FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Friday 24th January, 2020 -By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 23 Jan 2020
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH – Article for Friday 24th January 2020
-By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The J.V. Shukla – Ashwamitra Trophy – Class III & IV :- Distance :- 1600M
KHARTOUM :- 6 year old gelding who began his career with Pesi Shroff but was subsequently sold into the yard of Shazaan Shah and has a decent record of 3 wins and 2 seconds from his 11 starts till date. His last victory was an upset win for his current connections, coming over a mile in Pune when he led all the way and held on narrowly from Bakhtawar. Western Front finished 5th on that occasion receiving 3 kilos and is now only in receipt of 1 kilo so on paper he looks better placed than that rival on a direct handicap line which would theoretically give him a chance here. He ran poorly however when fancied next time out and has had a lung opener here to blow away the cobwebs, again finishing 4th of 5 to Star Comrade over a mile. He finished well behind Till End of Time that day though and it looks hard for him to reverse placings with her. H Zeeshan takes the ride and he may be allowed to dominate in this small field so is given a tiny chance to upset but overall looks a big outsider.
WESTERN FRONT :- 5 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who has an almost identical record to Khartoum with 3 wins and 2 seconds from his 11 starts. His wins have all come over this sort of trip, the last of them in Pune in September over 1800M where he had Fencing well beaten in 4th. He has run twice since then and his opening run this season was quite encouraging over 1400M where he travelled strongly before fitness may have become an issue, ending up 4th to Rainbow Trout. P. Vinod is replaced in the saddle by David Egan, he is sure to be fitter and sharper today and back up at a mile, he looks set to run a very big race and looks one of the frontline contenders.
TILL END OF TIME :- Quirky 6 year old mare from the M.K. Jadhav stable who has won 3 of her 20 starts so far and after going through a period where she was out of form, she has looked to be staging some sort of a revival this season. She has placed in her last 2 starts, finishing runner up to Rainbow Trout last time out over a mile but she is not certain to confirm the form with Western Front who seemed to be unfit that day. Sandesh who has ridden herthe last twice keeps the ride and she certainly appears to be coming back to form. She is likely to figure in the places again today and merits each way consideration but may find one or two too strong today.
VAN DYKE :- Very interesting and lightly raced 5 year old colt trained by Vishal Gaikwad who is returning from a long absence but for which he would be hard to oppose in this company. A serious Classic Contender after his impressive debut win over a mile in his juvenile days, he has only contested Terms races after that so this will be a significant drop in grade for him. 3rd to Star Superior in the Juvenile Colts Championship he was taken to Bangalore for the 2018 Summer Season finishing 4th in the Colts Championship Stakes and 3rd in the Derby albeit well beaten on both occasions before a solitary run in Pune where he was sent off favourite in the S.A. Poonawalla Million but ended a poor 6th behind Excellent. That was the last time he raced until today so he is returning from a break of 1 year and 4 months after being gelded in February last year and it will be interesting to see his condition in the paddock. He appears to be better quality than this lot and if he is fit and well after the long break then he will be hard to beat with P. Trevor taking the ride.
FENCING :- Aged and exposed 7 year old mare from the Adhirajsingh Jodha stable who appears to have made improvement in the latter stages of her career, winning 4 of her 27 starts so far and steadily moving up the handicap ranks. Spending most of her career in Class V, she showed she had improved significantly after 2 runs to get fit this season when finishing on strongly in a Class III contest over this trip and just failing to catch more fancied stable companion Golden Era. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness since that run and S.S. Baria is replaced today by Dashrath Singh which is a positive. She likes to come from behind in a strongly run race and should not be ignored on that last showing.
CONCLUSION:-All things considered and if the price is not too prohibitive, it is hard to look beyond Van Dyke. Granted that he is returning from a long absence and is having his first run since being gelded, he ran in much better company than this in his earlier days and moved quite attractively in a Mock Race two weeks ago where he was seen striding out well. He should be good enough for this lot and warrants a bet if the price is not ridiculously short. Western Front ran a forward race last time out when not fully wound up and shapes as the main danger while the bottom weighted Fencing also should not be ignored if progressing from her last run.
