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FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Sunday, 9th February, 2020 - By Cyrus Naterwalla

Posted on - 08 Feb 2020

FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Sunday, 9th February, 2020
 
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
 
 
Race No. 1 :- The Sonny Brar Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 2000M
 
SQUARE MOON :-9 year old horse from the stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been demoted in Class after failing to make a mark in the higher grade for some time now and age may be finally catching up with him. With a creditable record of 7 wins and 9 seconds from his 43 career starts, he has struggled in his 2 runs this season, finishing a distance behind the winner on both occasions, but looked like he still had zest for racing in Pune, scoring a narrow short head win over Oriana in a thrilling 3 horse race similar to this one back in August before finishing a creditable 2nd to stable companion Vulcan over 2400M next time out. The handicapper has given him a chance today and he should be fit after those 2 runs so in this lesser grade and with Santosh G in the saddle, he does look to have a chance to upset and cannot be ignored.
 
 GLORIOSUS :- Now 6 years of age, this China Visit gelding from the stable of Imtiaz Sait has run 25 times till date with 4 wins and 4 seconds to his name and seems to be slowly working his way back into form this season after skipping the entire Pune season and has had 3 runs this term, the last two over this distance and has yet to create any sort of impression. He did finish 3rd to Roberta last time out and was well clear of Square Moon that day so looks to have a good chance on the handicap and the booking of P. Trevor is encouraging. He looks to have found a good opportunity to add another bracket to his tally and looks to have a good chance in this small field.
 
 SAGITTARIUS :-Front running 6 year old gelding from the stable of Sanjay Kolse who is the least raced of the trio having run 17 times so far with 3 previous wins to his name and as many as 8 runner up finishes. He usually likes to control the gallop from the front and should be able to do so in this small field and A. Sandesh has been up for 2 of his wins and has been declared to ride today so that should give a strong indicator to his chances. He showed that he was ready to strike when runner up to Lorraine last time out and receiving weight from both his rivals, he seems to have the best chance to score.
 
CONCLUSION :-A trappy contest and conditions seem right for Sagittarius to return to the winner’s circle as he should be able to set his own pace up front. Gloriosus looks well placed on the scale and looks the main danger.
 
Race No. 2 :- The Forest Flair Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
 
HI HO SILVER :-5 year old mare who is owned and trained by Dallas Todywalla and is still a maiden after 16 starts although she has gone close on a couple of occasions in similar contests. She ran quite decently on her seasonal reappearance when back from a 3 month break, finishing up a fair 4th to Honourable Eyes over this trip and should strip fitter for that run. She has been ridden by 5 kilo claimer P.Vinod on the last 4 occasions and will be partnered by him again today. She looks capable of scoring off her current mark but is not also totally reliable and possibly may find one or two too good again but is worth considering each way.
 
WESTERN STYLE :- Relatively unexposed and improving 5 year old maiden from the stable of S.S. Shah who has yet to hit the board in 11 runs so far but has been finishing just outside the frame in his runs this season and looks to be slowly coming to hand. He has finished either 5th or 6th in his 4 runs this term, 2 of them over 6 furlongs and 2 over 7, on his last start finished 2 ¾ lengths behind Hi Ho Silver. After being ridden by N.S. Parmar on all his runs this season, A.S. Peter takes over for the first time today. He should be fit enough having had so many starts this season, looks to be still coming into his own and if he can make some more progress then he looks capable of making the frame and deserves to be considered each way although he looks more likely to place than win at this stage.
 
GRAND EYES :-Formerly known as Bedroom Eyes when in the care of C.D. Katrak, this well bred 6 year old gelding is now trained by Imtiaz Sait and seems to have found some improvement for his new yard but is still winless after 17 starts. He finished 3rd on a couple of occasions during the recent Pune campaign, giving his best effort on his penultimate start when ending a very close 3rd behind Chezza over a mile with Hi Ho Silver back in 5th that day. He was working well and was made the favourite on his seasonal reappearance about 3 weeks ago but possibly was rusty and needed that run finishing a poor 7th behind Solo Mission, behind both Run Happy and Cray Cray. He is entitled to improve for that run but his workouts since have not been that encouraging and J. Chinoy keeps the ride. He may need a couple of more runs to hit full form and although looking on a handy mark, comes with plenty of risks attached.
 
