FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Saturday 21st December 2019 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 20 Dec 2019
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH – Article for Saturday 21st December 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The NawabzadaRashiduzzfar Khan Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 2000M
ZENON :- A one time Classic hopeful when trained by Pesi Shroff, this 5 year old gelding is now trained by Narendra Lagad and has a record of 4 wins from his 21 starts, one of those coming for his current connections. Sold after finishing midfield in the Indian and Bangalore Derbies in consecutive weeks, he was off the track for a 6 month stint and took his time to come to hand for his new owners. He eventually hit form almost a year later, during the recent Pune season where he gained a 7 furlong success in Class III, beating Augustus Caesar by a length. He finished runner up to Flying Visit over a mile next time out in a small field and his last 2 runs have been quite insipid. He steps up to a mile and a quarter today after quite a while although he did do all his winning in his younger days over this trip and Nathan Evans takes the ride today, replacing Dashrath Singh. He does appear to be faced with a tough ask conceding weight all around here but is given a small chance to upset.
GLORIOSUS :- Relatively consistent 5 year old handicapper trained by Imtiaz Sait who has a fairly solid overall record, winning 4 of his 23 starts and also placing on 10 occasions. His last 2 wins were back to back efforts and came over this trip around the same time last year and he was quite consistent thereafter before seemingly going off the boil in his last few starts. He skipped the entire Pune season so his run 3 weeks ago was his first in 8 months so he was understandably rusty when finishing a distant 4th to Tasawwur over a mile and he is likely to improve appreciably for that run. Akshay Kumar takes the ride today with Nathan Evans switching to Zenon and with the benefit of the run, he looks a strong each way contender although the yard’s recent poor form is a cause for concern. Considered.
LORRAINE :- Rapidly improving 5 year old mare trained by Nosher Cama who seems to have really blossomed in recent times and has been in red hot form of late. Having contested 14 races so far in a relatively light career, she did nothing of note in her first seven starts but hit a rich vein of form since October last year which saw her fail to finish outside the first two in her next 7 races, winning 4 of them. She has been gradually stepping up in trip with her racing and showed significant improvement once stepping up to a mile, winning her last 2 starts most impressively, last time out demolishing the field under top weight to win by a wide margin. She is stepping up again in trip to 2000M but being a half sister to The Unicorn is likely to relish more galloping ground and could unlock further improvement. She has been penalized 6 ½ kilos for her last win which is a very stiff penalty nowadays but with P.S. Chouhan taking over in the saddle and her good recent workout, she is expected to take the penalty in her stride and complete a glorious hattrick. The one to beat.
MOMENTUM :- 5 year old half brother to Tiger Tops from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who relishes distance trips and has been seen at his best previously at a mile and a half. Winner of 3 of his 11 starts, his 3 wins came consecutively over a mile and a half which saw his rating skyrocket from 31 to 71. He had just 2 easy runs in Pune, possibly to bring him back to full fitness and has had a lung opener this season as well. He steps up to a mile and a quarter now which should suit him and Leigh Roche takes over from N.S. Parmar which is a positive. He has come down to a mark of 68 now so has been given some respite by the handicapper and if returning to his form of last term, could very well be a danger and must come into consideration.
SAGITTARIUS :- Game galloping front running 5 year old from the Sanjay Kolse yard who has finished in the first two in 10 of his 16 starts till date, winning on 3 previous occasions. He had finished ahead of Gloriosus over this trip last season when chasing home Bronx but is worse off with that rival on the scales today so looks to have a tough task. He is likely to be able to dominate in this small field with A. Prakash claiming 5 kilos in the saddle but may struggle against these opponents and is likely to fight it out for minor honours only
CONCLUSION :- It is hard to look beyond a filly in form and Lorraine certainly fits that bill having been in prime form for the last 12 months and won her last 2 starts over a mile most impressively. She is likely to relish this longer trip on her pedigree and is selected to get the better of Momentum who could be a danger if returning to his old form
Race No. 2:- The M.N. Nazir Trophy – Class III & IV, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
TANJO :- Lightly raced and well performed 5 year old mare trained by NosherCama who has won 2 of her 9 starts and also finished runner up on 3 occasions. She was in terrific form during the 2018 Mumbai season but seemed to suffer a setback midway through the season and has been very lightly raced since then with 5-6 month gaps between each of her runs. She looked very well in the paddock on her opening run of the season and ran a cracker, leading almost all the way over 6 furlongs before being worn down close home by Mzilikazi. She is racing again quickly after a gap of just 12 days but if running upto the same level as her last start, looks to have an excellent chance to add another win to her tally and return to winning ways. Strong fancy.