Race No. 2 :- The Allaire Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1800M
ATHULYA:- Improving 4 year old filly from the in form yard of S.K. Sunderji who will be ridden by Nicky Mackay and finished 3rd behind Nicollini and Arrecife last time out over a mile. Winner of 1 of her 8 starts so far she has been making steady improvement with her racing and showed some improvement for the step up to middle distances when decisively beating Queens Gate over 1400M on her final start in Pune. She has run twice so far this season, needing a lung opener before finishing 3rd last time out and she is 2 ¾ lengths better off with Nicollini and ½ a length better than Arrecife on that run so she is marginally the best on handicap. She has the scope of improving again and progressing from that last effort, tackling 1800M now and appears to be the handicap choice and should definitely fight out the finish.
NICOLLINI :- Progressive looking 4 year old who is daughter to the mighty Jacqueline and got off the mark when returning from a long lay off last time out and scoring readily over Arrecife and Athulya over a mile. She did not appear to be stopping that day, is expected to improve appreciably for that run and on breeding should relish the additional furlong. She needs to improve about 3 lengths to confirm the form with the other two which seems very possible and with Leigh Roche in the saddle, she is likely to make a bold bid to repeat under a 5 kilo penalty. Leading contender.
KENNEDY :- Stable companion of Nicollini to be ridden by P. Trevor, he is a half brother to Jacqueline who has run 8 times so far and managed to win once but does not appear to have fully come into his own. His maiden win came over 2000M in Class V but he has mainly struggled since then finishing unplaced in both his runs this season. However, he may have needed those runs to gain some fitness and he was only 1 ½ lengths behind Athulya on his opening run conceding a kilo so on paper he looks capable of being in the fray. The longer trip is likely to be to his advantage, he looks open to further improvement and although one would like to see some more spark from him on the track, he definitely cannot be ruled out and must come into the reckoning.
ROGUE ONE :- Exposed 5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who has had more than double the runs than most of the other fancied runners running17 times so far with a solitary success to his name although he has placed quite frequently. He has largely struggled since scoring that maiden win and finished 6th last time out behind most of these. That being his first run of the season he is entitled to improve for it and with P.S. Kaviraj claiming 3 ½ kilos and replacing Dashrath Singh, he too looks to come into the reckoning on the handicap and cannot be ignored although he is more likely to fight it out for the minor places.
ARRECIFE :- Well bred 6 year old mare from the stable of Zadmal Singh who has 1 prior win to her name from 17 starts and after a few indifferent efforts, suggested that she was coming back to form last time out when finishing on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Nicollini over a mile. She looks to have maintained herself well since that run judging from her subsequent workouts and should not be troubled by the additional furlong. Bhawani Singh her regular rider is up again today, she looks likely to be in the firing line again but lacks the scope for progress that the younger horses will have. Each way contender
CONCLUSION :- A fascinating contest in spite of the small field with 5 of the 6 runners very close to each other on the handicap and all looking capable of taking this on their day. Hence, scope for improvement is a very important criteria and it is for this reason that the selection is Nicollini. The daughter of Jacqueline appeared to have a bit in hand when comfortably holding 3 of today’s rivals over a mile and although she needs to improve to confirm the form, she is confidently expected to do so. Rather than those that she has run against, the main danger appears to be stable companion Kennedy who comes out close to the selection on a line through Athulya and should be fit after 2 runs this season. He can upset.
Race No. 3 :- The Rajpipla Trophy – Class I & II – Distance :- 1400M
AWESOME ONE :- Well performed 5 year old colt from the Malesh Narredu yard who has won 5 of his 12 starts so far but seems to have gone off the boil since scoring a stylish win in The Turf Club Trophy in Pune. He has run below par in his 4 races since then and has finished 3rd in all his 3 runs this season, two of them over this trip. He finished 3rd to Flying Visit last time out over this trip and comes out worse on the scale with Augustus Caesar for that run. He seems to have lost his way somewhat at present and although this looks his easiest task this season, he is likely to fight it out for the runner up spot unless showing significant improvement with P. Trevor replacing Y.S. Srinath in the saddle.
