PSYCHIC FIRE :- Maiden 4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, earlier known as Windsor Fortune, he has run 9 times till date, 3 of those runs coming this term, having skipped the entire Mumbai season possibly due to a setback. He ran very promisingly on his reappearance after a gap of almost 10 months, running a forward race over 1000M and kicking on to finish a close 3rd to his stable companions, Julio Cesaro and Brave (winner since). However, he did not show the same speed next time out, was in the rear throughout and trailed before showing a little improvement last time out when finishing mid field behind Brave about 3 weeks ago. He may still be finding his way back after his long break and the additional furlong could possibly suit him better. K. Nazil has been booked to ride today replacing M. Ayyar and if he is able to unlock some more improvement over this trip then he looks to have an each way chance and comes into the reckoning.
ROMANTIC EYES :- Relatively exposed 5 year old mare who is currently trained by Imtiaz Sait and has run 20 times so far, managing to gain her maiden success over 1000M on the opening day of the season, just edging out Outstanding with the same rider up. She has run thrice after that, running poorly when turned out again quickly in a week’s time but doing a little better when upped to 7 furlongs next time out, ending up a close 4th behind Flying Dragon. She was dropped back to this trip for her last run which was a little less than a month ago, finishing a faraway 5th to Stick To The Plan. She has largely struggled since scoring that maiden victory and does not seem to be completely straightforward so although she should still have some wiggle room off her current handicap mark and Raghuveer Singh is up again today, she is an unreliable sort who could be involved if putting her best foot forward but tempers enthusiasm to support her.
SIXTH EMPEROR :-Stable companion of Psychic Fire and has a similar profile having yet to taste success in 8 starts so far and may yet need time to come into his own. He finished well down the field in his 6 runs in Mumbai but showed some promise on his seasonal debut, running a forward race over this trip and keeping on to finish a close 4th to Red Fire, but failed to build on that when entrusted to A. Sandesh last time out, always in the rear and ending a poor 7th to Stick To The Plan, about a length behind Romantic Eyes that day. 5 kilo claimer Aniket Karande gets a leg up today and has been riding fairly well this season and if he is able to show the speed that he did on his opening assay, then he is capable of being involved. He has done some pleasing pieces of work since his last run and is worth an each way consideration but is also unreliable.
THEOBROMA :-Unexposed and untried 5 year old mare who has failed to make an impression in her 9 runs till date but has dropped down in the weights as a result. She has finished well down the field in most of her runs but when tried over 1400M last time out, she ran with the pack and although finishing 7th was not a long way behind the winner. That run showed signs of some ability and if she is able to build on that last effort, then she could prove to be a factor. Malam Singh takes the ride today and she looks another rank outsider who could be capable of springing a surprise if she is beginning to come to hand. Paddock check advised.
MAESTRO :-5 year old gelding trained by Nazzak B. Chenoy who is possibly the form pick in this field and also has been running the most reliably, showing good consistency this term. Still a maiden after 11 starts, he has run with credit in his last 3 runs, making the frame on each occasion and going very close on his penultimate run over 1000M when finishing 3rd just ¾ length and a neck behind Godsword and Ame who has gone on to win since. He did not seem to be at his best last time out when stable companion Grand Architect was fancied more but still ran well to finish 3rd behind Brave and might be suited by the step up to 6 furlongs as he tends to come from off the pace. M. Ayyar has ridden some good winners for the stable in similar contests and he appears the most logical choice and is likely to succeed today.
TEODOR MONTE :- 4 year old maiden trained by Mansoor Shah who has run 14 times till date without any success, mostly finishing off the board but he does have a couple of 3rd placed finishes to his name. One of those runs was his opening run of the season where he ran on well to finish 3rd to Abraxas with Maestro just behind him in 4th that day and he is better placed on the scale on that run by just under 3 lengths. He looks capable of improving and building on that opening effort but the lack of any trackwork since then is a slight concern. N.B. Kuldeep who rode him last time out keeps the ride and if he is able to reproduce that last effort, then he looks to have an excellent chance and is capable of putting it across Maestro.
