FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Saturday 18th January, 2020 -By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 17 Jan 2020
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Saturday 18th January, 2020
-By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Raosaheb D.K. Parkar Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
TUDOR HALL :- Improving 4 year old filly who is owned and trained by Vishal Gaikwad and seems to be making good progress with her racing and currently appears to be in excellent form. Coming from a good family with her half brother Remember Me (by Ikhtiyar) winning 4 races and almost going up to Class I in Western India and her half sister Eternalinspiration (By Whatsthescript) a winner of 5 races overall. She herself has run 5 times till date, gradually stepping up in trip and showing improved form when racing over middle distances. She has had 2 runs this season, shedding her maiden tag on her seasonal debut over 1400M when showing a good attitude to get the better of Golden Era by a long neck with Free Gold finishing 5th that day about 6 lengths away. Golden Era has gone on to win since then giving substance to the form while Tudor Hall herself went on to finish a creditable 2nd to Galloping Goldmine who was a winner on Thursday. Dumas who finished 3rd just behind Tudor Hall has gone on to win since so the form looks very solid and she appears to have maintained her condition since the run. Nathan Evans takes over in the saddle from A. Sandesh today and although he has yet to taste success on the Mahalaxmi track, this looks an excellent occasion for him to do so.
SHAE :- Lightly raced 5 year old mare who used to be trained by Malesh Narredu but has now moved to NosherCama and has run only 8 times till date but in spite of having finished runner up on 3 occasions, she is still searching for her maiden success. Placing thrice over middle distances as a juvenile including 3rd in the Juvenile Fillies Championship Gr.3 she encountered a setback after that and was off the track for almost a year. She reappeared for just a solitary run during the last Mumbai season finishing 3rd to Flaming Martini over 6 furlongs and did not race again until Pune in August. She went on to finish a fair 3rd in two Class IV mile contests in October, on the latter occasion finishing 3rd behind Power of Thor with whom she is out handicapped today. She made a very promising start to the season when finishing a close 2nd to Nekhbet over this trip with Power of Thor 5th that day but still slightly better at the weights. She should have improved again after that opening run and with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and scope for further improvement, she looks a strong each way contender with the yard in good form at present.
FREE GOLD :- Interesting looking daughter of Free Radical from the Imtiaz Sait yard who made a fluent start to her career when winning the Gool S. Poonawalla Million on debut on this day last season but seems to have lost her way since then and is trying to come back to form. She has run 6 times since, finishing midfield on most occasions and has not given any indication that she is ready to return to winning ways. She has had 2 runs this season, finishing 5th on both occasions and comes out 1 length better than Tudor Gold on handicap on the first running. She finished 5th behind Nicollini over this trip last time out but can be excused that run as she was squeezed out at a crucial juncture in the straight. David Egan who rode her on both her previous runs this season is up again today and she should be fit enough after 2 runs. She looks capable of springing a surprise and does appear to have a chance on the scale but one would like to see a little more spark from her before supporting her confidently. Capable of upsetting.
POWER OF THOR :- Fully exposed and aged 7 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has been running well in recent times but looks vulnerable against the younger horses. Winner of 4 races from 62 starts, he scored 2 of those wins during the recent Pune season and appears to have been holding his form quite well since then. He has already run 4 times this season, placing on three of those including a good 2nd last time out to Classicus over 1400M in an older horses contest. P.S. Kaviraj takes the ride today claiming a handy 3 ½ kilos and he could sneak into the frame but may find it tough to win against the younger rivals.
MOUNT MORIAH :- Has the maximum scope to improve from amongst these having run just twice till date and gave an improved performance on his seasonal reappearance over 7 furlongs when keeping on well to finish a good 2nd to Lion King in the lower class. He has been upped in grade into the higher class but also gets a 6 kilo drop in weight and P. Trevor replaces Nathan Evans in the saddle. He looked to be finishing on that day so is likely to be suited by the additional furlong and could be capable of tackling this lot if he can unlock further improvement.