AUGUSTUS CAESAR :- Rapidlyimproving 5 year old gelding trained by Altamaash Ahmed who really appears to be coming into his own at present, has won 3 of his last 4 starts and comes into this race bidding for a hattrick. Winner of 4 of his 10 races overall, he convincingly beat Flying Visit(conceding weight) on his final start in Pune and comes off 5 ¾ lengths better off with Awesome One on a line through Flying Visit. He was not troubled by the drop to 6 furlongs on his seasonal reappearance when getting up late to pip Golden Guest and is likely to be better off back at this 7 furlong trip. He should be able to control the gallop in this small field and with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle, looks likely to complete the hattrick and is a leading contender.
ZENON :- Unreliable 6 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who can be a force to reckon with when he is in a galloping mood and has clashed with Augustus Caesar a couple of times in the past and looks to be well placed with him on the scale. Winner of 4 races from 22 starts, the first three of those came when he was in the care of Pesi Shroff but he added his first win for these connections in Pune over this trip when getting up late to give weight and a beating to Augustus Caesar (improved since). He went on to finish 4th to Augustus Caesar a couple of starts later but still comes out over 7 lengths better on the handicap. He has run poorly on his 2 starts this season so it is unsure whether he still retains his form but he is very well placed on the scale with P. S. Kaviraj claiming 3 ½ kilos and if running upto his best, on paper at least looks capable of striking
CONCLUSION :- Augustus Caesar seems to be going the right way at present and looks set to make it 3 wins in a row but for those who are strict followers of handicap it may be worth taking a chance on Zenon. The 6 year old beat Augustus Caesar by a length in Pune giving 2.5 kilos and is now in receipt of 4.5 kilos giving him an 8 length advantage on paper. Although he has been out of form in his 2 runs this season, he could very well bounce back and has the potential to upset.
Race No. 4:- The Y.M. Chaudhry Memorial Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
TIBERIUS :- Interesting looking debutant who is one of two runners from the Pesi Shroff yard and will be ridden by P. Trevor. A got abroad who was brought down in foal to Holy Roman Emperor out of a Giant’s Causeway mare who failed to produce anything of substance in the UK, he may be going in for an educative run but has been given a fair amount of track work and a paddock check is clearly advised. The yard may be fancying Moon River more from among their runners but he could prove to be an above average type and is definitely worth considering if looking the part in the paddock. Dark horse.
ZAEIM :- Gelding by Top Class from the S.K. Sunderji yard who is a full brother to Top Brass who won 3 races over 1200 and 1400M in Delhi although the other two siblings, Hawking and Wind Chaser were both maidens so the pedigree does not look all that promising. However, he has had the benefit of an educative run in a strong maiden and was not given too hard a time when finishing 5th behind stable companion Air Blast. Exotique who finished just ahead of him that day is a winner since and he looks likely to learn from that and improve. The additional furlong is also likely to be in his favour, C.S. Jodha keeps the ride and he is expected to improve on his debut effort and looks to have strong each way claims.
ALITA :- Fashionably bred debutant from the stable of Sanjay Kolse who will be ridden by Nicky Mackay and looks a promising sort on paper. She comes from a Black Type family, being a full sister to Nandish, winner of 2 races from 3 starts and 3rd in this year’s Kolkotta Derby, Oriana, winner of the KolkottaOaks Gr.3 and 3rd in the Kolkotta St. Leger Gr.3 and Silken Eyes who was 2nd in the S. A. Poonawalla Million Gr.2. She looks to have been given a few easy workouts so far and does not appear to be fully wound up first time out and a paddock check is advised as she may still be carrying some condition. She does look an interesting sort though and is expected to run well.
MAGIC IN THE WIND :- Leitir Mor gelding from the M.K. Jadhav yard who was given an educative run in what looked to be a decent maiden contest when finishing 5th to Monarchos and should improve for that run. With California a stylish winner of the Gool S. Poonawalla Million next time out the form looks strong and A. Sandesh takes over from N.S. Parmar in the saddle. He is likely to improve over the additional furlong and is definitely worth considering with the benefit of experience.