CONCLUSION :-A messy opener which is probably best left alone but the obvious choice appears to be Maestro who has been running consistently of late and also has some good form in the book. Teodor Monte is better placed than the selection on their earlier meeting this season and shapes as the danger if he is fit and well but no recent trackwork is a concern
Race No. 2 :- The Fourth Estate Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1800M
BRILLIANT GOLD :- Once raced Net Whizz gelding from the stable of S.K. Sunderji who was given an educative run on debut a month ago, racing over 7 furlongs in a strong race and finishing 6th behind Sultan Suleiman. He beat only 1 runner home that day and Rather Tippy finished a length and a half ahead of him but his subsequent workouts suggest that he has learnt from that run and made significant improvement. His half sister Beatrix has won just one race from her 15 starts in Calcutta but that win came over 1800M so he is likely to appreciate more galloping ground. C.S. Jodha who rode him last time out keeps the ride and he is expected to leave that debut running well behind and run a much better race today.
KING SOLOMON :-One of 4 runners for Pesi Shroff in this 6 horse field and is apparently held in quite high regard. He too has raced just once before, making his debut over a mile about 3 weeks ago and running prominently for a long way before fitness probably became and issue and he fell back to finish 5th of 6 to stablemate Seventh Mile. He too is likely to have stripped fitter and learnt from his debut experience and should be much sharper today. He looks likely to develop into a staying type eventually so the additional furlong should suit and with N.S. Parmar taking over from Neeraj Rawal today, he too is expected to give a much better account of himself and should be involved.
AKINA SPEED STAR :-Half sister to the classy Tiger Tops who like many of these from her stable has had an educative run earlier in the season and should be much more aware this time around. Her run was also over 7 furlongs barely 2 weeks ago where she ran a forward race till the bend before weakening to finish 5th behind Rainbow Trout. She will definitely relish more galloping ground but may need a little bit more time to come to hand and Yash Narredu takes over in the saddle today replacing Neeraj Rawal who has opted for Sea The Dream. She looks capable of figuring in the frame in this small field but may be passed over from a win perspective today.
SEA THE DREAM :- Beautifully bred got abroad from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, she is the daughter of Sea The Stars, one of the greatest horses of this century from the UK, winner of the English Derby, the Arc D’ Triomphe and several other Group 1 races and clearly looks a very exciting prospect on paper. She made her debut back in June in the Bangalore summer where she was clearly very green and inexperienced and ended up 9th of the 12 runners over 1400M. She has been given time to strengthen and improve since then and has been working particularly well for some time now. She was also given a mock race about 2 weeks ago where she moved attractively, easily accounting for Jameson and looks the most fancied of the yard’s 4 runners with Neeraj Rawal taking the ride. She looks to have an excellent chance to get off the mark at the 2nd time of asking and seems to be the one to beat
CONCLUSION :-This appears to be one of the races framed to complete the card and with Pesi Shroff accounting for 4 of the 6 runners, the race looks to be in his grasp. Sea The Dream, who has a wonderful pedigree and moved well in a recent Mock Race is selected to get the better of Brilliant Gold and King Solomon.
Race No. 3:- The D.N. Zodge Plate (HR 60 – 86, 40 – 59 eligible) – 1400M
ZENON :-5 year old gelding from the stable of Narendra Lagad who has finally come to hand for his new connections and has been in very good form this season. Winner of 4 of his 19 starts, his first 3 wins came for Pesi Shroff and he took ages to come to hand since moving to Narendra Lagad but showed promise this season on his reappearance when finishing on late to be 3rd to Kingsman over this trip. He faltered a bit when upped to 1800M next time out but made no mistake when reverting to this trip, coming with a strong late run to peg back Augustus Caesar. He is 4 lengths worse off with that rival today so needs to pull out some more improvement but went on to chase home Flying Visit last time out upped to a mile. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since the win, has been working very well and A. Imran Khan takes the ride today in place of A. Sandesh. He looks to be well within himself at present and while he will fancy his chances to gain revenge on Flying Visit, he may find it hard to confirm the form with Augustus Caesar.
