From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 6th October, 2019 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 05 Oct 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 6th October , 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The K. Ragunath Plate – Class IV & V, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1400M
QUEEN’S GATE :- Half sister to Continental and full sister to dual Guineas winner and Multiple Group 1 placed Windsor Forest, this Pesi Shroff trained 3 year old has not quite come into herself in her 3 starts so far although last time she was faced with a tough ask in the F.D. Wadia Trophy against much tougher opposition. Her other 2 runs have been decent, finishing on late on her debut in Mumbai to be a flying 3rd to Princess Annabel and Royal Crystal and probably a little rusty and in need of the run when again runner up to Saltbae on her first run on this track. Both those races were over 6 furlongs and this extra furlong is likely to suit. Considering that the horses that she was close up with on debut have gone to contest Classics suggests that form is quite strong and hence in this company, she looks set to get off the mark and is strongly fancied with S. Zervan in the saddle.
ATHULYA :-5 race maiden trained by S.K. Sunderji who has been slowly making improvement with her racing and after running unsuccessfully in 3 sprint maidens in Mumbai, has showed some improvement this term. She had been working well and was well fancied against Queens Gate on the opening day and finished about 2 lengths behind her receiving 3 ½ kilos so she does not have to improve a great deal to reverse that verdict. She showed further improvement when stepped up to this trip last time out, when a close 2nd to Nekhbet and has been working well since the last run. She is likely to improve again, stable jockey C.S. Jodha takes the ride and she looks a worthy adversary to Queens Gate and can turn the tables on her today. Live danger.
BLAZING BAY :-Rather exposed 3 year old Saamidd colt from the Karthik G yard who has run 8 times till date over varying trips and has yet to create much of an impression. However, after a bunch of insipid runs in Mumbai, he did hint at some sort of ability on his opening run of the season here when he finished runner up to the exciting Sasakwa over this trip. He was well beaten that day but finished clear of the rest of his rivals and that was the first time he made the frame so it is hoped that he will improve for it. His track work since the run has been quite good and although he does need to step up on the bare form, he can build on that last effort and looks to have each way claims with Bhawani Singh in the saddle.
SIR RAMON :- Unplaced Senure gelding from the stable of Hosidar Daji who has run 6 times so far and has a couple of 4thplaced finishes to his name. He showed gradual improvement on his 3 runs in Mumbai, ending the season with a faraway 4th over this trip to Galloping Goldmine. He has been working well since the beginning of the season here too and after needing 2 lung opener over 1000M to get him fully fit, he ran promisingly last time out when finishing up 4th to Nekhbet upped to this trip and actually comes out marginally better than Athulya (2nd) on the scale so he looks well handicapped. He is likely to improve further on that last effort, K. Nazil who has been riding him all season takes the ride again and if he continues to build on his previous efforts then he can improve again and looks well placed on the scale to score if he does so.
PRINCIPESSA :-Possibly has the best chance of the stable’s 3 runners and she will be ridden by improving 5 kilo claimer Aniket Karande. She has a similar profile to Blazing Bay having run 8 times till date without success and she began the season in promising fashion over this trip when finishing on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Star Comrade with today’s rider on board. She was possibly too highly tried next time out in the Southern Command Trophy and on her last start she was tried over 2400M which was possibly too long. She returns to what should be a more suitable trip with her favoured rider back on board and could possibly spring a surprise running off a feather weight. Interesting outsider.
CONCLUSION :-This looks to be a good opportunity for the fashionably bred Queen’s Gate to get off the mark and she is selected to get the better of Athulya who is more exposed and slightly worse off at the weights. Sir Ramon lacks the scope of improvement but is actually the best handicapped here and is also considered.
Race No. 2 :- The Chef D’Oeuvre Plate – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1800M
ADONIJAH :-5 year old colt who began his career with Pesi Shroff in the famous colours of Dr. Vijay Mallya but has since been sold into M.K. Jadhav’s yard and now carries the colours of Mr. Ramesh Chandra Mehta. His overall profile is not too convincing as he has managed just 1 win from his 20 starts so far but he has also placed on 8 occasions and has come down considerably in the scale. His maiden success came over course and distance a little over a year ago but he has largely struggled since then although he has shown signs of a revival in his last 2 starts. In his penultimate start over 7 furlongs he finished on strongly from the rear to end up a faraway 2nd to Finderlhof and last time out upped to a mile, he was once again strong at the finish, ending up 3rd to Aurora Australis. He has also been eased in grade into the lower class and N.S. Parmar has been booked to ride. He looks to be coming back to his best gradually and warrants respect in this grade.