MOON RIVER :- Stable companion of Tiberius and possibly the more fancied of the two Shirke runners in the field today and the mount of Leigh Roche. A half sister to Roberta, she definitely looked soft in the paddock on her debut over course and distance 2 ½ weeks ago and was given a forward run by N.S. Parmar, leading until the bend before retiring to end up last of 5 behind Exotique. She is sure to have benefitted plenty from that lung opener and is expected to be much fitter and sharper today. Yard’s runners invariably improve a great deal from 1st run to 2nd and she is expected to leave that debut running well behind and looks a leading fancy to improve and go in today.
SUCCESSOR :- Another daughter of Leitir Mor, this one from the yard of Dallas Todywalla, she made a pleasing debut over 1200M earlier in the season, keeping on well in the straight to finish 4th to Royalty in spite of receiving a couple of checks midway up the straight and having to switch onto the outside. She has been given time to improve and strengthen since that run and David Egan now takes over in the saddle from Nathan Evans. Her workouts since the run suggest that she has improved although the form looks questionable with both Wind Whistler and Taimur who finished alongside her that day, flopping as favourites next time out. She definitely comes into consideration though with the extra furlong expected to suit and should be right there at the finish
CONCLUSION :- Difficult to make a clear selection here and should be quite competitive and paddock looks are sure to play a big role. Moon River is a tentative selection being a half sister to Roberta with the Shroff youngsters making a lot of improvement from 1st run to 2nd. Successor did not get the clearest run but still finished 4th on debut and looks a strong contender as well while Zaeimalso showed a glimpse of potential on debut. Probably best left alone from a betting stand point.
Race No. 5 :- The Isn’t She Special Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
GRACIDA :- Half brother to Pure Zinc who is making his debut in the lowest class in what does not look to be a particularly strong field and is trained by AdhirajsinghJodha. He appears to have been given a fair amount of preparatory work and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness. He begins life off what looks to be a reasonable mark and may be worth chancing at a price if he catches the eye in the preliminaries.
TITANIUM :- Relativelyunexposed 4 year old gelding from the S.K. Sunderji yard who has run 4 times so far and performed quite modestly on each occasion but is still looking to get off the mark. He has raced exclusively over 6 furlongs till date and is stepping up to this new trip for the first time. He finished just outside the frame in his 2 runs in Pune but looked to have improved on his seasonal debut here when finishing on well to be a good close 2nd to En Sabah Nur. He was quite well fancied last time out but ran a shade disappointingly when only 4th to Ron and needs to bounce back from that disappointing effort. This still being early days, he looks capable of making some more improvement and C.S. Jodha takes over today in the saddle. The field does not appear to be a particularly strong one and hence he is one of the more fancied runners and runs with a good each way chance particularly if improving for the additional furlong.
TOUGH COP :- Improving 4 year old gelding trained by S.S. Shah who’s siblings turned out to be useful handicappers for the same trainer, the best of them being Papakura who won 6 races and went to Class I. He has run thrice till date, twice during the last Mumbai season where he finished down the field and after being withdrawn twice in Pune and not having a run during that season, he looked to have improved on his reappearance here last time out when making late headway from the rear to finish up 4th to Direwolf with the same rider up. He is likely to make improvement from that run which came after an extended lay off and should also be suited by the additional furlong. He looks likely to continue his progression today and should be an each way contender.
TWINSPIRE :- Another unexposed 4 year old filly from the Imtiaz Sait yard, she comes from a good family being a half sister to New Moon, winner of 5 of her 16 starts and runner up in the Bangalore Juvenile Million Gr.3 and 3rd in the Bangalore Derby Gr.1 also King of Pop, winner of 8 races in Hyderabad. She has had 3 runs so far, 2 of them in maiden company in Pune and finishing on nicely to be runner up over 1000M on her 2nd start, 2 ¼ lengths behind Chephirah. She made her seasonal debut over 1400M in the higher class and finished down the field but should have stripped fitter for that run and has now been eased in grade. She is likely to have improved for the lung opener, Neeraj Rawal takes over in the saddle from C.S. Jodha and if she is suited by this longer trip which is a question mark, then she should be right there at the finish.