FLYING VISIT :-Smartly progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has been making smooth progress up the handicap ranks and seems to win alternate races so he will need to break that trend if he is to succeed today. Beginning his career only in December of last year, he quickly gave notice that he was an above average type, winning 4 of his 7 races and also finishing runner up on 2 occasions. The only time that he has finished outside the frame was on his opening run of this season where he needed the lung opener, ending up 6th behind Gazino but quickly returned to form last time out when comfortably getting the better of Zenon over a mile. The drop to 7 furlongs should not be a problem and he looks to be in good form since his last run. S. Zervan who rode him last time out keeps the ride and has been in rousing form of late so he looks a strong contender to repeat but will need to progress again as he is out handicapped against both Zenon and Augustus Caesar.
BESHIKTASH :-Smart but inconsistent 5 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has won 4 of his 15 starts and has also finished runner up on 3 occasions. He has been campaigned mainly over sprint trips till date but does stay this far and has won over this trip in the past. He began the season promisingly when a late finishing 2nd to King Khalil on his reappearance over 1000M but appeared to find the 5 furlong trip too sharp last time out when only 7th to stable companion Intense Stylist and this step up to 1400M appears logical. He has been working very well since the last run, C.S. Jodha takes over today from N.B. Kuldeep and he warrants respect in this small field and could possibly throw a spanner in the works.
AUGUSTUS CAESAR :- Well regarded and improving 4 year old from the stable of Altamaash Ahmed who was off the track for almost 10 months after making an impressive start to his career and was seemingly rushed into the Mumbai Classics which was understandably too much for him at this early stage. After finishing down the field in the Indian Derby, he reverted back to handicaps and has been running with great promise since. Poorly ridden on his final start in Mumbai when a late finishing 2nd to Notting Hill, he returned to form in imperious fashion on his seasonal debut, annihilating the opposition to win by 7 lengths over this trip. He was handed a stiff penalty for that win but nearly took it in his stride, looking a winner before being run down very late in the day by Zenon who is 4 kilos worse off today. He has been working very well since the last run and looks a frontline contender to continue his progression and return to the winner’s circle
CONCLUSION :-Augustus Caesar looks a near certainty on handicap coming out better on the scale than Zenon after the last run and hence also with Flying Visit. The last named is a progressive sort who looks the main danger as he can improve further.
Race No. 4 :- The Pune Cantonment Board Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
BRAZOS :-6 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav who has plenty of stamina and has won 3 of his 24 starts till date his last 2 wins coming over 2400M while his maiden win was over a mile. He was a late finishing 4th over this trip to Lucky Luciano in the Independence Million on his last start and was a facile winner upped to 2400M last time out, proving far too strong for his rivals and scoring by 8 ¼ lengths from Dazzle N Daze with Silver King a well beaten 4th that day. He has been handed a 6 kilo penalty for that win and drops back in trip again to 2000M which does not seem ideal and he now has to concede weight all around to mainly younger rivals. However, he is clearly in the pink of condition at present and with N.S. Parmar back in the saddle replacing the unavailable A. Sandesh, he is likely to make a bold bid to repeat and must be respected in spite of top weight.
GDANSK :- Exposed 5 year old staying handicapper trained by S. Waheed and another who would ideally be suited by more galloping ground, he has been slowly working his way back into form and has been quite consistent in the recent past without looking ready to earn another bracket. Winner of 2 races from 21 starts overall, he has had 3 runs this season, getting a lung opener over a mile before finishing on to be runner up to Western Front over 1800M on his penultimate start and ending a faraway 4th to Tasawwur when upped to this trip last time out. The booking of Neeraj Rawal to replace K. Nazil is definitely a positive and he has been eased in grade so he is worth considering each way.
