FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Thursday 16th January, 2020 -By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 15 Jan 2020
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Thursday 16th January, 2020
-By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Magic Touch Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
GLACIER EXPRESS :- The first foal of got abroad mare Attractive (by Dylan Thomas) who herself was unplaced in 2 starts in Western India in a limited career. She has had just one start till date, making her debut over course and distance in mid December, looking green and inexperienced and finishing 11th behind Sasakwa. That educative run was probably needed, she has now been dropped in grade into the lower class and her workouts since the run suggest that she has improved. David Egan who rode her last time out keeps the ride and is an encouraging booking in this grade. She looks open to plenty of improvement and a much better effort is expected from her today.
MULTIBAGGER :- Has an attractive pedigree being by Multidimensional out of Awakening Ray and comes from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji. She has had 2 previous runs, making her debut over 1200M in Pune where she was clearly in need of the run beating just one home when 7th to Elusive Star but looked to have learnt from that effort and had been tracking extremely well after the run. She made her seasonal debut here as a red hot favourite in this Class over 1000M, but after taking over the running briefly in the straight, weakened to finish 4th behind Godsword. She steps back up to this 6 furlong trip again, should strip fitter for the run and also seems to have progressed judging from her recent workouts. Nicky Mackay takes over in the saddle from A. Sandesh today and she too is expected to give a much better account of herself today and looks a leading contender to get off the mark.
PEZULA :- Full sister to Quail Hollow from the stable of Bezan Chenoy who has run thrice till date in maiden company and makes her handicap debut, her best effort being a 4th placed finish over this trip on her penultimate run. She was well fancied on her racing debut over 1000M but missed the kick and was never in the hunt thereafter. Returning after 6 weeks and stepped up to 6 furlongs, she ran an improved race when making all the running and kicking on to finish 4th to Alauddin Khilji beaten only 2 ¾ lengths which was a fair effort. She was given a lung opener early in the season, making a little headway from the rear to finish 6th behind Questina and should be fitter and sharper today. She was done some decent pieces of work since the run so looks to have progressed again and M. Ayyar has been booked to ride, claiming 3 ½ kilos. She looks to be on a reasonable mark on her handicap debut and considering that she seems to have run in better company then the other 4 year olds, she looks to have an excellent chance to shed her maiden tag today and is strongly fancied.
KALINA :- Lightly raced 7 year old trained by Nosher Cama who has run only 8 times till date, and looks to have improved in the latter half of her career. She ran a decent race over 1000M last time out when returning from over a year off the track, finishing a close 3rd over 1000M to Isinit and should clearly improve for the run. The extra furlong is likely to be in her favour, P.S. Chouhan keeps the ride and although she has less scope to improve than the younger horses, she is likely to build on that last effort and looks a strong each way contender as she is still quite unexposed.
ADAM’S BEGINNING :- Exposed and experienced 7 year old mare from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who is a veteran of 38 starts, having won twice and placed on 9 occasions as well. She has usually been effective over this trip and in this grade and has looked like she was ready to strike this season. She has had 2 runs this term and both have been good efforts, finishing a close 4th to Eternal Dancer on reappearance before finishing on to be 3rd to Antarctica last time out. Santosh G who rode her first time out returns to ride today replacing Malam Singh, she appears to be well within herself at present but is taking on some unexposed younger horses today which she may find tough to do. She looks capable of making the frame but is likely to fight it out for minor honours and seems more of a place prospect.
TEODOR MONTE :- Maiden 5 year old gelding from the Mansoor Shah stable who has failed to score in 17 runs till date but has tumbled down in the weights as a result. He was quietly fancied on his seasonal reappearance and made a little headway from the rear to finish 6th about 3 ¼ lengths behind Adam’s Beginning. He should be fitter and sharper for that run and although he is not a reliable sort, he looks to be on a very handy mark at present. H.Zeeshan who rode him last time out keeps the ride, it will be interesting to see if the money comes for him again and he could be a good outsider who could prove value at a price.
