From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 6th April, 2019- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 06 Apr 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 6th April, 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The R.R. Komandur Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
TRULY EPIC :-Progressive looking 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has won 3 of his 12 starts so far but also been tried in plenty of big races and looks to have some more scope for improvement up the handicap route. His best trip at present appears to be a mile, having convincingly beaten Zanzibaar over it a couple of runs ago and he then went on to finish a very close 3rd to Flying Visit. He travelled to Delhi to contest the North India Derby but picked up an ailment on his travels and was unable to give off his best, finishing only 6th. He looks to have recovered since returning as he has been working well of late and P. Trevor takes over for the first time today. He looks to have the better of Excellent Sorrento and Western Front on a line through Kingsman and hence appears a leading contender to return to winning ways.
ZANZIBAAR :- Exposed and aged 6 year old gelding from the N. Karajawala yard, he is a 33 race veteran who has won thrice before and also placed on 10 occasions but seems to be handicapped at his level at the present time as he has remained at around this handicap mark for a while now and has failed to rise above. He has run 4 times this season and did show some promise on his penultimate start when chasing home Truly Epic and is actually better off at the weights for that run but he ran poorly last time out when finishing last of the 7 runners again behind Truly Epic. He has been rested since that run in February so should be fresh and with A. Sandesh up today, looks to have each way claims although winning looks tough.
EXCELLENT SORRENTO :- Improving 4 year old colt trained by Malesh Narredu who has been searching for his correct distance, having been tried over varying trips since his 6 furlong debut win but he was an impressive winner over this trip last time out, coming with a strong stretch run to beat Bhaktawar by a length and the runner up has gone on to frank the form. Overall a winner of 2 of his 6 starts, he looks open to further improvement over this mile trip and has only a 4 ½ kilo penalty to contend with. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today replacing Yash Narredu and if building on that last effort, then he has the scope to trouble them all and must be respected.
WESTERN FRONT :-Progressive 4 year old handicapper trained by Dallas Todywalla who has showed vast improvement this season and is also the winner of 2 races from 6 starts, he has been in fine form this term, where his form figures read 2-1-1-2. Runner up to highly regarded Vintage on seasonal reappearance, he went on to score impressive back to back victories over a mile and 1800M, comfortably beating Excellent Sorrento (4th ) on that occasion and is weighted to confirm the form. However, he could only finish runner up to Kingsman last time out and he is 3 ¼ lengths worse off with Truly Epic if a line through Kingsman is taken. He does appear to be holding his form well and improving all season and with S. Zervan in the saddle, should run a good race again and be involved.
LUCKY LUCIANO :-5 year old gelding from the Adhirajsingh Jodha yard who is usually effective over further but has become quite a consistent handicapper winning 2 of his 21 starts and placing on 9 occasions. He did win over a mile first time out this season but has raced over 2000M and beyond and seems to get along well with Dashrath Singh who returns to ride him today, having partnered him in both his good early season runs. However, he appears to be facing much tougher opposition today so looks up against it in this company and should fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :-Truly Epic is selected to return to winning ways and should be able to tackle this field if he is back in form after his Delhi sojourn. Excellent Sorrento looked much improved over this trip last time out and is the most feared along with the consistent improver Western Front who looks out handicapped with the selection.
Race No. 2 :- The Ahmed I. Rahimtoola Trophy – Div. II – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
CELLINI :- Interesting looking debutant from the yard of Bezan Chenoy, he is a half brother to El Commandante who has been impressive throughout this season and also a full brother to two well performed types in Fabulous Touch and Khayyam so the family seems to have thrown some useful types although he does look a bit short on his preparatory work. He has moved well in his couple of workouts and also jumped out well from the gates so seems to know his job but the booking of J. Chinoy suggests that he may be out for an educative run today. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition and he is capable of springing a surprise first time out and looks an interesting outsider.
CHEPHIRAH :- Once raced 3 year old filly from the yard of S.K. Sunderji, she is returning from a long break having run the first three year old race of the season, finishing 3rd of 4 to Namaqua over 1000M and has been rested and given time to improve since then. She has moved well in her last couple of workouts and S. Zervan has been booked to ride today taking over from Dashrath Singh. She too catches the eye on pedigree being a half sister to La Magnifique and if she has improved on that debut performance then she looks to have strong each way claims.
