From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday 24th March 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 23 Mar 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday 24th March 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Tulipa Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
GDANSK :- 5 year old gelding trained by S. Waheed who has run 17 times till date with 2 wins and 6 placed efforts so far and has generally proved to be quite consistent over staying trips throughout his career. His wins have come over 2000M and 2400M respectively so this trip looks fine and after missing a major part of 2018 and skipping the entire Pune season, he has been slowly working his way back into form this term. He has run 4 times this season and has shown gradual improvement, last time out finishing on strongly over 2400M to pip Lucky Luciano for the 2nd spot and finish a close 2nd to Sagittarius. Prior to that he finished just a neck behind Benevolence (improved since) over 2000M conceding 7 kilos which puts him 2 ¾ lengths better off with her today at the weights. The booking of P.S. Chouhan is an encouraging one, he should be respected in spite of conceding weight all around and if he can make some more improvement on his last effort, he looks to have a strong each way chance
LUCKY LUCIANO :- This 5 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha has a similar profile to Gdansk having won 2 of his 20 starts and also placed on 9 occasions. One of his victories came this season first time out when winning impressively over a mile and last time out, he bounced back from a couple of indifferent efforts to finish a close 3rd to Sagittarius over 2400M last time out with Gdansk pipping him by a long neck close home. The drop back to 2000M is likely to suit him better than Gdansk and he is 2 ¼ lengths better off at the weights. The booking of P. Trevor today is a big positive and he looks set to run a very good race and is likely to take a hand in the finish as he looks well in at the weights
BENEVOLENCE :- 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard who looks more progressive than the rest of these having had just 9 starts so far and she seems to just be coming into her own having scored her maiden victory in stylish fashion over course and distance last time out. Having run disappointingly over 2400M the time before, she showed significant improvement when surging clear of Fanfare and Arrecife to win by 4 lengths and both those rivals have gone on to win subsequently so the form looks strong. She has been handed a solid 5 ½ kilo penalty for the win but should be able to tackle that as she looks likely to improve again. She is 2 ¾ length worse off with Gdansk on their earlier meeting a couple of starts ago but she seems to have improved enough to overcome that difference. A. Sandesh who rode her last time out keeps the ride and taking on mainly older exposed horses, she looks to have an excellent chance to repeat and should be the one to beat
BRAZOS :- Consistent 6 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who has won 2 of his 20 starts so far and has also placed on 6 occasions and while he has been quite consistent this season, he seems to be just about holding his form without improving. After getting a lung opener early in the season to blow away the cobwebs, he finished 2nd in 3 consecutive mile and a half races, going down to Tar Heel on the first occasion and then Momentum the next twice and last time out, dropped down to this trip he finished 3rd to Fleur De Lys with Its A Deal 1 ¾ lengths in front of him. He comes out better at the weights with that rival with his rider’s allowance coming into consideration and is another who looks well handicapped. He should run well with Vishal N Bunde in the saddle but looks more of a place prospect today and will find it hard to beat the progressive Benevolence
ITS A DEAL :- Solid staying 6 year old from the Faisal Abbas stable who has won 2 of his 25 starts so far, one of those wins coming over 7 furlongs in December when he took advantage of his plunging mark to score in an older horses contest. He is better suited to this type of trip though and finished a good 2nd upped to it last time out but is worse off at the weights with Brazos. Amyn Merchant who rode last time out retains the ride and he is another who could battle it out for minor honours but will find it tough to score with limited scope for improvement
ROGUE ONE :- The other 4 year old in the field besides Benevolence, this Midnight Interlude gelding from the Narendra Lagad stable has lived up to his name so far and has been quite a rogue, flattering to deceive on several occasions and while he has placed on 8 of his 12 starts so far, he is yet to enter the winner’s circle. He has placed on all 5 occasions this season, starting from 7 furlongs and moving upto 9 furlongs, finishing 2nd on 3 consecutive occasions over a mile and last time out, 3rd to Western Front. He stays 1800M well so should be able to get this far and he has 1 interesting piece of form with Fanfare which puts him a length better than Benevolence on the handicap so on paper he looks to have a good chance if running upto that level. He has proved unreliable so far but today could be his day and with Dashrath Singh returning to ride he looks to be the main danger
