FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Thursday, 5th March, 2020 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 04 Mar 2020
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - Article for Thursday, 5th March, 2020
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Costa Del Sol Plate – Div. II – Class V, 5 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
ROMANESQUE :- Well bred 5 year old gelding from the stable of Imtiaz Sait who is winless from his 12 starts so far having finished runner up on 3 occasions and looked like he was coming into form last time out when finishing on nicely over course and distance to be a ¾ length runner up to Aquarius with Nusrat a neck away in 3rd. He is closely matched with Nusrat on that running but the switch to 5 kilo claimer K. Pranil does give him a slight edge at the weights although he has proved inconsistent in the past. That was his first promising run in 5 starts so he is capable of building on it and could just be coming to hand is he is still quite lightly raced. His workouts since the run suggest that he has held his form and although the Jockey switch is considered a negative, he looks a strong each way contender here and may just be able to finally shed his maiden tag today. Definitely comes into the reckoning.
NUSRAT :- 5 year old maiden from the Faisal Abbas yard who has a similar profile to Romanesque being winless from 14 starts but in contrast to that one, she seems to have come to hand this season and has been very consistent in all her 3 starts this term. All 3 runs have been over this 1400M trip, finishing runner up to Dragonmoss first time out, then going on to finish a length 2nd to Whispering Queen and last time out, when given a strong rider for the first time, finished a close 3rd just a neck behind Romanesque. P. Trevor who rode last time out keeps the ride, she looks to have held her form again since the last run and although she does not seem to be finding a lot of improvement, she is likely to win one of these contests very soon and looks a strong contender today.
FOREVER FREE :- 7 year old mare trained by Adil Dajee who’s overall profile is quite unconvincing with just 1 win to her name from her 29 starts although she has managed to finish runner up on 4 occasions. The win though was gained relatively recently 2 starts ago on her final run in Pune where she scored by 1 ¾ lengths from Cecilia with Dragonmoss back in 3rd. After having a lung opener on this track, she looked well in the paddock and advertised her fitness over an inadequate 5 furlongs last time out when finishing on strongly to be a flying 2nd to Dilbar and should be better suited by the return to this trip. Feeble 5 kilo claimer Malam Singh is replaced in the saddle by Akshay today and although she is much worse off at the weights with Nightfall on their Pune meeting, she looks to be well within herself and has a very good chance of adding to her tally.
HI HO SILVER :- Exposed 5 year old mare trained by Dallas Todywalla, her losing run has stretched to 17 now having managed to place on 5 occasions and she has not really looked like being ready to strike in any of her recent runs. Proving to be quite consistent in the early part of the Pune season, her form fell away towards the end of the season and her two starts this term have not yielded much although she did finish 4th in a similar contest on her opening run, just in front of Nightfall. She may have needed those 2 runs to regain some fitness and after being ridden by whipless apprentice P. Vinod in her last 4 starts, she gets a better rider today with S.A. Amit booked to ride. She deserves each way consideration and can add some spice to the finish but will need to make some more improvement if she is to finally get off the mark.
NIGHTFALL :- Well handicapped 7 year old from the stable of Shazaan Shah who has come down significantly in the weights and is now 5 points lower than when he won over this trip in Pune, beating Forever Free by a length and a quarter on that occasion. He has finished on late in his last 4 starts this term, indicating that he is well treated at present, finishing just outside the frame on the first three occasions and making eye catching headway last time out to be a fast finishing 3rd to Regal Shot. He has been turned out again quickly after just 10 days and the booking of A. Sandesh today suggests that connections fancy their chances. He appears to be quite well off on the scale with a number of these today and if in a galloping mood, looks to have an excellent chance to earn another bracket.
LOVELY FAIRY:- Maiden 6 year old from the small stable of C. Rajendra, she is winless from 23 starts having managed to place on 4 occasions. Her placed efforts although spaced out have mainly come over middle distance trips and she hinted that she was in form last time out when running a forward race and kicking on to finish a decent 3rd behind So Splendid with a 5 kilo rider up. K. Pranil is replaced by A.S. Peter today which is a positive, she seems to be working well since the run and although she is quite exposed and may find it hard to win, she stands a good chance to finish in the frame.