CONCLUSION :- In races like this, the younger horses generally tend to have an edge although none of the 4 year olds have current form. A tricky opener but I feel that Pezula has run in better company in her maidens and can strike having had a lung opener already this season. Multibagger has shown some ability on reappearance and looks a danger if building on that while Glacier Express is also expected to run much better today. Teodor Monte can upset from among the older horses
Race No. 2 :- The Avantage Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
CRISTO BOSS :- 7 year old maiden who’s losing run has now stretched to 34 races and although he has finished runner up on as many as 6 occasions, he continues to hunt for that elusive first success and is becoming very frustrating to follow. He did finish a length 2nd to Eternal Dancer in his most recent run in Pune in a similar contest and was withdrawn on his last intended start back in October so is racing after almost 4 months. He has been given a Mock Race here and Bhawani Singh is an unusual booking for the yard so he looks capable of scoring if running upto his best but comes with plenty of risks attached. Considered.
NUSRAT :- 5 year old maiden filly trained by Faisal Abbas who has run 12 times in total and has looked like she was slowly coming to hand in her last 2 starts. She finished 3rd to Gandalf on her final start in Pune over this trip and roughly up to the same level on her opening run of the season when runner up to Dragonmoss with Whispering Queen 4 ½ lengths away in 3rd. She appears to be making slow and steady progress with her racing, is expected to improve again from that last run and is better placed on the scale than Whispering Queen. Amyn Merchant who rode last time out keeps the ride and she looks to be a strong each way player in this company and if progressing again, stands a good chance to shed her maiden tag.
GRAND EYES :- Maiden 6 year old gelding who began his career with C.D. Katrak before moving to the yard of Imtiaz Sait and is winless from 16 starts until date but has slipped down to a useful mark as a result. He has managed to place on a couple of occasions in the past and looked to be coming into form during the recent Pune campaign where he finished 3rd in 2 of his last 3 starts. Upped to 2000M, he finished a faraway 3rd to Power of Thor and after finding 6 furlongs too sharp next time out, bounced back when upped to a mile on his last start when a very close 3rd behind Chezza over a mile, making up plenty of ground from the rear. He is having his first run of the season so has fitness to prove but looks to be coming into his own for his new yard and with J. Chinoy in the saddle today, looks a strong each way contender and is given a good chance.
WHISPERING QUEEN :- 5 year old filly trained by Ivor Fernandes who seldom has winners nowadays with his small string but she managed to get off the mark last time out over course and distance coming with a strong late run close home to get the better of Shapath by a head. She is still relatively unexposed having only found form in her last couple of starts and a 4 kilo penalty seems fair. She looks to be worse of on the scale with Nusrat on their last meeting but seems to have improved since then and with A.S. Peter keeping the ride, she looks likely to make a bold bid to repeat and could have it in her to earn another bracket so does come into calculations.
CRAY CRAY :- Quite exposed 6 year old mare from the stable of young A.M. Jadhav who has managed just 1 prior win in her 24 starts till date but has found a good level of consistency of late, placing in each of her last 4 starts. All those 4 runs have been during the recent season although the first of those was in the Pune track, last time out finishing a close 3rd to Maestro with Solo Mission also just behind her in 4th. She appears to be holding her form quite well throughout this season and definitely merits each way consideration with K. Nazil in the saddle but will need to find some improvement if she is to do better and earn another bracket.
ZEEMO :- Maiden 6 year old mare from the stable of S.A. Waheed who has run 15 times till date without success but has shown glimpses of ability in recent times and also appears to have slipped to a handy mark. He hinted that he was getting ready to strike back in Pune towards the end of August when finishing on to be 3rd to Dazzle N Daze over a mile and after having two runs this season to get back to a decent level of fitness, again finished on to be 4th to Retained Asset over a mile last time out. The slight drop in trip does not appear to be ideal but 3 ½ kilo claimer M. Ayyar takes the ride today and he looks a rank outsider who could spring a surprise if he is in a galloping mood.