CONCLUSION :- The manner in which Benevolence won her last start, she seemed to just be coming into her own and in spite of the 5 ½ kilo penalty she is confidently expected to repeat. Rogue One who has been threatening to strike throughout the season looks to be the main danger and on paper, is given a chance to upset her
Race No. 2 :- The T.M. Goculdas Plate – Class III & IV, 5 Years & Over – Distance :- 1000M
HIGHLAND PRINCESS :- 6 year old mare trained by Subhag Singh who has had quite an interesting career, beginning her career in Western India under Rehanullah Khan and failing to win a race in spite of placing on a number of occasions but was taken to Kolkotta after 13 runs and promptly notched up back to back wins, performing well at that centre. She left Western India in Class V and returns in Class III so seems to be still finding her feet and has performed poorly in her 2 runs since back. She is now dropped into an older horses contest which looks easier than her earlier tasks, should be fit enough after 2 lung openers and has been entrusted to promising 5 kilo claimer A.S. Peter. She is effective over this minimum trip and if she is able to return to her best then she could prove to be a factor here although on current form, it is hard to see her being involved. Rank outsider
RISING BRAVE :- Interesting looking 6 year old horse from the Rehanullah Khan stable who has a fine pedigree and has won 2 of his 15 starts so far, the wins coming over 1400 and 1200M respectively but he has done well over this trip in the past. He was in good form during his previous Mumbai campaign but was off the track for 6 months and has been woefully out of form since returning. He has had 3 poor runs this season and the booking of feeble Shahrukh Khan suggests that he still may need some more time but he has moved well in his last couple of workouts and is another who could spring a surprise at a long price if rediscovering his form
GOLD FIELD :- Speedy 5 year old mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who excels over this minimum trip and has managed to win 3 of her 18 starts so far. Her last win came in April last year so it has been a while and she has had a pretty mixed bag this season, running 4 times and finishing outside the frame just once so she looks to be relatively well within herself. Her last run though was quite encouraging as she led for a long way over 1200M and kicked on to finish 4th to Arc Shine and hence this drop to the minimum trip is likely to suit. Another huge positive today is the booking of P. Trevor taking over from S. A. Amit and in this company, she looks one of the principal contenders and has a very strong chance to earn another bracket today
UNTITLED :- 6 year gelding from the yard of H.J. Antia who has had limited success in the past several seasons but this is one of the better performed animals from his yard having won 4 of his 27 starts and he comes into this fresh off an impressive win over course and distance last time out, stopping the clock at 0.58.86 seconds when beating Adele by 1 ¾ lengths. He has been penalized 5 ½ kilos for that win but clearly looks in good nick at present and with Hanumant Singh in the saddle, is expected to make a bold bid to repeat.
LOIRE :- 5 year old mare from the stable of Narendra Lagad who is effective over this 5 furlong trip but seems to reserve her best for the Pune track with both her wins from her 14 starts coming at that venue. She has run thrice this season and has been unplaced on all 3 occasions although she did show a little improvement last time out when ending a close 5th behind Highland Empress. She is hard to fancy in spite of the booking of Vishal N Bunde and having bagged the plum rail draw but she is given an outside chance and can make the frame
CONCLUSION :- This should be a straight fight between Gold Field and Untitled the latter having a slight edge having scored an impressive win last time out and looking in good form
Race No. 3 :- The R.M. & Rukhmani Goculdas Million – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
NEW ENGLAND :- Classy 6 year old gelding from the in form stable of Imtiaz Sait who has an admirable overall record of as many as 8 wins from his 25 starts and has been in absolutely cracking form this term. Beginning this season with a close 3rd to Cambridge in the A.C. Ardeshir Trophy, he went on to give plenty of weight and a beating to Costa Brava when dropped into a handicap and followed it up with a tremendous effort over this trip when making the wonder filly Ruffina pull out all the stops, going down to her by just half a length. He gained a deserving Group Race success on Derby Day when claiming the Gr. 3 Rusi Patel Gold Trophy taking advantage of a rare poor performance from Serjeant At Arms and went on to run a creditable 4th in the Super Mile. He looks to be at the top of his game at present and with A. Sandesh in the saddle looks a leading contender to enhance his already excellent record