RUN HAPPY :- Poorly performed 5 year old gelding trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha who has run 16 times till date, finishing well down the field on his first several attempts but having looked like he was finally finding some form the last twice. After several unplaced efforts resulting in his mark plunging rapidly, he showed some ability over this trip on his penultimate start when finishing on to be 3rd to Solo Mission, 2 ¼ lengths behind Nusrat (2nd) with whom he is ¾ length worse off on the handicap. He did not appear to be overly interested behind So Splendid last time out making casual late headway to finish 4th just behind Lovely Fairy. After being ridden by stable apprentice Santosh G last time out, Dashrath Singh takes the ride today and running off a low weight, he looks a good outsider who is capable of upsetting.
CONCLUSION :- These races usually tend to be tricky and often throw up huge upsets so it is probably prudent not to have a wager here. The ones to consider appear to be Nightfall who looks very well handicapped and has A. Sandesh up today, Nusrat who has been knocking at the door this season and should win very soon if not today and Forever Free who looked fit and well and finished on well over an inadequate trip last time out. Bottom weighted Run Happy can also score at a long price and should not be ignored.
Race No. 2:- The P.R. Mehta Trophy – Class III & IV :- Distance :- 2400M
DADDY’S PRIDE :- Consistent 4 year old from the small stable of Subhag Singh who has been quite highly campaigned in his 8 runs till date, winning on 2 occasions and generally running with credit in much stronger races. He has shown gradual improvement with each step up in trip, finishing a creditable 3rd in the Pune Derby behind Trouvaille and Wizard of Stocks. He has run thrice this season, finishing a close 2nd to Rhapsody over 1800M on his opening run and then after finishing 4th in a muddling Ruia, ran a cracker when 6th of 20 in the Indian Derby where he beat several much better performed rivals and was staying on strongly. This race represents a huge drop in grade, he has been rested and kept fresh since his Derby exertions and he looks a clear standout on form and should win this convincingly unless Nicollini or Ithaca show phenomenal improvement. A confirmed stayer and a leading form pick with T.S. Jodha in the saddle.
ATHULYA :- Improving 4 year old Phoenix Tower filly from the in form stable of S.K. Sunderji who has also won 2 of her 10 starts and is worth a try at this longer trip which she is attempting for the first time. She has already taken on Nicollini twice before this season, finishing 3rd to her over a mile and then gaining revenge next time out when pipping her by half a length over 1800M on her penultimate run. She finished 4th to Van Dyke back at a mile last time out and is now upped significantly in trip. Nicky Mackay who has ridden her the last thrice keeps the ride and she appears to be in good nick but is now conceding 7 kilos to Nicollini with the rider’s allowance and looks up against with that rival. Place prospect if she stays.
ITHACA :- Well bred 4 year old filly trained by Imtiaz Sait who has won twice from her 6 starts till date and appears to have really come into her own this season, winning her last 2 starts in a row and seeming to enjoy more galloping ground. Needing the lung opener on her first start of the season, she shed her maiden tag over a mile next time out, coming with a strong late run to collar Aquarius with subsequent winner So Splendid back in 3rd. She took a 4 ½ kilo penalty in her stride upped to 2000M next time out, again doing just enough to win and holding off the fast finishing Gold Medalist by half a length. Her narrow victory means she again gets only a 4 ½ kilo penalty and further steps up in trip to 2400M which looks likely to suit her. David Egan who has ridden her all season takes the ride again, she looks likely to progress again and although she still has plenty to find on the bare form with Daddy’s Pride, she looks a strong contender and is very dangerous to ignore.
NICOLLINI :- Bred in the purple 4 year old filly from the powerful Pesi Shroff stable, she is a daughter of Jacqueline sired by the mighty Australia and certainly catches the eye on pedigree. She has run thrice until now, making her debut in Bangalore where she looked in need of the run but returned from a 5 ½ month break to make a winning debut on the Mahalaxmi track, having to work hard to see off Arrecife and Athulya over a mile. She was expected to win again upped to 1800M next time out but was collared close home by Athulya although she is much better off on the scale today. She too appears to have been kept fresh since the last run with no recorded track work but is likely to enjoy more galloping ground and running off a feather weight with P.S. Kaviraj in the saddle, she has the scope to improve enough to get the better of Daddy’s Pride although she will need marked improvement on the form as it stands. Live danger to all.
CONCLUSION :-Daddy’s Pridehas performed with credit in Group 1 contests, finishing 3rd in the Pune Derby and 6th in the Indian Derby and with his stamina for the longer trip guaranteed, he is confidently selected to gain a deserved success in this much weaker grade. Nicollini is in receipt of plenty of weight and has the potential to upset him on her impeccable bloodlines while Ithaca is also improving with every run and cannot be discounted.
