From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 21st March 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 20 Mar 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 21st March 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Radha Sigtia Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 2400M
GLORIOSUS :- 5 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has a good record of 4 wins and 10 placed efforts from his 20 starts till date and he is tackling this 2400M trip for the first time. He has had a relatively consistent season save for his last run when he ran poorly over a mile and both his wins this season have come over 2000M early in the season. He is worth trying over this more galloping trip and is likely to stay it but is again conceding weight here to some progressive types and may be more of a minor berth contender today. N.S. Parmar takes the ride and he looks more of a place prospect.
BRONX :- Rapidly progressive 5 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama yard who has been going from strength to strength this season whilst gradually stepping up in trip and is bidding for a hattrick after 2 stylish wins in his last 2 starts. After just failing to beat Sacred Roman conceding weight on his seasonal debut, he scored impressively first over a mile and last time out over 2000M when easily beating Sagittarius by 1 ¾ length with Gloriosus back in 3rd. He appears to have maintained his condition since the last run and although he is also stepping up to this trip for the first time, regular saddle partner P.S. Chouhan is up again today and he will take a lot of beating. Leading contender.
ZENON :- Interesting looking 5 year old gelding who was a one time Classic aspirant when owned by the Dhunjibhoys and trained by Pesi Shroff but came up short in a couple of regional Derbies in his Classic season. He seemed to suffer a setback after that and after having a solitary run in Pune was bought over by his new connections and moved to Narendra Lagad’s yard. He has run 4 times this season over middle distances without creating much of an impression but should be fully fit and steps up to what should be a more suitable trip for the first time. He is yet to prove that he retains his old ability but K. Nazil has been booked to ride and he appears to be a dark horse who can upset and is worth keeping an eye on if looking well.
MOMENTUM :- 5 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff yard who has a solid staying pedigree and really seems to be coming into his own at present and looks to be a late maturing type. Not doing much in his first few runs he showed a significant improvement once upped to 2000M when finishing on strongly to be a good 2nd to Artus a couple of runs ago and since then has gone on to score back to back wins over this trip, defying the handicap with Brazos and winning every bit as easily last time out. He is up a further 5 ½ kilos from his last win and is also upped in grade now but seems to be improving with every start and may yet have more to give. The switch from Akshay to Neeraj Rawal is also a positive, he is in receipt of 8 kilos from Bronx which could prove decisive and looks a leading fancy to complete a hattrick of wins over this trip. The one to beat.
CONCLUSION :- This looks clearly to be between the two progressive 5 year olds Momentum and Bronx with an edge given to the Pesi Shroff yard given that he is a confirmed stayer over the trip and is in receipt of 8 kilos. Bronx however is a very real danger and is capable of scoring nonetheless.
Race No. 2 :- The Jimmy Bharucha Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
OUI SAVAGE :- Nicely bred colt who is out of the mighty race mare Kanthara and is a half brother to the speedy Columbianaprincess and is also trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha. He has had 2 starts so far, both over 1000M, making his debut in January and getting a good educative run when ending up 3rd to Ms. Boss and he clearly learnt from that experience last time out while showing good resilience to outbattle Storm Breaker and score again over 1000M. He is likely to have progressed again on just his 3rd start and should be able to tackle the step up to 1200M. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness since the last run, A. Sandesh takes the ride today and he is clearly one who looks open to further improvement and is capable of providing an encore albeit against tougher rivals today.
ROYAL CRYSTAL :- Thrice raced Western Aristocrat gelding from the yard of Hosidar Daji who made a most impressive winning debut over this trip, scoring by 7 lengths from Dandi March but he seems to have gone backwards on that run and found the form decisively reversed next time out when only 3rd behind Dandi March and Arabesque who seems to hold him on the scale. He was highly tried in the Breeders Produce Stakes last time out upped to 7 furlongs and ran poorly to end up 7th of the 9 runners behind Hunt for Gold. He should have been freshened up by the short break and has been blazing the track in his recent workouts plus will be suited by the return to 6 furlongs. He does have a bit to prove now and it looks tough to beat Arabesque but this is only his 4th start and he could bounce back over this shorter trip.