DESPACITO :-Leitir Mor filly who is making her racing debut from the yard of Dallas Todywalla and is another who seems to have quite an attractive pedigree and come from a well performed family. The dam Silent Crystal has also thrown Cher Amie who has won 3 races from her 12 starts in Madras, winning the Guindy Grand Prix (Gr.3) and finishing runner up in the Nilgiris 1000 Guineas (Gr.3) and third in the Nilgiris Derby (Gr.1) while the other half brother Daffy Duck raced just once in Pune. He has been well prepared for his debut run with plenty of work and while he was outpaced by Eye Candy in a recent Mock Race, his subsequent workouts suggest that he has come on for that run. He looks likely to give a good account of himself first time out and must be respected with A. Sandesh in the saddle.
JUDY BLUE EYES :-Another debutant representing strong connections owned by Jaydev Mody and trained by Nosher Cama, she has been impressing in her preparatory work and has also been showing good speed out of the gates in her gate jumps so should be suited by this 5 furlong trip. The booking of B.Nikhil tempers enthusiasm somewhat and suggests that she may be going out for an airing today but she looks a speedy type and can be a danger to all from a good draw so should not be ignored.
TURMERIC TOWER :- Thrice raced Diffident filly who appears to the more fancied of the yard’s 2 runners but has been a bit unfortunate with the draw being drawn widest of all in Stall 13. All her 3 runs this season have been over the minimum trip and after showing promise in her first two starts, she has to bounce back from a poor effort last time out. Finishing on eye catchingly on debut she went on to finish a close 2nd to Across the Sea next time out but was never in the hunt when fancied last time out and finished well down the field. That run was just 3 weeks ago so she needs to bounce back quickly but she sets the form standard on her earlier form. She can be forgiven one poor run at this early stage and if returning to her earlier form, looks to have a good chance to get off the mark with Dashrath Singh on board.
WHYDAH :-Another interesting looking debutant with a nice pedigree, she is owned by the Dhunjibhoy family and trained by Faisal Abbas who does not appear to be fully wound up first time out but has moved attractively in the couple of workouts that she has undergone. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition but the booking of P. Trevor suggests that connections fancy their chances first time out and she has bagged a good draw in Stall 4. With those that have run not setting a very high level of form, she stands as good a chance as any to make a winning debut and looks likely to have a bold show.
CONCLUSION :-With those that have already raced not setting the world alight with their form, this could very well go to one of the first timers and the two that appeal the most are Whydah and Despacito. The former appears to have a little bit more quality and is the selection. Of those that have run, Chephirah looks interesting in spite of returning from a 3 month absence.
Race No. 3 :- The Ahmed I. Rahimtoola Trophy – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
MAJESTIC WARRIOR :-One of 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard and presumably the most fancied being the mount of Dashrath Singh. He has a smart pedigree being by Leitir Mor out of One Magic Moment and is a half brother to some speedy types like Cyclone, Black Magic Woman and Izarra. He made his racing debut over 1200M barely 2 weeks ago, but that looked a particularly strong race with several winners competing and he was not disgraced when finishing 7th of 9, only 5 lengths behind the winner and is likely to improve for that run. He should be fitter and sharper today, this opposition looks decidedly easier and he is worth fancying each way if progressing and is likely to make the frame.
MZILIKAZI :-Represents powerful connections, owned by the Dhunjibhoy – Mehta partnership and from the stable of Pesi Shroff and catches the eye as being a half brother to Bateleur who has been performing impressively all season. He appears to be not totally wound up first time out but has moved well in his preparatory work and seems to be an above average type. A paddock check will clearly be advised to ascertain his condition and the presence of Akshay in the saddle may indicate that he just might need the lung opener. However he is definitely not one who can be ignored first time out and looks quite capable of beginning his career with a win. Respected .
SALTBAE :- One of the more experienced runners in this field, this ward of Deepesh Narredu has raced thrice so far, running the inaugural 3 year old race in Pune and also 2 runs this season, showing a little improvement on his last effort when finishing 5th to Across the Sea. He was gelded after that race so is having his first run since but his most recent workouts are indicative that the gelding operation has benefitted him greatly. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today and although he has been drawn wide in Stall 11, he looks likely to be involved if reproducing his good track work and can add some spice to the finish.
