FROM THE HORSES MOUTH- Article For Sunday 22nd December 2019 - - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 21 Dec 2019
From The Horses Mouth – Article For Sunday 22nd December 2019
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Satinello Trophy – Class IV & V, 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1000M
DEL MAR :-Highly rated Phoenix Tower gelding who is from the powerful Pesi Shroff stable and made his racing debut towards the end of September in Pune over this trip. He ran a relatively forward race before his stamina gave out and he weakened to finish 4th behind Cipher in what looked a decent contest with En Sabah Nur and Chephirah who finished dead heated for 2nd going on to frank the form. He is likely to improve quite significantly for that run and should be much fitter and sharper today. The booking of P. Trevor taking over from S. Zervan suggests that connections fancy their chances much more today and in spite of being drawn wide in Stall 12, he looks to have an excellent chance to gain his first career success on his 2nd start.
HIDDEN GOLD :- Trained by Dallas Todywalla and owned by the Poonawalla family, this son of LeitirMor is returning after a long absence, having made his debut during the previous Mumbai season, running a decent race to finish 3rd behind Mirabilis and Dreams over 6 furlongs. He was being urged along from before the bend that day and only got going late so it is unsure whether this minimum trip will suit him but that may also have been due to inexperience and he appears to have been well prepared for his belated return and also went a good Mock Race recently. Nathan Evans takes the ride today replacing A. Sandesh and if he does have the speed to tackle this minimum trip then he stands a very strong chance to strike and must be considered in this company.
PAOLITA :- Debutant Top Class filly from the stable of Sanjay Kolse who appears to be a speedy sort as she has been working alongside Ms Boss who is also a speedy 4 year old from the yard. The mare has already produced some decent types like King’s Crown and That’s My Class and the booking of Nicky Mackay catches the eye. A paddock check is advised like with most of these to ascertain her condition but if she looks the part then she could be very likely to be involved first time out .
VA BENE :-Once raced Varenar filly trained by Altamaash Ahmed who made her debut over this trip on the final day of the Pune season and finished just outside the frame just behind Summer Air who finished 4th that day. She was given an easy educative run and began to stay on in the closing stages so she looks capable of building on that effort. She has been doing some decent work since that run, has bagged a good draw in Stall 3 and with NeerajRawal in the saddle, is expected to leave that running behind and figure in the frame today.
PEERLESS :- Poet’s Voice filly from the M.K. Jadhav yard who has run thrice so far over longer distances without creating much of an impression. She has been showing speed in the morning gallops for quite some time now and was in fact favourite on her debut over 6 furlongs but faded away and her next 2 runs have been more 1400M. She last raced in July so is returning from a longish break but again has been working well and it seems to make sense to try her over this minimum trip. Akshay has been booked to ride and is a good front running rider and although the draw has been unkind drawn wide in Stall 13, she could be involved if fit and ready to go.
GOD’S DECREE :-Fully exposed 3 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad yard who has already had 11 runs and is still without a win. She has run forward races in general over sprints and managed to place on a couple of occasions but her stamina seems to give out in the closing stages and the long Mahalaxmi straight may prove to be too taxing. However, she has bagged the No. 1 rail draw today and stable jockey Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride so she may attempt to make every post a winning one and could be considered in this maiden set.
CONCLUSION :-A maiden seemingly lacking strength in depth with very little solid form to go by and fitness will probably play a key role in determining the result. Del Mar probably did enough on debut to suggest that he can win a race of this nature and is selected to get the better of Hidden Gold who could be a danger in spite of the long absence. Va Bene was also given an easy run on debut and can improve and be involved
Race No. 2 :- The P.M. Rungta Golden Sprint Stakes – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
HEADWAY :-Speedy and progressive 3 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji who has won 3 of his 7 starts so far and still looks to be improving. He appears to be a 6 furlong specialist at present and save for the Poonawalla Million, all his runs have been over the 6 furlong trip. He rattled off impressive back to back wins in Pune before failing in his hattrick bid when tried in Class II and only able to finish up 4th to Joplin. Back down in this grade, he began the season in promising fashion when ending a good 2nd to Golden Guest and is closely matched with Castilian on that running. He has been working extremely well since that run and with Nicky Mackay up for the first time today, he seems to have found a good opportunity to continue his progression and resume his upward curve. Leading contender.