LA TONNARELLA :- Very interesting 9 year old mare trained by Pesi Shroff who was an exciting prospect in her younger days, winning 2 of her 3 races in a very short career, winning her maiden by a whopping 9 ½ lengths and repeating in Class III on her handicap debut, beating Samba Warrior by half a length. She possibly injured herself after that run and was sent to stud and after spending a few years as a broodmare, has returned to racing at the ripe old age of 9. This is her first competitive race in 4 ½ years so there is no telling how fit she is but she clearly possessed plenty of ability and could prove to be a dark horse with Leigh Roche in the saddle. Very interesting.
DAZZLING STAR :- Well bred 4 year old filly who has not quite lived upto expectations in her limited career so far but has still got an impressive record of 2 wins and 3 seconds from her 7 starts. Her last win came over 7 furlongs in Class IV in the last Mumbai season but her 2 runs in Pune were both over sprints, ending up a close 2nd on both occasions, finishing runner up to Thomas Hardy over 6 furlongs and then just pipped on the post by Between the Waters when dropping to the minimum trip on her final start. She is having her first start in 3 ½ months so fitness could be a concern but she has been working quite well and Bhawani Singh has already been among the winners this season. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition but she has the scope to improve further and must be respected.
GENTILLESSE :- Highly regarded 5 year old mare from the Sanjay Kolse yard who’s career seems to have been plagued with injury but is definitely a force to reckon with when running upto her best. Winner of 3 of her 17 starts, she scored back to back wins over this trip towards the end of the last Mumbai season but failed to display anywhere close to that form in her 4 runs since. She did begin the Pune season promisingly when a flying late 3rd to Adeline over 6 furlongs but then ran disappointingly in her next 2 runs over middle distances. She has been given a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and the booking of Nicky Mackay catches the eye. However, she does seem to have a bit to prove at present and possibly is best watched today.
RUN FORREST RUN :- Well bred 4 year old gelding who is trained by Mansoor Shah and has won just 1 of his 13 starts but having come down quite significantly in the scales since his maiden success is now hinting at a revival in his last couple of starts. Winner of a million race over 6 furlongs in his debut season, he has been placing quite consistently including when travelling to Hyderabad to finish runner up to Mozambique in a Million race there but has not been able to add to his previous success. He did begin this season in promising fashion however, coming with a strong run from the rear to end up a close 3rd to Tudor Hall over this trip and possibly suffering from feeble handling in the finish. The switch from N.B. Kuldeep to Neeraj Rawal is a big positive but he has also been upped in grade into the higher class but does get a slight drop in weight. He appears to have maintained his form since the last run and looks an each way prospect here.
CONCLUSION :- Tanjo looked very well in the paddock and ran accordingly 2 weeks ago and if she has maintained her fitness and condition, she should be hard to beat. We have possibly yet to see the best from Dazzling Star who shapes as the main danger while Run Forrest Run also ran a good race last time out and is considered albeit upped in grade to the higher class
Race No. 3 :- The Venus De Milo Trophy – Class V – Distance :- 1800M
BRILLIANT GOLD :- Thrice raced three year old gelding from the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji who is making his seasonal reappearance but has to bounce back from a poor effort last time out. Making his racing debut as recently as September in the Southern Command Gold Trophy, he finished 6th of 7 in a strong field behind Sultan Suleiman and showed improvement when upped to this trip next time out when going down fighting to Sea The Dream who has given strength to the form by winning subsequently. However, when dropped back to 7 furlongs last time out, he ran an inexplicably poor race to finish 8th behind Sunrise Ruby and has been brought along steadily since then. His recent trackwork suggests that he has improved since and he is also likely to appreciate the return to this longer trip. He looks open to improvement on just his 4th start and merits serious consideration with David Egan in the saddle today.
