neeraj Rawal now takes over in the saddle replacing S. Zervan. He is likely to make even more progress with more galloping ground and looks likely to be involved in the finish today if improving again.
TIANJIN HONEY :- Maiden 4 year old gelding trained by Nirad Karanjawala who has a very similar profile to Romanesque having run 5 times thus far and ran his best race over a mile last time out when making the frame and ending up 4th behind Sylvester. He too looks likely to relish more galloping ground and has been working very well since the last run. Dashrath Singh is an eye catching Jockey Booking taking over from T.S. Jodha in the saddle, he looks very closely matched with Romanesque on their earlier meeting this season and is another who is capable of being involved and merits each way consideration here.
ROSPOMARE :- Lightly raced and largely untried 5 year old gelding from the yard of Faisal Abbas, he has run 8 times so far without success but was untried in his first several starts and was fancied for the first time on his penultimate start over a mile but ran disappointingly to finish up 6th behind Western Front. However, he did show significant improvement last time out when taken to the front over 2400M, leading for a long way and kicking on well to finish a good 3rd behind Momentum. He has been working very well since that last run suggesting that he has made further progress now and the slight drop in distance is likely to suit. The booking of P. Trevor today suggests that connections fancy their chances and he looks likely to try and make all again today and is given a strong chance to succeed.
CONCLUSION :- Rospomare is the selection having run a cracker over 2400M last time out and is likely to try and make every post a winning one with P. Trevor in the saddle. The well bred and unexposed Romanesque appears to be the main danger while the well handicapped Smart Vision could add some spice to the finish and looks an interesting outsider.
Race No. 2 :- The Dr. A. H. Sayed Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
ARROWFIELD :- Nicely bred Phoenix Tower 4 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who has run 7 times so far and managed a solitary maiden success over 1400M in Pune. After needing his first couple of runs to get fit, he caught the eye on his 3rd run over 1200M when finishing on strongly from the rear of the field to be an eye catching 3rd to owner mate Lethal Steps. He was well fancied upped to 1400M next time out and duly obliged winning convincingly by 2 ¾ lengths from Daughterofthesun. He made his reappearance in Mumbai in a tough contest and did not run badly when finishing 4th to King Khalil beaten 2 ¼ lengths and was then taken to Hyderabad to contest the Classics. He did not run badly in the Golconda 2000 Guineas when a close 5th to Corfe Castle after getting a very troubled passage in the straight and he would have been much closer with a clear run. He went on to finish a fair 5th in the Golconda Derby won by Indian Pharaoh and now drops back to a mile. He is still relatively unexposed in handicaps, has been given time to improve and strengthen since the Hyderabad Derby and back in Class IV company and with P. Trevor in the saddle, he looks set to regain the winning thread and looks the one to beat here.
EXCELLENT SORRENTO :- 4 year old gelding from the Malesh Narredu yard who has run 5 times so far and has been struggling to find his ideal distance since scoring an impressive maiden victory on debut over 1200M. He was highly tried next time out when contesting the Rajendrasinhji Million over a mile but looked out of his depth and finished last of the 6 runners. He made a decent first appearance on the Mumbai track back in January when finishing a close 3rd over 1400M to Lorraine and Juno's Guest but was dropped back to 1200M next time out which did not suit as he could only place 6th of 11 behind El Commandante. He was tried over 1800M last time out and ran a little better when finishing a fair 4th to Western Front so logically, this mile trip should suit him. Yash Narredu takes over for the first time today, he has the scope to improve still on just his 6th start but needs to find his most effective distance and is probably best watched today.
BHAKTAWAR :- Fashionably bred 6 year old gelding trained by C. Rajendra who is a full brother to Indian 1000 Guineas winner Godspeed and just seems to be coming into his own. He has run 13 times so far but needed his first few runs and seems to have come to hand this season. He first caught the eye when finishing on strongly from the rear in spite of being left to finish a flying 3rd to Eagleinthesky and then went on to convincingly win his next 2 starts over 1400M in the lower class. He was a wide margin maiden winner on his penultimate start and turned out again quickly, scored by ¾ length from the unexposed Super Mario and has now been promoted and is bidding for a hattrick. He has only been penalized 4 kilos for his last victory and seems to have maintained his condition since the last run. Neeraj Rawal who has been riding him has been retained to ride, he appears to be progressing nicely with his racing and should make a determined bid to complete his 3rd win in a row. Danger to all.
