From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 26th October, 2019 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 25 Oct 2019
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Saturday, 26th October, 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1:- The Party Whip Plate – Div. II – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
CHEPHIRAH :- Half sister to La Magnifique from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji, she looks to have the best form of the raced horses and may have found herself a good opportunity to get off the mark. Her 4 runs till date have yielded a 2nd, two thirds and a 4th placed finish which is quite solid in this field. She has had 2 runs earlier this season, needing the opening run over 6 furlongs when finishing a faraway 4th to Enid Blyton but much better last time out when dropped to this trip, battling it out with En Sabah Nur before dead heating from 2nd behind Cipher. She looks to have progressed again judging from her subsequent workouts and also enjoys the highest rating in the field. C.S. Jodha who rode her last time out is up again today and she looks a leading contender to shed her maiden tag today unless one of the newcomers proves to be exceptional.
DOWSABEL :- Debutant filly owned by the Dhunjibhoy family and trained by Faisal Abbas and is the first foal of Arta who was an Ikhtiyar mare. Arta herself had a creditable record, winning 4 times and finishing runner up thrice in her 10 race career and hence, this could be a potentially smart type. She may be a little soft and short on preparatory work and a paddock check is definitely advised but if she looks the part in the preliminaries then she may be good enough to win first time out with Akshay Kumar an encouraging jockey booking. Possibilities for sure.
GOD’S DECREE :- Full sister to Julio Cesaro who is also trained by Narendra Lagad and she has begun her career in much the same manner as he did, showing early speed but failing to see out her races. She has run a total of 8 times already so looks more exposed than most of them and was very backward during her 4 runs in Mumbai, finishing well down the field. However, she did show some improvement this term, finishing runner up on her first 2 runs of the season, albeit well beaten on both occasions. She was a faraway 2nd to Properly Posh over 1200M on reappearance and then finished a well beaten 2nd to Sandman dropped down to this trip next time out. However, she was well beaten on her handicap debut last time out and returns to maiden company. Dashrath Singh takes the ride and while she does look to have a chance to make the frame again, she may need to unlock further improvement before being fancied from a win perspective. Place prospect.
MIDNIGHT MOON :- Another well bred debutant, this one from the stable of Altaf Hussain and catches the eye on paper. She is a full sister to In My Dream who finished 2nd in the Poonawalla Breeders Million (Gr.1) and the Breeders Produce Stakes (Gr.3) and 3rd in the F.D. Wadia Trophy (Gr.3) and also Madagascar who was highly regarded and won 2 of his 4 starts in his limited career. She was performed modestly in her preparatory work so far and may not be fully wound up today but a paddock check is definitely advised. She is likely to eventually come into her own over middle distances in the future but with S. Zervan in the saddle today is another potentially smart type and could spring a surprise first time out.
PRINCESS AVIKA :- Comes from the stable of C. Rajendra and has one 3rd place finish to her name from 5 starts, 3 of which have come this season. Her 3rd place came on her penultimate run but she was 4 ¼ lengths behind runner up God’s Decree that day and has work to do to reverse that form. She was well beaten behind Chephirah last time out and the only encouraging factor for her is the return of Neeraj Rawal who rode her when she finished up 3rd. She too looks capable of battling it out for minor honours but may struggle to win today.
CONCLUSION :-Chephirah is selected to get off the mark today in this weak maiden unless one of the debutants Dowsabel or Midnight Moon prove to be classier as she easily looks to have the measure of the rest
Race No. 2 :- The Allied Forces Plate – Div.II – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
STICK TO THE PLAN :- Improving 4 year old gelding from the stable of S.K. Sunderji who has been making improvement with every run and graduated from the maiden ranks last time out when dropped into the lowest class although he had to be hard ridden to hold off the late finishing Suarez. He is likely to have gained confidence from that win and a 4 kilo penalty seems quite fair. He has been working alongside Pune Derby winner Trouvaille which is quite commendable in itself and with C.S. Jodha retaining the ride and not a particularly strong field to tackle; he looks to have a very good chance to go in again.