SASSY LASS :-5 year old mare trained by Asad Siddiqui who has acquitted herself with credit in her career so far, winning 4 of her 19 starts and also placing on 7 occasions. She appears to be equally effective over 6 and 7 furlongs but appears to favour the Pune track as all her wins have come on that course. She scored back to back wins during the recent Pune season but both those wins came in older company and she may find it tough against the younger horses. She has had a lung opener already this season when finishing 5th over 1400M to Pure Zinc and A.S. Peter takes over in the saddle and claims a valuable 2 ½ kilos. She looks likely to be involved with the benefit of the run but seems more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
CASTILIAN :- Speedily bred 3 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who began his career in very promising fashion but seemed to go off the boil after that and is working his way slowly back to his best. An impressive winner over this trip on debut beating Bait and Switch and Mirabilis he went on to contest the Ooty Classics, winning the 2000 Guineas and finishing runner up in the Nilgiris Derby. However, when returning in Pune after a 3 month gap, he looked out of sorts in both his runs over 7 furlongs, finishing a poor 5th on both occasions. However, reverting to 6 furlongs for his opening run of this campaign, he ran a little more encouragingly, finishing on from the rear to be 4th behind Golden Guest about 2 ¾ lengths behind Headway while receiving 3 ½ kilos. Today he is in receipt of 5 kilos so he is just 1 ¼ lengths inferior on the scale and could conceivably find the required improvement. P. Trevor replaces Leigh Roche in the saddle today and if he can build on that previous effort then he could go very close.
EN SABAH NUR :- Rapidly improving 3 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad yard who began racing only towards the end of August and has already had 6 runs so far, winning twice and finishing runner up on two occasions as well. Both his victories have come over this 6 furlong trip and he was very impressive on his opening run here when easily holding off Titanium and Warrior Clan to score. That run was in the lower class so he has been upped in grade and also been handed a 5 kilo penalty for the win. However, he looks to be progressing nicely with his racing and would be very dangerous to take lightly. He has been working extremely well since that run and with Dashrath Singh replacing A. Sandesh in the saddle today, he should make a bold bid to repeat and must be respected/
CONCLUSION :-This is likely to be a close fight between Headway and Castilian and there is not much to choose between them on the last run. Perhaps the latter at a longer price may attract more value. En Sabah Nuris making giant strides as well and cannot be ignored
Race No. 3 :- The Gulamhusein Essaji Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
GALLOPING GOLDMINE :- Well bred but headstrong 3 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who tends to be very fractious at the gates resulting in his being withdrawn at the start on a couple of occasions including twice in his last 3 intended starts. However, when he has competed he seems to have a very good level of form, finishing in the frame on each occasion and winning once. 4th in the Usha Stud Million on debut in a strong field, he went on to finish runner up to Mystic Bay before beating Wizard of Stocks, both of whom are contesting the 2000 Guineas so his form looks solid. He managed just one run in Pune coming over this trip where he finished a respectable 3rd to Rhapsody and he has been working very well since then and has also gone a couple of good gate jumps. David Egan has been booked to ride, he appears to have been well prepared for his seasonal debut and if behaving himself in the gates and taking a level jump, he looks to be a very strong contender to win this.