 CRAY CRAY :-6 year old mare from the stable of young A.M. Jadhav who has been running consistently this season without really improving. Winner of just 1 of her 25 starts so far her win came off a mark of 20 and she is now rated 10 so she seems well placed on the scale and in her 5 runs this season, she has finished 3rd on the first 4 occasions before ending up 4th last time out. She finished just behind Run Happy last time out and does not look likely to reverse that form on slightly worse off terms but N.S. Parmar takes over in the saddle from K. Nazil who has ridden on the last few occasions and looks to have an each way shout again here.
 
 SO SPLENDID :- Maiden 5 year old gelding from the stable of Shazaan Shah who has run 18 times so far without making much impression although being fancied on a couple of occasions but has come down considerably in the weights as a result. However, he looked like finally finding some form when upped to a mile last time out and finishing on late to be a promising 3rd to Ithaca and has had a change of ownership and runs in new colours today. He is an unknown quantity who could be potentially better than his current mark and if he is able to build and improve on that last effort, then he stands a good chance to finally get off the mark with Amyn Merchant in the saddle.
 
 RUN HAPPY :- Another untried 5 year old, this one from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha, he has run15 times so far without much success but looked like he was coming to hand when showing zest for racing for the first time in his last run over this trip, racing prominently throughout and finishing on well to be 3rd to Solo Mission. That run was a promising one and if he can progress some more and unlock further improvement then he looks to have a very good chance against these rivals. Santosh G takes over from S.S. Baria in the saddle today and with the scope for improvement, he looks to be a very strong contender to get off the mark today.
 
CONCLUSION :-Run Happy and So Splendid are both unexposed and well handicapped individuals who seem to be finding their feet and appear to have the most scope to win this if they can build on their earlier efforts. Hi Ho Silver has also shown glimpses of form in similar contests and comes into the reckoning.
 
Race No. 3 :- The Dr.Jagjit Singh Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1400M
 
REVELATOR :- Rapidly progressive 4 year old colt trained by S.K. Sunderji who has run 7 times so far and seems to have really come into his own this season, bidding for his 3rd straight 7 furlong win this term after 2 wide margin victories already over course and distance this season. A runaway winner in Class V on the opening day of the season when beating Shapath and the rest by 7 lengths, he took a 6 ½ kilo penalty in his stride to repeat the feat in the higher class, again prevailing by an identical margin over Beemer. He has gone up a further 7 kilos in the weights but looks to be in tremendous form at present and he may yet prove to be ahead of the handicapper. His track work since the run suggests that he has maintained his condition and Nicky Mackay who rode last time out keeps the ride. He will need to unlock further improvement under this stiff penalty but seems to be progressing at a rate of knots and should make a bold bid to complete his hattrick. Strong fancy.
 
POLYNEICES :- In form 6 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama stable who has won 3 of his 19 races till date and showed he retained his old ability last time out albeit in older company when scoring a decisive length and a half win over Cormorant who is better placed than him on the scales today. In the absence of P.S. Chouhan, Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today, he is now up against younger horses as well and has been penalized 4 ½ kilos for the win. He looks to be in fine form though and is another who should make a brave bid to repeat.
 
SASAKWA :- Fashionably bred and sparingly raced 4 year old filly who was an expensive failure at long odds on last time out and appears to have a bit to prove after that insipid effort although she has had just 5 starts so can improve further. Winner of 2 of those races, she scored a battling win over 1200M on her seasonal reappearance when beating Despacito quite convincingly but was well beaten by Rainbow Trout when a poor 3rd last time out and has questions to answer after that. The winner has gone on to frank that form in her next couple of starts and she has been kept relatively fresh after that run so it will be interesting to see how she performs today. 3 ½ kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj takes over in the saddle from Leigh Roche today and if bouncing that from that poor effort last time out, she is capable of taking this and resuming her upward curve. Dangerous to ignore.
 
GALLANTRY :- Another lightly raced potential improver, this 4 year old son of Kingda Ka is trained by young Deepesh Narredu and has been campaigning around the country since going 2 for 3 in his juvenile season, winning both his races quite convincingly. 4th to Anjeze in a Million Race in Bangalore he went on to finish runner up to King T’chala in the Mysore Colts Trial Stakes before travelling to Kolkotta where he finished well beaten in the Colts Trial Stakes. Making his handicap debut after a 4 month break and at a more realistic level, he finished on in pleasing fashion over a sharp 1200M trip to be a flying 3rd behind Mozart and Dandi March and should definitely come on for that run. The additional furlong is likely to suit him, C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle from A.S. Peter and if he can build on that last effort then he stands an excellent chance to revert to winning ways, being relatively unexposed in the handicap sphere. Leading contender.
 