MISHKA’S PRIDE :- One of two 3 year old contenders for Imtiaz Sait in this contest and a winner of 1 of her 6 starts till date, she seems to take her time to get fully wound up and came to hand only in the latter part of her juvenile campaign. She needed 2 runs in Mumbai before she could hit full stride and then proceeded to finish runner up to Kariega in the Juvenile Fillies Championship before scoring a bloodless maiden victory to round out the season, both of those last 2 runs over a mile. She was clearly in need of her opening run in Pune over 1400M but disappointed as a warm favourite over a mile last time out so clearly has a bit to prove now. However, like in Mumbai, she may have needed those first 2 runs and with Akshay Kumar in the saddle today and this longer trip most likely in her favour, she has been working well and is worth giving one more chance to today. Strong fancy.
SILVER KING :-Stable companion of Mishka’s Pride who has a similar profile, having won 1 of his 7 starts and also does not appear to be totally straightforward and has lacked consistency so far. He ran 4 times during his juvenile season, running one promising race over a mile on his 2nd start where he finished a close 2nd to Astounding Bay in a 3 horse photo but then subsequently disappointed on his next 2 starts. He got up late to shed his maiden tag over 1800M on his penultimate run but then ran miserably upped to 2400M last time out when finishing a long way behind Brazos. The drop back to 2000M should suit and S. Zervan who has been riding him this season keeps the ride but he too looks an unreliable sort but can be in the shake up if he is in a galloping mood.
ARRECIFE :- Clearly the more fancied of the Zadmal Singh runners with A. Imran Khan taking the ride, this 5 year old mare is quite sparingly raced having won just one of her 14 starts to date although she has placed on 6 occasions. She has been largely consistent over middle distance trips since the last year, and gained an overdue maiden success over a mile on her last run in Mumbai, getting up in the final strides to pip Master of Studies. She needed a run in Pune to blow away the cobwebs so should strip fitter and her recent work has been satisfactory. She should have taken confidence from that last win and with fitness now unlikely to be an issue, she is another who merits consideration and can be involved.
GOLD MEDALIST :-Consistent 5 year old handicapper trained by S. K. Sunderji who has only managed to win once from his 14 starts but has also placed on 8 occasions but seems to be in the grip of the handicapper since his maiden success. He has run thrice since that maiden victory in Mumbai, twice this term and has finished 3rd on each occasion, last time out finishing ahead of Mishka’s Pride when 3rd to Daddy’s Pride. He has been working quite well since the run, C.S. Jodha retains the ride and while he looks almost certain to make the frame again, he will need to pull out some more improvement if he is to return to the winner’s circle.
POWER OF THOR :-Veteran 6 year old gelding from the in form Narendra Lagad stable who has been in cracking form this season winning back to back races in similar contests and narrowly failing in his hattrick bid when collared late on by Aurora Australis when dropped to a mile last time out. The return to his longer trip is bound to suit him and although he is taking on tougher opposition today, he has been in terrific form and it is dangerous to ignore him. K. Nazil takes the ride replacing A. Sandesh and he is sure to trouble them all from the foot of the weights and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-This looks quite competitive but I feel that Mishka’s Pride will have come into her own after 2 disappointing runs this season and with scope for more improvement, should get back to winning ways over this longer trip. Stable companion Silver King is inconsistent but could trouble her if in a galloping mood while the consistent Gold Medalistappeals most among the older horses
Race No. 5 :- The Dakshin Maharashtra & Goa Sub-Area Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
PLEIADES :- Improving 4 year old gelding from the in form stable of Nazzak B. Chenoy who looks to be progressing nicely with his racing and comes into this race fresh off a smart win over course and distance. Winner of 2 of his 10 starts so far and also runner up on 2 occasions, he needed his first 4 runs to come to hand but has been largely consistent since then. Winner of his maiden in the lower class in Mumbai, he showed he had made progress this season when after needing his opening run, he showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals last time out to score a convincing 1 ¾ length victory over Super Mario with the same rider up. The 4th placed Ustad Pedro has gone on to win since then so the form looks strong and he has only been given a 4 kilo penalty so he remains in the same grade. He is likely to make a bold bid to repeat with A. Imran Khan up again and must be respected in spite of conceding weight all around.