CONCLUSION :- All the form pointers seem to indicate that Tudor Hall is well placed to earn another bracket with the form looking very strong and the filly herself looking progressive. For those looking for a little more value, the improving Mount Moriah could be a danger while Free Gold can also upset if returning to her best.
Race No. 2 :- The Yawar Rashid Trophy – Class IV & V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
CORMORANT :- Sparingly raced 5 year old trained by Faisal Abbas who has had 11 starts till date, winning on 2 prior occasions. He looked in rousing form last season when scoring back to back wins over this trip in March and going very close to completing a hattrick when finishing a close 3rd to Gentillesse but has been kept on cotton wool since, racing at 3 month intervals. He has had a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs and has now been eased in grade into the lower class and P. Trevor takes over in the saddle today. He has yet to prove that he has returned to his best but is running in an older horses contest and merits each way consideration here.
POLYNEICES:-6 year old gelding who is from the in form yard of Nosher Camaand has performed quite well in his career so far, winning 2 of his 18 starts and finishing in the frame on 7 additional occasions. He appears to be effective over both 6 and 7 furlongs, and went very close to scoring in a similar contest in Pune when just ¾ length behind En Sabah Nur. He is having his first run this season but seems to be working quite well and with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and the yard presently firing in the winners, he must come into consideration and looks to have a strong each way chance.
CLASSICUS :- 7 year old gelding from the small stable of Zadmal Singh who was a 7 furlong specialist in his younger days and after having dropped down substantially in the weights with a string of poor efforts, finally took advantage of his plunging mark last time out over course and distance when scoring a convincing 2 ½ length win over Power of Thor with Laburnum back in 3rd. He has been given a 4 ½ kilo penalty for that win but appears to have maintained his form since the win and C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from Bhawani Singh. He still looks quite reasonably placed on the scale and should make a bold bid to repeat.
HODSON’S HORSE:-Another lightly raced 5 year old, this one from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has run 6 times till date, winning once but finishing runner up on 3 occasions. Winner over 6 furlongs on debut, he went on to finish a close 2nd over both 7 furlongs and a mile in his next 2 starts and after 2 indifferent efforts in Pune, looked to enjoy the return to the Mahalaxmi track when finishing on to be runner up to Night Hunt over 1200M last time out. He should strip fitter from that run, will enjoy the step back up to 7 furlongs and Santosh G takes over in the saddle from whipless apprentice. His workouts since the run have been pleasing and he looks capable of bouncing back in this highly competitive contest.
ANGELS HARMONY :- 6 year old mare from the Altaf Hussain yard who had also come down significantly in the weights and took advantage of her lenient mark when scoring a convincing pillar to post victory over this trip in the lower class, easily beating Saffron Flower by 3 ¼ lengths. 5 kilo penalty is rather stiff for an older horses win and she is taking on a much stronger opposition today. P.S. Kaviraj claims 3 ½ kilos though in the saddle which should offset the penalty somewhat and she should try hard to repeat but looks more likely to fight it out for minor honours.
LABURNUM :- Possibly the least experienced among this lot with just 6 runs and hence with good scope for unlocking more improvement, this 5 year old mare trained by Sanjay Kolse is a course and distance winner, scoring an emphatic 5 ½ length maiden win last April. She looked out of sorts on her only run in Pune but put in a much better performance on her seasonal reappearance on this track, leading for a long way before tiring to finish 3rd to the reopposing Classicus. She looks likely to strip fitter after the run, is placed to gain revenge on Classicus today and with Nicky Mackay retaining the ride, she looks a leading player to return to winning ways and is strongly fancied to score.
CONCLUSION :- A very competitive affair, with the selection going to the lightly raced Laburnum who made a promising reappearance over this trip and should be fitter and sharper today. The demoted Cormorant and the equally sparingly raced Hodson’s Horse shape as the main danger.
