From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 31st March 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 30 Mar 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 31st March 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Manyatta Plate – Class IV & V, 4 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1400M
OFFICER IN COMMAND :- Speedily bred 4 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who has raced exclusively over 6 furlongs in his 4 starts till date and steps up to a middle distance trip for the first time. Half brother to Class I Sprinter Gold Bag, he made a promising debut in Pune when running a forward race and kicking on to finish 4th to Hyannis and showed improvement on his first start this term when ending up a good 3rd to Anatavka. He was a short priced favourite to score next time out dropped into Class V but made hard work of it before scrambling home from Ebony by three parts of a length. He finished a modest 4th to Divine Power under a 4 kilo penalty last time out with Myrcella just getting up late to beat him by a neck. He is having just his 5th start so looks capable of finding some more improvement and it is interesting that he has been entrusted to 5 kilo claimer Malam Singh for the first time over this longer trip. His last workout over 7 furlongs was quite impressive and if reproducing that on the race grass, he could very well be involved.
CORMORANT :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who has run 6 times so far and stepped up significantly on his previous efforts when coming with a scything late run to shock Princess Eliza a couple of strides from the post and score over this trip. Having looked promising in his juvenile season, he seemed to suffer a setback and was off the track for 8 months before reappearing on the final day of the Pune season and he seems to have been working his way back to full fitness but looked to have done so last time out. He has been penalized 4 kilos for the win which is not unduly harsh and has been kept fresh since the last run. P. Trevor retains the ride, he is likely to improve further from that last run and he looks a leading contender to continue his progression and score a quick encore.
DANCE THE DREAM :- Highly rated filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard who is a half sister to multiple Group Race winner Jack Frost and full sister to Elation who made a very impressive winning debut in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million last year where she had Cormorant 5 ½ lengths adrift but she seems to have completely lost her way after that and is struggling to regain that form. She was put away after a poor performance in the Poonawalla Million and failed as a short priced favourite on her handicap debut over 1200M, finishing a close 4th to Grey Flannel. She reappeared next time out only at the end of the Pune season, where she finished a poor 5th to Grand Tenton over this trip. Her only run this season came over 6 furlongs on the Derby weekend when she finished a fair 4th to El Commandante and she is expected to improve for that run. She was withdrawn on her intended next run 2 weeks ago and has been working quite well of late. A. Sandesh has been booked to ride replacing P.S. Chouhan, she has the scope to have improved further and if building on that last effort, she could very well be a live danger to all although a certain amount of uncertainty still surrounds her.
MYRCELLA :- More exposed than Cormorant and Dance The Dream having raced 9 times so far, this Dean's Kitten filly from the Nosher Cama yard has settled into being a decent handicapper and has been quite consistent in her last 4 starts. Looking to be hitting form on her first run of the season when finishing a good 3rd to Juno's Guest and Outrageous over 1200M, she went on to finish runner up to El Commandante and gained her maiden success on her penultimate run in the lower class, scoring comfortably from Dance Emperor by 2 ¼ lengths. Back up in this grade last time out, she finished on just pip Officer in Command for 3rd and she too steps up to 7 furlongs for the first time this season. She appears to be holding her form quite well from the start of the season, her regular saddle partner H. Zeeshan returns to ride her and while she is likely to be involved and make the frame again, she looks more of a place prospect and may find one or two of these improving past her.
WHO'SYOURDADDY :- Nicely bred gelding trained by Malesh Narredu who comes from a good Indian family but has failed to make any impression in 6 runs so far having been tried over various trips. There appears to be stamina in the pedigree so his first 4 starts were over a mile and beyond and this season he was tried over 7 and 6 furlongs. He has been working well since the beginning of the season and showed a little improvement on his last start with the same rider up when finishing on from the rear to be just outside the frame. That run was promising so he looks to be coming to hand and although he has been upped in grade now, he could find some improvement and looks a dark horse who could possibly spring a surprise with S. Zervan in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- The two to focus on here appear to be impressive last outing winner Cormorant who looks capable of repeating and the highly rated Dance The Dream who could just be coming into her own after running promisingly on her seasonal reappearance.