SOLO MISSION :- Well bred 6 year old gelding from the yard of Karthik G who has gone 26 runs without a win although he has managed to go quite close on a couple of occasions, finishing runner up thrice. He too has slipped down to a very workable mark and has run a couple of suggestive efforts which indicate that he should be able to win one of these. Both his runs this season have been very encouraging, first finishing on strongly over a sharp 5 furlongs to be a very close 4th to Isinit and last time out again finishing on late to be in the frame when 4th to Maestro. This 7 furlong trip looks likely to suit him better, A. Prakash as usual takes the ride and he is another worthy of each way consideration and could add some spice to the finish.
CONCLUSION :- With just 3 of the 11 horses in field not maidens, this is clearly a race well left alone and cheered from the stands. Grand Eyes is a tentative selection for those who must have a bet while others to be considered are Nusrat, Whispering Queen and Solo Mission.
Race No. 3 :- The Ferrari Plate – Class III & IV – Distance :- 2000M
RAINBOW TROUT :- Smart and progressive 4 year old filly from the stable of Dallas Todywalla who has 3 wins to her name from 5 starts and looks to be improving with her racing. Runner up to Majestic Warrior on her debut in Pune over 1200M, she duly went on to score a bloodless maiden victory over 1400M, taking her time to get going but quite dominant at the finish beating Tristar by 2 ¾ lengths. Making her handicap debut in Class IV off top weight over a mile, she was weak in the market but still managed to hold off Power of Thor in a fighting finish and score by a long neck. She probably needed a trial run in Class III on her opening start of the current campaign when only 5th behind Sunrise Ruby but bounced back in emphatic fashion last time out when a fluent winner over Till End of Time back down at 1400M. Her style of racing suggests that this longer trip will suit her and A. Sandesh who rode her on all her runs bar the last one, returns to ride. She does have a 5 kilo penalty to tackle but looks in great heart at present and has to beat Galloping Goldmine who appears to have slightly stronger overall form. Leading contender.
FLEUR DE LYS :- Strong galloping and front running 5 year old mare trained by Imtiaz Sait who has a solid record of 3 wins from her 13 starts till date, returning to form last time out after 4-5 indifferent efforts when scoring over course and distance beating Notoriety by 2 lengths. She is likely to be able to make the running again in this small field and will be ridden by C.S. Jodha who rode her to victory last time out and ironically was also aboard Rainbow Trout for her win. She has a 4 ½ kilo penalty to take in her stride but looks the most appealing of the 3 owner mates in this race and should make a determined bid to repeat.
GALLOPING GOLDMINE :- 4 year old gelding from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji who tends to be bad at the gates but has a good level form when he has taken a jump and looks to be improving still. He ran just once during the Pune season, being withdrawn playing up in the gates on 2 occasions, finishing a close 3rd to Rhapsody. He was well supported on his seasonal reappearance here and put in a smart performance under David Egan to score his 2nd career success over a mile, finishing on strongly to get the better of Tudor Hall and Dumas who has gone on to frank the form. The longer trip appears to be to his advantage, he has been working very well since the run and P. Trevor has been booked to ride today. He appears to have stronger form than Rainbow Trout and provided that he behaves himself at the start, he looks to be the one to beat.
CONCLUSION :- With Jager Bomb and Benevolence probably in the race to ensure that it goes through, only the top 3 horses enter consideration and it should be a good battle between Galloping Goldmine and Rainbow Trout. The former appears to have marginally the better form and is just preferred.
Race No. 4 :- The Magic Touch Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
RED CARNATION :- 5 year old gelding from the Narendra Lagad stable who’s overall record is not particularly inspiring with just 1 win from 18 starts although he has managed to place on 7 occasions as well. His win was gained over 1000M on this course back in March but the field that he beat that day was a relatively dead one and he has mainly struggled since then. He has had 2 runs this season to get him back to full fitness and is now dropped in grade into the lower class. In form apprentice P.S. Kaviraj takes the ride claiming 3 ½ kilos now, he looks to have the strongest chance of the yard’s 3 runners and merits each way consideration if he can return to his best with the 1200M trip not expected to be a problem.