MISHKA’S PRIDE :-3 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who looked very progressive in her juvenile season but seemed to lose her way in Pune and appears to be finding her way back gradually. Racing 4 times in her juvenile campaign she made gradual improvement, finishing runner up to Kariega in the Juvenile Fillies Championship before decisively winning the J.D. & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy over a mile. She ran thrice in Pune, running very poorly on her first 2 starts but showed a little improvement when upped to 2000M last time out and running on late to finish a decent 3rd to Gdansk. That run looked to be a step in the right direction and although possibly needing this first run this season, if she is able to build on that last effort then she is capable of having a say and can be considered with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
TUDOR HALL :-Steadily improving 3 year old filly owned and trained by Vishal Gaikwad who has been making gradual improvement with each of her races and seems to be coming into her own now. An eye catching 3rd over 1000M on debut, she disappointed next time out when only 4th to Copper Queen but seemed to find some improvement upped to 7 furlongs when finishing a good 3rd to Sunrise Ruby and Notoriety and got off the mark last time out, coming with a strong run to get the better of Golden Era and Run Forrest Run. This additional step up to a mile is likely to suit her even more, a 4 ½ kilo penalty for the win seems fair and with A. Sandesh replacing S. Zervan in the saddle today she looks to have an excellent chance to repeat and should be strongly fancied to provide a quick encore.
DUMAS :-Relatively unexposed 3 year old stable companion to Tudor Hall who has run thrice without success today and is returning from a 4 month break so may just need the exposure. After getting an educative run on debut, he ran a promising race over 1800M, enjoying a long lead in the straight still travelling on the bridle but running out of steam in the closing stages to finish runner up to Justified. That form has taken a few knocks since and he had only one more run early in the Pune season, ending up 6th to Princess Annabel in the August Handicap. He has been rested and given time to improve since then and seems to have improved after his Mock Race on 17th November. S. Zervan takes the ride today and he is not without hope but may just need this run. Considered.
ELATION :-Well bred 5 race maiden from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who is related to Jack Frost and Dance The Dream but still appears not to have come into her own and is being brought along steadily be her shrewd trainer. She appears to be more of a strong staying type, showing some improvement when stepped up to distance trips and last time out, finishing runner up to Moriseiki over 2000M albeit beaten by over 4 lengths. Leigh Roche takes over in the saddle for the first time today but the step back to a mile may not be ideal and she looks like she still needs some more time. Outsider.
HIGHDARE :- Maiden 3 year old gelding from the yard of Rehanullah Khan who has done nothing of note in his 5 runs so far but showed a little improvement when stepping up to a mile last time out after being well beaten in 4 runs over sprints. He made a little progress from the rear to finish 5th behind Rainbow Trout that day and is likely to improve further. Today is the first time that a decent rider has been declared to ride with A.S. Peter taking over in the saddle from Kishore Kadam, he comes into this race off a low weight and he appears to be a rank outsider who could pull off a stunning upset as he is still unexposed over this trip. Complete longshot.
CONCLUSION :-Galloping Goldmine appears to have the strongest form and if going into the gates and taking a level jump, seems to be the most likely winner. Last outing winner Tudor Hall looks to be the main danger
Race No. 4 :- The Ranjit V Bhat Memorial Gold Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1600M
ROBERTA :-Beautifully bred and very highly regarded 4 year old filly trained by Pesi Shroff who has been a nightmare to train and seems to have various little niggles so it is creditable that she has managed to win 3 of her 11 starts including an Indian Classic as she won the Oaks earlier this year. She has run mainly in and out races since that Oaks win, finishing runner up in the Bangalore St. Leger and the Indian St. Leger but has put in some poor performances in between including last time out when a poor 5th in the Fillies and Mares in Pune. She appears to have been freshened up since then and moved smoothly in a recent Mock Race and she is contesting a handicap after a while. Leigh Roche takes over in the saddle today, she looks to be the class act in this field and looks to have found a good opportunity to gain a confidence boosting win. Leading contender.