MOUNT OLYMPUS :- Possibly the most fancied of the 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad yard with Raghuveer Singh booked to ride. The 4 year old has won 2 of his 19 starts till date and looks to have come back down to a handy mark at present and this 6 furlong trip will suit. He has had 3 runs this season already so should be fit enough although he does have to prove that he retains his ability. He looks likely to be able to make the running today which he enjoys doing and could prove to be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
ARTICULATE :- Maiden 4 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been a bit inconsistent in his 6 runs till date although he has managed to finish runner up on 3 of those occasions. He has had 2 runs apiece in each of the last 3 seasons, this season getting a lung opener over an inadequate 5 furlong and improving for that to finish runner up to Majestic Warrior over 1400M last time out where he had Mount Olympus back in 4th. The switch from whipless D.R. Shubham to Neeraj Rawal is a big positive but also makes him worse off at the weights with Mount Olympus. He looks to have maintained his condition since the last run and looks to have a strong chance to get off the mark today if he is able to progress again. Live danger.
QUAIL HOLLOW :- Well bred and sparingly raced 4 year old from the Bezan Chenoy yard who appears to have been plagued by injury problems throughout his career and is still a maiden after just 5 starts. He ran just once in each of his first 2 seasons and then had a long gap, reappearing again in March this year. He has run twice this season, finishing a promising 4th over this trip on reappearance behind Headway but seemed to take a backward step when competing over 1000M just 2 weeks ago, finishing well down the field so he has a bit to prove after that. 3 ½ kilo apprentice M. Ayyar has been booked to ride today replacing Prashant Dhebe and if that last run is ignored and he has been able to build on his previous effort, then he looks to have an outside chance. Dark horse.
PERIWINKLE :- Dean’s Kitten filly who began her career in the care of Pesi Shroff but was sold after a couple of ordinary efforts and is now trained by Hosidar Daji. She has done nothing of note in her 4 runs so far, her last run being over this trip 3 weeks ago where she finished well down the field. That was her first run for her new connections so she is entitled to improve, and with her last couple of workouts being quite decent, she is another who could spring a surprise if unlocking some improvement.
CONCLUSION :- Expected to improve on his debut win, top weight Stick To The Plan is selected to go in again but he may face stiff opposition from Articulate who finished a good 2nd last time out but does not look completely straightforward. Periwinkle has scope to improve and could be the dark horse.
Race No. 3 :- The Party Whip Plate – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
SUMMER AIR :- Phoenix Tower gelding from the stable of Altaf Hussain who is making his debut and is the first foal of Musical Note who won 3 races over sprints in Hyderabad from her 12 starts. He has had a couple of easy pieces of work and a gate practice so does not look fully wound up and may be going in for an educative run here. However, S. Zervan has been booked to ride so a paddock check is advised and although he may be one to remember for later on, he looks capable of making the frame and does merit a second look.
THEA’S FIRE :- 6 times raced colt from the stable of Narendra Lagad who has done nothing of note so far but has run a couple of forward races over longer trips and may be suited by the drop to the minimum. His 4 runs this season have all been over longer trips and it is interesting to note that Dashrath Singh is up for the first time today replacing K. Nazil so it may be that connections feel they fancy their chances today. In addition he has also bagged the plum rail draw which is a big advantage and if has the speed to tackle this minimum trip then he may be able to cause a huge upset.
WARRIOR CLAN :- Speedy and in form 3 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has managed to place in each of his last 3 starts after needing an educative run on debut and also seems to have a very high level of form as well. After getting an educative run in January he showed good improvement next time out when finishing a close 2nd to Silver Flames over 1000M and then went on to finish an excellent close 3rd to Daddy’s Pride and Golden Guest which looks very strong form now. He made a belated reappearance 2 weeks ago over this trip after a long lay off of 7 months and understandably was a bit rusty and ran out of gas to finish runner up to Auspicious. That run should have done him a world of good and he is likely to have come on for that effort. A. Sandesh who rode him last time out keeps the ride and if this race does not come too soon for him, he looks a leading contender to score.