CORMORANT :-5 year old gelding from the stable of Faisal Abbas who has won twice from 12 starts so far, scoring back to back successes over course and distance last season and narrowly failing to complete a hattrick. He looked out of sorts when returning in Pune after the summer break, has been given time to come to hand since then and looked like he was returning to his best last time out when finishing on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Polyneices. He comes out 2 lengths better off on the scale with his conqueror on that run, should strip fitter today and P. Trevor retains the ride. He is taking on some promising looking younger horses so does look to have a tough ask but is very capable of being involved and can add some pep to the finish.
 
DUMAS :- Improving son of Win Legend who is trained by Vishal Gaikwad and was himself a very impressive maiden winner in the lower class last time out, appearing to have a little bit in hand when beating the late finishing Be Frank by 1 ½ lengths with the same rider up. He has a 5 kilo penalty to handle for that win and is upped in grade against tougher company but seems likely to improve and progress again. He too is likely to make a strong bid to repeat with S. Zervan in the saddle and off the low weight, may try and make every post a winning one.
 
CONCLUSION :-Some interesting looking 4 year olds in the fray and should be quite competitive but Gallantry possesses strong juvenile form and ran suggestively last time out when returning from a break. He should strip fitter and appreciate the extra furlong and is selected to return to winning ways. Dumas may well have more to give after his confidence boosting maiden win and shapes as a live danger while Sasakwa can also bounce back and may not have given her best last time out. Bang in form Revelatorcannot be left out of the picture but may struggle under his 2nd consecutive stiff penalty and he may find the additional 7 kilos to be a stopper.
 
Race No. 4 :- The N.M. Irani Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1400M
 
BLUE BLOOD :- One of two runners for the Adhirajsingh Jodha stable and possibly the more fancied of the pair with Neeraj Rawal booked to ride, this half brother to the yard’s Sylvester and Bounty Queen looks a decent individual and appears to have been given a fair amount of preparatory work but has not really caught the eye in morning work and may just need this run as an education. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition and he could develop into a decent sort eventually but looks likely to need this opening run and is just given a small upset chance today.
 
CASANOVA PRINCE :-Debutant from the stable of Faisal Abbas who is the first son of Whatsthescript out of a relatively experienced mare with most of the other siblings being by Diffident. Of these, Organic Powder (God’s Own) was a crack 5 furlong specialist in Western India while Viserion (2 wins) and Popcorn (1 win) both race in Kolkotta. The progeny seem to be at their best over sprints trips so it is interesting that he makes his debut over 7 furlongs and the booking of A. Sandesh first time out catches the eye. He is worth a second look at in the paddock and is expected to run well having spurted well with the yard’s speedy Whydah.
 
CHANCELLOR :-Win Legend colt from the stable of Dallas Todywalla who is the first foal of Woodberg, herself attractively bred and looks to be an interesting sort on paper. There is no recorded trackwork so appearances could prove to be everything and a paddock check is definitely advised. The booking of P. Trevor first time out suggests that connections fancy their chances and if looking well in the preliminaries he could very well be a factor with the yard very capable of readying one first time out. Interesting.
 
LIVE BY NIGHT :- One of the two runners in the field with prior experience and from the stable of S.K. Sunderji, this son of Isn’t She Special was quite well fancied on his racing debut over course and distance about 5 weeks ago and after racing prominently until the bend, fell back to finish a poor 4th to Exotique. He should definitely have learnt from that run and stripped fitter today and the previous experience should stand him in very good stead. His workouts since the run indicate that he has improved and C.S. Jodha takes the ride today replacing Nicky Mackay. He is expected to improve on that earlier effort and looks likely to run a much better race today. Strong fancy.
 
MONARCH :- Just modest signs from the pedigree so far with the full brother Cavaliere runner up in 3 of his 7 starts and the full sister Charmed Life winning one of her 10 starts till date, this son of in form stallion Air Support ran a forward race on debut over 1200M before retiring to finish in the ruck. The run came in early December so he has had plenty of time to strengthen and improve since then although he was withdrawn on his last intended start on Derby weekend as he dropped the rider and bolted on his way to the start. The booking of David Egan today catches the eye, he has been working well of late and looks set for a bold show today and is expected to take a hand in the finish. Looks a strong each way prospect.
 