KING SOLOMON :- Very highly regarded Win Legend 3 year old who does not seem to have come into his own just yet but again is one likely to improve on just his 3rd career start. Making his debut in Pune over a mile, he was not without support but after being prominent till the bend, weakened to finish 5th behind stable companion Seventh Mile. He then went on to run the same race as Brilliant Gold over 1800M, ending up 4th about 7 ¾ lengths behind that rival so on paper he appears to be held. He has been working very well since though and has also gone a good mock race so seems to have improved since that run and Colm O’ Donoghue takes the ride today. He appears to be the better fancied of the two Shroff runners and is expected to give a much improved performance today.
AKINA SPEED STAR :- Stable companion of King Solomon and the mount of Leigh Roche, this half sister to Tiger Tops and Momentum also appears to be a late maturing type and has done nothing of note in her 3 runs so far. Racing over 7 furlongs and then 9 furlongs in Pune, she looked outpaced on both occasions but was given a forward ride on her seasonal debut here over a mile, leading till the bend before weakening to end up 5th behind Notoriety. She should strip fitter after that run and will benefit from more assistance in the saddle so is another who is unexposed and has the potential to improve. She may still need more time but cannot be ignored in this field and is definitely worth a second look.
BLACK CHERRY :- Maiden 3 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard she is more exposed than some of the more fancied runners having run 8 times till date and after running unplaced in her first few starts over sprints, did show some improvement when stepped up to more galloping trips. She ended up a fair 3rd to Silver King on her previous attempt at 9 furlongs in Pune and on her last start over a mile, again finished runner up to Bait and Switch which showed that she was more or less maintaining her form. Her trackwork since then has been quite satisfactory, Dashrath Singh takes the ride today and she does look to have a chance to fight it out for the minor places but may struggle to win in this company. Rank outsider.
EX’S AND OH’S :- Well bred maiden 3 year old trained by Imtiaz Sait who is a full sister to Firenze and Athena and has a similar profile to Black Cherry having run 5 times in all and showed some improvement when upped to middle distances the last twice. She finished 3rd on both those occasions, behind Pulverize over 7 furlongs in Pune and then last time out 3rd to Notoriety with Akina Speed Star 5th in the same race. She looks to be making steady progress with her racing but her form is modest at best and with Akshay Kumar in the saddle today, she is another who looks like she can take a hand in the finish but is more of a place contender and may need some more time before she can enter the winner’s circle.
CONCLUSION :- On paper, this race seems tailor made for Brilliant Gold as he finished 7 ¾ lengths ahead of King Solomon on their previous meeting over this trip and is now only conceding half a kilo. However, the Pesi Shroff ward is held in very high regard and may have found enough improvement to offset that deficit. Akina Speed Star also has plenty of potential and could upset the pair having a fitness advantage with a run already this season.
Race No. 4 :- The Kejriwal Trophy – Class IV & V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
TENERIFE :- China Visit 5 year old trained by S.K. Sunderji who has performed quite creditably in her 15 race career so far, winning twice and placing on 7 occasions and she was a course and distance winner the last time she raced in this grade, beating Super Mario by 2 ¾ lengths with Ustad Pedro back in 3rd. That run was back in April and although she was unplaced in her 3 runs in Pune, all those runs were in the higher class and she returns to this lower grade today. She does not appear to be on a much higher mark than her most recent win, the booking of Nicky Mackay is most encouraging and in this field of older horses, she looks to have a very good chance of earning another bracket and returning to winning ways.