C’EST L’AMOUR :- Pretty much exposed sprint maiden from the Narendra Lagad stable who has been trying hard to score in her last few starts but keeps finding one or two too good and it may be the same story again today. She has run 10 times overall, half of those runs coming this season and while she has managed to place in each of her last 4 starts, she does not seem to be improving much. A close 3rd to Sachertorte on her previous run over this trip, she was upped to 6 furlongs for the next 3 runs, and after running a cracker to finish a close 2nd to the odds on favourite Dreams, she was well beaten the next twice, first by Cliffs of Capri and last time out by God’s Plan. C.S. Jodha returns to ride her today replacing Neeraj Rawal who was up last time out and although she is likely to make a bold bid from the front again today, she looks vulnerable to something with a little more quality. Each way player.
MADELEINE :- Kingda Ka debutant who is respected as being from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and is the first foal of Maisha who herself was a Group I performer. Maisha won thrice and finished runner 6 times in her 10 race career, winning the Fillies Championship Stakes (Gr.1) in Bangalore and finishing runner up in the Pune Derby (Gr.1), the Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1), The Nanoli Stud Juvenile Million (Gr.2) and the Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3) so this one looks a very exciting prospect on paper but looks to be very unfit as there is just one easy workout on record. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition but all available evidence suggests that she is going to need this run and is going in for an education. N.S. Parmar takes the ride, she has a good draw in Stall 2 and while entitled to need this run, she cannot be ruled out on her pedigree. Interesting.
VA BENE :- Another interesting looking debutant, this one a daughter of Varenar from the Altamaash Ahmed stable, she appears to have been worked slightly more than Madeleine and has also had a Mock Race to sharpen her up so she should be more or less ready to go. Her full brother Consul General won 1 race from his 3 starts in Madras while her other brother Trevelyan began his career in Western India with Pesi Shroff but was a late maturing type, rattling off 3 wins on the trot in Mysore late in his career. She too merits a paddock check and with Neeraj rawal in the saddle, looks likely to give a good account of herself first time out.
CONCLUSION :- Provided that this run does not come too soon for him, it is hard to look beyond Warrior Clan who ran out of gas probably when returning from a long lay off to finish runner up to another promising type in Auspicious and should almost certainly win this with the benefit of experience. Madeleine looks an exciting prospect but looks likely to be lacking in fitness while Va Bene also looks a promising debutant.
Race No. 4 :- The Suraiya & Masoom Master Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
BRILLIANT GOLD :- Twice raced Net Whizz gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who made his debut over 1400M in a strong race when contesting the Southern Command Gold Trophy and after finishing midfield in that race, showed improvement when upped to 9 furlongs next time out, going down fighting to Sea The Dream. He appeared to weaken in the closing stages that day so perhaps the return to 7 furlongs will suit him and he should progress again. C.S. Jodha as usual takes the ride, the yard is in good form at present and he looks to be one of the main contenders here and is likely to take a hand in the finish.
CHUTZPAH :- Debutant from the Altamaash Ahmed yard who catches the eye as being a half brother to Temerity the brilliant race mare who won 9 of her 17 starts and was a Multiple Group 1 winner so he has to be respected on that score alone. He looks to be short on preparatory work having gone just a couple of easy gallops so in all likelihood is going in for an educative run and is entitled to need the experience. He is worth a paddock check and retained rider Neeraj Rawal takes the ride but he looks likely to be more of a longer term prospect and may be able to run into a place today.
SPECULATOR :- Once raced Multidimensional Colt from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who ran an eye catching race on debut when making leisurely progress from the rear to finish 3rd behind Rhapsody over 1200M towards the end of the Mumbai season. He has been given time to improve and come to hand since then and has been steadily brought along and given a Mock Race 3 weeks ago to sharpen him up. He looks open to plenty of improvement from that initial run and the booking of Suraj Narredu is quite encouraging. A paddock check is advised and he clearly may need this run after such a long break but if looking fit and ready to go, he looks to have a good each way chance over this extra furlong and should take a hand in the finish.
NOTORIETY :- Half brother to Cataleya from the all conquering Pesi Shroff yard, he made a pleasing racing debut about a month ago over 1200M when given a nice introductory run behind more fancied stable companion Cliffs of Capri and in spite of running green, finished on well to be 2nd. Yard’s runners invariably improve a great deal from 1st run to 2nd and his subsequent workouts suggest that he has indeed improved. The additional furlong looks to be right up his alley and he looks a leading contender to go one better today and appears to be the one that they all have to beat.