SADDLE THE WIND :-Relatively unexposed 4 year old filly trained by Karthik G who has taken some time to come to hand but seems to have progressed in her last 2 starts and appears to be going the right way at the moment. Carrying no prior form into this season, she looked to have progressed over the summer when returning from a 5 month break to run a forward race over a mile and kick on to finish runner up to Cupido beating several of these in the process. She duly built on that next time out when scoring her maiden success over 2000M narrowly beating Eternal Dancer by a neck with 4 of today’s runners filling the places behind her. She should gain confidence from that win and is expected to improve again and a 4 kilo penalty seems fair. NeerajRawal takes over in the saddle today in the absence of A. Sandesh and she looked to be stopping towards the end last time out so this 200M less to travel should suit. She looks a strong contender to repeat and has an excellent chance of going in again.
DAZZLE N DAZE :-Exposed but in form 8 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who was been in good form this season over a variety of trips. Winner of 5 of his 49 starts overall he has managed to place on all 4 of his runs this season, winning once over a mile beating She’s a Tiger (winner since) by 2 lengths. He finished runner up to Brazos when upped to 2400M next time out and in his last attempt he was 3rd behind Saddle the Wind, beaten a length and a quarter. He is versatile with regards to trip so the 1800M should not be a problem and he comes off better at the weights today although he lacks the scope of improvement of the winner. Santosh G who rode him last time keeps the ride and he looks relatively certain to make the frame and deserves each way consideration.
ARIZONA PIE :- Maiden 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has done nothing of note in 6 runs so far, having been upped to longer distances in her 2 runs this season and had a strong rider up for the first time last time out but failed to make an impression and ended up 6th over 2000M. She was not beaten all that far that day and the slightly shorter trip may be to her advantage and A. Imran Khan retains the ride. She does not appear to have fully come to hand yet and while she may be able to find some improvement and can be considered for minor honours, it looks a while before she can be considered from a win perspective. Rank outsider.
MR. HONEY :-Well bred 4 year old gelding from the Nirad Karanjawala stable who is winless in 10 starts so far but did seem to find some improvement when upped to middle distances and has run promisingly in his last few starts. He has run thrice this season, twice over a mile, finishing 3rd to Lambretta on reappearance and upped to 2000M last time out, ended up a close 4th to Saddle The Wind, just behind Dazzle N Daze and ahead of His Master’s Vice and Arizona Pie. He has been working well for some time now and should not mind the drop in trip. T.S. Jodha who has been riding him of late keeps the ride and he looks another who can fight it out for minor honours but needs to progress again before he can enter the winner’s circle.
MASTER OF STUDIES :- Well bred 5 year old got abroad who has run 18 times till date without success but looks to be a late maturing sort and only showed signs of ability in his last 4 or 5 starts. He looked to come to hand towards the end of the Mumbai season, going very close on 2 occasions, just failing to hold off Arrecife over a mile and then just failing to catch the runaway Whoopsidaisy over this trip. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and should strip fitter today. He needs to show that he is in the same mood as he was in Mumbai and with K. Nazil taking over from S. Zervan in the saddle today, he is one to keep an eye on from the bottom of the scale.
CONCLUSION :-With most of the runners either exposed or aged, it is probably logical to keep the faith with last outing winner Saddle The Wind. The 4 year old filly has improved on each of her runs this season and looks likely to progress again. She has not been harshly penalized and looks good for a quick encore. The demoted Adonijah looks to be the main danger if he is in a galloping mood.
Race No. 3 :- The Amjad Khan Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
HELLS BELLS :- Lightly raced 5 year old gelding from the Mansoor Shah yard who has looks to have come to hand in the latter part of his career and has been running well in his last 4 starts. Winner of 2 of his 10 starts till date, he scored consecutive wins over 1400M, scoring an upset win on Derby Day and then making an impressive start to the season when a facile winner on the opening day. He went on to run a decent 3rd to Questionable and Slam Dunk when tackling Class III opposition next time out and last time out finished runner up to Philadelphia when dropping back into this grade. He looks to be well within himself at the moment, and gets a little relief in weight with N.B. Kuldeep replacing NeerajRawal in the saddle and claiming a valuable 3 ½ kilos off his back. He is a form horse who must be respected in his current mood and is likely to be involved in the finish again.