MISS MUFFET :- Debutant from the Imtiaz Sait yard who catches the eye on pedigree by Multdimensional out of Xisca and is a half sister to Indian St.Leger Gr.1 and C.N. Wadia Gold Cup Gr.2 winner Caprisca who has won 7 of his 22 starts as well as a full sister to Mariska and Kanchenjunga, both of whom did well for Pesi Shroff in their limited careers. She appears to have been well prepared for her racing debut and should be fit and ready to go. A paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition and S. Zervan takes the ride today. She looks an exciting sort on paper and should give a good account of herself at the first time of asking. One to consider seriously if looking fit.
 
SPLASHING :-The more forward appearing of the two runners from the Vishal Gaikwad yard and the mount of Leigh Roche, this half sister to Cavarozzi does not appear to be fully wound up judging from her preparatory work but looks an interesting sort nevertheless. She has been given some relatively easy workout and may just need this debut experience but runners from the yard have to be respected first time out. She looks capable of running well on debut and although eventually likely to be better over further, she cannot be ignored in this company.
 
CONCLUSION :-With not much to go by in the way of form, this could come down to paddock looks and fitness and Monarch is the selection. He looked well on the Derby weekend before dislodging his rider and bolting and this could prove to be decidedly easier. Miss Muffet has an attractive pedigree and shapes as a danger as does the other runner with experience Live By Night.
 
Race No. 5 :- The Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship (Grade 2) (Terms, 4 Years Old & Over) – Distance :- 1200M
 
AUGUSTUS CAESAR :-One of 2 runners in this 5 horse field for trainer Altamash Ahmed and possibly the choice of stable jockey Neeraj Rawal, this son of Holy Roman Emperor has won 4 of his last 5 starts and 5 of 11 overall with 4 runner up finishes for an excellent overall record. He has been in the pink of condition lately and is unbeaten this season, usually better over 1400M but winning his only prior attempt at 1200 when finishing on strongly to get the better of Golden Guest on his penultimate start. Rated well below the more established sprinters, he appears to be an improving type and the race could be well set up for him here. He seems to have maintained his form and fitness since the last run and although he does have to prove that he can be as effective in this top class company, he cannot be ignored and is capable of springing a surprise.
 
INTENSE STYLIST :-Trained by S.K. Sunderji and winner of 6 races from 13 starts, he began his career as a 7 furlong specialist but has dropped down to sprint trips since the recent Pune season and has more or less made his mark as a sprinter. He was a cozy winner over La Magnifique last time out over 1000M conceding 7.5 kilos so he looks likely to finish ahead of her today on the revised Terms and clearly will be better suited by 1200M but he has had to play second fiddle to Iron Age on the couple of occasions that the pair have locked horns in the recent past and does not look capable of reversing that trend at the weights. Nicky Mackay who has been riding him this season retains the ride and he looks to be in excellent form at present. He should fight it out for minor honours but looks unlikely to get the better of Iron Age.
 
IRON AGE :- Quality 5 year old who is looking to cement his place at the top of the sprinting rung this season having won 9 of his 13 starts overall and is certain to improve on his 7th place finish in this race last year when his stamina did not hold out over this trip. He is unbeaten in 5 starts since then, stylishly winning all the major sprint races in Pune and although looking rusty on his reappearance here, holding off Intense Stylist to win comfortably over 1000M. He is sure to have improved and stripped fitter since the run and is reunited with P. Trevor who returns to take over from David Egan in the saddle. He looks the class act in this field, is the best placed on the scale and looks likely to win this easily before making his bid for the Sprinters Cup. Hard to beat unless he runs below par.
 
CLYMENE :-6 year old mare who has been running with credit at this level, finishing 2nd to Iron Age in the Noshir& Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million in Pune and claiming her 6th career win to begin this season when scoring narrowly from Gazino and Awesome One before finishing 4th in two 5 furlong contests on her last two starts. She seems to come up slightly short at this level and C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride today. She appears to be well within herself and could grab the runner up spot if the race is run to suit her but winning looks tough today as it has in the past at this level.
 
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- The lowest rated runner in this field but also the most intriguing, she looked to be very much a sprinter on the upgrade in the latter half of 2018 when she rattled off 3 races on the trot before suffering some sort of a setback from which she still seems to be making her way back from slowly. She has had 3 starts this season and has made gradual improvement with each of them, last time out leading all the way and only collared close home by Intense Stylist who is much better off at the weights today. However, she will be suited by the return to her pet trip, David Egan looks a very interesting Jockey booking and as most of her wins were gained with her coming from off the pace, she is likely to be ridden patiently today. Iron Age could set the race up for her from the front and if coming back to her best, she looks a dark horse who could have the potential to score a stunning upset.
 