SPLASH :- Maiden 3 year old filly with an interesting pedigree trained by Dallas Todywalla who has finished in the frame in all her 3 runs so far but was a bit disappointing upped to a mile last time out and now drops back down to 7 furlongs. She made a promising start to the season when chasing home Golden Era over 6 furlongs and was expected to do better over a mile last time out but could only end up 4th to Rhapsody. She has had a month off since that run and has worked quite well in that period so it is hoped that the slight drop in trip will suit her and having just her 4th start, she is worthy of each way consideration.
SUNRISE RUBY :- Another interesting looking filly, this one trained by Hosidar Daji and is a daughter of the classy Venus Arising and her siblings are all well performed types like Golden Weaver, Renee and Cresendo. She too made her debut in Mumbai over this trip way back in March, making good headway from the rear to finish up a notable 3rd to Kildare. She too has been given time to improve since then and is making her reappearance after a gap of 7 months. She appears to have been given a fair amount of prep work so should be fit enough first time out although a paddock check is a must. Akshay Kumar has been booked to ride today, she is expected to improve from that debut effort and is another who could make the finish interesting and be involved.
TRISTAR :- Surfrider filly trained by Nosher Cama who has been making steady progress with her racing and looked like she was coming to hand last time out when finishing runner up to Rainbow Trout over this trip, leading from the start and kicking on to finish well clear of the rest. She looked to appreciate the step up to middle distances as her 3 previous runs were all over sprints and she is unexposed over this trip so can be expected to improve again. She has been working well since the last run, Yash Narredu takes over from C.S. Jodha in the saddle and if she is able to build further on that last effort then she looks a good each way prospect.
TUDOR HALL :- 3 year old filly from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad who made her racing debut earlier this season and looks a promising sort in her 2 runs so far. Making her debut over what looked a sharp 5 furlongs, she was well fancied that day but looked green and inexperienced but motored home from a rear position once the penny dropped and was the fastest moving at the finish, ending up a good 3rd to Guarnerius. She was upped to 1200M next time out in a strong contest and could only finish up 4th behind Copper Queen which was a shade disappointing. She now makes a further step up to 7 furlongs which is expected to suit her better and the booking of A. Sandesh catches the eye. She has been working well since the last run, looks likely to improve again and if she can unlock some improvement on the step up in trip then she stands a good chance to make it 3rd time lucky and is respected.
CONCLUSION :- This clearly looks the stronger of the 2 divisions with some potentially good types but Notoriety did enough on her debut to suggest that she is good enough to take this and is selected to get the better of Tudor Hall who is expected to improve appreciably for the step up in trip. Speculator and Sunrise Ruby are also respected in spite of the long absence and this race should throw up several future winners.
Race No. 5 :- The Aquaguard Championship R.W.I.T.C. Gold Cup (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2000M
SECRETIVE FORCE :- One of 2 out station challengers from Bangalore, this 4 year old from the Darius Byramji stable looks a progressive type and is also the only 4 year old in the field but has to concede weight all around to his elders which is a disadvantage. Yet to finish outside the first three in his 10 race career, he has won 4 times and also finished runner up 4 times for creditable record so far. He has progressed steadily up the handicap ranks over distance trips this season and completed a memorable hattrick when scoring his first Group Race success and taking the Grade 3 Governors Cup from My Opinion inspite of being completely out on the scale. It was possibly too much of an ask when taking on Desert God in the President of India Gold Cup last time out but he did end up a creditable 2nd. S. Zervan who usually rides him is up again today and he is clearly one who must be treated with respect but he may struggle to concede weight to those who are still rated much higher than him. Working well though and respected.
RAEES :- 6 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who returns to defend his crown after scoring a shock upset win in this race last year when surprising stable mate Caprisca and Watchmyscript to win in a battling finish. Already a 3 time winner of the Suresh Mahindra Trophy and winner of 9 races from 28 starts overall, he looks to be in fine fettle after his win 2 weeks ago. The trip is slightly on the sharp side for him no doubt but A. Sandesh returns to ride him and he looks likely to make a bold bid to retain his title and complete a unique double, having won both the Suresh Mahindra and this race last year. Do not ignore.