Race No. 3 :-The Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy – Div. II – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
BRAVE :- Speedy 7 year old gelding who is one of 4 runners from the Narendra Lagad stable and will be ridden by improving 3 ½ kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj. Winner of 2 of his 22 starts till date, he has been in good form this season, finishing a good 3rd to Tasch over 1200M on the opening day of the season and went very close to scoring over this trip last time out when collared very late in the day by Untitled. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness since the run, has bagged a good draw in Stall 2 and looks to have a very good chance to go one better today and seems to have the best chance from among the yard’s runners. Good each way prospect.
FALCONETTE :- Stable companion of Brave who is 5 years of age and has managed to win 1of her 14 starts so far having raced almost exclusively over sprints. Her maiden win was quite convincing but was in a weak affair and she has been struggling to make her mark since. However, she looks to have come down quite significantly in the weights and did not run too badly last time out when finishing 5th behind Brave. The booking of Nathan Evans today is an eye catching one in this company so she bears close watching and if building on that last effort, she might be capable of scoring in spite of being drawn wide in stall 10.
EGALITE :- Interesting looking 4 year old got abroad debutant from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who looks a smart sort on pedigree and is making his debut in what appears to be a lowly grade. He has been given just a couple of easy workouts so looks unlikely to be fully wound up today and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness. He looks likely to be going in for an educative run over a trip which will mostly be on the sharp side for him but he warrants respect on his pedigree and may have the class to overcome this lot. Dark horse.
KRUGER :- Another relatively unknown quantity, this 5 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama stable was given an educative run in Pune making a little progress from the rear over this trip to finish 7th with Falconette ending 4th that day. He is likely to improve significantly for that run and strip fitter and should run a much better race today. P.S. Chouhan takes the ride and while he is another who deserves a second look in the paddock and looks open to plenty of improvement, and is capable of striking in this grade.
LUMINOSITY :- Speedy looking 4 year old maiden gelding trained by H.J. Antia who has run 6 times till date, running forward races on a couple of occasions over slightly further and appears to be currently suited by this minimum trip. After having a lung opener this season to blow away the cobwebs, he put in a good effort last time out when dropped to this trip for the first time, prominent throughout and keeping on well to finish a good 3rd behind Del Mar. He is likely to have stripped fitter since that run, should be able to build on that effort and has the advantage of having bagged the plum rail draw. Retained rider Hanumant Singh takes the ride again today and with the connections having already enjoyed a smart double with their older horses recently, he looks a strong fancy to add to that success.
PERIWINKLE :- 4 year old filly who began her career with Pesi Shroff before being sold into the Hosidar Daji stable and does not quite seem to have come into her own just yet. She has had 5 runs so far, doing nothing of note on the first 4 occasions but showing a little promise over 1200M on her last run in Pune when finishing on to be 3rd to Articulate. That was the first time that she showed signs of ability and she is having her first start this season with whipless apprentice D.R. Shubham booked to ride. She too is another unknown quantity who may just be coming to hand and comes into consideration if looking fit and well. Possibilities
CONCLUSION :- This looks to be a good opportunity for Luminosity to get off the mark and provide another much needed winner for the H.J. Antia stable. Brave appeals the most from among the older horses while 2 exciting prospects lurk in the form of Egalite and Kruger and either could be classy enough to upset here
Race No. 4 :-The R. R. Byramji Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1400M
SASSY LASS :- 6 year old mare trained by Asad Siddiqui who has performed well overall in her career with 4 wins and also 8 placed efforts in her 20 starts till date. She seems to have favoured the Pune track with all her 4 wins coming there but has run quite promisingly over 1200M last time out when finishing on well to be runner up to Castilian. She does have top weight to defy and is also taking on some good younger horses so she looks to have a tough task ahead of her but has been quite consistent in recent times and looks to have an each way shout with A.S. Peter in the saddle.