IN IT TO WIN IT :- Well performed 5 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who struck a rich vein of form leading up to the Indian St. Leger last year, winning 4 races on the trot before coming up short in the Classic. His trainer has worked hard to get him back to peak condition after that stamina sapping race and he finally returned to form in Pune, coming with a strong run to easily beat Sagittarius over 1800M. His lack of a run since then and also no recent trackwork plus the booking of rookie 5 kilo claimer Malam Singh being booked to ride all suggest that he is going in for an airing today and the yard’s main hope if Pure Zinc but it is dangerous to discount him completely and he could very well be involved.
FLYING VISIT :-Wonderfully progressive 4 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who has a fine record of 4 wins and 3 seconds from his 9 starts and has made steady progress up the handicap ranks over middle distances trips. He had a consistent pattern of winning every alternate race until that trend was broken after his last win in Pune as he has placed in his last 2 starts. Runner up to Augustus Caesar in Pune after his last win, he finished 3rd behind Pure Zinc and Missing You on his seasonal reappearance but is weighted to gain revenge today with the winner undertaking a penalty. He has been consistent throughout his career so is expected to run well again and if Roberta does not perform upto expectations then he appears to have a good chance to return to the winner’s circle.
PURE ZINC :- 5 year old grey horse trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has done a fine job in getting him back to winning condition after he seemed to suffer a setback in the peak of his racing career. Favourite for the Pune Derby in his 3 year old days, he suffered a setback when finishing midfield in the Indian 2000 Guineas and was off the track for a little over a year before returning this January and after looking like coming back to form when a late finishing 2nd to Master of Universe over 1200M in February he was again sidelined with injury. He did not race in Pune, again withdrawn on his planned reappearance but made a stylish comeback this season when coming with a strong late run to pip Missing You close home. He has incurred a 4 kilo penalty for that win and his rider claims 1.5 kilos in the saddle so there is every chance that he will be able to improve enough to confirm the form with Flying Visit who finished just behind him that day. He clearly is a force to reckon with when at his best and looks to be the main danger to Roberta.
CONCLUSION :-The brilliant Roberta looks set to return to winning ways and is confidently selected to do so as she moved very attractively in a recent Mock Race. Pure Zinc gave a creditable performance last time out and appears to be a very live threat
Race No. 5 :- The Faiz Jasdanwalla Trophy – Maiden 2 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
AIR BLAST :- Debutant from the S.K. Sunderji yard out of one of the longest standing mares in India from the family which has produced the likes of Schiavone (winner of 5 races including the Gr. 3 New Years Cup and runner up in the Fillies and Mares (Gr.3), Mariinsky (winner of 7 races from 19 starts including the Indian 1000 Guineas (Gr.1), The F.D. Wadia Trophy (Gr.2), the Bangalore 1000 Guineas (Gr.2) and the Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Gr. 3) ) Hatsuhana (winner of 5 races from 22 starts) Fleeting Arrow ( 7 wins from 15 starts including the Colts Trial Stakes (Gr.1) and the Bangalore 2000 Guineas (Gr.2) ). He appears to be moving quite well in his preparatory work and has gone a couple of gate jumps as well so should be ready to go. Nicky Mackay is a good Jockey booking for a youngster first time out and in spite of a wide draw in Stall 10, he looks one to consider and can win first time out.
BIRKIN BLOWER :-Half brother to Mzilikazi and Bateleur from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad who also appears to be a promising prospect on paper and will be ridden by S. Zervan. He too appears to have been well prepared to be fit and ready to go first time out and has done some good pieces of work in spite of being stretched. As with most of these, a paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition but he appears to be one of the more forward sorts judging from trackwork and in spite of being drawn in Stall 11, is expected to run a big race.
DECAPRIO :-Home bred being a son of the mighty Quasar out of a mare known to be very speedy having already thrown 2 speedy but modest types in the form of Stunner and Westeros. He too appears to have been given plenty of preparatory work and also some gate practice and should be fit enough first time out. P.S. Chouhan the retained rider takes the ride, he had a good draw in Stall 7 and if reproducing his excellent work, he should be right there at the finish.