TURNING POINT :- In form 5 year old mare from the yard of S.K. Sunderji who has always been a consistent performer but seems to have taken her form to a new level this term and comes into this race looking for her 3rd straight win in a row. She has finished in the first two in 10 of her 19 starts winning 6 of them and while she was bad at the gates in the first part of her career and often lost ground at the start, she seems to have shed that bad habit of late. After needing her first few runs of the season to hit full form, she came with a powerful late run to shock Brainstorm on her penultimate start and followed it up with a smooth success over B Fifty Two last time out. She looks unsuited by the Terms of the race but P. Trevor returns to ride her and fillies in form are often dangerous to oppose so she cannot be totally discounted. Outside chance to upset
BATELEUR :- Another classy but not totally sound gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who has a 40% strike rate in his 10 runs so far and made a successful return to racing this season after a year off the track and has already managed to win twice in his 4 runs, scoring an impressive win over this trip last time out clocking a very fast time in the process. He appears to be in the pink of condition at present, Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and in receipt of 3 ½ kilos, he does have the potential to put it across New England although there will always be the niggling worry of his legs holding out
MASTER OF UNIVERSE :- Lightly raced 5 year old trained by Bipin Salvi who is clearly an above average individual and has won 4 of his 7 starts so far and looks to still be improving. He came to Mumbai with a formidable reputation scoring 3 impressive wins from 4 starts in Mysore and after needing a lung opener to get used to his new environment, he was quickly back on track after his first start, beating Pure Zinc and Gazino in a 6 furlong contest. He was invited for the Suresh Mahindra Multi Million over this trip in Hyderabad and was far from disgraced running a mighty race under P.S. Chouhan to finish a close 4th to Mauritania showing that he belongs at this level. He was only a length behind Costa Brava that day receiving 1 kilo so on paper he is quite closely matched with New England he looks the dark horse who could upset the locals here and is very much a contender
CONCLUSION :- By no means straightforward in spite of the small field. New England is just the selection being fully sound and in great form at present but both Bateleur and Master of Universe can make strong claims to defeat him. The former has the worry of not being totally sound but won impressively over this trip last time out while the latter is slightly better off on paper if a line through Costa Brava is taken.
Race No. 4 :- The Pronto Pronto Plate – Class II & III – Distance :- 1200M
EXCELLENT GOLD :- 5 year old gelding who is one of the better performers from the Narendra Lagad yard and has been threatening to strike for a while now, going perilously close to upsetting Iron Age last time out. Winner of 4 of his 17 starts, he had a sequence of 4 wins on the trot when at his prime but has been struggling with his mark ever since and has been unable to add to that tally, in spite of going close on a number of occasions. It has been 11 races since his last win, 5 of them coming this season and he has run respectably on each occasion mainly over 1200M, finishing 4th on 3 occasions and runner up the other two. Dropped to 5 furlong last time out, he finished on powerfully under K. Nazil and just failed to catch Iron Age by a long neck and he should be suited by returning to this 6 furlong trip. He flopped as a favourite when trying to make all the running on his penultimate start so it will be interesting to see what tactics P. Trevor adopts today in a rare ride for this yard. He must be respected and feared in spite of top weight and looks a strong each way contender
BESHIKTASH :- Sparingly raced but well performed 5 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji he has won 4 of his 12 races for a good overall strike rate and he seems to run alternate good and bad races so he looks set for a win on that score. He began the season in good form with a fluent win over this trip, convincingly beating Lesrel and Bounty Queen and probably needed the run last time out when returning from a break and tackling an inadequate 5 furlongs but still finished on late to be 4th to Iron Age. That run should have put him spot on for this, the extra furlong is sure to suit and with R. Ajinkya who has been in good form this season retaining the ride, he looks to have a great chance to return to winning ways
AWESOME ONE :- Classy looking and handsome dark bay colt from the stable of young Deepesh Narredu who looks to be very much on the upgrade and has won 3 of his 6 starts so far. A stylish winner over 1400M on his first run of the season, he tried his best in the Indian 2000 Guineas, ending up 4th to the mighty Sir Cecil and seemed not to stay the trip when tried in the Ruia, ending up a distant 4th of 5. However, he showed he was still in great heart when returning to a handicap last time out, scoring a fluent success over Mozart over 1400M and he has a stiff 6 kilo penalty to overcome for that win. He drops to this 1200M trip for the first time in his short career but seems to have maintained his form and fitness and with regular saddle partner Yash Narredu in the saddle, he looks a leading fancy to continue his upward curve and win this