Race No. 2 :- The V. R. Menon Plate – Class V – Distance :- 2000M
ROMANESQUE :- Nicely bred 4 year old Multidimensional Gelding from the in form yard of Imtiaz Sait who has run 5 times till date and has been showing gradual improvement with a step up in trip. He looked like he was ready to strike last time out over this trip when running a cracker and just being reeled in late on by Fanfare. He looks likely to improve and build on that effort and appears to have found a relatively weak field to take on. Neeraj Rawal who rode last time out keeps the ride and he is expected to improve again and win this quite convincingly. Leading contender.
STRONG VALUES :- Maiden 5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has been given time to come to hand and has been untried in his 9 runs so far. He has finished well beaten in most of his races but has been getting fit with his racing and the only point to note is that he has a good rider up for the first time with S. Zervan taking over in the saddle. He is also stepped up in trip to 2000M which is likely to suit him on pedigree, has been working well of late and is an unknown quantity who could be better than his current mark and has the potential to upset if having improved over the last 6 weeks. Dark horse.
GRAND PASSAGE :- Another highly rated and untried 5 year old gelding, this one from the yard of Karthik G, he has run 10 times so far without making much of an impression but was thought good enough to contest the Indian Derby in his Classic season although he failed to make an impression. His 3 runs this season have all been over 1200M trips and he is now stepped up to a more galloping trip which is likely to suit him better. He looks another who could be potentially better than his current handicap mark and with stable Jockey Bhawani Singh in the saddle, may be able to cause a stunning upset at a long price and is worth keeping an eye on.
MAGICAL BLOSSOM :- 5 year oldmare from the small stable of C. Rajendra which tends to come into it's own towards the end of the season and she has run 10 times so far without figuring on the board on any occasion but has found herself tumbling down in the weights as a result. She has a nice pedigree by Ace out of Enchante and her last couple of workouts have suggested that she is finding some form. She is returning from a short break having last raced in mid January, has had 2 earlier runs this season so should be fit and is another who is taking a marked step up in trip. Improving 3 ½ kilo claimer M. Ayyar has been booked to ride and if she is suited by more galloping ground then she could be involved and have a say in proceedings.
HIS MASTER'S VICE :- Aged and exposed 6 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has gone 20 starts so far without a win and does not appear to be completely straightforward but gave a glimpse of some ability last time out after a string of poor efforts, when finishing on well to be 3rd behind Romanesque over course and distance last time out. He will find it hard to reverse that form with the 4 year old likely to improve on that effort but A. Sandesh has been booked to ride today and if turning up in the same mood again, he looks to have an opportunity to trouble Romanesque.
WIZARD OF ODDS :- Well bred but under performed 7 year old from the stable of S. Waheed who has had a poor season so far, he is a veteran of 33 races but is still searching for that elusive first success. He has run thrice this season over varying trips running decently on each occasion and last time out over this trip, finished on late to be just outside the frame behind Benevolence and alongside His Master's Vice. Dashrath Singh is an encouraging Jockey booking and he can be involved in the frame today but seems to have limited scope for improvement and can battle it out for minor honours
CONCLUSION :- The well bred and improving Romanesque showed good improvement on his last run over this trip and is confidently selected to get off the mark today taking on a field lacking strength in depth.
Race No. 3 :- The J.D. & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy – Terms, 3Years Old Only – Distance :- 1600M
ASTOUNDING BAY :- 4 times raced Arazan colt from the Malesh Narredu stable who scored his maiden victory when upped to this trip last time out, showing good fighting qualities to get the better of Silver King and Moriseiki in a 3 way battle almost throughout the last 2 furlongs. Having previously raced over sprints, he showed good improvement for the step up to this trip. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness since his last run almost 6 weeks ago and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle taking over from Yash Narredu, he is likely to make a bold bid to repeat.
SQUARE THE CIRCLE :- Mysore Challenger from the stable of Md. Sajid Qureshi who has run 3 times so far, winning once and looking capable of doing better. A runaway winner on debut over 7 furlongs in Mysore, he was well beaten by Lady of Luxury next time out and possibly needed his first outing on the Mahalaxmi track when finishing 5th in the Juvenile Colts Championship about 8 ½ lengths behind the winner Trouvaille. He did finish ahead of Silver King and Moriseiki that day so could possibly have the measure of Astounding Bay and having had a lung opener on the Mahalaxmi track, he looks likely to give a better account of himself and seems to have each way claims here with P.S. Chouhan an encouraging Jockey booking.