SILVER FLAMES:-Interesting looking and unbeaten Leitir Mor gelding from the stable of Altaf Hussain, he looked soft and underprepared on his racing debut over 1000M in a weak maiden but finished on very strongly in the closing stages under tender handling to get up and pip Warrior Clan close home and score an impressive first time out win. He will no doubt have learnt plenty from the experience and stripped fitter and has been working very well since the run. The additional furlong is likely to be in his favour, N.S. Parmar takes the ride replacing Akshay Gaikwad and even though he has to improve significantly on the bare form, he is an unknown quantity and must be respected.
ARABESQUE :- 3 year old filly from the mighty Pesi Shroff stable who has also raced thrice so far and needs to bounce back from an indifferent effort last time out but has been given time to improve. Scoring by a whisker in the inaugural 2 year old race in Pune, she made a fine start to the current campaign when runner up to Dandi March in the Usha Stud Million, convincingly getting the better of Royal Crystal who finished 3rd on similar Terms. She was a strong fancy in the Gool S. Poonawalla Million on her last start but ran dismally finishing a poor 4th behind Free Gold. She looked off colour that day and being a small statured filly, possibly found the run coming too soon. She has been given a 2 month break, kept fresh in her work and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle today, is expected to redeem herself and resume her upward curve.
QUEEN’S GATE :- Very well bred debutant who is a stable companion of Arabesque and looks the part on paper, being a full sister to Hammersmith and Windsor Forest and also the very promising Continental. She is entitled to need this opening run and while having had a fair amount of work does not look fully wound up and a paddock check is clearly advised. However, she could prove to be better quality than this lot, P. Trevor has been booked to ride and if looking ready to go, she may be able to begin her career with a win. Respected.
CONCLUSION :- Pesi Shroff seems to hold a strong hand here between Arabesque and the well bred debutant Queen’s Gate. The former has to bounce back from a poor last effort but holds strong claims on her earlier form while the latter looks a classy type on paper. Silver Flames also won unfancied on debut and looks capable of better
Race No. 3 :- The Sion F. Nessim Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
ARRECIFE :- Well bred 5 year old mare from the yard of Zadmal Singh who is still a maiden after 12 starts but has been running quite consistently this season, having made the frame in all her 4 starts this term over varying middle distance trips. Finishing a close 2nd over 1400M to It’s A Deal on reappearance she went on to run a faraway 3rd over this trip to Golden Hind and last time out, also ran well upped to 2000M when ending a fair 3rd to Benevolence, in a photo with Fanfare who has gone on to frank the form. After being ridden by A.S. Peter all season, the booking of P.S. Chouhan today catches the eye and in what looks a field lacking strength in depth, she appears to have found an excellent opportunity to get off the mark today.
HONOURABLE EYES :- Another maiden 5 year old, this one from the Imtiaz Sait yard, he is winless in 13 starts and failed to make the most of what looked a straightforward opportunity last time out over this trip when runner up to Fencing and finishing 5 lengths adrift. He does seem to be improving little by little though and M. Ayyar takes over in the saddle today and claims a useful 3 ½ kilos. He has been working very well of late and merits each way consideration in this field.
IMPERIAL HERITAGE :- 6 year old gelding who has changed multiple yards in the past and has now moved to Vijay Kasbekar’s stable and will be ridden by T.S. Jodha. Winner of 3 of his 29 starts so far, he has tumbled down in the weights with a string of poor efforts and is now starting to look extremely well handicapped. He has had just 3 starts this season and after 2 lung openers, showed a little improvement last time out in the higher class when finishing just behind Honourable Eyes in 5th behind Star Aligned and he has now been eased in grade. He has to prove that he still retains his ability as it has been 1 ½ years since his last win but if able to build on that last effort, he can be involved in the frame with the trip looking ideal. One to keep an eye on.