DANCE THE DREAM :-Half brother to Jack Frost who is held in very high regard by his connections but seems to have lost his way since scoring a stylish debut success in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million over 1200M. He ran way below par in the Poonawalla Million last season and was off the track for 5 months then, reappearing early in the Pune season as a hot favourite again over 1200M but ending up only 4th to Grey Flannel. He did not race again in Pune until the final weekend when tried over 1400M but finishing a poor 5th behind Grand Tenton and has had one run so far this season, over 1200M when finishing a fair 4th to El Commandante and should be able to build on that effort. He has been given plenty of time to improve between his races and his recent workouts have been encouraging. It is interesting that he is stepped up to a mile for the very first time as his illustrious brother was effective once stepped up in trip and the booking of P.S. Chouhan catches the eye. He is probably best watched today but is capable of finding improvement over this trip and could be a dark horse who could upset at a price and should not be ignored. Interesting.
MEDICI :- 4 year old gelding from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji who showed good improvement this term and scored a fluent maiden success on his penultimate run, coming with a powerful run to easily beat Pleiades who has gone on to frank the form. He was a bit disappointing on his first start in this grade when only managing to finish 6th behind Aberlour with Sandesh in the saddle but that may have been a test run in this class and he could improve again. Sandesh keeps the faith and he is worth considering but may find one of two of these improving past him and looks to be more of a minor berth contender.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be an excellent opportunity for the Pesi Shroff trained Arrowfield to get back to winning ways having run well in the Hyderabad Classics and taking on much easier opposition today. He is confidently selected to get the better of the hattrick seeking Bhaktawar. For those looking for a long priced fluke, Dance The Dream could find some improvement over this mile trip and may be over priced. He looks the dark horse
Race No. 3 :- The Running Star Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
HIGHLAND WIND :- 5 year old Excellent Art gelding trained by Rehanullah Khan who is still a maiden after 15 starts but has run some decent races over this sort of trip in the past and gave signs of finding some form on reappearance when finishing on nicely to be a good 3rd to Ame over 1200M. He has been mainly out of form in his last several starts but has come down significantly in the weights as a result and looks capable of building on his opening effort in this weak field. P.S. Chouhan retains the ride, he should be suited by the additional furlong and with the yard in decent form, he looks a strong contender to shed his maiden tag in this company.
HUZZAH'S GRACE :- Inconsistent 5 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait who is another who seems to have slipped down to an attractive handicap mark and ran a suggestive race last time out when finishing 4th to Aberlour over this trip with the same rider up. Her solitary win in 19 runs came almost exactly a year ago off a mark of 24 and she is now rated 18 so she looks well in at the weights. After a string of poor runs, she did finish 4th last time out in the higher class and has now been eased in grade. H. Zeeshan retains the ride and if she is in a galloping mood and can build on that last effort, then she should be given a chance to score and looks a good each way option here.
NAVIGATOR :- 4 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad gelding who ran a very promising race over this trip on just his 2nd start when finishing a close 3rd to Oriana and Barbaresco which looks very strong form but he has gone backwards on that form in his next several starts and clearly has a bit to prove. He has had 3 starts this term, all of them over this trip and managed to finish a faraway 3rd to Medici on reappearance but has then run poorly on his 2 subsequent starts. K. Nazil is back in the saddle today replacing Dashrath Singh and he could be given an outside chance but the percentage call is to oppose him until he shows some improvement and he looks to have a small upset chance at best.
SHAPATH :- 4 year old colt from the small stable of Subhag Singh who has done nothing of note in his 9 runs till date but did make a little headway from the rear on his last run over 1000M and has been showing out quite well in the morning trials recently. There is no obvious form to recommend his chances but his recent workouts have been good and decent 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj has been booked for the first time replacing K. Nazil. He is likely to be suited by the step up in trip and could be a rank outsider who could pull off a stunning upset.
SMOKY HAZE :- Maiden 6 year old mare from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been knocking on the door in her last couple of starts and would possibly be the form pick in this field, having narrowly been beaten into 2nd in both of her early season runs. Pipped by a long neck by Rare Silver over 1200M on reappearance he got going far too late over this trip last time out and just failed to reel in Alsace, ending up an excellent close 2nd over this trip. However, she is returning from a short break, having not raced for just over 2 months and has had only one recent piece of work so does have fitness to prove. The booking of A. Sandesh speaks for itself and she appears to be a frontline contender and if resuming in the same vein as earlier in the season, should gain an overdue maiden victory.
LOVELY FAIRY :- Nicely bred 5 year old mare trained by C. Rajendra who has yet to earn a win in 15 starts till date and is closely matched with Smoky Haze on her penultimate run when finishing up a close 3rd behind Smoky Haze, beaten a long neck in receipt of 2 kilos so she is slightly worse off on the scale but has a stronger rider today with Neeraj Rawal taking over from K. Nazil. She has to bounce back from a poor effort last time out but even though she finished 9th she was only 6 lengths behind the winner. She looks to be an each way contender in this weak race and is another who must come into consideration.