BENEVOLENCE :-4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has not quite been progressing as expected but at the same time looks capable of striking off her current mark. She has placed on as many as 7 occasions in her 13 starts but has managed to win just once, the win coming over 2000M in Mumbai where she convincingly beat Fanfare by 4 lengths. She has placed on both her previous runs this season, finishing a promising runner up to Lucky Luciano when reappearing in the Independence Million but ran poorly when well fancied over 1800M last time out, ending up a poor 3rd to Western Front. She is tackling this mile trip surprisingly for the very first time and in the absence of A. Sandesh, Akshay Kumar is an encouraging Jockey booking. She has been kept fresh since her last run and looks to have an each way chance especially if suited by the drop in trip.
LAMBRETTA :-Quite exposed 5 year old gelding trained by Karthik G who was 1 win to his name from 15 runs so far but has run fairly well since being upped into this grade. He scored a bloodless maiden win over this trip in the lower class on his opening run of the season, scoring by 3 ½ lengths from Hi Ho Silver and last time out ended up 3rd behind Majestic Warrior over 7 furlongs. The return to a mile is likely to suit him, he likes to front run and should be able to make the running in this small field. He looks to be fit and well at present and with stable jockey Bhawani Singh to guide him, could try and make every post a winning one and could prove dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
BAIT AND SWITCH :-Maiden 3 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has been knocking at the door in maiden company and may be able to finally get off the mark making his handicap debut. He has placed in all his 4 runs so far, his first 2 runs being over sprint trips in Mumbai but stepping up to middle distances on his 2 runs in Pune. He went very close on his reappearance over 1800M when collared right on the line by Silver King and last time out over this trip he ended a well beaten 3rd behind Seventh Mile. He is taking on mainly exposed older horses today so should fancy his chances and C.S. Jodha takes the ride. He has been quite consistent overall and should fancy his chances to shed his maiden tag in this company.
BLACK CHERRY :- Another maiden 3 year old this one from the stable of Narendra Lagad, she is a half sister to Dixieland who won 2 races over a mile with Pesi Shroff so should be suited by this trip and did run 1 promising race on her penultimate start when finishing 3rd, 2 ¾ lengths behind Bait and Switch. However she ran a shocker over 2000M last time out ending up a well held 5th so does not appear to be completely straightforward. The drop to this mile trip and switch to handicaps may suit her as well, N.S. Parmar has been booked to ride today and if she is able to reproduce her excellent trackwork, then she has a chance of finishing in the frame.
CONCLUSION :- It may be worth giving one more chance to the 3 year old Bait and Switch who has already been an expensive failure on a couple of occasions and he may finally be able to score on handicap debut. The consistent Hells Bells seems to be the best of the older horses and is feared most while Black Cherry could surprise for the leading stable of Narendra Lagad
Race No. 4 :- The October Handicap – Class IV & V, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1200M
MIRABILIS :-Beautifully bred being a full sister to Your Royal Majesty and has not quite reached her heights in 5 starts so far and does look to have the scope to go further. She made steady progress over 3 runs in Mumbai without really catching the eye, culminating in a hard fought win over Dreams on her final start. She had a run early in the Bangalore Summer where she ran disappointingly and was put away after that and given time to improve. Her 3rd in the F.D. Wadia on reappearance was a step in the right direction although it is uncertain whether this drop in trip will suit her. Her last few workouts have been quite impressive and with the in form S. Zervan taking over in the saddle today, she is expected to make a bold bid to return to winning ways and is greatly respected in spite of top weight.
DIVINE GLORY :-Well performed 3 year old daughter of Arazan from the stable of Altaf Hussain who has run 4 times till date with 1 prior success. She has finished 3rd in all her 3 starts in Western India however, her maiden success coming in Hyderabad on the Invitation Cup weekend but she seems to have quite a good level of form. Her 2 Mumbai runs were over 1400 and 1200M respectively finishing 3rd to Hunt for Gold and Trouvaille on debut and then 3rd to Headway and Missing You next time out, which looks very strong form. She was 3rd on her only run this season in the August Handicap and she comes out level with Mirabilis on a line through Mzilikazi. She has been rested and given time to improve since that last run, looks to be working well and although T.S. Jodha replacing A. Sandesh looks a negative on paper, she should be primed for a big run and is likely to be in the shake up.
COPPER QUEEN :- Got abroad filly who is a stable companion of Mirabilis and has run 6 times so far, not really progressing much in her 4 starts in Mumbai and also needing the lung opener on her opening run of this season but she looked vastly improved over this trip last time out when breaking well from the gates, making all the running and holding on well to beat the odds on favourite Questina in the VillooPoonawalla Million. She looks to have maintained herself well since that run and YashNarredu who has ridden her both times this season is up again today. That last run may suggest that she has come to hand and she is expected to make a bold bid from the front once again and must come into consideration.