RISING SUN :- One of 3 runners in this race with previous experience having run once apiece in Pune and Mumbai and showed the benefit of his previous experience in his last run when finishing on strongly to end up a close 3rd to Recall of You and Lady Lanette with Royalty back in 4th. Considering that Royalty and Lady Lanette fought out the finish of the subsequent 2 year old race, the form looks good and he has been working well since that run. Granted that this is 3rd start, he may not find that much more improvement but he clearly sets the form standard and with A. Sandesh taking over in the saddle from K. Nazil today, he definitely looks one to consider seriously and should be right there at the finish.
TAIMUR :-Full brother to Memorable Eyes trained by Karthik G, he ran a decent race on his debut earlier in the season, when making a little improvement from midfield to finish 6th behind Royalty and should benefit considerably from the experience. The extra furlong is likely to be in his favour and Colm O’Donoghue keeps the ride. He is expected to build on the promise of his debut run and looks to have a good each way chance today and should make the frame.
EXOTIQUE :-One of three runners from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and possibly the most fancied of the trio today with Leigh Roche taking the ride. She does not appear to have been fully wound up first time out judging from her preparatory work and looks more likely to improve on whatever she has done today. She may need this initial educative run but has a good draw in Stall 4 and must be respected and considered.
MELISANDRE :-The third entry from the S.K. Sunderji yard and the mount of P. Trevor, this half sister to Sunset appears to have been well prepared for her debut run and has been given a fair amount of prep work including some good gate jumps and looks likely to be ready to go. She seems to be one of the more forward types from amongst this lot but again has suffered from being drawn very wide in Stall 13. She should give a good account of herself first time out and should run well.
SKY FALL :- Leitir Mor filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard who also catches the eye on pedigree by being a half sister to Mauritania winner of 7 of his 19 starts including The Suresh Mahendra Multi Million Gr. 2, The Bangalore 2000 Guineas Gr.2, The Bangalore Turf Club Trophy Gr.3 and the Sprinters Trial Stakes Gr.3. She has only been given a couple of workouts so may not be fully wound up but has worked alongside the yard’s other 2 year old winner Recall of You and has moved nicely in her limited workouts. Nathan Evans takes the ride first time out, she is worth a check in the paddock and may be able to score first time out if looking fit and well.
CONCLUSION :-Some promising types on display and probably best watched from a betting standpoint. The winner should emerge from among Birkin Blower, Air Blast, Sky Fall and Rising Sun
Race No. 6 :- The VillooPoonawalla Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) – Terms – 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1600M
ALEXEI :- One of 2 runners from the Pesi Shroff yard and to carry the colours of the Shirke family and this got abroad gelding still looks relatively inexperienced and open to plenty of improvement and looks to have a smart pedigree. Making an impressive winning debut over a mile in Pune when beating Hokkaido by 5 lengths, he was very strongly fancied in the Morvi but did not look at his best in the preliminaries and after attempting to make all the running, weakened close home to finish 3rd behind Juliette and Sultan Suleiman, the latter covering him virtually in the final two strides. He is sure to improve for that run and it will be interesting to see how he looks in the paddock today. P. Trevor who rode him last time out keeps the ride, the additional furlong is sure to be in his favour but considering that he was receiving 3 kilos from Sultan Suleiman that day, it looks hard for him to reverse the form on level Terms. He is capable of being involved in the frame today but will have to take a significant step forward if he is to emerge victorious.
KILDARE :- Son of Leitir Mor trained by S.K. Sunderji who also saddles Trouvaille, he is a winner of 2 of his 3 starts so far, having had long gaps in between his runs but very impressive on his reappearance when winning by a huge margin of 13 ½ lengths over 7 furlongs and shattering the course record in the process. That run clearly brought him into the Guineas picture although he will be tackling this mile trip for the first time and was well held in the F.D. Wadia Trophy in Pune the time before. His workouts since coming to Mumbai suggest that he has improved again and David Egan has been booked to ride. He looks to be peaking at just the right time and although this is a huge step up in Class for him, he looks capable of tackling it and must be considered.