CONCLUSION :- This looks a straightforward opportunity for Iron Age who is likely to start a very short priced favourite and has plenty in hand on the Terms. The runner up spot could prove interesting though with both Augustus Caesar and La Magnifique looking interesting. The latter could be benefitted by being ridden from off the pace today and in spite of being worst on the Terms, can challenge for 2nd place .
 
Race No. 6 :- The Cole Centenary Gold Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1200M
 
FLOWER DUST :-7 year old mare trained by Nosher Cama who is relatively lightly raced for her age and has been eased in grade into the lower class. Winner of 3 of her 21 starts overall, she scored her last victory on this course last January which was the last time that she ran in this grade, winning impressively by 4 ¾ lengths from Queen of Turf. She has run 4 times since then and looked like she was rediscovering form on her last run in Pune when finishing on well to take 3rd behind Silver Flames and Pablo. She has been rested and well prepared since that run and P.S. Kaviraj takes a valuable 3 ½ kilos off her back. She appears to be a danger to all in spite of conceding weight all around and taking on younger horses and looks a strong each way contender who must be respected.
 
AGRAMI :- Well bred and lightly raced 5 year old trained by Faisal Abbas who comes from an established line of sprint handicappers like Harvey, Excellent Gold, Smart N Noble and most recently Market King and looks open to improvement after just 4 career starts. A shock winner over 1000M on debut, she went on to show her versatility when runner up in a mile next time out and has raced at 4 month intervals since then, making her seasonal reappearance over 7 furlongs where she finished 7th but not beaten far. She has been catching the eye in her recent morning workouts and her work rider Amyn Merchant has been declared to ride. She appears to have plenty of scope, should be suited by this trip and looks to have a good each way chance with some added fitness.
 
MEMORABLE MEMORIES :- Another unexposed 4 year old with the scope for substantial improvement, this filly has run just thrice till date, given 2 easy and well spaced out runs in maidens before being well prepared and pulling off a smart gamble on her first run this season, showing a clean pair of heels to Despacito to win quite comfortably. She will no doubt improve on that run and strip fitter and should be able to take a 6 kilo penalty in her stride. A. Sandesh takes over in the saddle for David Egan today, she looks likely to improve again and is a leading contender to continue her progression and score a quick encore.
 
STICK TO THE PLAN :-Relatively exposed 5 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji who has 1 win to his name from his 7 starts and seemed to be in good form during the Pune season but has not showed the same spark in his 2 runs in Mumbai. He may just have needed those runs to regain his fitness and finished a fair 5th to Anatevka last time out. After being ridden by inexperienced apprentice P. Shinde on his first 2 runs, C.S. Jodha takes over in the saddle today suggesting that he is better fancied now. He looked to be quite progressive during his Pune runs and if returning to that form, he can make the finish interesting
 
GRAND ARCHITECT :-Another improving 5 year old gelding who has raced just 8 times so far, he has been making steady progress with his racing and advertised his well being when coming with a strong run last time out to score an upset win over Shapath in an older horses contest. That was his first run of the season so he should improve and strip fitter and he has been given a Mock Race since. The booking of Akshay is quite surprising as he does not ride regularly for the yard but he looks to be another improving sort and should make a bold bid to repeat under a 4 ½ kilo penalty.
 
CONCLUSION :-Memorable Memories pulled off a smart gamble last time out and with the promise of more to come is selected to repeat. Agrami is lightly raced and shapes as a danger as does Grand Architect while Stick To The Plan has been working well and is also considered
 
Race No. 7 :- The Maharashtra Gujarat & Goa Area Trophy – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2000M
 
LUCKY LUCIANO :- Experienced 6 year old trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who was a fluent winner of the Independence Million over this trip in Pune and has managed 3 wins and 9 places in his 28 starts so far. He has mainly struggled since that win in his 4 runs since, finishing midfield on all 4 occasions and appears to need some help from the handicapper before he can get back to winning ways. He finished last of the 5 runners last time out behind Fleur De Lys but may benefit from being eased in grade now. A. Sandesh who rode him last time out retains the ride and he looks to have an each way chance in this small field but may find the younger horses improving past him and place seems to be a safer option.
 