DIREWOLF :-Very interesting and lightly raced 5 year old gelding trained by Nosher Cama who had a setback at a very early stage in his career which saw him off the track for a year, returning in Pune this October and he is slowly working his way back into form. Badly needing the run back in Pune and then withdrawn next time out, he showed good speed on his seasonal debut over 7 furlongs and was prominent until the bend before retiring. The drop to this sprint trip should suit him and he has been catching the eye in the morning gallops. He looks to have the potential to be better than what he has shown so far and remains a dark horse who can upset with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle.
DOWSABEL :- Once raced Kingda Ka filly from the stable of Faisal Abbas who has an attractive pedigree being the first foal of Arta who won 4 of her 10 starts and also finished runner up on 3 occasions in a limited career. She seems to be a late maturing type having made her debut only at the end of the Pune season, given an educative run over 1000M and not given a hard time when finishing a fair 4th to Chephirah. She has been given time to improve and strengthen since then and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. She may be a touch short on fitness with only one recorded piece of work so a paddock check is advised but if she is looking fit and well then she stands an excellent chance to score with P. Trevor an encouraging Jockey booking suggesting that connections are strong.
SANDRA’S SECRET :- Another potentially smart 4 year old filly, this one from the stable of Imtiaz Sait who is a full sister to the well performed Hodson’s Horse who is yet to come into her own. Also making her debut at the end of August and having run only in maiden company so far, she finished 6th to Sandman in a weak field over 1000M but showed some improvement over this trip next time out, running a forward race and ending up 4th behind Cliffs of Capri albeit well behind the 3rd horse. Her last run however was disappointing as she was never in the hunt, ending up a faraway 10th behind Belgravia and she is making her handicap debut in the lowest grade. She may need this opening run with just a few workouts under her belt but she has a good rider up for the first time with A.S. Peter booked and looks capable of making an impression in this grade if she is fit and ready to go. Worth considering if looking well.
GOLDEN STEAL :- Has been blazing the track in the morning gallops but needs to reproduce it on the course, this maiden 4 year old roan trained by Dallas Todywalla comes from a good family, being a half brother to Excellent Sorrento who performed well for Malesh Narredu. He has had 7 runs so far and been tried over varied trips but till date has failed to make an impression. He has had 2 starts already this term so fitness should not be an issue and he did run a forward race over 7 furlongs last time out with the same rider up. He has bagged the rail draw as well so conceivably could make all the running over this shorter trip and looks to have a strong chance if he can reproduce his excellent trackwork with David Egan a notable booking in this grade.
CONCLUSION :- The unexposed filly Dowsabel made an encouraging debut in Pune and with normal progression expected, is fancied to take this with P. Trevor in the saddle. Foreign jockeys rarely take rides in the lowest class so David Egan being on Golden Steal is an indicator and he shapes as the main danger. Direwolf also appears to have plenty of potential and is also considered
Race No. 5 :- The Nari Mary Homi Wadia Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
EL CAPITAN :- Altaf Hussain trained Excellent Art debutant who catches the eye on paper, owned by the Poonawalla family and being a full brother to Flaming Martini and a half brother to Group 3 Byerly Turk Million winner Sitara as well as Chief of Command – winner of 9 of his 15 starts including the Gr. 1 Nilgiris Derby, the Gr. 2 Nilgiris 2000 Guineas, the Gr.3 Madras Gold Vase and Christmas Gold Cup and runner up in the Gr. 1 South India Derby. He appears to have been quite well prepared for his debut run and P. Trevor has been booked to ride. He looks to be one of the more promising prospects on paper and stands an excellent chance to get his career off to a winning start.