KNIGHT TEMPLAR :-Interesting looking out station challenger trained by Master Trainer S. Padmanabhan and to be ridden by David Allan, he looks to be one of the higher rated runners in this field and also brings strong form to the table. He is quite experienced having had 4 starts already, and placing in the other two. Runner up to Mega Ikon on his debut over 1100M, he was quickly stepped up to a mile next time out beating the highly regarded Sir Supremo by 2 lengths. He showed he was clearly an above average sort when finishing a creditable 3rd to Well Connected and Impavid in the Bangalore Summer Derby which is very impressive form. Off the track for 6 months since then, he advertised his well being when making a smart comeback in a Class II handicap over a mile, winning convincingly by 3 ¾ lengths. He is likely to eventually develop into a strong staying type and may lack the speed over this mile trip but is clearly a worthy challenger and is very dangerous to ignore.
SULTAN SULEIMAN :- Possibly one of the front line contenders in spite of his limited experience, he began racing as late as September but has already established himself to be a top class prospect and clearly has the credentials to win this. A Stylish winner on debut over 1400M, he was thrust into the S.A. Poonawalla Million in the short span of 2 weeks but showed great resilience to hold off Trouvaille in a fighting finish. He picked up a minor injury which saw him miss the Pune Derby and he looked a little rusty in the Morvi, getting going late in the day and should benefit greatly from that run. He has put in some outstanding work since that run, will relish going back up to a mile and with A. Sandesh in the saddle, looks primed to run a mighty race and it should be a fascinating renewal between him and Trouvaille. Leading contender.
TROUVAILLE :- Possibly the best performed from amongst this lot and certainly already battle hardened with 7 runs under his belt, he was the leading 3 year old Colt in his juvenile season, finishing runner up thrice in a row in big races before easily winning the Juvenile Colts Championship. He was well below par in the F.D. Wadia but had a fascinating battle with Sultan Suleiman in the S.A. Poonawalla and was a fluent winner of the Pune Derby where he easily outlasted Wizard of Stocks. He comes into this Classic without a preparatory race which is definitely a drawback but has been working extremely well. Nicky Mackay won his first race in Western India yesterday and this looks one of his best chances to add to his tally and should give him confidence going into the big one. He definitely commands plenty of respect and looks a frontline contender.
WIZARD OF STOCKS :-Steadily improving son of Speaking of Which from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who finished runner up to Trouvaille in the Pune Derby and appears to be more of a staying type but cannot be completely ruled out over this shorter trip. Runner up to Galloping Goldmine on his debut towards the end of the last Mumbai season, he went on to shed his maiden tag next time out in Bangalore over a mile but was well beaten in War Hammer’s Colts Championship Stakes, finishing a faraway 5th. He was given time to improve and skipped the Bangalore Derby, reappearing in a Class III handicap over 2000M where he finished runner up to Tasawwur. He went on to run a cracking race in the Pune Derby although well beaten by Trouvaille and is also coming into this Classic without a prep race which is a negative. He could be the one who is just about peaking at the right time and if he does not feel the effects of lack of a race run then he could be right there at the finish. Interesting contender.
CONCLUSION :-This looks to be an extremely competitive affair and should produce an exciting result. Pune Derby winner and runner up Trouvaille and Wizard of Stocks both appear to be leading contenders but both have not had a preparatory race and it is extremely hard to win an Indian Classic without one so they have their work cut out for them. Sultan Suleiman is better than what he showed in the Morvi and is likely to run a very big race on just his 4th start but the one who seems to have the strongest form is the outstation challenger Knight Templar. He has done little wrong in his 4 starts till date, and his proximity to Impavid and Well Connected in the Bangalore Summer Derby put him well ahead of Wizard of Stocks. He won his lead up race in good fashion and looks set to make it a back to back Guineas double for the outstation horses.
