FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY 2017 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 18 Feb 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR SUNDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No.1 – The Mannapuram Finance Ltd. Trophy – Class II – 2000M
MATHAIYUS :-Withdrawn before the start amidst much controversy in the Indian Derby, he looks set to continue his winning run taking on just a solitary rival in the form of an aged and out of form horse. He looks likely to win this comfortably before taking on sterner tasks ahead.
CAESARS STAR :-Began his career with much promise and was a one time Derby hopeful but has lost his way after a promising start when he won 3 of his first 5 races. His last win dates back to December 2012 so although he stays well and has come down in the scales, looks tough to beat his progressive younger rival
Race No. 2 :- The Y.M. Chaudhary Memorial Trophy – Maiden 3 Year olds – 1600M
ZENON :-Looks to have the best chance in a small field with not much form to go on. He has raced twice over 7 furlongs till date, running down the field on debut but seen making late headway from the rear to finish 5th in the Breeders Produce Stakes. That form should be good enough to beat this opposition, he has been working well and should relish the step up to a mile. Zenon's sire Champs Elysees is relatively new in the country but he had plenty of stamina. The dam Questa Nova has thrown her first foal in India but she produced some useful types abroad.
PURE ZINC :-Looks the best prepared of the debutants. He was withdrawn on his intended debut on Derby Day but has been working very well in the morning trials and looks set to run a big race. The dam Skipperess has produced 3 modest foals till date, of whom Fairy Empress and Sword Of Honour raced in Western India. Fairy Empress won 2 races over 7 furlongs while Sword Of Honours solitary win was over 2000M. Hence, he should get this far at least and looks the main danger.
ART OF WAR :-Is the most experienced runner in the field, having already raced thrice, last time out finishing a distant 4th to Perfect Star over a mile. In the absence of much competition, he should run well again and may try and score from end to end.
AFRIQUE :- Has a nice pedigree by Steinbeck out of Congrats, being a half brother to Godsent, but he looks a little short on preparatory work and the booking of Sandeep Jadhav does not inspire confidence. He could be out for an airing but is respected in this weak field.
CONCLUSION :-This looks a good opportunity for Zenon to shed his maiden tag with newcomer Pure Zinc looking the main danger
Race No. 3 :- The Lions Club Of Bombay Host Trophy – Class V – 2000M
KOAL :- Is a winner of just 1 race from 13 starts but that win was over this trip off a mark of 23 and she now races off a mark of 25. After a string of unplaced efforts, she made some ground from the rear last time out to finish just off the frame suggesting that she was getting back to form. She has found a very weak field to tackle and with talented apprentice taking some weight off her back she looks well placed to return to the winner's circle.
DANSE DEBONAIRE :-Has raced an astonishing 70 times till date, winning on 8 occasions and has proved a gritty front running stayer now at the ripe old age of 8. He is usually quite effective in this grade and with Dashrath Singh up, looks to have a good chance to dominate from the front. He merits consideration.
STAR SCHOLAR :-Is one of 2 4 year olds in the field and has a nice pedigree but is still a maiden after 12 starts. He has been tried over shorter until now so it is interesting that he steps up to this trip and if it brings about some improvement, then he could have a say in proceedings.
THE OTHER SONG :- The 7 year old is mainly quite unreliable but he showed that he still has some spark left when flashing onto the scene late to score over a mile last time out. He is the only one coming into this race with current form and if he is in a galloping mood again then he looks to have an excellent chance to repeat.
CONCLUSION :-A very weak field with mainly older and out of form horses and is best left alone. Koalis just a tentative selection
Race No. 4 :- The Amateur Riders' Club Trophy – Div. II – Class IV – 1000M
HOUSE OF COMMONS :-The 4 year old clearly has a lot of ability and has been blazing the track in his prep work so it is frustrating to see that he has been a beaten favourite on each of his first 3 starts before being used as a pacemaker in the Indian 2000 Guineas. He drops down to 5 furlongs for the first time and since he likes to front run, this seems to be his best chance to score.
PHILADELPHIA :-Is a half sister to Praelector and a full sister to Romantic Lass, both of whom proved themselves to be decent sprinters. She is returning after a long lay off , having had 2 starts last April. Alpine Express got the better of her when she was an odds on favourite over this trip on her last run but she has been solidly prepared and is working extremely well so she could strike if House of Commons is off his game again.
PETRONIUS :-Is another nicely bred and lightly raced sort having his 3rd career start and dropped to this trip for the first time. He has run with promise in both his earlier runs over 6 and 7 furlongs so it is uncertain whether this drop to the minimum will suit him. However, NeerajRawal is in the saddle, he is unexposed and looks a likely improver.
ROYAL SAPPHIRE:- The 6 year old mare is an inconsistent sort and seldom runs 3 races in the same way. However, she showed she is still capable of scoring when winning over course and distance on her penultimate start and if she is in a galloping mood, then she could add some spice to the finish.
ADAM'S BEGINNING :-Has run with promise both starts this season, finishing an eye catching 3rd on the opening day over 6 furlongs and then returning from a short break to Alpine Express last time out. She looks to be progressing nicely and merits serious each way consideration.
NAME OF THE GAME :- Earned an overdue maiden success a couple of starts ago, winning from end to end over 6 furlongs but her last 2 runs have been below par. She is not the most reliable but Dashrath Singh is a positive booking and she may be able to bounce back with a better performance.