AQUARIUS :- Frequently raced an exposed 6 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav stable, he is a veteran of 30 starts and has managed to win just twice, both wins coming back to back during the recent Pune season, the 2nd of those over this trip and he has dropped back to his last winning mark now. He has run 6 times this season already over varying trips, performing modestly for the most part and last time out finished 4th to Fanfare over 2000M. The return to this trip should suit him better, A. Sandesh takes the ride and if bouncing back to form, looks well placed to earn another bracket.
DRAGONMOSS :- 5 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who is a winner of 1 of his 18 starts so far but is another who looks capable of scoring off his current mark having finished runner up in 2 of his 3 runs this season. All his starts this term have been over 1400M but he should not be bothered too much by the additional furlong and P. Trevor who was up both times that he was 2nd, keeps the ride. He was no match for Gandalf last time out but seems to be working well since the run and is another who must be given an each way chance and is likely to be there in the finish.
SOLO MISSION :- Well bred but underperformed 5 year old gelding trained by Karthik G he is still winless after 18 starts and has largely been erratic in his performance, his best efforts to date have been over middle distance trips. He has run 3 times this season, possibly needing the first two runs to regain fitness and last time, finished on well to be 4th to Gandalf, not too far behind Dragonmoss. He looks capable of building on that effort, Bhawani Singh retains the ride and if he has his galloping shoes on, then today may be the day that he finally enters the winner’s circle. Value outsider.
WHOOPSIDAISY :- 22 race maiden from the in form yard of Faisal Abbas, she has been trying to make all the running but keeps coming up short and although her last 2 efforts over this trip have been quite decent, she does not appear to be finding too much improvement. A.S. Peter who has been riding her recently keeps the ride and she is running at a feather weight of 44 kilos so if she is able to control the gallop from the front, then she looks to have a small chance to shed her maiden tag.
CONCLUSION :- A difficult contest and possibly best left alone. Arrecife has been running well and with a stronger rider, seems to have found a good opportunity to score. Honourable Eyes is also due a win while Solo Mission could spring a surprise at a long price.
Race No. 4 :- The Starry Eyes Plate – Class V – Jockeys will not be permitted the use of whip – Distance :- 1000M
ISINIT :- Aged but in form 7 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi, she has been in particularly good form this season scoring her 2nd success from 43 starts over course and distance earlier in the season and she has been placing quite consistently since then. All her subsequent runs have been over 1200M so she might relish the return to this minimum trip as also A.S. Peter who rode her to victory, returns to take the ride. She has been well drawn in the middle of the field in Stall 7, appears to be in good condition and looks a strong each way contender.
FIRE FLAME :- 4 year old filly who looks to have the best chance of the 3 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard and is also ridden by the best of the 3 jockeys with Vishal Bunde taking the ride. Winner of 2 of her 18 starts, she did score over this trip and in this grade earlier in the season with the same rider up and after 3 runs in the higher class, ran promisingly when dropped back into this grade last time out when ending up a good 3rd behind Agrami. She appears to be in good condition at present, has gotten a good draw in Stall 2 and is expected to make all the running again and earn herself another bracket.
RED CARNATION :- 9 race maiden who is a stable companion of Fire Flame and is to be ridden by decent 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj. He is one of the those in the field that has run the least number of times and hence does have some more scope to improve although the drop down to the minimum may not be ideal. He has finished 3rd in his last 2 starts over 1200M though, last time out not beaten a long way when a close 3rd to Pulverize and seems to be working quite well. He does merit consideration in this company but Fire Flame looks to have better credentials.
BEE QUIRKY :- Speedy 6 year old mare trained by Vijay Kasbekar and to be ridden by feeble apprentice Niranjan S. Parmar, she is quite lightly raced for her age, having run just 18 times, with a win and 3 placed efforts to her credit. She seems most effective over this minimum trip and many time has been plagued with an extreme outside draw in a large field. She has run only thrice so far this term, returning from a 2 month break to finish 3rd to Unimaginable on her penultimate run but last time out, could only manage 7th well behind Fire Flame and has work to do to reverse that form. She looks to have a tiny chance to upset here but the percentage call is to oppose.