LAMBRETTA :- Exposed 5 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G who has managed to win just 1 of his 18 starts till and appears to be in the grip of the handicapper for the time being. He likes to race prominently, making the running if required and won his maiden over a mile in Pune in this grade. Since the win, he ran a couple of decent races in the higher grade but struggled the last twice when returning to Class V although the handicapper has given him a chance now. He has had a lung opener this season to regain some fitness and with A. Prakash claiming 5 kilos in the saddle, his weight has dropped to 52.5. The yard and rider have been in good form of late and he looks an interesting outsider who could prove dangerous if allowed an easy lead up front.
BLACK CHERRY :- 9 race maiden from the Narendra Lagad stable who has been tried over a variety trips already but her best runs have seemed to come at around a mile finishing runner up to Bait and Switch on her penultimate run with Lambretta back in 4th that day. She has been given a lung opener this season in the higher class, finishing 6th behind Akina Speed Star and is now eased in grade. J. Chinoy replaces Dashrath Singh in the saddle today and with the likelihood of some more improvement and being a 4 year old, she looks another who runs with a good each way chance and should be involved.
CONCLUSION :- A difficult contest with not too much form to go on and hopes pinned more on anticipated potential. The winner should emerge from among Titanium, Twinspire and Black Cherry while debutant Gracidacould be good enough to spring a surprise first time out and could prove a value outsider if looking well.
Race No. 6 :- The Damodardas C. Shah Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
DEL MAR :- Improving son of Phoenix Tower from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, he was given an educative run over 1000M on debut when not given a hard time and finishing 4th to the reopposing Cipher and showed marked improvement on his next start, his opening run here when brought with a powerful late run down the stands side to score over 1000M from Hidden Gold who has gone on to frank the form. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and a 5 kilo penalty seems fair. He finished on late that day so looks likely to appreciate the additional furlong and is sure to improve again. P. Trevor retains the ride, he appears to have ticks in all the right boxes and is strongly fancied to repeat and continue his upward curve.
GOD’S PLAN :- Well bred 4 year old son of Leitir Mor from the Vishal Gaikwad stable who has won 1 of his 4 starts till date, taking his time to come to hand but has looked improved the last twice. A fluent winner on his penultimate run, his final start in Pune, he caught a tartar last time out when upped to 7 furlongs for the first time and running into a brilliant performance from Kildare and should be better suited by the return to 1200M. He has been worked solidly and given a Mock Race since the last run and Akshay who seems to get along with him well keeps the ride. He looks to have a good each way chance back down at this preferred trip and definitely merits consideration.
OUI SAVAGE :- 4 year old colt with a smart pedigree, being out of the brilliant race mare Kanthara and a half brother to the speedster Colombianaprincess, this colt trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha is quite experienced, having run 6 times so far and exclusively over sprint trips. He gained his maiden win on just his 2nd start over 1000M, winning a fierce battle with Storm Breaker to prevail narrowly. He seemed to lose his way after the win though, running unplaced twice in Pune but looked to have regained his form and made a promising start to this season when finishing on fast and late to be a close 2nd to Palomar over this trip about 5 weeks ago. He has been brought along steadily since then and Santosh G retains the ride. He has been inconsistent so far so needs to prove that last run was not a flash in the pan but if he is able to build on that last effort and progress, then he merits serious consideration and stands an excellent chance to revert to winning ways.
PROPERLY POSH :- Another nicely bred and potentially smart 4 year old filly, this one trained by Altamash Ahmed, she has run 5 times till date, all of them over this trip and has managed to win once, scoring a wide margin maiden success on her opening run in Pune when decimating the field by over 8 lengths and followed that up with a good close 3rd to Silver Flames and Majestic Warrior which looks strong form. However, she disappointed in her final start on her handicap debut when a poor 5th behind Makhtoob and needs to recover from that. She may have been freshened up by the break making a belated reappearance after a 3 ½ month gap and might need this opening run having been just given 2 easy workouts of late. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride and from a good draw in Stall 2, she may be able to add some spice to the finish if fit and ready to go. Cannot be ignored.