Race No. 3 :- The Amateur Rider’s Club Trophy – Class III & IV – Distance :- 1200M
CASTILIAN :- 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who has a good record of 3 wins from his 8 starts but seemed to lose his way after impressively winning his first two starts, the Nilgiris 2000 Guineas on just his 2nd start and finishing runner up in the Nilgiris Derby. After a couple of poor runs in Pune, he seemed to be coming back to form this season and managed to add a 3rd success on his penultimate run, getting up late to beat Headway over this trip. However, he does need to bounce back from a disappointing run last time out when he finished 7th behind Kildare alongside Mzilikazi who was 8th that day. P. Trevor who has ridden him in his last few starts gets a leg up again today, he is conceding weight all around here and although he does look likely to figure in the frame today, he needs things to go exactly his way to be seen to best effect and is not totally reliable.
MZILIKAZI :- Owner mate of Castilian from the Pesi Shroff stable who has run 9 times till date with 2 wins to his name but he too has run poorly the last twice and needs to bounce back. Both his previous wins have come over this distance, the most recent of those on his seasonal reappearance when he scored a battling win over Tanjo by ¾ length. However since then he has run 2 poor races, possibly finding 1000M too sharp on his penultimate run but finishing 8th just behind Castilian over this trip last time out. He has been given a month off since then to recover his form and 3 ½ kilo claimer P.S. Kaviraj takes the ride today replacing C.D. Hayes. He might have been freshened up by the short break now and if he can rediscover his early season form then he has a very good chance to get back to winning ways today.
MEMORABLE MEMORIES :- Progressive 4 year old filly from the yard of Imtiaz Sait who has raced exclusively over this trip in her 4 runs till date and after needing her first two runs to come to hand, has shown significant improvement in her last two starts, winning back to back races and she comes into this bidding for a hattrick. She pulled off a smart gamble when quietly fancied on her penultimate run and scoring by 2 lengths from Despacito to shed her maiden tag and she took a 6 kilo penalty in her stride last time out when scoring by 1 ¾ lengths from Alpine Dancer. She is up a further 5 ½ kilos now and has also been upped in grade into the higher class and is taking on tougher opposition today. However, she does appear to be improving with every start and with A. Sandesh retaining the ride today, she looks to have a very good chance to complete her hat trick.
EPIPHANY :- Lightly raced 6 year old mare trained by Nazzak Chenoy who has won 2 of her 13 starts so far and has generally performed quite well in her limited career. She finished a close 3rd to El Commandante and Kilkarry Bridge on her final start over this trip last season but did not run at all in Pune, refusing to go into the gates and being withdrawn on both her intended runs. She had been solidly prepared for her reappearance run here about 3 weeks ago and ran well in the circumstances to finish 4th to Anatevka. She will no doubt improve for that run which came after an extended lay off and with C.S. Jodha in the saddle today, looks a strong each way player if she can build on that last effort.
CONCLUSION :- Although both the Dhunjibhoy owned runners, Mzilikazi and Castilian appear to have the stronger form, both of them have run disappointingly last time out and need to bounce back and hence it may make more sense to side with Memorable Memories who appears to be progressing steadily with her racing. She has gone up substantially in the weights and has also been upped in grade but does seem to be improving with each of her runs and could have still more to give. Mzilikazi is preferred between the two owner mates and can bounce back to form.
Race No. 4 :- The D.W. Reid Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
C’EST L’AMOUR :- Maiden 4 year old filly from the Narendra Lagad stable who has already gone close on a couple of occasions this season but is still winless after 16 starts. She has been campaigned mainly over sprint trips except for one attempt at 7 furlongs and has already had 5 runs this season. She was outbattled by stable companion Abraxas when an odds on favourite in a similar contest a couple of starts ago, going down by half a length and after running poorly in the higher class, again finished runner up back down in this grade last time out, where she again had to play 2nd fiddle to a stable mate, beaten 1 length by Red Carnation. She is beginning to look a little exposed and is becoming frustrating to follow but she seems to have found a good field in which to get off the mark and P.S. Kaviraj takes the ride for the first time. This looks to be her best chance to finally get off the mark today but she could prove vulnerable to something with a little more quality and may not be value at the anticipated price. Strong fancy nonetheless.
CRACKER BARREL :- Phoenix Tower debutant who looks to the most fancied of the yard’s 3 runners in the fray with C.S. Jodha booked to ride and makes his racing debut in the lowest grade. He is a full brother to Traherne who won 6 races in Western India though mainly over 1400M but he may be able to sprint first time out. He has only had a couple of workouts and a gate jump so might not be fully wound up today and a paddock check is advised to ascertain his condition. However, he may be good enough to tackle this lot if looking fit enough in the preliminaries and has the potential to make a winning start to his career. Keep an eye.