USTAD PEDRO :- Possibly the best fancied of the three Narendra Lagad runners in the fray, this lightly raced 5 year old will be ridden by stable jockey Dashrath Singh, although he looks completely out on the scale with Tenerife when the pair met on this track back in April. However, while the filly ran poorly in Pune, he was quite consistent in his 4 runs, winning over 6 furlongs on his penultimate start and beating Ebony by a length. He went on to finish 4th to Ebony next time out but that run was over 1000M and he will be better suited back up at this trip. He seems to be in good condition at present and looks to have a good each way chance.
MIGHTY WARRIOR :- Lightly raced and interesting looking 6 year old got abroad from the stable of Karthik G who has run just 9 times so far, scoring one fluent victory on this track last season, coming with a powerful run in the straight to upset the red hot favourite Chosen One over 1000M. He has raced just twice after that, running unplaced in his bid to follow up but put in a promising effort in his only run in Pune when back from a 6 month break but still finishing a leisurely 4th behind Thomas Hardy and he should have come on for that effort. Bhawani Singh his usual saddle partner is up again today, the yard already had a long priced double last week and he is another who looks capable of scoring if building on that last effort and definitely merits consideration.
WILSHIRE :- 5 year old gelding who was earlier in the care of S.K. Sunderji before shifting after the last Mumbai season to his current yard and he has come down significantly in the weights and is starting to look extremely well handicapped. Rated as high as 47 in his prime, he has come down to a mark of 35 and he hinted that his turn was not far away on his seasonal reappearance when finishing on strongly from the rear to be a neck 2nd to Julio Cesaro over this trip. He has been kept fresh since that run with a couple of easy pieces of work and stable rider S.G. Prasad keeps the ride. He looks to be on a handy mark at present and looks capable of springing a surprise if he is in a galloping mood.
ETERNAL DANCER :- 6 year old mare who really seems to have found form in recent times and has improved her career record considerably in her last few starts. Trained by Rehanullah Khan who has gotten off to a good start this season, she was won 4 of her 33 starts, 2 of those wins coming in recent times including last time out on her seasonal debut when she got the better of Sandalphon and Royal Ace by three parts of a length. 4 kilo penalty for that win is par for the course, N.S. Parmar who rode her last time out retains the ride and she is currently in excellent form and is likely to make a bold bid to repeat in this competitive affair.
TRANSFORM :- 5 year old grey mare trained by Nosher Cama who has run 20 times so far and managed to win on 2 previous occasions. The most recent of those wins came over course and distance back in March where she nosed out Silver Cap by a nose in the lower class and followed that up with a respectable 2nd under a penalty. However, she was off the track for a long time since that run, and has been given 2 easy runs in Pune to work her way back to fitness. He recent track work has been quite good, P.S. Chouhan takes the ride again and she is another who is worthy of each way consideration in this field and can score if putting her best foot forward
CONCLUSION :- This looks extremely competitive and is probably best avoided from a betting standpoint. Tenerife is a tentative selection having been eased in grade and having the best rider in the field but Wilshire, Mighty Warrior and Transform all look capable of scoring as well.
Race No. 5 :- The Sir Homi Mehta Sprint Challenge (Grade 3 ) – Terms, 3 Years Old & Over – Distance:- 1000M
IRON AGE :- One of the leading sprinters of the current crop with an enviable record of 8 wins from his 12 starts, he was unbeaten during the last Pune season, winning all his 3 races with a measure of comfort, the last two of those Group 3 affairs and giving 5 kilos and a beating to Clymene last time ou in the Noshir and Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million. In fact, he is very hard to oppose as he is probably better over 5 furlongs than over 6, has bagged the rail draw and will have the assistance of David Egan in the saddle. The only cause for concern is the recent poor form of the Imtiaz Sait yard but otherwise he looks the proverbial good thing and should be hard to turn over if running upto his best.