DESTINED FOR GLORY :- Lightly raced and relatively untried 4 year old filly from the small stable of C. Rajendra who has done precious little in her 7 runs so far but has dropped to a handy mark as a result. She did run a forward race on her first 2 starts this season and for the first time, has a decent rider up with M. Ayyar booked to ride. She has also bagged the plum rail draw in Stall 1, should be fit enough after 3 runs this season and looks capable of scoring from end to end. Dark horse
CONCLUSION :-Fire Flame is already a winner over course and distance and looks capable of repeating in this grade after a promising effort last time out. Stable companion Red Carnation who may find the trip too sharp is also considered along with the unexposed Destined for Glory who has a good rider and draw for the first time today and has shown speed in the past
Race No. 5 :- The Osman Chotani Plate – Class IV & V, 5 Years & Over – Distance :- 1400M
POCO AZUL :- Very sparingly raced 5 year old who is owned and trained by Mansoor Shah and is bidding for a hattrick now after scoring authoritative wins in his last 2 starts over this trip. Getting 2 lung openers early in the season over sprints and finishing 4th on both occasions, he gained his maiden success upped to this trip on his penultimate start, beating Gandalf (winner since) by one and a half length and was even more impressive next time out under a 4 ½ kilo penalty when scoring effortlessly by 4 lengths over Ustad Pedro with Harmony Of The Sea finishing 3rd that day. He has now been stiffly penalized, going up 6 ½ kilos but may yet have more to give and be ahead of the handicapper. He appears to have maintained himself well since the last run, Akshay who has ridden him on both previous occasions keeps the ride and in spite of conceding weight all around here, he looks an improving sort and must be respected.
HARMONY OF THE SEA :-Inconsistent 5 year old mare from the yard of Imtiaz Sait, she has managed to win 2 of her 13 starts so far but seems to lack consistency overall and seldom runs two similar races. However, she has appeared to be making steady progress in her 3 starts this term and last time, hinted that she was getting ready to strike when finishing on nicely to be a good 3rd to Poco Azul. She is closely matched with that rival again today, is benefitted by the booking of P. Trevor in place of K. Nazil and if able to build further on her last good effort, she appears to be a strong each way contender and has a very good chance to score.
FENCING :- Improving 6 year old mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha, she usually likes to be delivered late from way off the pace but appeared to be vastly improved when entrusted to A. Sandesh last time out, ridden much more positively and showing a good turn of foot to draw away from her rivals and win by 5 lengths. That was her 3rd win in 19 starts so far, she has a 6 kilo penalty to contend with for the win and should not be bothered by the slight drop in trip. She looks to be well within herself at present and with A. Sandesh retaining the ride, should make a bold bid to repeat.
SUPER MARIO :- 5 year old gelding who began racing very late in his career and has raced just 4 times so far, 3 of them this term showing good promise and potential on his last run. Making his debut in Pune in August, he was unplaced on his first 2 runs this season over an inadequate 5 furlongs but was fancied for the first time when upped to a middle distance trip and showed plenty of ability, going down fighting to Bhaktawar over this trip. He should improve for that effort and strip fitter and his recent track work has been very encouraging. The switch from A.S. Peter to Amyn Merchant is not necessarily a positive but he looks likely to improve further and is strongly fancied to shed his maiden tag today.
GANDALF :- 5 year old gelding trained by S.N. Joshi who finally gained a long overdue maiden success over course and distance last time out, coming with a sweeping run from the rear to whiz past his rivals and win convincingly beating Dragonmoss comfortably by 3 lengths. That was his first win in 19 starts after a string of 2nd placed finishes and he should gain some confidence from that win. He has been penalized 5 ½ kilos for the win but A.S. Peter claims 5 in the saddle and hence he appears to be running off practically the same mark. He is very capable of going in again and looks a big danger to all provided he has his galloping shoes on again today.