SANDMAN :-One of the better looking 3 year olds from the Nirad Karanjawala stable he was held in quite high regard and entered in 2 tough juvenile contests in Mumbai, running decently on debut when 4th to Kariega before finishing midfield in the Rattonsey Million on derby day. Working well in Pune and given a straightforward opportunity in Class V first time out, he made no mistake and was a comfortable 3 ¼ length winner over God’s Decree in a 5 furlong maiden. He is certain to have gained confidence from that win and should progress again as he returns to 6 furlongs against much tougher opposition. A Imran Khan is a good Jockey booking and he is expected to run well and should be in the frame.
PROPERLY POSH :- Well bred 3 year old filly from the Altamaash Ahmed yard who has raced 4 times till date and already showed that she has plenty of ability. Her 2 starts this season have been very impressive, scoring a wide margin maiden win over this trip on reappearance and running a cracker last time out as well going down fighting to Silver Flames and Majestic Warrior which looks good form. She has bled in the past so has been kept quite fresh since her last run and looks to have a good each way chance today with NeerajRawal in the saddle
CONCLUSION :-A good 3 year old event but the two to concentrate on appear to be Mirabilis and Divine Glory. Both appear to have the strongest form and should fight out the finish with marginal preference for the Shroff ward.
Race No. 5 :- The Threptin Fillies & Mares’ Stakes (Grade 3) – Terms – Fillies & Mares, 3 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1800M
LA RONDINE :- Winner of the Indian 1000 Guineas on just her 2nd start and one of 2 runners from the Vishal Gaikwad stable, she has a creditable overall record of 4 wins from her 9 starts till date although her mark took a beating after her Guineas win and she struggled in the face of some tough tasks after that. She needed her first run of the season on her reappearance in Pune when only 4th in the Turf Club Trophy but looked back to close to her best in the Pune City Gold Cup (Grade 3) over a mile last time out when she finished on strongly to just get the better of Bronx and decisively turned the tables on Awesome One. The additional furlong is unlikely to pose her any problems but she does have to concede weight all around here. She is definitely capable of scoring with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle and has to be respected and feared but her stable mate looks better placed on the scale.
ROBERTA :-Bred in the purple 4 year old filly from the Pesi Shroff yard who has been plagued by injury problems in her limited career but has still managed to win 3 of her 10 races and claim a Group 1 success when beating Eyes For You in the Indian Oaks. She has 2 good runner up performances in St. Leger’s in her last 3 starts so distance appears to be her forte and she is likely to find things happening too quickly here. She merits consideration with Y.S. Srinath flying down especially to take the ride but is given just a small upset chance in win and most likely should fight it out for minor honours.
WATCHMYSCRIPT :-6 year old out station challenger from Bangalore who was a resolute winner of this race last year and returns again to defend her crown. She won this comfortably from Lady In Lace and Auburn last season and has an admirable overall record of 9 wins and 11 places from her 27 starts and she is also the joint highest rated in this field along with La Rondine. She finished a close 3rd to Secretive Force in the Governor’s Cup over 2400M on her last start showing that she is in form and is likely to make a bold bid to defend her title with S. Zervan in the saddle today.
AUBURN :-Stable companion of La Rondine and very well performed in her own right, she has managed to win 5 of her 16 starts till date and finished 3rd in this race last year and is slightly better weighted with Watchmyscript than she was last year. She too needed a couple of runs to return to her best form but gave a powerful performance from the front last time out, making all the running over a mile and holding off Bronx to score by a length. A line through Bronx gives her a significant advantage over La Rondine on the scale and she appears to be fit and well after the last run. Akshay Kumar takes the ride aboard her today and she is another who looks extremely well placed on the scale and stands a good chance to better her 3rd place finish last season. Very interesting.
EYES FOR YOU :- Possibly the most interesting runner of the lot, this 4 year old filly from the stable of Rehanullah Khan has looked potentially very exciting and showed her class when a gallant runner up to Roberta in the Indian Oaks. She has looked a bit below par in her races since then but was interestingly very heavily backed over 1200M last week but dropped the rider and bolted and had to be withdrawn. She is having just her 9th start so clearly does have more improvement left in her and considering that she was at level weights with Roberta in the Oaks, she receives 6 kilos from her and 8 from La Rondine so looks the best treated amongst the 4 year olds. The 9 furlong trip is likely to see her in a much better light and with N.S. Parmar booked to ride, she has the potential to cause an upset.