RISING SUN :- The only runner in the field with prior experience, this thrice raced son of Gusto trained by M.K. Jadhav made his debut in Pune in the opening 2 year old race of the current crop and took advantage of his experience on his seasonal debut here when running a cracker to finish a close 3rd to Recall of You and Lady Lanette. He was well fancied in a big field upped to 6 furlongs next time out and looked a winner before being surprised by Air Blast close home. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and A. Sandesh takes the ride. With the benefit of experience he looks to have a leading chance to get off the mark today unless one of the newcomers proves to be above average and looks the form pick.
SOARING HIGH :- Win Legend debutant from the stable of Vishal Gaikwad who appears to have been solidly prepared for his debut run and appears to have had the maximum amount of workouts out of this lot. Out of an American bred mare Skyliner, his siblings have not really performed with his full brother Arrow Arrow Arrow winless from 8 starts and his half brother Aalishaan winning just twice from 33 starts in Hyderabad. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness and with Akshay in the saddle and a good draw in Stall 2, he looks capable of being involved if fit and ready to go.
CURFEW :- Speedy looking debutant from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been doing quite well with its juveniles, she is a full sister to some decently performed types like Lopamudra – winner of 4 races in Hyderabad and Flying Spaghetti who won thrice also in Hyderabad. Home bred, she has been working with some of the yard’s good juveniles like Gold Charm and Lady Lanette and has also shown decent speed in her morning work. The booking of Nirmal Jodha first time out tempers enthusiasm somewhat but she has a good draw in Stall 3 and if looking well in the paddock, is likely to have a bold show.
FINALIST :- Narendra Lagad trained debutant who has bagged the plum rail draw and will be ridden by yard’s retained rider Dashrath Singh and the Lagad babies generally tend to have speed first time out. He too appears to have good speed and has been showing out well in the morning trials and a paddock check is advised as with most of these. He looks to be fit enough to win first time out but may be vulnerable to the classier types. Each way player.
GUSTY GIRL :- One of 2 runners from the Dallas Todywalla yard and possibly more likely to have speed on her pedigree being by Gusto, she appears to be marginally the fitter of the pair and will be ridden by David Egan. Her workouts have been decent without really catching the eye and like with most of these, paddock looks will play an important role. All things considered, she is likely to need this opening run but can run into the frame and is worth giving each way consideration too if looking well.
CONCLUSION :- This is likely to be a straight fight between the experienced Rising Sun who sets the form standard and the fashionably bred debutant El Capitan. Curfew also looks a speedy sort and completes the short list.
Race No. 6 :- The Indian Air Force Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
DANDI MARCH :- Well performed 4 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has won 3 of his 8 starts so far and appears to be coming back to his best. A very strong performer in his juvenile season, winning the Usha Stud Million and the Longchamp Million, both over this trip and finishing a close 3rd to Free Gold in the Gool S. Poonawalla Million, he ran poorly on his opening start in Pune but made steady improvement since then, winning over 1000M on his final start beating the speedy Namaqua. He travelled wide throughout on his seasonal debut here and got going very late to finish a good close 3rd to Mzilikazi and the runner up that day Tanjo is a subsequent winner so the form looks strong. He has been working extremely well since the run so should be spot on for this and in spite of conceding weight around, he looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways and is strongly fancied with Nicky Mackay in the saddle.
EN SABAH NUR :- Another tough and progressive sprinter from the Narendra Lagad stable, he has a similar profile to Dandi March, having won 3 of his 8 races although he began racing only in August and has been very busy since. 2 of his wins have come on this track, beginning the season on a winning note when easily beating Titanium over this trip and after a poor opening run in Class III, got up late over 1000M to pip stable mate Impala in a blanket finish. He is up a further 4 kilos now but seems to be improving with every run and will enjoy the return to 6 furlongs. Nathan Evans takes over from A. Sandesh in the saddle today and he is the only foreign rider who is yet to open his account so that is a slight deterrent but otherwise he looks a strong each way contender and is expected to be in the thick of things.