WE MAKE THE RULES :- Consistent 5 year old handicapper in the care of Dallas Todywalla who’s overall record is unconvincing with just 1 win from his 20 starts so far but he has placed on as many as 8 occasions and looks likely to be involved in the frame again today. He has finished 3rd in 2 of his last 3 runs although both those efforts were over 1200M and he has run a rather flat race over 1400M in between. He got going late in the day just 4 days ago and P.S. Chouhan now takes over in the saddle from Vishal Bunde which could boost his chances. However, he has also been upped in grade against tougher opposition so although likely to be involved, seems to have been handed a tough task.
CONCLUSION :- A competitive looking affair but in spite of being entrusted to Amyn Merchant, the improving Super Mario is selected to build on his excellent 2nd last time out and shed his maiden tag today. Poco Azul, bidding for a hattrick looks a live danger along with Gandalf who should gain confidence from his last win
Race No. 6 :- The K. J. K. Irani Plate – Class IV & V, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
PABLO :- Very consistent4 year old gelding from the stable of Sanjay Kolse, he is yet to finish outside the frame in his 7 runs till date, racing mainly over 1200M which is the distance over which he gained his maiden success. He has had 3 well spaced out runs this season and found his stamina stretched when tried over a mile last time out, but finished a close 3rd to Flaming Martini and Mozart over 1200M the time before that and just failed to catch Steppenwolf on his reappearance, failing to get up by a head. He is closely matched with that rival again today, A. Sandesh keeps the ride and he is likely to do much better returning to his pet 6 furlong trip. He brings a strong level of form to the table and should be greatly respected and feared.
STEPPENWOLF :- Speedy 4 year old colt who has moved to NosherCama from Shazaan Shah and has won 2 of his 7 starts so far although he has to bounce back from a poor effort last time out. After a quiet Pune season where he raced just twice, he made a winning reappearance on this track when making all the running under feeble 5 kilo claimer and just lasting out to hold off the fast finishing Pablo who reopposes today on similar Terms. His last run behind El Commndante was very disappointing though when finishing down the field and he needs to bounce back from that effort and A.S. Peter has been booked to ride today in place of P. S. Chouhan. His last couple of workouts suggest that he may have bounced back and is expected to run a much better race today and be involved.
CHOSEN ONE :- Maiden 4 year old gelding from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who is becoming frustrating to follow, having finished runner up on 5 of his 12 starts till date but is still hunting for that elusive first success. He had a string of 4 runner up positions in a row starting from Pune in September before a below par effort when favourite in a no whip race but finishing only mid division against Sharareh. He showed he had bounced back quickly when finishing on strongly to be runner up to Highland Empress last time out and extra furlong is likely to suit. Neeraj Rawal who rode him last time out keeps the ride, he appears to be in good form and is likely to win one of these contests before too long although catching him on the right day has proved tricky so far.
TASCH :- Full sister to Costa Brava who made a very auspicious winning debut when coming with a powerful run from the mid pack to score stylishly over what would have been a sharp 5 furlongs and will no doubt have improved considerably for that run and stripped fitter. Her trackwork since the last run are indicative of further improvement, she should appreciate a little more galloping ground and looks likely to take the 4 ½ kilo penalty in her stride. S. Zervan who rode her last time out keeps the ride, she looks likely to improve again and looks a strong contender to continue her winning run and remain unbeaten.
PLEIADES :- 4 year old gelding trained by Nazak Chenoy, who needed his first few starts to come to hand and has showed good form in his last couple of efforts. A hot favourite over 1400M on his penultimate run, he caught a tartar in Medici who proved too strong that day but quickly made amends dropped down to this trip when brought with a late run to prevail over Isinit by a length. He too has a 4 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for the win and appears to have maintained his condition since the run. Stable apprentice Santosh G takes over in the saddle today from M. Ayyar and he looks likely to make a strong bid to go in again and should not be left out of calculations.
CONCLUSION :- Costa Brava’s full sister Tasch looks hard to oppose and may provide Faisal Abbas with back to back winners in the 2 concluding races. The consistent Pablo appears to be the main danger and the form pick.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