MAJESTIC WARRIOR :- Solid and consistent LeitirMor gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has quickly developed into a solid middle distance performer who has finished in the frame on every occasion since finishing unplaced on debut, winning twice and finishing runner up on 5 occasions. Finishing a good 2nd to Sunrise Ruby over a mile on his opening run this season, he then travelled to Hyderabad to contest the Golconda 2000 Guineas where he finished a fair 4th to Vijay Singham. Returning to Mumbai, he went very close last time out when finishing a close 3rd in a 3 way photo to Golden Era. He will benefit from stronger handling today with A. Sandesh taking over in the saddle from P.S. Kaviraj, looks to be fit and well at present and stands an excellent chance to record his 3rd career success.
GOLDEN HIND :- Lightly raced and well performed 5 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad with 2 wins and 4 seconds to his name from his 9 starts till date. He was off the track for a long time since finishing down the field in the Hyderabad Derby last January but looked like he was close to back to his best last time out when finishing runner up to Mirabilis over this trip. He should build on that last run and improve again and P. Trevor keeps the ride. He is 2 ½ lengths better off with Mirabilis on the last run and looks to have a good chance to return to the winner’s circle and should not be ignored.
MIRABILIS :- 4 year old filly who is a full sister to Your Royal Majesty but has performed nowhere near her illustrious brother so far, with 2 wins to her name from her 8 runs till date. She began the season in good style with a 2 length victory over Golden Hind before failing to make her mark in the 1000 Guineas and now returns to handicaps. She has been working well since her Guineas run and will have the assistance of the forceful Leigh Roche in the saddle. She may not have come to her peak just yet, looks to have room for further improvement and should try hard to bounce back and must be seriously considered.
GENTILLESSE :- 6 year old mare from the Sanjay Kolse yard who has won 3 of her 18 starts till date and also placed on numerous occasions. She had an indifferent Pune campaign, failing to win in 3 starts including one as a favourite but looked like she was on the way back to her best last time out when putting in her trademark late finish to be runner up to Tanjo over this trip which was the first time Nicky Mackay was on board. She looks capable of building on that earlier effort and the trip looks ideal but she has her work cut out for her against the younger horses and may be more of a minor berth contender today.
MAKHTOOB :- Very interesting contender from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has already shown that he has plenty of ability with 2 wins from his 5 starts but also does not appear to be completely straightforward and appears to have issues with his fitness. Winner on debut over this trip, he was thrown into the deep end to contest the Poonawalla Million on just his 2nd start and understandably came up short. He ran quite disappointingly on his first 2 starts in Pune but showed a sudden dramatic improvement in form last time out in the October handicap where he won by 2 ½ lengths from Sandman with Mirabilis back in 4th under top weight. He has not run since then so returns from a break and C.S. Jodha takes the ride. He is 6 ½ lengths better off with Mirabilis on that Pune run and if returning in the same form, looks to have an excellent chance to repeat receiving weight all around.
CONCLUSION :- This also looks very competitive with some improving 4 year olds in the fray and it may pay to take a chance on the bottom weighted Makhtoob. He looks very well handicapped on his winning form and has the maximum scope to improve. Majestic Warrior looks to have strong form and shapes as a live danger while Mirabilis too looks capable of further improvement with the Shroff juggernaut marching on at present.
Race No. 5 :- The P.D. Avasia Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1200M
FLAMING MARTINI :- Tough and consistent 5 year old handicap sprinter trained by Dallas Todywalla, who is yet to finish outside the frame in her 12 runs so far, winning on 3 occasions and also finishing runner up 5 times in that time. She appears to be at her best over this trip although she has been tried over 1000M and 1400M as well. She had a lung opener over 1000M on her opening run this season, finishing on late to be 4thto Sharareh and that should put her spot on for this. She is also unbeaten with David Allan on board, all her 3 wins last season coming with him in the saddle and he returns to ride her for the first time since then which is a huge positive. She is working well since her opening run and looks a very strong each way contender today.