ELATION :- Full sister to Dance The Dream from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and owned by the Rattonsey family, she has been given 2 educative runs over sprint trips so far, finishing a promising 5th behind Ms. Boss on debut but then finishing well beaten in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million last time out on Derby Day. She has been given time to improve and strengthen since then and looks likely to be much better suited by the step up to this trip. Her recent track work suggests that she has made some progress, P. Trevor has been booked to ride today taking over from Leigh Roche and runners from this yard tend to make significant improvement so she is likely to leave her previous form well behind and is expected to run a very big race today and must be feared.
MISHKA'S PRIDE :- One of two runners from the Imtiaz Sait yard here and clearly the more fancied of the two with A. Sandesh who rode her last time out retaining the ride. She sets the form standard on her excellent 2nd to Kariega in the Juvenile Fillies Championship and looks hard to beat on that score. She did finish on to be a good 4th in The Breeders Produce Stakes on her prior run and the only concern is that she is running again quickly within a gap of 2 weeks. She is hard to oppose on form and if not affected by running again so soon, looks the most likely winner.
CONCLUSION :-Mishka's Pride is hard to oppose on form and the only slight worry is that she is running again within the space of 2 weeks which is not ideal for a 3 year old filly. The one likely to trouble her most looks to be Elation who should find improvement for the step up to this trip while out station challenger Square The Circle is also respected.
Race No. 4 :- The Sprint Star Plate – Div. II – Class V – horses who have run during the current Mumbai Meeting and not won – Distance :- 1200M
ANTARCTICA :- Lightly raced 4 year old trained by Altamash Ahmed who has the scope to improve and although running disappointingly as a favourite over 1400M last time out, did run with promise the 2 starts prior to that. She finished on nicely from the rear to be 4th to Officer in Command over this trip a couple of runs ago and next time out, again ran well over 1000M to be a close 5th to Tasch. She has been given a month to improve since her run and Bhawani Singh takes over in the saddle today replacing S.A. Amit. She has top weight to defy in what looks a large and competitive field but is likely better than what she has shown so far and looks a strong each way contender if unlocking some more improvement.
FABERGE :- 9 race maiden from the S.K. Sunderji yard who needed his first few starts to come to hand and has performed quite consistently in 4 runs this term, all over this 6 furlong trip. A close 3rd to Bourbon Princess on his seasonal debut, he went on to finish runner up to Felix Felicis next time out. He ran disappointingly in an older horses contest on his next start when finishing midfield behind Angels Harmony but did a little better last time out when making late headway to finish a close 5th behind XoXo last time out. Neeraj Rawal who rode him last time out retains the ride, he seems to be quite consistent barring that one bad run and looks to have each way claims here and is likely to finish within the frame.
HI HO SLIVER :- Maiden 4 year old grey filly trained by Dallas Todywalla who looked to have improved this season and has been a bit disappointing the last twice. Finishing on late to be 4th behind Myrcella on reappearance, she was unlucky not to score over 1400M next time out when hampered at a crucial stage and finishing on strongly again to be runner up to Saffron Flower. She was well fancied to score next time out but could only manage to finish 3rd behind Gandalf and Dragonmoss and last time out, was a well held 5th behind Cormorant and now has something to prove. She drops back down to 6 furlongs today after 3 runs over 1400, M. Ayyar has been booked to ride, and while she looks capable of being involved and could still progress, she appears to have a bit to prove after her last 2 efforts. Considered.
NAVIGATOR :- Maiden 4 year old gelding who is one of two runners from the Narendra Lagad yard and appears to be the more fancied of the pair with P. Trevor an eye catching Jockey booking. He has run promisingly on a couple of occasions including an excellent close 3rd to Oriana and Barbaresco on just his 2nd start in Pune but his formed seemed to taper off after that and he failed miserably as a favourite next time out. He has had 5 runs this season and 12 overall but his last effort was a promising one when he finished on well under a feeble apprentice to be runner up to more fancied stable companion Red Carnation barely 10 days ago. That run was over 1000M so this extra furlong should suit, he has been working well of late and with a strong rider in the saddle today, looks a leading fancy and could finally gain an overdue first success today.