MAJESTICAL :- Fully exposed 6 year old gelding from the stable of Karthik G who has managed just a solitary win from his 24 starts, finishing runner up on 3 occasions as well. His win came over 1400M very early in his career and he has mainly been struggling to make an impression in this grade since then. He did begin this season with a promising run over this trip however, when runner up by a neck to Godsword but was found to have bled on his most recent start and returns from a 2 ½ month break. Bhawani Singh as usual takes the ride, he has bagged a good draw in Stall 2 and if he has recovered from his early season exertions then he looks to have an each way chance in this field but comes with risks attached.
VA BENE :- Lightly raced an unexposed 4 year old filly trained by Altamaash Ahmed who is a half sister to the promising Gabriella who’s career was cut short after an impressive maiden victory and she could be better than what she has shown so far. She made her debut in Pune over this trip and ran quite promisingly to finish 5th to Warrior Clan with C’estL’amour ending up 3rd that day and after being withdrawn on her intended debut this season, has another lung opener over this trip last time out, again ending up about 6 lengths behind C’estL’Amour. She may not have seriously been tried in both her runs till now and should be fitter and sharper today and Neeraj Rawal is back in the saddle replacing 5 kilo claimer A. Prakash. Although she looks to be held by C’estL’Amour on previous form she has the scope to improve after just 2 starts and if she has made some progress then she could prove to be a threat. Interesting.
BOHEMIAN:- Speedy but rapidly aging 7 year old mare trained by H.J. Antia who is a veteran of 37 races but who’s overall profile is quite unconvincing having tasted success just once in that time. She does seem to be a 5 furlong specialist but has often been found out in the long Mumbai straight and has no recent form to her name. She has had 3 runs this season so fitness should not be an issue and she has come down significantly in the weights. The booking of A.S. Peter today taking over from 5 kilo claimer P. Shinde suggests that connections are fancying their chances and running off a feather weight, she could attempt to make all the running and is given a small chance to upset.
CONCLUSION :- C’estL’Amour looks to have found herself and excellent opportunity to gain a confidence boosting maiden success and should be the most likely winner here but could be vulnerable to anything with a bit of quality and both debutant Cracker Barrel and the unexposed Va Bene have the potential to upset her.
Race No. 5 :-The Keukenhof Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1600M
NOBLE HEIR :- 4 year old gelding trained by Vishal Gaikwad who is a half brother to Roosevelt and has won once and finished runner up once in his 4 starts till date. After getting an educative run on debut, he went into many notebooks on his 2nd run in Pune when finishing on strongly from the rear over 1200M to be an eye catching 2nd to Elusive Star. A firm favourite on his handicap debut and his opening run of this season, he again finished on strongly from the rear to gain his maiden success convincingly beating Cellini and last time out appeared to be questionably ridden when finishing only 6th to Bait and Switch with rider Sandesh subsequently suspended so that may not have been his true running. He has had just 4 starts so far so looks capable of plenty of improvement and although the booking of Akshay is an unusual one and a slight negative, he cannot be ignored and is likely to be in the thick of things today.
PARISIAN :- Got abroad filly from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard who made a most impressive winning debut over this trip in the lower class about 3 weeks ago, coming with a strong stretch run to take charge and scoring by 5 lengths from Sweeping Move. She did not appear to be fully wound up that day so looks open to plenty of improvement and P. Trevor takes over in the saddle today from N.S. Parmar. She has been handed a stiff 7 kilo penalty for that win but should be able to take that in her stride and looks a very strong contender to follow up in this higher grade.
TASMAN :- 4 year old geldingfrom the stable of Sanjay Kolse who comes from a good family and has 1 win to his name from 7 starts and seems to be just about coming to hand. Given his first 4 runs to come to hand and gain fitness, he ran a forward race over 2000M when entrusted to a decent rider for the first time and duly improved on that to get off the mark on his penultimate start, proving far too strong for his Class V rivals to win with consummate ease. However, he failed to tackle the stiff penalty next time out dropped to a mile, ending up a close 3rd to Nekhbet in a muddling contest. These are still early days so he looks open to some more improvement and A. Sandesh retains the ride. He appears to have maintained his condition since the last run and seems to be a strong each way contender who could very well bounce back today.