CONCLUSION :- Races like this are usually best left alone from a betting standpoint but the two to focus on here appear to be Smoky Haze and Highland Wind and they are expected to fight out the finish
Race No. 4 :- The R.J. Kolah Cup – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1000M
PRICELESS GIRL :- Speedy but aged 7 year old mare trained by C. Rajendra who excels over this minimum trip but has been out of form for quite a while now and needs to bounce back. She was in rousing form during the last Mumbai campaign, securing 3of her 4 wins that season and went very close once in Pune when just collared by Charging Tigress close home in an older horses contest. She has had 4 runs so far this season so should be fit enough and does not appear to have been seriously fancied yet but good 3 ½ kilo claimer M. Ayyar has been booked today and she has bagged a decent draw in Stall 3. She does look to have a tough task against younger horses but is very speedy when at her best and should try and make every post a winning one. Upset chance.
BETWEEN THE WATERS :- Upcoming 4 year old sprinter from the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji, he has done well in his limited career so far, winning 2 of his 6 starts and also finishing runner up twice. He seems to be equally suited by both 5 and 6 furlongs, scoring his win this season over 1200M on his 2nd start and going on to finish a good 2nd to Joplin over 1000M next time out. He could only manage 5th behind Flaming Martini on his last start over 1200M but was in front until very close home before being overwhelmed and should be suited by the drop to the minimum. He has been working well since the last run and P. Trevor takes over for the first time today. The yard is in cracking form at the moment and while his main rivals have to convince they will be suited by the minimum trip, he is all about speed and looks a leading fancy.
FRIEZE :- Sparingly raced and well performed 4 year old filly trained by Altaf Hussain who has been having a great run of late, she did win her maiden race over 1000M last season but has been tried over further since then and drops back to this trip for the first time since that maiden win. Winner of her first 2 starts, the 2nd one being over 1400M, she ran a disappointing race in the F.D. Wadia Trophy in Pune and could only finish a poor 3rd to Triple Threat over 1200M on her last run in Pune. Back from a long break on her reappearance, she picked up fast and late to just fail to catch King Khalil over 6 furlongs and is sure to improve for that run and strip fitter. Sandesh retains the ride and she is better off at the weights but she may find this trip on the sharp side so is not certain to reverse the form. Each way candidate.
KING KHALIL :- Very progressive and smartly bred front running 4 year old trained by Deepesh Narredu who has won 2 of his 3 starts, thought good enough to contest the Hyderabad 2000 Guineas on just his 2nd career start and is 2 for 2 in handicaps having won on debut over 1400M and last time out just about lasted out to hold off Frieze over 1200M. He did have to use himself up to get to the front from his wide draw last time out and is drawn 2 this time which should suit him much better. He will also be running practically bareback with A.S. Peter claiming 5 kilos in the saddle and looks a very strong contender to keep his unbeaten record in handicaps and win this.
SHARAREH :- Speedy and progressive 4 year old filly trained by Rehanullah Khan who is turned out again quickly after having scored an impressive win over course and distance just last week in the lower class. She has only a statutory penalty to contend with for the last win but has been upped in grade against much tougher opposition and appears to be up against it. P.S. Chouhan who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she looks to be in fine form at present and should put in a good effort to try and repeat but looks more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :- Although dropping to this minimum trip for the first time, the promising King Khalil looks a very speedy customer and may be able to cope with this drop to the minimum and win this from end to end. Between The Waters looks to be the main danger along with the lightly raced Frieze
Race No. 5 :- The Running Star Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
CORMORANT :- Lightly raced and improving maiden 4 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who has run 5 times till date without success but looks to be slowly working his way into form this term. An impressive runner up over 1000M on debut in his juvenile season, he was well fancied in the B.K. Rattonsey Million but could only end up 4th behind Dance The Dream. He was off the track for a long time after that, reappearing towards the end of Pune after an 8 month break and was understandably when 4th to Julio Cesaro. Both his runs this term have been over 7 furlongs, finishing on nicely on reappearance to be an unextended 4th behind more fancied owner mate Findlerhofand last time out, finishing a close 5th to Hells Bells on Derby Day. That was his first run in a handicap and he has now been eased in grade into the lowest class and P. Trevor takes over for the first time. He should be fit enough after 2 runs this term, has been working well of late and looks to have an excellent chance to shed his maiden tag today and is greatly respected.
NIGHT HUNT :- Has a similar profile to Cormorant, having run just thrice so far, running suggestively in 2 seven furlong maidens in Pune and again making a promising handicap debut in the higher class when running a forward race before retiring to finish 5th to El Commandante over 1200M. He is sure to improve appreciably for that first run and strip fitter and is another who has been working well for some time now. He looks open to plenty of progress on just his 4th career start, looked quite fit last time out and with Akshay among the winners this season, is another who seems to have strong each way claims.