BELENUS :- Speedy looking filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard who possibly sets the form standard on her forward run over 1200M on debut where she led for a long way before kicking on to finish runner up to Gallantry. However, she flopped very tamely when an odds on favourite on her next start which was almost a month ago, dropping away very tamely to finish 8th to Castilian and has something to prove after that run. The drop to the minimum is likely to suit her though and A. Sandesh takes over today from Neeraj Rawal which is also a positive. She holds strong claims if running upto the form of her debut effort and could very well bounce back today.
SEE THE SUNRISE :- Nicely bred Strong Suit filly from the stable of BezanChenoy, she is a half sister to two potentially smart types in the form of Wilshire and Copenhagen, and looks an interesting sort on paper. Given an educative run on Derby Day in the B.K. Rattonsey Multi Million she found the opposition to be too strong that day and finished tailed off but is sure to have learnt from that experience and improved since. She has been well prepared since then and appears to be working the best of this lot and with P. Trevor taking over from Amyn Merchant in the saddle today, she is expected to leave that running well behind and looks a strong contender to score in his much easier company in spite of being drawn widest in Stall 13.
CONCLUSION :-Although Belenus seems to have the best form of those who have raced, the two to focus on appear to be Mzilikazi, a half brother to Bateleur and See The Sunrise who is likely to have learnt plenty from her debut run and has been working extremely well of late
Race No. 4 :- The Seth Ramnath Daga Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1200M
CLYMENE :-Lightly raced and well performed 5 year old mare trained by Faisal Abbas who has won 5 of her 3 starts and has gradually progressed up the handicap ranks to reach the highest class. Most of her previous runs and all of her previous wins have come over 5 furlongs but her last 3 starts have been over this 6 furlong trip and she looks like she is appreciating this trip as she matures. She ran very respectably when finishing 3rd in the S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship and although she could not make an impression in the Sprinters Cup, she has been working well since returning. She looks to have the strongest form in this field but is also conceding weight to some improving younger horses so in spite of looking to have a good chance with Dashrath Singh booked to ride, she may find one of the bottom weights to be too strong.
GAZINO :-Speedy 5 year old trained by Nosher Cama who has been a relatively consistent performer over this trip throughout his career, winning 4 of his 16 starts and also placing on 6 occasions. After having a lacklustre Pune campaign, he has looked in good form this term, finishing runner up to La Magnifique on reappearance and then after flopping when hot favourite over an inadequate 5 furlong trip, went on to score upped to this trip, holding off Excellent Gold and Kilkarry Bridge to win convincingly. He ran a cracker of a race last time out as well when finishing a close 3rd to Master of Universe, right there in the firing line and probably suffering from feeble assistance in the saddle. He will benefit greatly from the jockey switch today with P. Trevor taking over from feeble claimer, has been working very well and looks to have an excellent chance to earn another bracket.
EXCELLENT :- Classy and well performed 4 year old from the Dallas Todywalla yard, he has finished in the first two in 7 of his 10 starts till date, winning 4 races and seems to be coming into his own after an insipid start to the season. After running disappointingly in the Indian 2000 Guineas where he clearly did not look at his best, he finished a close 2nd to Excellent Gold over a mile, was not given the greatest of rides when a close 3rd to Turning Point and Brainstorm dropped down to 7 furlongs and took advantage of a straightforward opportunity last time out to return to winning ways. He has been racing over middle distances throughout his career so is likely to find this trip to be slightly on the sharp side but he looks to be well within himself at present and with A. Sandesh as usual booked to ride, he appears to be the one they all have to beat.
EXCELLENT GOLD :- Another well performed 5 year old sprinter this one from the Narendra Lagad stable, he has been struggling with his handicap mark for some time now but has gone close a couple of times this season without adding to his tally of 4 wins. He finished a very close 2nd to Iron Age over 1000M on his penultimate run but found the younger horses too strong last time out when only 3rd to Awesome One and looks to be held by Gazino on their previous runs. He deserves each way consideration with K. Nazil in the saddle but may still have to wait for that elusive first success.