GOLDEN GUEST :- Stable companion of Flaming Martini and very well performed in his own right, this front running 4 year old colt has been well ridden by David Egan this season and has won 4 of his 7 starts with two close seconds to boot. Making an impressive start to the season when convincingly beating Silver Flames and Headway over this trip he made a valiant bid to follow up in this grade and was only pipped close home by Augustus Caesar. He looks to be making giant strides with his racing this season so looks likely to progress again and is given an excellent chance to return to the winner’s circle and continue his progression.
JOPLIN :- Speedy 5 year old grey mare trained by NosherCama who looked an out and out 5 furlong specialist in the early part of her career but showed that she could stay 6 furlongs as she matured when holding off Flaming Martini by a length to win over that trip in Pune. She travels very strongly on the bridle and has a sharp turn of foot which needs to be utilized at just the right time for her to be seen to best effect. She has had a lung opener this season to shake off any rustiness and usually is an excellent work horse. P.S. Chouhan gets on with her well and is in the saddle today and although the longer Mahalaxmi straight may test her stamina and she is out handicapped against a couple of these, she is not without hope and must come into consideration
KILKARRY BRIDGE :- Possibly the more fancied of the yards 2 runners being the choice of Nicky Mackay and was probably in need of the run last time out when returning from an extended break. Winner of 3 of his 8 runs till date, all those wins came in the early part of his career and while he has been running well since his last win, he has not managed to add another success for some time now. He found things happening a bit too quickly over 1000M last time out and will be more at home over this additional furlong and has a length in hand with Flaming Martini on handicap although that might be offset by the extra 200M. He has been working extremely well since the last run so looks to have improved and stands a very good chance to return to winning ways.
SILVER FLAMES :- Another improving 4 year old gelding, this one from the stable of Altaf Hussain and will be ridden by Hyderabad ace Akshay Kumar. He has finished behind Golden Guest on both starts this season over the same trip although he was not given the best of rides last time out when pocketed on the rails and brought into the clear when it was too late. He is 2 lengths worse off with Golden Guest on the last run but that handicap may not be completely accurate and with a better ride and receiving weight all around, today could very well be his day to bounce back and he is very dangerous to ignore.
CONCLUSION :- Like many of the races today, this looks very competitive with 4 year olds and older horses looking equally matched and it is tough to pick a winner here. Perhaps at the bottom of the scale, Silver Flames can regain his former glory as he was poorly ridden last time out and finished on late. Flaming Martini must be respected as she has yet to taste defeat with David Allan in the saddle while Golden Guest and Kilkarry Bridge are also feared. Probably best left alone from a betting standpoint.
Race No. 6 :- The Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Grade 3) – Terms, 3 Years Old only – Distance :- 1200M
EXOTIC QUEEN :- One of two previous winners in the field, this daughter of LeitirMor made a most impressive debut 3 weeks ago over 1000M, taking on an inexperienced field but winning as she pleased by a large margin. She is likely to have improved for that run and stripped fitter and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. A Sandesh who rode her last time out keeps the ride, she has been working well since the run and in spite of having to concede weight she looks likely to make a bold bid to repeat and looks a danger to all.
RECALL OF YOU :- Has a speedy pedigree with her dam Polished Chrome a 5 furlong course record holder and she too made a winning debut over 1000M, showing a good attitude to hold off Lady Lanette and Rising Sun and score narrowly. She too looks likely to improve for the run but may find it hard to concede 3 kilos to Lady Lanette over the additional furlong. She has certainly worked extremely well after the run and David Allan takes the ride today replacing A. Sandesh. She clearly appears to be a frontline contender and should make a determined bid to maintain her unbeaten record.
FLAME OF THEA :- Very highly regarded debutant from the Narendra Lagad stable who has been blazing the track in her preparatory work and appears to be a very speedy sort on paper. She has bagged the no. 1 rail draw and Nathan Evans has been booked to ride. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her fitness and if looking the part in the preliminaries she is expected to run a very big race and looks likely to be involved in the finish.