AUBURN :- 5 year old mare from the Vishal Gaikwad stable who looks to be at the top of her game at present and is in much better condition than she was at the same time last year. Winner of 6 of her 17 starts overall, she was well beaten in both the Fillies and Mares Stakes and this race last year but has looked in a rich vein of form this term, convincingly beating Bronx over a mile conceding weight before going on to a convincing win in the Fillies and Mares Stakes where she easily beat Watchmyscript. Her penalty will make life a little tougher as she goes up in weight now but fillies in form generally tend to go on improving and she appears to be in the pink of condition at present. Akshay Kumar who rode her last time out keeps the ride and in spite of being slightly worse off at the weights, she is strongly fancied to complete a glorious hattrick and claim this rich prize.
BRONX :- Steadily progressive 5 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama yard who has stepped up to Group Race company this season and has been acquitting himself quite well. Finishing in the first two in 9 of his 11 runs till date and winning on 4 occasions, he has finished a close 2nd in his last 2 starts over a mile, no match for Auburn on worse terms on his penultimate run but running a cracker last time out when collared right on the line by La Rondine. It looks very hard for him to turn the tables on Auburn receiving just 2 kilos today and the 2000M trip also may stretch his stamina a bit. However, he looks to be well within himself, Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and he looks to have an each way chance and comes into consideration.
TURNING POINT :- Another handicapper who is gradually making the transition to Group company, this 5 year old mare from the S.K. Sunderji yard finished runner up to Auburn in the Fillies and Mares last time out and is very closely matched with her with the winner’s penalty. Winner of 6 of her 24 starts so far, she has run well in all 3 starts this season, looking to have improved the most last time out. She will be tackling this 2000M trip for the very first time but likes to come from off the pace and if C.S. Jodha can hold her up and time his challenge at the right time, then she looks to have a realistic chance on the handicap and can spring a surprise.
CONCLUSION :- Competitive looking event but it may pay to stick with a filly in form and Auburn really appears to have blossomed this season and can defy her penalty and complete a glorious hattrick. She has looked in fine form over the last couple of months and could be good for even more. Raees shocked in this race last year and is dangerous to ignore while the top weighted Secretive Force also looks a force to reckon with and has the scope to improve further
Race No. 6 :- The Mount Rose Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
RAINBOW TROUT :- Potentially smart and improving 3 year old filly trained by Dallas Todywalla, she has recently changed hands and runs in new colours for the first time but is open to plenty of improvement on just her 3rd start. Finishing on strongly to finish an eye catching 2nd to Majestic Warrior on her debut over 1200M, she duly made the required improvement to shed her maiden tag next time out, taking her time to get going but strong at the finish when easily accounting for Tristar who runs earlier in the card and should give a pointer to the form. She looked like she was ready for a further step up in trip so makes her handicap debut over a mile which should suit her. Her trackwork since the last run suggests that she has improved again and she looks likely to continue her progression and is a leading fancy to win this.
SHAE :- Highly regarded and lightly raced 4 year old filly who began her career with Malesh Narredu but moved to Nosher Cama after suffering a setback and is slowly working her way back into form. Still a maiden after 6 starts but having placed on 5 occasions, she began her career with two good 2nd placed finishes before running 3rd to Catalonia in the Juvenile Fillies Championship. She suffered a setback after that run though and was off the track for 8 months, reappearing only this January over 1200M where she finished a modest 3rd to Flaming Martini. She did not race again until August where she needed the lung opener but looked to be on the right track last time out when finishing 3rd behind Bait and Switch. She has been kept fresh since that run 2 ½ weeks ago and if she can progress again then she looks to have an each way chance in this field. Yash Narredu retains the ride and she does come into calculations and can upset.
ADONIJAH :- Unreliable 5 year old gelding trained by M.K. Jadhav who failed to take advantage of what looked an easy opportunity last time out when eased in grade into the lower class but pipped right on the post by His Masters Vice over 1800M. He looks to be well handicapped at present but goes back up in grade today and is taking on younger horses which is a disadvantage. N.S. Parmar who rode him last time out keeps the ride and he should not be troubled by the drop to a mile. He looks likely to finish in the frame again but winning looks tough and he may have to fight it out for minor honours.