PRINCESS ELIZA :- Another unexposed maiden 4 year old, this one from the yard of Karthik G, she has had just 4 starts so far, finishing a promising 3rd over this trip after a long absence in Pune and then thrown in the deep end this term, contesting the Indian 1000 Guineas and Oaks where she was not disgraced. In fact, she led for a long way in the Oaks before retiring and now drops into much easier company. She has been well prepared since her Oaks run, should be better off at this shorter trip and with K. Nazil booked to ride, looks set for a bold show and is given a strong chance to score.
HI HO SILVER :- Maiden 4 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard who has run 7 times so far without a win to her name but seems to have found some improvement this term and has generally been running well in similar contests. She has run well all 3 starts this term, the last two over this trip and after being deemed a shade unlucky on her penultimate start when a close 2nd to Saffron Flower when getting blocked at a crucial juncture, she was a bit disappointing when finishing only 3rd to Gandalf last time out. She appears to have her limitations compared to some of the other unexposed runners in this field and although she has current form and is likely to be involved with A. Sandesh in the saddle today, she too looks more likely to figure in the places and winning looks quite tough.
SAFFRON FLOWER:-Fully exposed 5 year old handicapper from the Adhirajsingh Jodha stable who had gone 16 races without a win but showed a dazzling turn of foot last time out to come with a sweeping run down the outside and score comfortably from Hi Ho Silver with the same rider on board. She should gain some confidence from that win and her 4 kilo penalty is practically offset by her rider's allowance so she still looks well in at the weights. She is taking on what looks like tougher opposition today and will have to find some more improvement but cannot be ignored and should make a bold bid to go in again.
GRAND EYES :- 5 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who looks to have a smart pedigree but is still winless from 10 runs although he does seem to be slowly coming to hand this term. He has made the frame on his 3 runs this season, finishing 4th on the first 2 occasions before making some improvement to be a good 3rd to Bhaktawar and Super Mario last time out. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness since the last run, H Zeeshan takes over in the saddle today from S. Zervan and he looks to have an each way shout from the bottom of the scale and should come into overall consideration.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky contest with several potential improvers but Princess Eliza ran a very forward race in the Indian Oaks and is fancied to score on this drop in trip. Cormorant seems to be also progressing and shapes as a live danger along with the unexposed and potentially smart Night Hunt.
Race No. 6 :- The Quest For Cash Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
TENERIFE :- Consistent 5 year old mare from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has managed one win from her 10 starts till date but has also placed on 6 occasions for a good overall record. Her runs this season have been well spaced out and after needing a lung opener when back from a relatively decent break on her reappearance, she showed improvement last time out to finish up 3rd to King Khalil and Frieze last time out and their runs will give an indicator as to her chances. She should improve for that effort and strip fitter today and Neeraj Rawal retains the ride having ridden her last time out as well. She looks to be up against some promising 4 year olds so may struggle to return to the winner's circle but should be involved in proceedings and looks an each way player.
SHIVALIK QUEEN :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas who has done all her racing over sprints so far and has raced over this 6 furlong trip in her last 3 starts. She has one win to her name from 7 runs so far, that win coming over 1000M in Pune but she began the season in promising fashion when a late finishing runner up to Between The Waters over this trip. She did not put her best foot forward when finishing midfield in a scrappy contest on Derby Day and that run is best ignored so she looks to have the scope to progress further. She has been well prepared since that run, A. Sandesh returns to ride her replacing K. Nazil and she looks one of the frontline contenders to get back on the winning track and is strongly fancied today in spite of her wide draw.
DAZZLING STAR :- Classy looking and well bred 4 year old from the Rehanullah Khan stable who has run just thrice so far and looks open to plenty of improvement. An impressive winner over course and distance on debut last season, she had a solitary run in Pune as a favourite over 1400M and was probably rusty from the 5 month break and finished a tame 5th behind Sassy Lass. She was again rested and given time to improve since then and possibly was a touch short on fitness on her reappearance after another 6 months off, running out of gas in the final 100 yards and pipped on the post by fitter Divine Power. She was probably in need of the run that day so should be much fitter now and with N.S. Parmar retaining the ride, she looks to have an excellent chance to get back to winning ways.
THOMAS HARDY :- Exciting looking Poet's Voice debutant from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who looks a promising sort on paper and makes his debut off what looks a handy mark. He has been well prepared for his first run so should be fit and raring to go and moved well in a recent Mock Race behind Bateleur. He looks an interesting sort on paper, represents powerful connections and with P. Trevor booked to ride, is likely to give a very good account of himself on debut and looks capable of scoring first time out in this company. Paddock check advised.
CONCLUSION :- An interesting finale and it may be worth giving Dazzling Star one more chance to prove her worth as she may have lacked a bit of fitness last time out after a long absence. Thomas Hardy looks a very promising debutant and must be respected while Shivalik Queen is the other one who is likely to be involved.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