CIPHER :- Small but speedy 4 year old filly from the stable of Faisal Abbas and this full sister to Sassy Lass has won 1 of her 7 starts but has been quite consistent of late. Making steady improvement in maiden company, she finally got off the mark on her penultimate run over 1000M, getting up late to beat the battling duo of En Sabah Nur and Chephirah, both of whom have won a couple of times apiece since then. She ran well on her handicap debut over this trip last time out, finishing a close 4th to Auspicious and his having her first run this term. The booking of A. Sandesh catches the eye, and if she is fit and ready to go after the break then she looks to have each way chances and can find her way into the frame.
RESOLUTE :- Unexposed and improving 4 year old gelding from the Malesh Narredu yard who returned from a long break to put in 2 good efforts already this season and looks likely to progress again. He was fancied on his reappearance over 1400M in the lower class and led till the bend before fitness probably became an issue and he weakened to finish 4th. A hot favourite over 1000M last time out he was given too much to do and finished on very late in the day to be runner up to Judy Blue Eyes. The additional furlong looks likely to suit him judging from his previous run and he has been upped in grade but also takes a marked drop in weight from 60 to 54.5. C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle today, he looks likely to improve again and should be a danger to all and must be respected.
CONCLUSION :- Del Mar won quite stylishly last time out and is selected to repeat over this additional furlong with the main danger looking to be Resolute who was poorly ridden last time out. Oui Savage looked on the way back to his best last time out and is also feared.
Race No. 7 :- The M. M. T. Pandole Plate – Class III & IV – Distance:- 1000M
MYSTIC BAY :- One time Classic contender from the MaleshN arredu yard who has been competing at a much higher level over middle distance trips and very interesting that he has dropped right down to the minimum distance now. Winner of 2 of his 7 starts, he has been contesting Terms races and his last run was in the Indian 2000 Guineas where he finished last of the 10 runners. He is tackling this minimum trip for the very first time and has to show that he is suited by it but he has been showing good speed in the morning gallops and may well relish the drop to sprinting. He is totally unexposed over this trip, David Egan has been booked to ride and he could very well prove to be a surprise winner over this trip new trip and looks a big danger in spite of conceding weight all around. Very interesting.
MZILIKAZI :- Improving 4 year old gelding from the Pesi Shroff stable who has won 2 of his 7 starts so far and while he has run well over 1400M, his best efforts have come over 6 furlongs and he was an impressive winner over Tanjo on his seasonal reappearance over 1200M. He has been rested and well prepared since that run, looks likely to not be troubled by the drop to the minimum and Leigh Roche retains the ride. A 4 ½ kilo penalty for the win seems quite fair, he is likely to have improved again and seems to be progressing in the right direction at present. He looks a leading fancy to go in again and stands an excellent chance to repeat.
EBONY :- 6 year old mare trained by Altamaash Ahmed who seems to be a late maturing type and has really come into her own and made significant improvement in her last few starts although mostly in 5 years old and over company. Her form figures since Pune read 1-2-1-1-2 and her mark has shot up from 26 to 57 as a result. She finished a good 2nd to Barack last time out so seems to have carried her form over to this track but may find it much tougher against the younger horses today and looks to be more of a place contender with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
IMPALA :- 5 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad who is best over this minimum trip and possesses plenty of early speed. He has won 3 of his 20 starts till date and was very unlucky not to add a 4th over 1000M last time out when leading all the way and nosed out virtually in the last stride by En Sabah Nur. He has been unlucky to have grabbed a wide draw in Stall 11 but the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye and he could very well prove to be a good outsider over his pet trip.
NAMAQUA :- Another 5 furlong specialist, this got abroad 4 year old gelding from the M.K. Jadhav stable has won 2 of his 6 starts so far, both wins coming over the minimum although he has been tried a couple of times over 1200M as well. He finished runner up to Dandi March over 1000M on his penultimate run and comes out 5 ¼ lengths better than Mzilikazi on that line so looks to have a strong chance on the handicap. He appears to have been solidly prepared for his seasonal reappearance with A. Sandesh booked to ride and a good draw in Stall 4, he looks to have an excellent chance to begin this season with a win.