CONCLUSION :- This appears to be surprisingly competitive with several able to stake a claim but I will go narrowly with Auburn who looks very well suited by the Terms of this race and should be able to control the gallop from the front. The out station challenger Watchmyscript is sure to make a bold bid to defend her crown and is feared while Eyes For You looks to be a value outsider.
Race No. 6 :- The Kejriwal Trophy – Class III & IV, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
QUEEN CREDIBLE :-Enigmatic but versatile 6 year old mare trained by Rehanullah Khan who is a veteran of 33 starts and has won thrice before as well as placing on a number of occasions. She is effective between 5 furlongs and 7 furlongs but this is arguably her best trip and although it has been a long time since she has won, she has run some good races in defeat so seems to retain her ability. She finished on from the rear over 1000M last time out to end up a late finishing 5th to Intense Stylist and she has now been eased in grade into the lower class. Bhawani Singh who rode her last time out keeps the ride and since she likes to be delivered late with a strong challenge from the rear he will need the gaps to appear at the right time but definitely looks one to consider in this ultra competitive event.
GOLD FIELD :-Speedy and well performed 5 year old mare from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha and will be ridden by stable apprentice Santosh G. She has won 4 of her 23 starts so far and comes into this race in good form, having finished runner up to Adele over 1000M last time out. She looks to have maintained herself well since that run 2 weeks ago and she has bagged a good draw in Stall No. 2. She is equally effective over this extra furlong and looks to have a good each way chance in this field.
ARC SHINE :-Well performed 5 year old mare from the stable of S.N. Joshi who has won 3 of her 27 starts but has also placed on 11 occasions and has had 2 runs this season to help her to regain fitness. She did manage to sneak home over this trip back in March where she had Gold Field, Sassy Lass and Adeline in behind her and she has also been working quite well of late. She finished on late to be just outside the frame last time out and with A. Imran Khan retaining the ride, she looks capable of troubling them all and should come into calculations.
ADELINE :-6 year old mare trained by S.K. Sunderji who returned from a long lay off to score a battling half length win over Harmony of the Sea over this trip on her only previous run of the season. She has not run for almost 2 months now which is a concern but she appears to have been on the track throughout and has been working quite satisfactorily. C.S. Jodha who rode her last time out gets a leg up again today and under a 4 kilo penalty she is likely to make a bold bid to repeat and could very well do so if she is fit and well as she has current form.
SASSY LASS :- Another last outing winner who seems to revel in Pune conditions, this 5 year old mare trained by Asad Siddiqui has gained all her 3 previous wins from her 17 starts on this track including a powerful performance last time out when dropped into the lower class and easily accounting for Arabian Storm and Auroden over 1400M. She too has been penalized 4 kilos for the win but drops in trip slightly to 1200M and has also been upped in grade back into Class III. The booking of NeerajRawal to ride today replacing A.S. Peter suggests that connections fancy their chances for an encore and she did score back to back wins last season on this track. She appears to be tracking well since the last victory and is given a decent chance to go in again.
PHILADELPHIA :- Relatively consistent handicapper, this 6 year old mare from the Dallas Todywalla stable seems to have managed to improve again this season and after racing over sprints for the major part of her career has unlocked some more improvement when stepped up to 7 furlongs this term. Runner up to Hells Bells on the opening day, she went on to turn the tables on her conqueror last time out, staying the 7 furlong trip well and not looking like stopping at all so the drop back to this sharper trip is questionable. She is no doubt in great heart at present and P. Vinod who has been in top form this season keeps the ride. She is up 4 ½ kilos for the win so may struggle to repeat over this sharper trip and in this higher grade but looks likely to be in the thick of things again and should make the finish interesting.
LORD COMMANDER :-5 year old grey gelding trained by Bezan Chenoy who has been knocking at the door for some time now but has been unable to add to his 2 previous wins. He has run thrice so far this season and after needing the lung opener, has finished runner up the last twice, chasing home Cezanne over 1000M on the first occasion before proving no match for Lesrel last time out over this trip but edging Sharareh out of 2nd spot. He too looks to be working well since the run so has retained his form and M. Ayyar takes over in the saddle today replacing 5 kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj. Lord Commander also looks to have each way claims and should try to make it 3rd time lucky today.