POLYNEICES :- Speedy 5 year old gelding trained by Nosher Cama who has won 2 of his 16 starts and should come on for his lung opener earlier in the season when he finished on to be just outside the frame when 5th behind Xoxo with a feeble rider up. He does not appear to be too high above his last winning mark and comes out level with Pleiades on a line through Super Mario. He has been working well since his earlier run, YashNarredu takes over in the saddle from S.J. Sunil today and he too looks to have a strong each way chance if improving from that last run and definitely comes into consideration.
BRAVE :- Late maturing 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who is a winner of 2 of his 17 starts till date and is another coming into this fresh off an impressive win as he was a convincing winner over 1000M last time out. He has been quite consistent in his 4 runs this season making the frame on every occasion but all his runs this season have been over the minimum trip and this is the first time that he is tackling 6 furlongs. His 5 ½ kilo penalty is practically offset by his rider’s 5 kilo allowance though after being ridden by P.S. Kaviraj throughout the season, he has AniketKarande up for the first time today. He is one of 4 runners for the yard who’s strongest runner appears to be En Sabah Nur but he is in good form and should try hard to repeat.
OFFICER IN COMMAND :- 4 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who comes from a smart sprinting line, being a half brother to Gold Bag and Indian Serenade but has not quite lived up to expectations just yet. It is still early days as he has had only 6 starts so far but even his maiden victory was a hard fought one where as an odds on favourite he had to pull out all the stops to hold off Ebony and he has failed to shine in his 3 starts since. He needed the lung opener over 1000M on his earlier run of the season, finishing just outside the frame when 5th behind Clark Kent 2 weeks ago and should improve for that run. The additional furlong also looks likely to suit, Neeraj Rawal takes over from whipless apprentice in the saddle and with the yard enjoying an excellent season, he looks to have a good each way chance if he is able to unlock further improvement and looks to have the ability to progress so should do so. Considered.
EN SABAH NUR :-3 year old gelding who is possibly the most fancied of the yards 4 runners and has the services of C.S. Jodha in the saddle today. Making his racing debut this season itself, he is having his 3rd quick run in a short span of time, having finished runner up in both his earlier starts in 5 furlong maidens, going down to Sachertorte on debut and last time out collared late on by Cipher. He is making his handicap debut off what looks a fair mark, the additional furlong should be in his favour and he looks to have an excellent chance to make it 3rd time lucky and go one better today although he has a wide draw in Stall 13.
WESTEROS :- Speedily bred and lightly raced 4 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who is finding his way back after a setback early in his career and after needing the Mumbai season to regain his full form, looked to have come to hand, making a winning start to this season with a pillar to post effort over this trip in the hands of the same rider, beating Outstanding by a little over a length. He has been upped into the higher grade and is taking on tougher opposition today but only has a 3 kilo penalty to contend with and his rider claims 5. He looks open to further improvement, has been working well since the win and looks to have an excellent chance to repeat so looks a danger to all.