FLAMING MARTINI :- Another progressive and improving 4 year old filly, this one from the yard of Dallas Todywalla, she has gone via the handicap route but has the same record as Awesome One, winning 3 of her 6 starts and never finishing out of the first three so far. After 2 modest 3rd place finishes in Pune in her first 2 starts, she has really blossomed during the current campaign and after finishing runner up to subsequent 1000 Guineas winner La Rondine, she has strung together 3 wins in a row all of her runs this season coming over this 1200M trip. She has showed good resilience to win in fighting finishes the last twice and she too, just pipped Mozart over 1200M last time out. She looks to be in the pink of condition at present, is up another 4 kilos for her last win and with A. Sandesh taking over in the saddle from David Allan, is likely to make a bold bid to be the first horse this season to record 4 wins
CONCLUSION :- Another keen tussle expected between Awesome One and Flaming Martini and they are expected to fight out the finish. The former appears to be a classier sort and just gets the nod but this trip will be on the sharp side for him and Flaming Martini may just be a bit too speedy for him. Beshiktash appeals most from among the older horses
Race No. 5 :- The Karl Umrigar Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
CLIFFS OF CAPRI :- Elusive Quality gelding from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who has performed just modestly in his 2 runs over sprints so far and his hopes today are pinned on unlocking improvement on the step up to a middle distance trip. Catching the eye when finishing on late to be just outside the frame on his debut behind Tommaso, he finished 5th to Headway in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million which was not a bad effort either and is likely to appreciate the step up to 7 furlongs. He is open to improvement on just his 3rd career start but needs to show a little bit more on the track before he can be seriously considered. The yard appears to have a stronger contender on form in the shape of Copper Queen so although he is expected to give a good account of himself, he may need a little more time
DUMAS :- Exciting looking Win Legend debutant from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who looks a promising sort on paper and who’s full brother King of Shadows scored his maiden win in Bangalore yesterday on just his 2nd start. He has been working alongside the yard’s winners Castilian and Thomas Hardy and looks to have been well prepared to be fit and ready to go first time out. He is unlikely to be fully wound up and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition but he looks likely to be an above average type and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, is expected to have a bold show on debut
KILDARE :- Another interesting looking debutant from the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji, this Leitir Mor colt comes from a good Indian family with his half sister Proclamation 2 of her 7 starts and his half brother Star Gazer having won thrice from his 23 starts, both in Hyderabad. He seems to have been well prepared for his debut effort and seems to be working the best of this bunch. A. Sandesh has been booked to ride, he has bagged the No. 1 rail draw and looks a strong contender to make winning debut
CONSCIENCE :- Once raced filly from the Malesh Narredu stable who catches the eye by being a half sister to Invitation Cup winner Adjudicate and was clearly in need of the run last time out when finishing midfield over 1200M about 6 weeks ago. She is sure to have improved for that run and stripped fitter and should relish the additional furlong. She has been working quite well since the run, should do better today and is another worth keeping an eye on in what appears to be a decent maiden
COPPER QUEEN :- Stable companion of Cliffs of Capri who looks to have the best form of those who have raced and is another who looks likely to appreciate the step up to a middle distance trip. She is more exposed than most of these, having already run 3 times but her last run over 6 furlongs was promising when 3rd to Thailand and Missing You. She is expected to do even better on the step up to 7 furlongs and P.S. Chouhan takes the ride today in place of Leigh Roche. She could be vulnerable to one with a little more quality but does set the form standard today and looks to have a good chance to shed her maiden tag
SUNSET :- Interesting looking got abroad filly making her debut from the Dallas Todywalla yard she is an owner mate to Cliffs of Capri and will be ridden by S. Zervan with P. Trevor opting for the more experienced runner and hence she may just be going out for an airing today. However, she has seen to be moving well in the limited track work which she has undergone and could be one to keep an eye on for the future. Dark horse who can upset if fit enough
CONCLUSION :- This looks a strong maiden which should eventually throw up quite a few winners with some exciting looking debutantes in the fray. Copper Queen sets the form standard but could be vulnerable to something with a bit more class and both Dumas and Kildare seem to fit that bill. The latter is working the better of the lot but it may be worth chancing the Vishal Gaikwad ward who has been working alongside winners Castilian and Thomas Hardy.