ITHACA :-Improving 4 year old gelding from the stable of Imtiaz Sait who has taken his time to come to hand but seems to be going the right way at present. After making the frame in his first three starts over various distances, he has had both starts this season over a mile, needing the lung opener behind Nekhbet first time out but showing marked improvement on his last start when coming with a strong late run to peg back Aquarius and shed his maiden tag. He has only been penalized 4 ½ kilos for the win, looks likely to improve again and is working quite well since his victory. David Egan who rode him last time is up again today, the extra distance looks likely to suit and in this field he appears to have a strong chance to repeat.
 
HEADBOY :-5 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff who is a half brother to the mighty Jacqueline but has fallen woefully short of that level in his 9 starts so far. He has mainly struggled to make an impression, his maiden win also a hard fought affair in Class V company beating Retained Asset by 3 lengths. Since then he has mainly struggled but he looks to be making steady improvement this season and his 4th last time out was encouraging. It is interesting that his trainer is persisting with him in spite of his failure until now and he could suddenly find some improvement and start to live up to his illustrious pedigree. 3 ½ kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj takes the ride today and over a trip which should suit, he should be given an each way chance in this field.
 
PEERLESS :- Lightly raced and improving 4 year old filly who looks to have come on this season and after having a lung opener over 1000M to blow away the cobwebs, scored a confidence boosting maiden success over 1400M last time out, beating Regal Shot by 2 ½ lengths and looking very strong at the finish. She is taking a marked step up in trip to 2000M which is a complete unknown but she looks to be progressing nicely with her racing and could very well stay the distance. N.S. Parmar takes over in the saddle from Akshay today and if she has improved again and her stamina holds out then she looks to have a very good chance to repeat.
 
CONCLUSION :-This is likely to be fought out between the 2 improving 4 year olds Ithaca and Peerless with preference for the former who is the selection
 
Race No. 8 :- The Forest Fair Plate – Div. I – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
 
AQUARIUS :-  Experienced and well performed 7 year old from the M.K. Jadhav stable who is usually effective in this grade and over this sort of trip and nearly pulled off a stunning upset against the younger horses last time out, only collared very late in the day by Ithaca. He looks to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and A. Sandesh up usually means the yard are quite strong in these sort of contests. He looks well placed to record his 4th career success and looks a strong each way player in spite of conceding weight all around.
 
GANDALF :-Enigmatic 6 year old gelding from the stable of S.N. Joshi who has won twice from his 33 starts overall but seems to have slipped down to close to his last winning mark. He is clearly not consistent and has his quirks but can be effective when he is in a galloping mood. Often slowly away he likes to come with a powerful late run from the rear as he showed on the final weekend of the Pune season when he scored his most recent success beating Dragonmoss and Nusrat in the process. He has had 4 runs this season, all of them in the higher class and is now eased in grade into the lowest class. After being ridden by 5 kilo claimers in his last 3 starts, A.S. Peter has been booked to ride today and if he has his galloping shoes on he looks a strong contender.
 
DRAGONMOSS :- Exposed 6 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has been running quite consistently in this grade and scored his 2nd career victory on the opening day of the season when coming with a strong run to easily beat Nusrat by 3 ¼ lengths. He has been running well since then without looking like winning and finished up 3rd last time out behind Peerless, finishing on strongly from the rear. The switch from NirmalJodha to inexperienced rookie Malam Singh is not exactly a positive but he seems to be in good form and looks capable of making the frame again.
 
SAFFRON FLOWER :-Stable companion of Dragonmoss who will be ridden by stable apprentice Santosh G and is another who is effective in this grade but also inconsistent and unreliable. She has been in relatively good form this season, finishing runner up to Angels Harmony on her seasonal reappearance and then after being disqualified for not weighing in, she dead heated with Honourable Eyes last time out over course and distance. She looks to have maintained her form since the win and has only a 4 kilo penalty to contend with. She looks to have a decent each way chance in this grade and can be involved if in a galloping mood.
 
NUSRAT :-5 year old maiden trained by Faisal Abbas who has been knocking at the door for some time now and looks likely to win one of these in the near future. She has finished runner up in both her previous runs this season, well beaten by Dragonmoss on the first occasion but finishing on well to be a close 2nd to Solo Mission last time out. After being ridden by Amyn Merchant the last twice, the booking of P. Trevor catches the eye and if she can build on her earlier efforts then she looks likely to make it 3rd time lucky. Strong fancy.
 
CONCLUSION :-Difficult to make a choice here with mainly older exposed handicappers but Nusrathas been quite consistent and with a good rider up for the first time, may be able to make it count. Aquarius ran a cracker against the older horses and looks a live danger while the well handicapped but moody Gandalf is also considered. Probably best watched. 
 

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