CHEPHIRAH :- Another progressive 4 year old filly who should not be underestimated and comes into this race bidding for a hattrick after 2 fluent 5 furlong wins in her last 2 starts. A bloodless winner of her maiden in Pune, she made a winning start to the current campaign when sprouting wings in the closing stages and getting up in the last stride to pip Warrior Clan on the post. She looks to have maintained her condition since the win and looks likely to progress again. She has only been penalized 4 ½ kilos for the win, Nicky Mackay retains the ride and she has bagged the plum rail draw in Stall 1. She is likely to make a bold bid to complete her hattrick and is a frontline contender in what looks a competitive contest.
CONCLUSION :- This race too looks highly competitive with several improving 4 year olds but I will venture to stick my neck out and go for Namaqua. The 4 year old excels over this trip, has been well prepared with 2 Mock Races and looks set to make a winning start to the season. Dangers are aplenty though with the in form Chephirah bidding for a hattrick, Mzilikazi a decisive winner last time out and Mystic Bay dropping to sprinting for the first time all head the list of dangers.
Race No. 8 :- The Isn’t She Special Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1400M
DRAGONMOSS :- 6 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been running quite consistently of late claiming his 2nd career success in 31 starts on his opening run of the season when a convincing winner over Nusrat with Regal Shot back in 4th. He has been struggling to repeat after his penalty but has not been disgraced in 3 subsequent starts finishing just outside the frame and ridden by rookie apprentice the last couple of times. Nirmal Jodha takes over in the saddle today, the field looks quite weak and hence he is given a good each way chance to score and is worth considering.
PEERLESS :- 4 year old Poet’s Voice filly from the M.K. Jadhav stable who has done nothing of note in her 4 runs so far, but has been working quite well of late and has been given a lung opener this season to help her get fit. She has been showing speed out of the gates so it is uncertain whether this 7 furlong trip will suit her and Akshay is an unusual booking for the yard. She has no form to recommend her chances so a lot needs to be taken on faith but she is a 4 year old running in the lowest grade and could be good enough if her stamina holds out.
REGAL SHOT :- 7 year old gelding from the Karthik G stable who’s overall profile is quite unconvincing with just 1 win to his name from 25 starts but he has slipped down to what looks like a very workable mark and has been running quite suggestively this term. He has finished in the frame in 3 of his last 4 starts and his last effort was a good one when a close 4th to Grand Architect, finishing just ahead of Dragonmoss on that occasion. He is clearly not a reliable type so is no certainty to turn up in the same mood but could be in the fray if in a galloping mood with his usual saddle partner Bhawani Singh on board.
JACK FLASH :- Has a similar profile to Peerless having failed to make the board in 9 runs till date but has been working very well since the beginning of the season and has had 2 runs already to get him into fitness. He continues to show out well in the morning gallops, looks to have dropped to a handy mark and K. Nazil has been replaced by 5 kilo claimer A. Prakash who is an excellent front rider. He has the scope to be better than his current mark and may attempt to make all the running today. Considered.
DAZZLING EYES :- Maiden 6 year old mare from the Imtiaz Sait stable who is winless in 13 starts till date but has been knocking at the door in her last couple of starts and is likely to win one of these before too long. She finished 2 ½ lengths behind Dragonmoss over this trip on her penultimate run in Pune and is much better off at the weights with that rival today and on her last run which was back in September over a mile, she ran arguably her best race yet to finish a close 2nd to Fencing. She is likely to have been freshened up by the break as she is making a belated reappearance but C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and she is working pleasingly. Stable companion Honourable Eyes managed to shed his maiden tag last week and she looks to have a very good chance to follow suit and looks a strong each way contender here
CONCLUSION :- A weak finale lacking strength in depth but Dazzling Eyes looked to be progressing nicely when last seen and stands a good chance to get off the mark today. The unexposed 4 year olds Peerless and Jack Flash have both been working well and are also considered.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