INTENSE STYLIST :- 4 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji who began his career as a 7 furlong specialist but has taken the drop to sprinting only recently and is trying to make his mark in this category. Possessing a near 50% strike rate with 5 wins from his 11 starts, he won his first two starts of the Pune season convincingly over 6 furlongs and 5 furlongs respectively but was a well held 3rd behind both Iron age and Clymene on his final start of the season and it looks hard for him to reverse the places with both those runners. He finished 4th again last time out on his first run of the season behind Clymene, not beaten a long way but the shorter trip will be more in her favour than in his and it looks hard to overturn the form. Nicky Mackay who rode him last time out keeps the ride again today and he does come into consideration in case Iron Age and Clymene fight each other up front but he looks to have a very small chance to win and place seems a safer option today.
CLYMENE :- Speedy 5 year old mare who has been acquitting herself with credit in similar contests and was rewarded with a fine win last time out, making all and holding off Gazino and Intense Stylist to win over 1200M dropped into a handicap. She appears to have the measure of Intense Stylist on that running and seems to have maintained her form and fitness but is 1 ¼ lengths worse off with Iron Age on their previous meeting and will find it hard to reverse that if he is at his best. Considering that she has a fitness advantage today and will also be suited by the drop to 1000M, she is not without hope however, and does stand a chance to get the better of him if he is not fully wound up.
JOPLIN :- Improving and upcoming 4 year old sprinter who has been climbing steadily up the handicap ranks and travels strongly in her races but is completely out on the scale as per the Terms of this race and is very poorly placed on that score. Winner of 4 of her 7 races, she definitely looks progressive and after a couple of modest efforts in Pune including when 4th to Intense Stylist over this trip, she looked back to her best last time out when showing she had the stamina for 6 furlongs and returning to winning ways, holding off Flaming Martini and Excellent Gold to win well. She is up4 ½ kilos for the win and will be suited by the return to 5 furlongs but is outhandicapped against Intense Stylist and looks very hard for her to score on these terms. Rank outsider.
CONCLUSION :- On all recent form, it is impossible to oppose Iron Age on these terms but he is likely to be quoted at very cramped odds and there may be more value in taking a chance on Clymene. She is only 1 ¼ lengths worse off with him on their last meeting and considering that she has already won a race this season and has a fitness advantage, she might be able to get the better of him today considering the yard’s recent poor form and this being his first run. If they both fight for the lead, there is a small possibility that Intense Stylist can pick them both off late
Race No. 6 :- The Stylecracker Indian 1000 Guineas (Grade 1) – Terms, Indian Fillies, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1600M
COSMIC RAY :- One of three outstation challengers in the field of 11, this Burden of Proof filly is trained by S.S. Attaolahi and has won 2 of her 5 starts till date showing a good level of form in the process. Winner on debut over 7 furlongs, she went on to finish 4th behind Well Connected and Thailand in the Fillies Championship Stakes in Bangalore, before again beaten by Well Connected in the Bangalore Derby. She then travelled to Mysore to convincingly win the 1000 Guineas there with Thailand well beaten in 5th before possibly a non stayer when again 5th in the Mysore Derby behind Southern Ruler. She comes into the Guineas without the benefit of a prep race which is a negative and Well Connected seems to have her measure on past form so she looks to be one of the outsiders here but can be involved in the frame with P.S. Chouhan taking the ride.
GIFT OF GRACE :- Consistent filly from Bangalore trained by Parvati Byramji, on current form she looks to have the best chance of the out station runners and will be ridden by David Egan searching for his first Indian Classic success. She has raced 5 times as well and is yet to finish outside the first two but after scoring a wide margin maiden win on debut, she has failed to add to that tally although going down very narrowly in 2 classics, by a whisker to Well Connected in the Deccan Fillies Championship and by a neck to Anjeze most recently in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas. She should confirm the form with Well Connected if not fazed by the Mahalaxmi track which she tackles for the first time and she looks to have an excellent chance to emulate Lady In Lace and be an out station winner. Strong fancy.