MOZART:- One time Classic hopeful from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and fluent winner of the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas in his juvenile season, his career has been hampered by injury since and he has not been able to perform upto his true potential. He placed consistently in similar contests during the last Mumbai season and after looking out of sorts in Pune, made a promising start to this season when running a forward race over 1400M and kicking on to finish up a fair 3rd to Mirabilis. He should be able to build on that run and will also prefer dropping down to 1200M as he has good form over this trip. The fact that Pesi has persisted with him in spite of his setbacks indicates that he feels the grey still has potential and hence he would be dangerous to ignore and must be considered with N.S. Parmar retaining the ride.
NIGHT HUNT :- 5 year old gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad stable who looks to be coming into his own now and has won 2 of his 9 starts until now, albeit being largely untried in his first few runs. He was a wide margin winner over course and distance last time out in the lower class, easily beating Hodson’s Horse by 6 ½ lengths. However, he has been handed a very stiff 7 kilo penalty for that win which may prove to be his undoing as many have struggled to repeat under a similar penalty. However, he looks to be progressing nicely, A. Sandesh keeps the ride and with the yard currently in good form, he should make a determined bid to go in again. Respected.
GALLANTRY :- 4 year old colt who has been globetrotting around the country trying to make his mark in the regional classics but the best that he has managed so far has been a runner up finish to King T’Chala in the Mysore Colts Trial Stakes. His record in Western India is impressive though with 2 wins from his 3 runs as a juvenile, finishing 3rd to Trouvaille in the Juvenile Colts Championship in between. He is having his first start in 4 months so have fitness to prove over what will be a slightly sharp trip but is clearly a promising sort and would be dangerous to completely ignore with A.S. Peter in the saddle.
CONCLUSION :- Dandi Marchran very promisingly on reappearance and expected to improve for that effort, he is selected to return to the winner’s circle. Impressive last outing winner Night Hunt looks the obvious danger but has a very stiff penalty to overcome while Gallantry could be a good outsider in spite of returning from a break
Race No. 7 :- The Avantage Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
DIBABA :- Hopelessly out of form 7 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse who has won 2 of her 30 starts and also placed on 7 occasions but she has been way out of form since finishing a close 2nd to Arabian Storm back in August 2018. She has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and the only reason why she merits consideration at all is that she has come back down to her last winning mark. She has of course to prove that she retains her old ability and M. Ayyar has been booked to ride. She is most likely a long shot and percentage call is to oppose her but she can spring a surprise if she has her galloping shoes on. Rank outsider.
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :- Another older mare who has dropped down considerably in the weights but unlike Dibaba, he has shown a couple of flashes of brilliance every season and finished on very suggestively last time out. Winner of 3 of her 32 starts, she was seen making good late headway from the rear last time out to end up a flying 5th just outside the frame behind Classicus and looks entitled to build on that. The booking of A. Sandesh today suggests that connections fancy their chances and off what looks a workable mark, she definitely merits consideration.
HEXAHEDRON :- Unexposed and improving 5 year old gelding from the yard of Subhag Singh who has been doing fairly well with his small string, this son of Roi Maudit has failed to hit the board in 9 starts till date but hinted that he was coming to hand on his most recent run over 6 furlongs 2 weeks ago when running a forward race and finishing up a close 6th behind Maestro. That was the first time that he has shown any zest for racing and C.S. Jodha who rode him last time out keeps the ride. He looks likely to be able to improve on that previous effort and if he does, then he is another who looks capable of springing a surprise and comes into calculations.
JACK FLASH :- Sparingly raced 5 year old colt trained by Hosidar Daji who has run 8 times so far without creating much of an impression. He has done nothing of note to warrant any consideration until now but he has been shining in his morning workouts since coming to Mumbai and ran a forward race when getting a lung opener 2 weeks ago before retiring. He should strip fitter for that run and he finished the closest that he ever has to the winner until now. He is entitled to improve for that run and progress again and with K. Nazil in the saddle, is another who looks an each way contender.