SHAE :- Highly regarded 5 year old trained by Nosher Cama who’s career has been hampered by injury which has not allowed her to perform to her full potential until now. She has yet to pass the post first in her 8 runs till date but has finished runner up thrice and third on 4 occasions with only one run off the board. She went very close on her opening run earlier this season over course and distance when a fighting 2nd to Nekhbet by ¾ length and she comes out 1 length better than Tasman on a line through that rival. She was withdrawn due to a skin infection on her last intended start and might just need this run after a nearly 3 month break. P.S. Chouhan as usual takes the ride and she can add some spice to the finish if resuming in the same mood but could be a shade vulnerable against some promising looking younger horses.
PEERLESS :- Another improving 4 year old filly, this one from the stable of M.K. Jadhav she has run 6 times till date with 1 success and has recently changed hands and will be running in different colours today. She had been working well for quite some time and finally managed to get off the mark on her penultimate run in the lower class, scoring a decisive 2 ½ length win over subsequent winner Regal Shot with future winner Jack Flash finishing 5th so the form looks decent. That win came over 1400M and she was upped to 2000M next time out where she was travelling strongly out in front and looked to have the field in trouble midway up the straight but ran out of gas in the closing stages and was collared close home by Ithaca. That distance may have stretched her stamina so she should be much more effective returning to a mile and C.S. Jodha takes the ride today. She too looks to be an improving sort and could be capable of springing a surprise so should not be left out of calculations.
CONCLUSION :- Some interesting looking 4 year olds and this could become quite competitive but Parisian created a very good impression when unfancied but a wide margin winner on debut and looks set to repeat in spite of the stiff penalty. Noble Heir, who was ridden questionably last time out shapes as the main danger but both Tasman and Peerless have the scope to improve further and should also be feared.
Race No. 6 :- The A.F.S. Talyarkhan Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1200M
AEGON :- One of three runners in the field with prior experience, this son of Varenar made a promising debut over 1000M in mid February, finishing on nicely from the rear to be runner up to the unfancied Leopard Rock and should improve for that run and strip fitter today. Owned and trained by Bezan Chenoy the jockey switch from Neeraj Rawal to Akshay seems to be a slight negative but the extra furlong looks likely to suit him. The benefit of experience should stand him in good stead and he looks to have the best form of the experienced runners.
DICAPRIO :- Twice raced and home bred, being a son of the mighty Quasar out of a speedy mare, he has run a forward race on both his starts so far, running out of steam very quickly on his debut and given a tough task in the B.K. Rattonsey Million on his last start so this represents a clear drop in grade. He should strip fitter after those 2 runs and his last couple of workouts have been quite impressive. P.S. Chouhan is back in the saddle today replacing Yash Narredu, he looks to have improved from his last run and should run a much better race today against weaker opposition and should be an interesting outsider.
ALLURING SILVER :- Debutant who is one of two representatives for Pesi Shroff in this field and has a smart American Pedigree out of up and coming sire Leitir Mor. The half sister Sensational Grey has been unplaced in her 2 starts so far but the other half sister Pure Allure won 2 of her 8 starts and finished 3rd in the Gr. 2 Bangalore Oaks. She appears to have been quite solidly prepared for her debut run and while her trackwork suggests that she might be in need of this educative run, she should be fit and ready to go first time out. As with all these youngsters, a paddock check is advised to ascertain her condition but David Egan is an encouraging Jockey booking and she could be one to keep an eye on today and definitely in the future. Do not ignore.
POWERFUL LADY :- Another promising looking debutant from an in form yard, this daughter of Power is likely to be a speedy sort and is the first foal of American bred mare Private Life. Trained by S.K. Sunderji and to be ridden by C.S. Jodha, she has mainly been working alongside Dharasana and has moved quite pleasingly in her preparatory work so far. Another who is definitely worth a second look at in the paddock, she should give a good account of herself first time out and is likely to be involved in the frame.
SPIRO SPERO :- Another interesting looking debutant with a nice pedigree from a stable which has been doing quite well with it’s juveniles, this Adhirajsingh Jodha trained daughter of Multidimensional is a full sister to Masterofbalantrae, winner of 4 of his 7 starts in Western India in spite of having injury problems and Botswana Bolt who won 3of her 6 races in Bangalore and the most recent sibling Exclusive Art just got off the mark in Hyderabad last month. She does not appear to be fully wound up first time out but has bagged the No. 1 rail draw and the booking of A. Sandesh is an encouraging one. She too needs to be checked out in the paddock to see if she looks ready to go but with an encouraging pedigree and a good draw, she could be good enough to strike at the first time of asking and is respected.