Race No. 7 :- The Simply Noble Trophy – Class V, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1200M
HIGHLAND WOODS :-5 year old gelding from the stable of Nazzak B. Chenoy who has been working his way back into form after a setback and looks set to get back to winning ways now. Winner of just 1 of his 12 starts till date, he suffered an injury immediately after his maiden win and was off the track for almost a year and a half before returning to racing midway through the Pune season. He understandably took a couple of runs to get back to form but hinted that he was ready to strike when finishing on to be a close 2nd to Ebony over 1000M on his final start there. He has had 2 runs already this term, last time out ending a close 4th to Sharareh and he is now eased in grade into the lower class. M. Ayyar replaces A. Sandesh in the saddle but also claims a valuable 3 ½ kilos in the saddle and has a good record for the yard and over this additional furlong, he looks to have a strong chance to get his career back on track.
ANTARCTICA :- Sparingly raced 4 year old filly who is trained by Altamaash Ahmed and is another who looks to have come back down to a handy mark although she is coming out of a setback and does have some fitness concerns. A fluent winner with a stylish turn of foot when last seen in this grade, she has run quite creditably on her two runs in the higher class, finishing on well to be a good 3rd behind Namaqua early in the Pune season but she did not run again thereafter. She badly needed the lung opener on her opening run this season and should come on considerably for it. She drops back down in grade into the lowest class, Bhawani Singh who rode her to victory last time takes over from N Nadeem and although she does have fitness and well being to prove, she is very capable of taking this if back to her best.
MAJESTICAL :- Inconsistent but well handicapped 5 year old gelding trained by Karthik G who has won just 1 of his 23 starts till date but has gone close on a couple of occasions in recent types and should be able to earn another bracket in these sort of contests before too long. He made a terrific start to the season over 1000M on his reappearance when runner up in a 3 way photo with Godsword and Be Frank and seems to have maintained his form and fitness since that run. Bhawani Singh is replaced by 5 kilo claimer A. Prakash and with the extra furlong unlikely to trouble him, he has strong each way claims and is likely to be involved.
NAVIGATOR :- 4 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who is also not reliable having won just 1 of his 18 starts so far, the win being a wide margin victory over 7 furlongs in this grade a few starts ago but he received a very stiff penalty for that win and in spite of being in the same grade, struggled on his 2 runs since. He has run some good races over 1200M in the past so the drop in trip looks unlikely to pose a problem but the yard have been struggling for winners after a terrific Pune season and with Dashrath Singh in the saddle, he is more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
ROYAL ACE :-6 year old gelding from the Faisal Abbas yard who is still a maiden after as many as 28 starts and is becoming quite frustrating to follow. He has gone quite close on a couple of occasions finishing runner up as many as 5 times and was again very well backed on his seasonal reappearance over this trip but once again came up short beaten ¾ lengths by Eternal Dancer and dead heating for 2nd with Sandalphon. A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle today in a bid to finally get him off the mark and he is likely to win one of these before too long. He has been working well since the run and does merit consideration.
MACGYVER :- Another 5 year old maiden this one from the stable of S.A. Waheed who has promised much but till date has failed to deliver, he is winless after 20 runs and has been working extremely well for some time now. He was well fancied and looked to have an excellent chance to finally get off the mark last time out but failed to deliver in spite of having the assistance of P.S. Chouhan in the saddle, finishing a poor 6th behind Maestro. K. Nazil takes over in the saddle now and he definitely merits consideration as he may have needed that opening run but comes with plenty of risks attached and catching him on the right day could prove to be tricky.
CONCLUSION :-A messy finale and probably best left alone from a betting standpoint.Highland Woods and Antarctica have both come down from the higher class and are capable of scoring and Royal Ace with Sandesh up also commands respect.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