HUNT FOR GOLD :- The best performed and possibly the one with the best chance from among the 3 Pesi Shroff contenders but she too seemed to go backwards after winning her first two races impressively and has not shown any signs that she is making the required improvement. Beaten by Missing You when favourite for the Poonawalla Million, she went on to have a terrible Bangalore Summer and was turned over at a cramped price in her lead up race over 1400M when beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Pablo in receipt of 2 kilos. That form would give her absolutely no chance of winning this but Pesi has produced wondrous improvement in his wards in the past and may do so again today. Be that as it may, it is hard to see her winning this even on her best previous performance and with Nathan Evans in the saddle, she looks just an outsider who can upset.
JULIETTE :- Tiny but spirited grey filly who carries the legendary colours of Dr. M.A. M. Ramaswamy and is looking to give her young trainer his first Indian Classic success as this is his first realistic contender in recent times. Having had just 4 starts till date, she showed she was something special after running unplaced on debut when coming with a powerful run to beat Victorious Sermon over 1400M and she showed that was no flash in the pan when a highly creditable 4th in the Poonawalla Million next time out, coming from virtually last place to finish just ¾ length shy of Hunt for Gold and 2 ¾ lengths behind the winner Missing You. Returning after an extended absence in the Morvi, she again showed a smart turn of foot to get the better of two of the leading colts – Alexei and Sultan Suleiman in spite of over carrying 3 ½ kilos. Her beating of Victorious Sermon would give her a clear edge over Gift of Grace and with Missing You and Hunt for Gold both running below par in their lead ups, she looks to have an outstanding chance. Being a tiny filly, she has been sensibly kept fresh since the run, Colm O’ Donoghue has 2 previous Guineas wins to his name and if she can find even a little improvement on that last run, then she appears to be the most likely winner.
MISSING YOU :- Possibly will start the Public choice tomorrow and was clearly the local favourite before Juliette’s Morvi win, this Arazan filly trained by Dallas Todywalla has a fine record in Western India winning 2 of her 7 starts overall and finishing runner up on 3 occasions. Runner up to Thailand on debut and then to Headway both times over 6 furlongs, she announced herself when stepping up to 1400M and taking the Poonawalla Million from Hunt for Gold and Juliette but had a miserable Bangalore Summer finishing well behind Well Connected and Thailand in the Fillies Championship Stakes. She was given time to strengthen after that run and reappeared in Pune only in October where she looked vastly improved when a convincing winner of the Rajendrasinhji Million beating Majestic Warrior and Kariega convincingly. However, she had a minor hiccup in her lead up race where she was beaten close home by Pure Zinc which put a slight dampener on her chances. She will relish the return to a mile now and has been working well since and Neeraj Rawal rides her for the first time in the absence of A. Sandesh. She does seem to have an outstanding chance on the best of her form and is expected to run a mighty race and fight out the finish.
WELL CONNECTED :- Multiple Classic winning 3 year old filly trained by S. Padmanabhan, she looked a top drawer 3 year old and had an aura of invincibility about her, going unbeaten in her first 3 starts, albeit all narrow victories save for her maiden win, winning the Fillies Championship Stakes from Thailand, pipping Impavid in the Bangalore Derby and nosing out Gift of Grace in the Deccan Fillies Championship. However, she has run below par in her last 2 starts, shocked by Consiglieri in the Deccan Derby and only able to finish a poor 3rd in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas where she was 2 ¾ lengths behind Gift of Grace. There is no obvious reason why she should reverse that form in this short span of time but her trainer is confident that she will improve and he and David Allan form a formidable partnership in Classic races. She does have it all to do though and will need to show considerable improvement to bounce back.