TREASURE HUNT :- The 2nd runner from the Pesi Shroff yard and the mount of P. Trevor, she too has an attractive pedigree, being a half sister to Athens, winner of 4 races from 9 starts including the Gr. 2 Bangalore Oaks and finished 3rd in the Gr. 1 Bangalore Derby as well as being a full sister to Class I Sprinter Holy Smoke, winner of 7 races including the Akkasaheb Maharaj Trophy Gr. 3 and also In The Stars who had 3 wins from 5 starts in her limited career so she clearly looks the part on paper. However, she has been a bit disappointing in her 2 runs thus far, finishing a faraway 3rd to Exotic Queen over 1000M on debut and not really making significant improvement next time out when 4th to Skyfall again over 1000M. The additional furlong is likely to be in her favour though and she has been fitted with a tongue strap today. She does come into consideration on her strong bloodlines and could find some improvement today so must be considered.
CONCLUSION :- A tricky maiden to solve with some interesting newcomers as well and Spiro Spero could be the answer here and might prove to be value at a price. From a family with an excellent win record overall, she looks an exciting prospect and comes from a yard with good 3 year old form. Decaprio fitted with blinkers and dropped in grade looks a danger while Alluring Silver and Powerful Lady must also be respected. Aegon made a promising debut as well although his jockey booking tempers enthusiasm a bit.
Race No. 7 :- The Costa Del Sol Plate – Div. I – Class V, 5Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1400M
SHAPATH :- Improving 5 year old gelding trained by Subhag Singh who has won just 1 of his 19 starts but gained his maiden success towards the end of the Pune season and has held his form very well since the win except for his last start. A 5 ¼ length winner over this trip on the final weekend of Pune, he went on to finish runner up on his first 3 starts this season, just pipped by Whispering Queen over a mile on his 2nd start and then runner up to Grand Architect dropped to 6 furlongs next time out. He was unplaced on his last run but that was a competitive event on Derby weekend but otherwise looked to be very progressive and is capable of bouncing back. He has top weight to defy in this large field but looks a good each way contender and is likely to be involved.
CAESAR :- Unexposed 5 year old gelding from the Nosher Cama stable who is winless in 5 runs till date but seems to be just coming to hand now and has also been working well of late. Making an eye catching debut over 1400M last season, he was fancied next time out over a mile but ran poorly to finish up 5th. He was unplaced on his 2 starts in Pune but looked like he had improved this season when returning from a long break, finishing on strongly from the rear over an inadequate 1000M to be a close 3rd to Slam Dunk with a feeble rider up. P.S. Chouhan takes over in the saddle today, he has been eased in grade into the lower class and should appreciate more galloping ground. He is expected to build on that opening effort and should have an excellent chance to score if he does.
BROTHERSOFTHEWIND :- Well handicapped 7 year old gelding from the stable of trainer Vinesh who has tumbled down in the weights with a string of poor efforts and is starting to look very well treated now. Winner of 2 races from his 24 starts, his last win came off a mark of 34 and he is now rated 23 and this trip should suit. He has had 2 runs this season in the higher class so has now been eased in grade and Nirmal Jodha takes the ride. He should be fit after 2 runs this season, looks to be well handicapped and if he retains his old ability then he looks capable of springing a surprise and could be a good outsider.
GANDALF :- Unreliable 6 year old gelding who was recently sold into the yard of S.N. Joshi and will be ridden by 5 kilo claimer K. Pranil. Winner of 2 races from his 34 starts, he has finished runner up on 5 occasions and gained his most recent success at the end of Pune with today’s rider up. He has been largely out of form in his 5 runs this term but has come back down to a mark close to his last winning one and if he has his galloping shoes on then he too looks capable of striking.
SO SPLENDID :- 5 year old gelding trained by Shazaan Shah who has taken his time to come to hand but finally got off the mark last time out over this trip in a similar contest, showing a good attitude to hold off Grand Eyes and win by a length and a half. He has been penalized 4 kilos for the win but still looks to be well placed on the scales and he should gain confidence from the win. The switch from Amyn Merchant to P. Trevor is a big positive, he may just be coming to hand and looks to have a very good chance to repeat.
CONCLUSION :- A difficult finale but So Splendid could very well have more to give and is selected to repeat under a modest penalty. Caesar ran very suggestively last time out and shapes as the main danger along with the top weighted Shapath.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same).