CONCLUSION :- With Awesome One previously taking the drop to 6 furlongs in his stride, Excellent is fancied to continue his progression and get the better of the in form Gazino. Top weight Clymene is also respected
Race No. 5 :- The P. A. D’Avoine Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
THOMAS HARDY :- Well bred and well regarded 4 year old from the Vishal Gaikwad stable who looked a shade green and inexperienced on debut but still showed a good attitude to get up close home and pip Shivalik Queen over 1200M and is sure to improve significantly for that experience. The extra furlong is sure to suit him and his track work since the run has been quite pleasing. He looks to have found a relatively weak field to take on today and with P. Trevor retaining the ride looks hard to oppose and should maintain his unbeaten record today.
GENTILLESSE :-Nicely bred 5 year old mare who is a sister to Confiance and began her career impressively but seems to have suffered some sort of setback midway through her career and still seems to be finding her way back. Trained by Sanjay Kolse and lightly raced for her age she has won once in her 11 starts and went off the boil after her first 4 runs and has been out of form in her last several starts. She has run thrice this season and run suggestively on her last couple of starts, making the frame on both occasions last time out to Poco Azul. Neeraj who rode her last time out retains the ride, she looks almost sure to make the frame in this company and can fight it out for the runner up slot but looks hard to beat Thomas Hardy.
FLYING DRAGON :-Trained by S.S. Shah, he is now a 7 race veteran who has come down considerably in the weights from his peak. He has run a total of 40 times, winning just twice but placing on 15 occasions and showed he still had zest for racing when just being collared late on by Sylvester over a mile on his penultimate run. He was 4th to Excellent Sorrento last time out over a mile and although this trip is slightly on the shorter side for him, N.S. Parmar takes the ride and he is likely to run into a place again in this field .
MY PRECIOUS :-Well bred but erratic 5 year old mare from the stable of Karthik G who has been largely inconsistent in her 18 race career but did manage to gain her maiden success earlier this season when making all the running over this trip and kicking on to hold off the odds on favourite Kingsman. She has failed to impress in 3 runs since then, finishing in midfield on all 3 occasions but should be able to dominate in this small field. Bhawani Singh will take the ride, she is likely to try and make all and if showing the ability of her earlier win, she could spring a surprise.
CONCLUSION :-Thomas Hardy created a good impression on debut and looks to have found an easy field to take on. He is confidently selected to make it 2 wins in a row and should win easily barring a mishap. Gentillesselooks to be coming back to form and should follow him home.
Race No. 6 :- The Monifieth Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
SHIVALIK QUEEN :-Speedy 4 year old filly trained by Faisal Abbas who has had 8 runs so far winning once and placing on 4 occasions for a good overall record. She has run well in 2 of her 3 starts this season, just failing to catch Between the Waters on reappearance and then after a poor penultimate run, got back on track last time out when looking a winner before just being pipped by Thomas Hardy who is fancied to score in the earlier race. A. Sandesh who rode her last time keeps the ride, she should not mind the drop to the minimum trip and looks a strong fancy to re-enter the winner’s circle today.
PLEIADES :-Another progressive looking and well bred 4 year old, this one from the stable of NazakChenoy who has run 7 times till date and also seemed to come into form this season. Runner up to Medici over 1400M as a hot favourite he went on to score his maiden success dropped to 1200M next time out, getting up late to beat Isinit and was given a tester last time out in the higher grade when finishing 5th to Tasch. It is not sure whether he will have the speed for this drop to the minimum trip but the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye and he is clearly one who can improve and merits strong each way consideration.
RED CARNATION :- Speedy looking chestnut gelding who looks the most fancied of the 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard but will be ridden by inexperienced 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj who steered him to his maiden victory last time out. He looked to be finding form in his last 2-3 starts and after a couple of 3rdplaced finishes scored a smooth success over Navigator over this trip. He should gain some confidence from the win and his rider’s claim will negate most of his penalty so he does not look badly placed on the scale. He is likely to make a bold bid to repeat again and must come into consideration.
SANDALPHON :-Maiden5 year old gelding from the small stable of Trainer Himmat Singh he will be ridden by leading 5 kilo claimer A.S. Peter which augurs well for him. He has run 12 times so far without success and while most of his placed form has come over middle distances, he has finished a distant 2nd in a 5 furlong contest on 1 occasion. He is returning from a break having had 2 early season runs and could fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :-Especially if Thomas Hardy wins the earlier race, Shivalik Queen looks set to return to winning ways after her promising last effort. Pleiades and Red Carnation should be the main dangers.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