CALIFORNIA :- The first foal of Indian 1000 Guineas winner Godspeed out of promising new sire Speaking of Which, she was strongly fancied on her debut over this trip 2 weeks ago but was surprised by Monarchos and ended up a well held 2nd. She did know her job that day and was in front for a long way but ran out of gas very quickly so there is a suspicion that this trip may not ideally suit her. She should have learnt from that debut run though so can improve and with P. Trevor taking over in the saddle, can add some pep to the finish.
LADY LANETTE :- The most experienced runner in the field having has 2 starts already and has gone perilously close on both occasions, going down narrowly to Recall of You on debut and then leading almost all the way over 1200M next time out before being nabbed on the post by Royalty. She looks to have maintained her form and fitness since the last run, Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle from Dashrath Singh and in spite of being drawn wide in Stall 7, she looks the form pick to make it 3rd time lucky and continue the fine run of her yard this season. The one to beat.
Race No. 7 :-The TricumdasDwarkadas Trophy – Div. I – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
TURMERIC TOWER :- Improving 4 year old sprinter from the Narendra Lagad yard with A. Sandesh an eye catching booking for the yard and she has also managed to bag the No. 1 rail draw although that may not quite be a positive considering her come from behind style. Winner of 2 races from her 9 starts, she appears to be ideally suited by 5 furlongs at present, making steady improvement before scoring back to back wins in Pune over that trip. Her next two runs were over 1200M which appears to be too long at present and she gave improved form when returning to 5 furlongs for her last run when finishing on to be a close 4th to Chephirah. She looks to have improved since then judging from her recent workouts, appears to have the best chance from among the yard’s 4 runners and looks a strong each way contender in this field.
MS BOSS :- Sparingly raced and potentially smart 4 year old filly from the Sanjay Kolse yard, she has had 5 runs till date, scoring her maiden win last season at the 2nd attempt when convincingly beating Enid Blyton and Oui Savage and did not run badly when upped to 6 furlongs for her final run of the season when 4th to Dandi March in the Longchamp Million. Like many from her stable she had a torrid time in Pune, finishing well beaten on both her starts there but is likely to do much better back on her favoured Mahalaxmi track. She is having her first run of the season so does have fitness to prove but has moved quite sweetly in her preparatory work and Nicky Mackay takes the ride. She is expected to run much better than she did in Pune and does have a chance to bounce back if reverting to her earlier form.
HIDDEN GOLD:-Progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who has run twice till date, both runs being extremely spaced out but has performed well on both occasions and looks set to make it 3rd time lucky. Returning from a long break last time out, he showed good speed to lead for a long way and only got run down by Del Mar close home. He should benefit from that run and improve and has been brought along steadily since then. Luminosity who runs earlier in the card should give a pointer to the form and with David Egan replacing Nathan Evans in the saddle, he looks a leading contender and stands an excellent chance to score.
TACKSTA :- Earlier named Track Star, this 4 year old gelding trained by Altaf Hussain has run just once before, the run coming last season over this trip where he was a hot favourite to score but ran very green, ending up 3rd to lesser fancied stable mate Silver Flames. He was withdrawn on his next intended start that season and must have suffered a setback after that as he has not raced since and now makes a belated reappearance. He looks likely to need this opening run after such a long break and the booking of Akshay Gaikwad also suggests that he is out for an airing. However, he has moved quite well in his preparatory work and has plenty of scope to make progress so looks a dark horse who can upset if fit and ready to go.
SPEED AIR :- Another interesting and unexposed 4 year old who is returning from a long break, this MaleshNarredu trained son of Kingda Ka ran twice last season, going into many notebooks first time out when finishing on like a rocket from the rear to be 4th behind Thailand in a strong maiden. He was thought good enough to contest the Breeders Produce Stakes on his 2nd start but probably bit off more than he could chew at that early stage and finished well beaten. He did not race again, was gelded in May and his trainer has given him plenty of time to rest and strengthen up. He is returning after a gap of almost a year over a trip which should be on the sharp side for him so it will be interesting to see how he performs from a wide draw with P.S. Chouhan in the saddle. Rank outsider who can shock at a long price so keep an eye.