CONCLUSION :-Again this looks tough and competitive but Pleiades looks to be improving with every run and showed a good attitude last time out to beat some promising 3 year olds. In the same grade, he is selected to repeat. Westeros also won smartly last time out and has not been harshly penalized so looks a danger along with Polyneices
Race No. 6 :- The Aquamarine Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1600M
LORRAINE :-Well bred and progressive 5 year old mare from the stable of Nosher Cama who is a winner of 3of her 13 starts and has also finished runner up on 4 occasions. She has been quite lightly raced for her age but has been quite consistent in her last several starts and has finished either winner or runner up on the last 6 occasions. In 2 starts this term, she first made late headway from the rear on reappearance to finish runner up to the promising 3 year old Headway and then upped to this trip for the first time last time out, was confidently ridden to get the better of Barack by 1 ¾ lengths. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness since that run and YashNarredu who has been riding her of late and gets on with her well is up again today. She looks to be in terrific form at present so should be able to counter a 4 ½ kilo penalty and is a strong fancy to repeat.
KHARTOUM :- Another well bred and sparingly raced 5 year old, this one from the stable of Shazaan Shah, he has an excellent record of 3 wins from his 9 starts till date and showed his class when scoring at a double figure price last time out over this trip, making all the running and kicking on resiliently to get the better of Bhaktawar by a head. He was clearly not totally wound up that day so should improve considerably for that effort and A. Imran Khan takes over in the saddle today which is a big positive. He has been kept fresh since that run but there is no recent trackwork so fitness is obviously a concern but he too only has a 4 kilo penalty to contend with and looks very capable of scoring a quick encore.
GOLDEN HIND :-4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who is coming back from a long absence so clearly has fitness to prove but looked a very promising prospect in his brief career and should have plenty of improvement left in him. Runner up in each of his first three starts and gradually stepping up in trip from 6 furlongs to a mile, he showed that this was his pet trip when scoring impressive back to back victories early in the Mumbai season, beating Flying Visit by 5 lengths at level weights and was taken to Hyderabad for a tilt at the Derby but possibly did not stay the trip. He last raced at the end of January so has had a substantial 9 month break and is likely to be rusty first time out. However, he has been moving quite impressively in his preparatory work and the return to this mile trip is bound to suit. The booking of retained rider Akshay Kumar suggests that connections will fancy their chances and although probably needing this run, he is very dangerous to rule out and could very well bounce back with a win so should not be ignored .
GENTILLESSE :- 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse who has won 3 of her 15 starts so far, recovering from a setback midway through her career and scoring back to back successes towards the end of the last Mumbai season. She has run twice so far this term, impressing when finishing a flying late 3rd over 1200M on reappearance in her bid to complete a hattrick, beaten just 1 length by Adeline and Harmony of the Sea but a bit disappointing when upped to 7 furlongs last time out but only able to manage a 5th place finish behind Questionable. Her come from behind style suggests that she should enjoy the step up to a mile and although having a bit to prove after the last run, she is capable of bouncing back with NeerajRawal in the saddle and could prove to be a value outsider.
AURORA AUSTRALIS :-Powerfully built 6 year old mare from the Hosidar Daji stable who seems to relish the Pune track and all 3 of her wins from her 23 starts have come on this course. She scored back to back wins over 1400M on this track last season and this time around, after running promisingly on a couple of occasions, scored her 3rd success last time out and her first over a mile when showing a good attitude to get on top of Power of Thor and succeed close home. She seems to have maintained her form and fitness since the run and a 4 ½ kilo penalty seems manageable. She is taking on notably tougher opposition but seems to be in good form and is likely to try hard to repeat with regular partner Amyn Merchant in the saddle.