POWER OF THOR :- 6 year old gelding from the yard of Narendra Lagad who has already had plenty of racing in his career but has been in particularly good form this season and has been holding his form quite well right from the outset. After needing a lung opener on his opening run, he took advantage of his very attractive mark to score back to back wins in the lower class and narrowly missed out on completing a hattrick when going down fighting to Aurora Australis and he should confirm the form with Adonijah who finished 3 ½ lengths behind him that day. His last run suggested he may be losing his way now but that was over 2000M and the return to a mile is likely to suit him. Dashrath Singh returns to ride today, replacing K. Nazil, he clearly looks to have an each way chance and is definitely worth considering.
CUPIDO :- Relatively unexposed 5 year old gelding trained by Mansoor Shah who gained his first win in 15 starts last time out, annihilating the opposition in the lower class to win running away by 9 lengths from Saddle The Wind. He has been handed a stiff 7 kilo penalty for that win but it could be that he may have just come to hand now and could very well have more to give. He is also returning from a 2 month break which looks to be a slight concern but Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and if he can resume in the same vein then he will make a brave bid to repeat.
CONCLUSION :- The improving Rainbow Trout looks to have been well placed by her trainer and is confidently selected to continue on her winning trend on her handicap debut. In spite of his stiff penalty, Cupido appears to be the main danger
Race No. 7 :- The Allied Forces Plate – Div.I – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
POLYNEICES :- 5 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama stable who has won 2 of his 17 starts so far and looked to be back in form last time out when a shade unlucky not to score, finishing ¾ length 2nd to En Sabah Nur who reopposes again today. He is weighted to gain revenge today and has also bagged the plum rail draw so with Yash Narredu among the winners and having a good season, he looks a strong each way contender off roughly the same mark and should be involved in the finish.
EN SABAH NUR :- 3 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who began racing only this season but has made a very bright start to his career and looks open to further improvement. Runner up to Sachertorte on debut over 1000M he went on to finish a close 2nd to Cipher next time out, dead heating with Chephirah who runs earlier in the card. Stepping up to 1200M last time out and making his handicap debut, he showed a good attitude to hold off Polyneices well in the closing stages and score by ¾ lengths. He is 2 ¼ lengths worse off with that rival at the weights today and C.S. Jodha is replaced in the saddle by Dashrath Singh. However, he looks open to further progress having just his 4th start and may be able to improve enough to offset his penalty and confirm the form. He looks to be going the right way at present and stands a good chance to repeat but he is also out on the scale with Cipher and needs to improve significantly to reverse form with that rival.
AUSPICIOUS :- Another progressive 4 year old colt, this one from the stable of Malesh Narredu and will be ridden by brother Suraj and another who looks likely to improve on just his 3rd start. Runner up to Highland Lass on his belated racing debut over this trip earlier in the season, he showed considerable improvement from that run when showing a smart turn of foot to get the better of Warrior Clan over 1000M two weeks ago and has been turned out again quickly. He has a 4 ½ kilo penalty to handle for that win but looks open to further progress and should be suited by the return to 6 furlongs. He looks a strong fancy to continue down the winning path and looks likely to repeat provided the race does not come too quickly for him.
CIPHER :- Full sister to Sassy Lass who was also trained by Asad Siddiqui, this 3 year old filly is another improving type and showed a strong turn of foot close home to get the better of En Sabah Nur and Chephirah last time out and score her maiden success on her 6th start. She has shown considerable improvement this season and has run well all 3 starts, finishing a close 2nd to Turmeric Tower over 1000M on the opening day and then following that up with a good 3rd to Majestic Warrior and Rainbow Trout over this trip. She dropped back to 5 furlongs to score her maiden win but should not be troubled by the return to this trip and Neeraj Rawal retains the ride. She has a 3 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for her win, has been working well since the win and looks tobe well placed on the scales and has a good chance to earn another bracket for her small yard.