TEODOR MONTE :- Largely untried maiden 4 year old gelding from the yard of Mansoor Shah, he has run 11 times so far without making any impression, showing signs of ability just once earlier this season over course and distance when running a forward race to finish 3rd to Felix Felicis just a neck behind Faberge. His 2 subsequent runs have been poor but they were with 5 kilo claimers up and H.Zeeshan takes over in the saddle today which looks a positive. He is an unknown quantity who did show ability over this trip in the past and can be a good outsider if he reproduces that sort of effort.
JULIANO :- 6 year old gelding trained by S.S. Shah who has had a comparatively poor season but he has managed to taste success once before in his 17 starts and looks to be on a decent handicap mark at present. He has run thrice so far this season and after needing a lung opener, has run promisingly in his last 2 starts over 1000M, finishing just outside the frame on both occasions, last time out ending up 5th behind Agrami. The return to 6 furlongs should suit him better, he has bagged an excellent draw on the rail and with Akshay a good front rider booked today, he is likely to try and make all the running and cannot be ignored.
ROMANTIC EYES :- Well bred maiden 5 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait who is 0 for 14 in her racing career so far in spite of having gone close on a couple of occasions. She has run over distances ranging from 1400 – 2000M mainly having tackled this 6 furlong trip only once before as a juvenile where she finished on late to be an eye catching 3rd. She went very close over 1400M on her seasonal reappearance but seemed to take a backward step thereafter running poorly when upped to 2000M and again the last twice dropped down to 7 furlongs. She drops back down to 1200M now and S. Zervan has been booked to ride but she is an unreliable sort and is given a small upset chance at best.
CECILIA :- Well bred and lightly raced 5 year old mare from the Faisal Abbas yard who has had 11 starts without a win so far but has been skilfully brought down to a very attractive mark and does not appear to have been seriously tried until now. She has run 6 times already this season so fitness is clearly not an issue and ran fairly well over 7 furlongs last time out with a feeble rider when ending up 5th to Deccan King. She has a good rider up for the first time today with A. Sandesh in the saddle and could be well treated on the scale at present. Her last spurt with Rospomare was eye catching and she is an unknown quantity who could be much better than her current mark and merits each way consideration here.
CONCLUSION :- Very tricky with several able to stake claims here. Navigator is marginally preferred with P. Trevor in the saddle having run well last time out. The list of dangers is extremely long with Antarctia and Cecilia the most feared
Race No. 5 :- The Roman Dancer Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :-1000M
BONAFIDE :- Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Deepesh Narredu after beginning her career with Malesh Narredu this Excellent Art filly is a winner of 1 of her 10 races so far having placed on 5 occasions and developed into something of a 5 furlong specialist. 5 of her 6 runs this season have come over the minimum trip over which she also gained her debut success, holding off the late finishing Night Watch to prevail narrowly. She led for a long way when tried over 1200M last time out and kicked on to hold all bar the impressive winner Pablo. She appears to be very well within herself at present, the booking of P. Trevor is a big positive and she looks to have an excellent chance to earn another bracket and looks a leading contender to return to winning ways here.
JULIO CESARO :- One of 5 runners in the field trained by Narendra Lagad and probably the most fancied of the bunch with stable jockey Dashrath Singh electing to ride him. He has had patchy form in his 15 race career so far, winning just once and placing on 3 occasions. He finished a close 2nd to Sharareh on just his 2nd run this season over this trip but has failed to reproduce that form in 4 starts since. His last run though gave hopes that he was regaining form when he finished on strongly from the rear to be a flying late 4th to Cezanne and he can entertain each way claims if he can build on that effort.