BHAKTAWAR :- Took his time to come to hand but has made it well worth connections’ patience since he has hit form, this 6 year old gelding trained by C. Rajendra has done all his winning this year, rattling off 3 wins from 4 starts between January and March and seems to have at least held his form this term, making the frame in all his 3 starts. 4th to Bushtops on the opening day, he went on to run a close 2nd to Khartoum over this trip and last time out again ran well when finishing 3rd to Lorraine and Barack. He looks well placed on the scale with both his previous conquerors and looks a solid each way contender with NeerajRawal in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :-Even though Lorraine is outhandicapped after her last win, she looked to have a bit in hand that day and is selected to repeat in this older company. Khartoum was nowhere near ready last time out and shapes as a danger and Golden Hind is also respected in spite of returning after a very long break
Race No. 7 :- The Capriole Plate – Div. I – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – No Whips Permitted – Distance :- 1200M
AMERICAN ODYSSEY :- Interesting looking and inexperienced 4 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla, she has run just once previously, over course and distance about a month ago, racing prominently throughout and keeping on well to finish a good 3rd to Stick To The Plan and Suarez. She is sure to have learnt plenty from that debut run and should find considerable improvement for it. Prabhu Naidu is replaced by the stable’s 5 kilo claimer P. Vinod who has had a good season so far and been among the winners. She appears to have the maximum scope to improve from amongst this lot and looks to have been well placed by her trainer to get off the mark. Leading contender.
THEA’S PET :- Speedy 5 year old mare who was acquired midway through her career by Narendra Lagad and has been brought down to what looks a very workable mark at present. Winner of just 1 race from 19 starts, she seemed to suffer a setback shortly after scoring her maiden success and moved to her current yard where she has dropped from a mark of 39 right down to 27. She showed signs that she was finding some form on the opening day of the season when finishing on to be 3rd to Romantic Eyes over 1000M and raced over 7 furlongs last time out which was too long for her. Her recent trackwork has been quite good and this 6 furlong trip should suit. She looks very well handicapped on her old form and if she retains her ability then she is capable of scoring with AniketKarande claiming 5 kilos in the saddle.
JACK FLASH :-Untried 4 year old colt trained by Hosidar Daji who has done nothing of note in his 5 runs so far, three of them this season but has come down in the weights as a result and has been showing out in the morning trials for some time now. His 3 runs this season have all come over middle distance trips and he is being tried over a sprint for the first time. K.Nazil takes over in the saddle today from A.S. Peter and although it is hard to recommend him, he is worth keeping an eye on as an unknown quantity who could possibly cause a stunning upset.
ISINIT :- Aged and exposed 7 year old mare trained by S.N. Joshi who is a veteran of 49 starts having won only twice but placed on as many as 15 occasions so she is quite consistent. She usually fares well over sprint trips and ran well on her first 2 starts this season over the minimum trip but has been disappointing the last twice when upped to this trip and she needs to bounce back quickly. 5 kilo claimer D.R. Shubham has been booked to ride today in place of A.S. Peter, she does possess early speed and if ridden prominently from a good draw in Stall 4, she is capable of being involved in the finish.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- Another exposed handicapper, this 6 year old mare trained by AdhirajsinghJodha has run 34 times till date, winning twice in the past and both times off a similar sort of mark. She too has come down significantly in the weights since her last victory a little over a year ago and is starting to look very well handicapped. She hinted at a revival last time out when finishing on nicely to make the frame behind Ustad Pedro and that run was her best in some time. Santosh G takes over today from D.R. Shubham which is a positive and if she can build on that last effort, then she looks to have a good handicap chance and can be involved in the finish.
SO SPLENDID :- 4 year old gelding from the stable of Mansoor Shah who has run quite suggestively on a couple of occasions but is yet to make the frame in 13 starts so far. He too looks to have come down to a very workable mark and was possibly fancied for the first time over 7 furlongs last time out but failed to quicken after being prominent at the bend and ended up 5th to Eternal Dancer. This is his 3rd start of the season so he has no excuses with regards to fitness, N.B. Kuldeep keeps the ride and if better suited by the drop to this trip, he could make a statement off a good mark and it will be interesting to see if there is money for him again. Dark horse.
CONCLUSION :-American Odyssey did enough on her debut to suggest that she could win a race of this nature with normal progression and is selected to score another win for P. Vinod who is having an excellent season for an apprentice. Adam’s Beginning could be a danger if building on her last effort while So Splendid is better than what he has shown so far and is also considered