CONCLUSION :- Hidden Gold made a very promising reappearance over this trip and with normal progression is expected to improve enough to take this. Turmeric Tower looked to be coming back to form last time out and shapes as an obvious danger while Ms Boss too must be feared although she does need to bounce back from 2 poor runs in Pune
Race No. 8 – The Indian Oaks Grade 1 – Terms, 4 Year Old Fillies only – Distance :- 2400M
GIFT OF GRACE :- One of two Final Entries in the field and the winner of the Indian 1000 Guineas as well as the highest rated runner, she is likely to start as a warm favourite. Trained by Parvati Byramji, she is yet to finish outside the first two in her six runs till date, winning twice and finishing 2nd on the other 4 occasions, 2 of which were narrow defeats in Classic races. She seems to have the measure of Well Connected on form this season having finished ahead of her the last twice but is yet to race over a mile and whether she stays this longer trip is a question mark. She appears to have been brought along well since the Guineas, David Egan who rode her last time out keeps the ride and she definitely has the class to win this and will be hard to beat if she has the stamina for the trip. Leading player.
JULIETTE :- Very promising looking tiny grey filly sporting the famous gold and brown silks of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy which have been carried to victory twice before in the last 15 years, via Maple Star and Sweeping Success. 2 ½ lengths behind Gift of Grace in the 1000 Guineas when not given the best of rides by Colm O’ Donoghue she certainly has the form to win this having scored a convincing win over Alexei and Sultan Suleiman in the Morvi and finished a flying 4th in the Poonawalla Million on her final start last season. Having a solid American pedigree, she looks likely to stay the longer trip and if her young Trainer has been able to prepare her properly for this gruelling trip then she looks to have an outstanding chance with the experienced Colm O’ Donoghue in the saddle. Very interesting.
SEA THE DREAM :- One of three runners from the Pesi Shroff yard and the mount of Neeraj Rawal, she looks to have possibly the most potential as she has been making steady progress with her racing. Her father was one of the greatest race horses to grace the turf in the UK and she seems to be on her way to be pretty special herself, having won her last two starts in workmanlike fashion. She is one of the few horses in this race who has won over 2000M, comfortably getting the better of Notoriety that day and appearing to idle a bit once striking the front. She clearly has plenty to do from a ratings perspective but looks open to plenty of improvement and is also one who seems certain to stay the longer trip. She is likely to be handily placed right from the start and looks to have the scope to continue her Trainer’s fantastic record in this race.
THAILAND :- Began her career in Western India before moving to Arjun Mangalorkar’s yard and has been thereabouts with most of these in the Classic picture so would not need to improve a great deal to be involved. Winner of just 1 race from her 8 starts when beating Missing You on debut she has been close up in plenty of the regional classics finishing a very close 3rd behind Well Connected and Gift of Grace in the Deccan Fillies Championship and only putting in one poor effort when an odds on favourite in Mysore and finishing a poor 4th to Cosmic Ray. She was seen finishing on well in the 1000 Guineas which suggested that she may do better over this longer trip and S. John has been flown down to take the ride. She looks likely to stay with her brother Shivansh a winner of the Kolkotta St. Leger and the QE2 Cup and could prove to be a value each way outsider.
WELL CONNECTED :- Trained by Master Trainer S. Padmanabhan and clearly looking the leading 3 year old in the country after the Bangalore Summer, her reputation has taken a massive hit since and she is looking to redeem herself in the hopes of unlocking improvement over this longer trip. Winner of her first 4 races on the trot including 3 Classics and 2 Group 1’s she came a cropper for the first time in the Mysore Derby when finishing a tame 4th and since then has run just modestly in the Bangalore 1000 Guineas and the Indian 1000 Guineas, well behind Gift of Grace on both occasions. There are mixed signals about her staying the trip but she could very well bounce back and cannot be ignored with the forceful David Allan astride.