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be mainly between the lightly raced improvers and Auspicious showed a neat turn of foot to get the better of Warrior Clan last time out and is selected to go in again. Cipher also appears to have good form to her name and shapes as a danger while En Sabah Nur also looks capable of defying the handicap and going in again
Race No. 8 :- The Irish Boss Plate – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1000M
FURIOSA :- Speedy 6 year old mare trained by Faisal A. Abbas who has won 3 of her 34 starts and excels over this minimum trip. She has been untried in her 3 previous runs this season which she was given so that she could get back to fitness with her racing and she now returns to the grade in which she gained her previous victory on her final run of the Mumbai season. A.S. Peter who rode her to victory last time out returns to ride her for the first time this season, she has a decent draw in Stall No. 6 and looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways and is strongly fancied.
GLORIANA :- Another well bred 6 year old mare who is quite sparingly raced for her age but is also inconsistent winning just 1 of her 19 starts but she has also placed on 7 occasions and has looked like coming to hand on her last 2 runs this season. Needing her first couple of starts to get back to some fitness she showed that she was coming to form on her penultimate run in the higher class over this trip when making casual headway to finish 3rd to Cezanne and dropped into this grade last time out, again ran well to finish up a close 4th to Ame over 1200M. The switch from A. Imran Khan to 5 kilo claimer Gagandeep Mann is a negative but she looks to be well within herself at present and is fully capable of striking if in a galloping mood and well positioned.
ALLEGRIA :- 6 year old mare who is owned and trained by Zadmal Singh and took advantage of her plunging mark to record her 2nd win in 24 starts last time out, putting in a strong run under the same rider to surge past Bohemian and win convincingly. The drop to the minimum trip does not look to be ideal for her and a 4 ½ kilo penalty at this level looks stiff enough but she comes into the race in good form and should make a brave bid to repeat over this sharper trip.
THEA’S PET :- Interesting looking runner this 5 year old mare trained by Narendra Lagad has been brought down substantially in the scales and looks to be on a very handy mark at present on the pick of her form. Winner of just 1 of her 20 starts till date, she has come back down to the mark of which she gained her maiden success when with Faisal Abbas and she did finish 3rd on the opening day over this trip while her 2 subsequent runs have been over longer distances. She has been showing good speed in her workouts since that last run and the return to this trip will suit. Dashrath Singh looks a very strong rider in the midst of all these 5 kilo claimers and in spite of being drawn wide in Stall 12, she looks a strong contender to end the season for the Champion Trainer on a winning note.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- 6 year old mare who looks the better fancied of the 3 Adhirajsingh Jodha runners in the fray with Santosh G booked to ride her and she too has been finishing on late in her races, making the frame the last twice. She is ideally better over 1200M but does have the speed to tackle this minimum trip and is usually quite effective when dropping into this grade. Winner of 2 of her 35 starts but having placed on numerous occasions, she was quietly fancied last time out and finished on well to be a good 3rd to Verdandi with the same rider up and if she is able to find the gaps at the right time over this shorter trip, then she could be bang there at the finish and must be considered.
MAESTRO :- 5 year old gelding from the stable of Nazzak B. Chenoy, he has been running quite consistently all season without managing to get his head in front but looks sure to pop up in one of these contests before too long. He has finished on board in each of his last 4 starts, most of them over this trip although he was tried over 1200M last time out. He appears to be holding his form well all season without improving, M. Ayyar who rode him last time out keeps the ride and he is another who comes into each way consideration in this field and can have a say.
MACGYVER :- Maiden 5 year old trained by S. Waheed who has been threatening to strike on a couple of occasions but has still not managed to get his head in front yet and his losing run has now stretched to 18. However, he has come down considerably in the scales as a result and has made steady progress this season. Finishing an easy 5th to Red Fire on his reappearance over 1200M, he ran well a couple of weeks later, building on that performance when finishing on to be 2nd to Ebony who won again on Saturday to give strength to the form. He has been given plenty of work and prepared well since that run 2 months ago and Amyn Merchant takes over in the saddle today. He could very well be an end of season surprise and is definitely worth considering.
CONCLUSION :- Although I generally tend to steer clear of these races, Thea’s Pet looks to have been prepared to end the season on a winning note for Narendra Lagad and is put forward as the selection. She has been working well since the last run and has the best jockey in the field on board. Macgyverand the speedy top weight Furiosa are also considered.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