WESTERN STYLE :- Another untried and unexposed 5 year old colt, this one from the stable of S.S. Shah, he is a half brother to Handsome Boy, winner of 2 races in Hyderabad and has run 10 times till date without making an impression. However, he too looks to have found some improvement this term when dropping down to this trip, finishing just outside the frame in each of his last 2 starts and not beaten too far on either occasion. He finished just ahead of Hexahedrom last time out when 5th to Maestro and with N.S. Parmar in the saddle, he looks capable of progressing again and should make the frame in this company.
HONOURABLE EYES :- 6 year old gelding from the Imtiaz Sait yard who has now gone 21 starts without a win and has done nothing of note in his last couple of starts to suggest that he is ready to win one of these contests. He has been tried over varied trips but one still cannot determine his ideal distance. He has finished well beaten on the few occasions that he has managed to run into a place and finished 7th, some way behind Saffron Flower on his seasonal reappearance. J. Chinoy has been booked to ride today and he should be fitter after the lung opener but he is beginning to look very exposed and the percentage call is to oppose him. Rank outsider.
SAFFRON FLOWER :- 6 year old mare trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has 1 win to her name from her 26 starts and has also finished runner up on 4 occasions. She seems to lack consistency and needs things to go exactly her way but she can be effective in this grade when the race is run to suit her. She has had 2 runs this season and both have been decent affairs over 1400M, finishing runner up to Angels Harmony on reappearance and following that up with a 5th place finish last time out before being disqualified when her rider failed to weigh in. She is one of the few in this race who seem to have good current form and with Santosh G taking the ride and off a low weight, she is definitely worth considering and should be involved.
CONCLUSION :- Like the upper division, this is best left alone from a betting standpoint with plenty of possibilities and very little form to go by. Golden Eclipse with A. Sandesh up is just a tentative selection
Race No. 8 :- The Byculla Club Trophy – Terms – 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 2800M
SACRED ROMAN :- 5 year old gelding from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who began racing late in his 3 year old career and quickly developed into a Classic prospect winning 3 of his 11 starts till date and eventually developing into a solid stayer. A battling 2nd to Star Superior in the Ruia, he went on to finish a respectable 4th to that same rival in the Indian Derby and then travelled to Hyderabad where he claimed the Stayers Cup in grand style, beating Raees by 4 lengths. He was off the track for nearly 4 months after that and has been woefully out of form since then but he ran a forward race on his reappearance run here in the Jiwajirao Scindia before retiring at the bend and that should put him spot on for this race. He is still relatively unexposed as a sprinter, Leigh Roche who knows him quite well is up again today and although he is worse off on the scale with Raees on the Stayers Cup run, he is still unexposed in this sphere and could improve past him and defy the handicap. Leading contender.
RAEES :- 7 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who has been one of the more formidable stayers over the past several seasons, winning a creditable 9 races from his 31 starts and claiming several prestigious distance races, including the Suresh Mahindra Trophy in Pune a record 3 times in a row. He won this race as well last year and returns to defend his crown and should be fit enough after 2 runs already this season. He is better off on the scale with Sacred Roman on their Stayers Cup run and should make a bold bid to defend his crown with C.S. Jodha in the saddle.
VULCAN :- From the same generation as Raees and also a proven stayer, he has won 7 of his 33 starts as well as placed on 15 occasions for a solid overall record but always seems to come up short against Raees and there is no obvious reason why things should be any different today. He finished just behind his 2 main rivals in the Jiwajirao Scindia on his seasonal debut and Dashrath Singh takes the ride today. He does stay this far and is likely to make his own pace up front in this small field unless Sacred Roman decides to dominate but he is given only a small outside chance to win and looks more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
CONCLUSION :- A straight fight between Sacred Roman and Raees with the younger horse given a slight edge
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