CONCLUSION :- A very open looking contest and it may be worth looking for something with a little more value. Juliette appeals as possible contender and is just the selection to redeem herself after finishing 3rd in the 1000 Guineas when ridden wide throughout. She looks likely to get the longer trip and certainly has the credentials to succeed. Another outside who is likely to be available at even longer odds is Thailand who was seeing finishing on in the Guineas and appears to have plenty of stamina back up being a sister to St.Leger winner Shivansh. Gift of Grace obviously would have a leading chance if she stays while Sea The Dream is a typical Shroff improver who could continue her Trainer’s fine record in this race.
Race No. 9 :- The Blue Ribbon Trophy -Class V – Distance :- 1600M
RUMBA :- Very interesting once raced daughter of Poet’s Voice from the Pesi Shroff stable, she was given an educative run over 7 furlongs a month or so ago and after being very green and in the rear turning for home, she made up a little ground in the straight to finish mid division. She will no doubt have learnt plenty from that run and stripped fitter today and the Shroff horses tend to make considerable improvement from 1st to 2nd run. She is now racing over a mile, takes a drop in grade into the lowest class and with Leigh Roche to guide her again, looks likely to make significant improvement and have a bold show today.
EX’S AND OH’S :- Smartly bred in her own right, and making steady progress with her racing, this 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard is still a maiden after 6 runs but has shown good improvement in her last couple of starts and it seems to be a matter of time before she gets off the mark. Finishing a good 3rd behind Notoriety on her opening run of the season, she went very close to scoring last time out over this trip but was denied by another Shroff runner, Akina Speed Star who held her off by ¾ length. That run was over 9 furlongs so it is not certain that a drop in trip will suit her but she is clearly going the right way at present and P. Trevor has been booked to ride today. She looks to be the form pick in this field and should be right there at the finish.
GOLDEN ECLIPSE :- Well handicapped 7 year old mare from the stable of young A.M.Jadhav who seems to have slipped to a very attractive mark and was well fancied over 1400M on Thursday, ending up a fair 3rd behind Honourable Eyes and Saffron Flower. She has been turned out again quickly over this additional furlong and K. Nazil takes the ride replacing A. Sandesh. She is definitely worthy of each way consideration off her current mark but taking on the 4 year olds looks a tough task and she is more likely to battle it out for minor honours.
BIG BEN :- An interesting outsider, this 5 year old maiden trained by M.K. Jadhav has done nothing of note in his 9 starts so far but has dropped down to a very workable mark as a result. He ran suggestively on his opening run of the season over an inadequate 6 furlongs, making up plenty of ground from the rear of the field to finish 7th to Antarctica with the same rider up. Being a half brother to Mekong Delta who was effective over this sort of trip, he looks sure to relish more galloping ground and could spring a surprise at a double figure price. For Jackpot consideration.
SWEEPING MOVE :- Experienced and seasoned 9 year old mare from the stable of Karthik G she is quite lightly raced for her age having had just 23 starts and has just a solitary success to her name. She has run well over this trip in the past and showed that she still retained zest for racing when returning from a 10 month break and flying at the finish over a very sharp 1000M to finish just outside the frame. That run is likely to have put her spot on for this, she has performed at her best over this sort of trip in the past and with stable jockey Bhawani Singh in the saddle, she looks a good each way prospect who has the potential to strike and should not be ignored .
CONCLUSION :-Pesi Shroff rarely has a runner in this grade and Rumba is selected to improve markedly on her debut run and take this with a minimum of fuss. Ex’s and Oh’s has been improving with every run and looks a big danger on current form while at longer odds both Sweeping Move and Big Ben appeal as potential outsiders.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