GRAND SINATRA :- Lightly raced and potentially unexposed 4 year old gelding trained by NosherCama who has run just thrice so far, making his racing debut in Pune back in September and after being given 2 easy educative runs in Pune, looked to have improved considerably over the winter when running a cracking race on his first start on the Mahalaxmi track, coming with a powerful run and looking a winner before being nabbed on the line by Agrami. He will no doubt improve for that run and strip fitter and has been working well since the run suggesting that he has progressed again. This being just his 4th start, he is capable of even better and with retained rider P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, he is a leading fancy to go one better and shed his maiden tag today.
CABELLERO :- 4 year old colt from the Mansoor Shah stable who has a similar profile to Grand Sinatra having raced just twice so far and showed very good speed last time out over this trip, leading for a long way and kicking on to finish a good 3rd to Mighty Warrior. That run was in mid December so he has been off the track for over 3 months now and may have fitness to prove after the break. H. Zeeshan takes over in the saddle from N.B.Kuldeep and he looks likely to improve on just his 3rd career start. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness since he was withdrawn on his last intended start but if looking fit and well he could be a danger to all and must come into consideration.
CONCLUSION :- The lightly raced Grand Sinatra made a pleasing reappearance back from a long break and is expected to go one better on his narrow 2nd last time out and shed his maiden tag today. Cabellero, returning from a short break also has been working well and is the one feared most to trouble him.
Race No. 6 :- The Sprint Star Plate – Div. I – Class V – horses who have run during the current Mumbai Meeting and not won – Distance :- 1200M
ROYAL ACE :- Well bred but still winless 6 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas, he has run 20 times so far without success and is another who is returning from a short break, having last raced on December 23rd. He looked in good form at the beginning of the season when running 3rd in two similar contests, last time out favourite when 3rd to Royston Rock over this trip. His last couple of workouts suggest that he has maintained his early season form and the booking of A. Sandesh catches the eye. He looks vulnerable to the younger horses but is capable of scoring in this grade and if keeping up to his early season form, he is capable of being involved.
WESTEROS :- Lightly raced and highly regarded 4 year old colt from the Dallas Todywalla yard who seemed to suffer a setback after running a good 3rd behind Run Forest Run on his racing debut over this trip and has been working his way back into form, having reappeared this season after a long absence. Both his runs this season have been over 7 furlongs and a mile and he has run a forward race on both occasions before retiring so should relish the drop to a sprint trip. He should have gained sufficient fitness from those 2 runs, has been moving well in the morning gallops and with improvement expected on just his 4th start, he looks a strong each way contender with the rail draw and K. Nazil booked to ride.
EBONY :- Consistent 5 year old mare trained by Altamash Ahmed who has been a perennial bridesmaid having finished runner up in 5 of her 15 starts but is still a maiden and searching for her first success. Barring one poor run in between, she has been regularly placing in similar contests and again finished on well to be a close 2nd to Pulverize last time out. A. S. Peter who has been riding her all season knows her quite well and she is expected to do well again and be involved in the finish but again looks vulnerable against the younger horses and looks to be more of a place prospect again today.
NIGHT HUNT :- Well bred and highly regarded 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad, he has been untried in his 4 runs so far and looks to be steadily improving with his racing. Making his racing debut in Pune towards the end of September, he ran suggestively in both his starts in Pune, finishing 4th to Valegro over 1400M on his 2nd run. He made his seasonal debut on the Derby weekend over 1200M and again ran respectably in a decent race to finish 5th behind El Commandante. He was well backed last time out upped to 1400M and was prominent for a long way, ending up 3rd to Cormorant and Princess Eliza and should be suited by the drop back to this trip. That last run suggested that he was ready to strike and with P. Trevor taking over in the saddle today, looks a strong contender to score and should be the one to beat.
NIGHT WATCH :- Enigmatic maiden 5 year old from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has been blazing the track in the morning gallops but seems unable to reproduce that form on the race grass. He was a hot favourite on his first run of the season but got going late to finish a close 2nd to Bonafide and he has run poorly in his 3 starts hence. He continues to impress on the sand track but does not look entirely straightforward. Stable apprentice R. Ajinkya takes over today in the saddle with a change of equipment and he must be considered as a good outsider who is capable of springing a surprise for in form yard.
CONCLUSION :- Night Hunt is selected to give another winner to P. Trevor who is battling for the Jockeys Championship with A. Sandesh and he should score from the improving Westeros.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