CONCLUSION :- An open looking First Classic of the season but my confident selection is Juliette who was an impressive winner of the Morvi Cup and in spite of the jinx that race is supposed to carry, she is expected to make the required progression to give the Ramaswamy camp their first win since Sweeping Success way back in 2007. Gift of Grace appeals the most from the out station challengers while Missing You is also feared and respected and could topple them all
Race No. 7 :- The Uttam Singh Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
NOBLE HEIR :- Half brother to the speedy Roosevelt and formerly named Gold Dust, this twice raced gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad has run impressively on both his previous starts. Making his debut over 6 furlongs in Mumbai in March, he finished a fair 6th behind Castilian and showed significant improvement when reappearing 5 ½ months later to finish a flying late 2nd to Elusive Star. He is likely to have progressed from that run again and his preparatory work has been satisfactory. The extra furlong is likely to suit him and the booking of Colm O’ Donoghue in place of Kishore Kadam is a huge positive. He is working quite well and looks to have an excellent chance to shed his maiden tag at the third time of asking .
RON:- Improving 3 year old gelding from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha he too has run twice before, finishing unplaced over 1000M on debut but catching the eye on his seasonal debut here, making up plenty of ground from the rear of the field to be a fast and late finishing 3rd behind Questina over 1200M. His come from behind style suggests that this additional furlong will suit him even more and if he is able to build on that last effort, then he looks a frontline contender. S.S. Baria who has been riding him earlier retains the ride and he must make the short list and be right there at the finish.
CELLINI :- Has an attractive pedigree being a half brother to El Commandante and a full brother to Fabulous Touch and Khayyam and has been making steady progress with his racing and looks open to further improvement. Given an educative run over 1000M towards the end of the last Mumbai season, he showed a little improvement on his first of two runs in Pune, making leisurely headway to finish 5th behind Majestic Warrior over 1200M. He was fancied for the first time on his last start when upped to this trip and did not get the clearest of passages when finishing 3rd behind Athulya and Nekhbet. With both those runners going on to win subsequently the form looks quite strong and he has been well prepared for his seasonal debut with some solid work and a Mock Race. Nathan Evans has been booked to ride today and in this maiden company, he definitely looks to have a strong chance.
TWINSPIRE :- Twice raced filly from the stable of Imtiaz Sait who has run both times over 1000M in Pune and is now taking a marked step up in trip. She made no impression on debut but finished on strongly last time out to be a good 2nd to Chephirah and looks capable of building on that effort. The longer trip is likely to suit her better being a half sister to Bangalore Derby 3rd placed New Moon and C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from Raghuveer Singh. She looks an interesting each way player if taking to the longer trip and is definitely worth taking into consideration.
RUMBA :- Got abroad debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and warrants respect on that score alone. She appears to be still a bit backward and not completely fit judging from the three workouts that she has undergone so far and looks to be going in for an educative run. However, she is definitely worth a look at in the paddock and if looking well, may be one worth chancing at a price with the forceful Leigh Roche booked to ride. Interesting.
TENACIOUS :- Twice raced 3 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji who made a suggestive debut over this trip in Pune and was fancied first time out against Notoriety but ran disappointingly to finish only 6th. She may just have needed that lung opener that day and should be fitter and sharper today and also looks open to improvement on just her 3rd start. S. Zervan who rode her last time out keeps the ride and if finding some improvement or building on her maiden effort, she can be involved and figure in the frame.
ON VA DANCER :- More exposed than most of these having had 8 runs till date, she did nothing of note in her first 7 starts but showed signs of ability on her opening run this season when making the board for the first time, ending up third behind Revelator over this trip. The runner up Shapath has run well subsequently so the form looks decent and Dashrath Singh takes the ride. She has been working well since that run and if unlocking some more improvement, is another who merits each way consideration and can be involved
CONCLUSION :- A difficult finale but we will just about side with the top weighted Noble Heir who finished on very promisingly to be 2nd to a highly reputed sort and has a very positive jockey switch. Cellini has been making steady improvement, looks well prepared and is put forward as a very live danger while Ron also caught the eye last time out although the jockey selection is not encouraging.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