Race No. 6 :- The Abeeta Plate – Class IV & V which have run during the current Mumbai Meeting and not won – Distance :- 1000M
EPIPHANY :- Speedy and well performed 5 year old mare from the stable of Nazak Chenoy she has done well in her limited career, winning 2 of her 10 starts till date and looks set for another win after being eased in grade. She nearly pulled it off over this trip on her opening run of the season when finishing a close 3rd in a 3 way photo with Hudson and Alpine Express and last time out over 1200M in the higher class, she looked disinterested in the early part of the race and only began to gallop when it was too late, ending up a fast finishing 5th to Arc Shine. P. Trevor takes over in the saddle today from M. Ayyar suggesting that connections fancy their chances and back down at her pet trip, she looks to have an excellent chance to add another win to her tally and is a leading fancy
MISS MONEYPENNY :- Nicely bred 5 year old mare from the in form stable of Imtiaz Sait who has seemed to be out of form for quite a while now but has come down quite noticeably in the scales as a result. Overall a winner of 2 races from 19 starts, it has been 14 races since her last win and her 4 runs this season have been largely below par barring a 3rd place finish to Kilkarry Bridge over 1200M. However, she has dropped back into Class IV for the first time since her last win and looks to be on a handy mark at present. After being ridden by N.S. Parmar the last twice, promising 5 kilo claimer A.S. Peter has been booked to ride, she does have the speed to tackle this 5 furlong trip and if retaining her old ability, looks to have a very good chance to return to winning ways
JULIO CESARO :- Speedy but unreliable 4 year old gelding who is one of 5 entries for Narendra Lagad in this 11 horse field but appears to be the most fancied of the lot judging from jockey bookings. He has managed to win just once from his 14 starts till date, that win coming on his final run of the Pune season and he has been largely out of form this term barring his 2nd start in January where he finished a close 2nd to Sharareh in a No Whip Race. He has been out of form in his last 3 runs though so needs to bounce back but may find this field to be slightly weaker and is likely to be involved in the frame
FALCONETTE :- Relatively unexposed and sparingly tried 4 year old filly who is a stable companion of Julio Cesaro and will be ridden by decent apprentice P.S. Kaviraj who has already 4 winners to his name this season. She has run just 10 times so far so is open to improvement and seemed to hit form in the recent Pune season, scoring a decisive maiden win over this trip in September. She made a belated seasonal reappearance 2 weeks ago so most likely was lacking a touch on fitness and is expected to be sharper and fitter today. She is as yet unexposed over this trip, so looks capable of further improvement and could be the dark horse here who may prove good value at a long price
ALPINE EXPRESS :- Now getting on in years at age 6 and seems to have lost a touch of her earlier sparkle but went very close to scoring last time out when going down by a whisker to Hudson over course and distance with Epiphany a long neck behind her in 3rd. She has not run since then which is a slight concern so will have fitness to prove with very limited recent trackwork. However, she is another who looks to have come down to a handy mark now and with Vishal Bunde in the saddle, is likely to make a bold pillar to post bid to succeed
SPEEDO :- 7 year old veteran from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard who has run 41 times till date, winning only twice but managing to place on 12 occasions and is usually effective over sprint trips. He ran a promising 2nd to Unimaginable on his penultimate run so still retains the zest for racing and was not disgraced last time out when finishing a fair 5th to Sharareh. D.R. Shubham has been among the winners this season and he looks another who has a small outside chance to upset and should be considered
CONCLUSION :- Epiphany who was alerted too late last time out looks to have found a good opportunity to regain some confidence and get back to winning ways. Miss Moneypenny and Falconette appear to be the dangers
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