SLAM DUNK :-6 year old gelding who is trained by H.J. Antia and is usually at his best when dominating large field handicaps such as this. He ran a cracker on his penultimate run over 7 furlongs when leading until well into the straight before being worn down by the hard ridden Questionable and ending up a close 2nd. He was not so good when fancied and dropped into the lower class last time out and returns to this grade with a big drop in weight and another 5 kilo claimer up today with Niranjan S. Parmar taking the ride. He has been given a wide draw in Stall 15 which may not be the worst thing and if he away smartly from his wide draw then he is capable of making every post a winning one and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-An extremely competitive affair and probably best left alone from a betting perspective. Slam Dunk is capable of making all as he showed on his penultimate run while Lord Commander has been running consistently and is also capable. Gold Field and last outing winner Adeline are also worthy of a mention
Race No. 7 :- The Strelitzia Plate – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :- 6 year old mare trained by A. M. Jadhav who has won 3 of her 29 starts and has come down markedly in the scale with a string of poor recent efforts. However, she did show that she still had zest for racing a few starts ago over this trip in Mumbai when finishing on smartly to be runner up to Harmony of the Sea and has only had 2 runs since then. She badly needed the run on her seasonal reappearance and finished tailed off but is sure to have improved for that run and has been eased in grade into the lowest class. She has moved well in her last couple of workouts and N.S. Parmar takes over in the saddle today replacing K. Pranil. She definitely deserves consideration in this older company and can earn another bracket for her young trainer if she has her galloping shoes on.
DIBABA :-Another 6 year old mare, this one from the yard of Sanjay Kolse who has won twice in her 28 starts so far and has also placed on 7 occasions and she too is starting to look very well handicapped. Both her previous wins have come when she has dropped back into this lowest grade and she does so for the first time since her last win and has had 3 runs this season already so fitness should not be an issue. She finished close up to the frame last time out and the booking of A. Imran Khan catches the eye. She has been working quite well of late and seems to be a strong each way contender.
DRAGONMOSS :- 5 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who was only won one of his 25 starts so far although he has managed to place on a number of occasions. He has slipped down considerably in the weights from his last winning mark and looks quite well handicapped at present. He has had 4 starts this season and after finishing runner up to Navigator a couple of starts ago, has run poorly the last twice and needs to bounce back. Santosh G who rode him last time out keeps the ride and while he looks likely to fight it out for minor honours again today, it is hard to fancy him from a win perspective and the percentage call is to oppose today.
SOLO MISSION :-Maiden 5 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G whose losing run has now stretched to 22 but he has looked to be finding some form this season and has run well in all his 3 starts. He finished on strongly from the rear over 1200M last time out to be a close 3rd to Ame and Highland Wind with Lilibeth not far away in 5th and A. Prakash who rode him last time out keeps the ride. This additional furlong looks likely to suit him to a tee and in a race which seems to lack strength in depth he appears to be an in form horse who may finally gain a long overdue maiden success.
LOVELY FAIRY :- Has a similar profile to Solo Mission, this 5 year old mare trained by C. Rajendra has gone 19 starts without a win but has slipped down considerably in the weights as a result. She has shown form over this trip in the past and has had 2 runs already this season so fitness should not be an issue. She has done a couple of nice pieces of work since her last run over a mile where she finished 5th behind Dazzle N Daze and with Amyn Merchant in the saddle, looks another worthy of each way consideration and capable of finally getting off the mark.
FOREVER FREE :-6 year old mare trained by Adil Dajee who is still a maiden after 26 starts and is looking quite exposed and frustrating to follow. However, after needing a lung opener this season over an inadequate 1000M, she ran one of her best races last time out over this trip to finish a good 2nd to Nightfall and appears to have maintained herself well since the run. Akshay Gaikwad who has been booked to ride today does not have a great win record so is a slight negative but she appears to be in good nick at present and should be involved if running upto the same level today.
LILIBETH :- Inconsistent 5 year old mare from the stable of Narendra Lagad who is a winner of just 1 of her 27 starts till date but has come down to a very attractive mark and has been trying to add another win to her tally this season. She went very close to doing that on the opening run this season when just failing to catch Red Fire over 1200M and she ran quite well on her previous attempt at 1400M when finishing on to be 3rd to Eternal Dancer. She made headway to be just outside the frame when dropping to 6 furlongs last time out and back up to this trip and with K. Nazil in the saddle, she could reward those who have persisted with her with a win.
CONCLUSION :-A difficult finale and hard to choose the winner but those who make the shortlist are Dibaba, Lilibeth and the top weighted Golden Eclipse.