CONCLUSION :-A trappy looking sprint contest with House of Commons given one more chance to prove himself and claim the honours from Philadelphia and the unexposed Petronius
Race No. 5 :- The Dr.Govind R. Gurbaxani Memorial Trophy – Class III – 1600M
VOLANTIS :-After a string of placed efforts over varying trips, Volantis seems to have finally come into her own this season. She won smartly over 1800M early in the season before making a trip to Hyderabad to contest the Golconda Oaks where she finished 5th. She bounced back to claim a mile race on this course last time out and now looks set to complete a hatrick. She seems to be in good form at present and looks a leading contender.
VICE ADMIRAL :-The lightly raced 5 year old is clearly a big threat as he returned for the first time since August to win a shade cosily over a mile. He looks likely to step up significantly on that run and with Sandesh retaining the ride, he looks a big danger to one and all.
BATMAN :-Is an enigmatic customer who takes his time to get into full stride and needs a lot of initial coaxing to get going. He ran a promising 2nd on the opening day but then his subsequent 2 attempts were poor and lacked spark. He has been given almost a month off since his last run, is working well and P. Trevor is up for the first time so he must be respected if at his best.
STREETJAMMER :-Ran a decent 3rd on the opening day but has been off the track since which is a bit of a concern although his recent couple of workouts have been quite eye catching. He is usually an honest and straightforward handicapper and can be considered each way although he is likely to need this as a lung opener.
JAZZMYN :-The 5 year old has just one win to her name from 12 starts although she has been running quite reasonably over this trip and off this mark. She finished a fair 3rd to Nifty and Joss over this trip last time out and although returning from a 2 month break, she can be involved if building on that last effort.
CONCLUSION :-This promises to be a close fight between Volantis and Vice Admiral with the former given the edge
Race No. 6 – The VIVONO Million – Terms – 3 Years Old Only – 1200M
ELYSEE :-She is small and slight but clearly has an engine on her and has run well all 3 starts till date. She was a debut winner in Pune in the first 2 year old race before finishing a modest 3rd to Miss Moneypenny over 5 furlongs albeit conceding weight. She then improved on that to reverse the placings with her conqueror in the Gool S. Poonawalla Million where she finished on late to be 3rd relegating Miss Moneypenny to 4th. She has been working well and over this trip, looks to have a strong chance to return to winning ways. Her half brother New Crown is a winner of 4 of his 8 races in Bangalore and the family looks a good sprinting sort.
MISS MONEYPENNY :-Imaginatively named this daughter of Excellent Art made waves by scoring an unfancied win on debut at odds of 20/1. She then showed that run was no fluke by finishing a respectable 4th behind Ruffina in a very hot contest, although Elysee did turn the tables on her that day. She seems to have maintained form and fitness and with Sandesh booked to ride, it should be very close again between the pair. She is a half sister to Maleficent who was also a good sprinter and a big run is anticipated.
TEXAS GOLD :-Finished behind Goldie's Pet over 1000M on debut before stepping up to this trip and scoring a decisive win. She then finished 1 ¾ lengths behind Miss Moneypenny in the Gool S. Poonawalla and has been working well since. She could improve further and must be considered.
GOLDIES PET :-Showed good speed to finish 2nd to Wise Child on debut and then built on that when scoring an authoritative maiden success last time out. She made the running in the Gool S. Poonawalla before weakening and dropping away and has yet to prove that she stays 6 furlongs.
CONCLUSION :-This should be a close run affair between Elysee, Texas Gold and Miss Moneypenny with the one who improves the most probably claiming the spoils
Race No. 7 :- The Suraj Estate Developers Trophy – Class IV – 1400M
LADY IN RED :- Seems to be heading in the right direction and this full sister to Lady Danehill was given an excellent ride by David Allan to gain her maiden success last time out over a furlong shorter. She appears to have maintained her form and fitness, incurs only a 6 kilo penalty and with Sandesh booked, should have an excellent chance to go in again.
GLORIOUS EYES:- Has raced 9 times till date over distances ranging from 6 furlongs to a mile and has not quite gone on from her eye catching maiden success. She ran a blinder on her reappearance when she was last turning for home and covered tremendous ground to be an extremely close 2nd. However, she flopped as a favourite next time out and has run 2 poor races since. If she is able to reproduce her run in Race No. 34 then she has an excellent chance but she comes with risks attached.
IMPERIAL HERITAGE :- Looks interesting in that he was a stable companion of Lady In Red but was not performing well but scored an upset win over 7 furlongs on his first run for his new yard. He has to prove that this was not a flash in the pan but his new stable could have unlocked some improvement and he has to be respected if turning up in the same mood.
HUNTING PLEASURE :-Had been skilfully brought back down to his last winning mark and failed narrowly on his penultimate start when pipped on the post by Angel of Love. He then ran 4th over 1200M last time out but may not have been at his best over the shorter trip and back up to this distance and with P. Trevor in the saddle, he is given a strong each way chance.
COMIC TIMING :-Showed that he had ability when finishing a close 3rd to Sky Mine and London in the General Rajendrasinhji Million over a mile in Pune but has not quite gone on from there. He has had 2 runs this season so should be fit enough and could be interesting now dropped down in trip.
ROYAL ÉCLAIR :-Has been putting in some good performances over this trip mainly among older company so it is interesting that his trainer has put him into this contest. He looks up against it with the younger horses and looks a total outsider here
Race No. 8 :- The Amateur Riders' Club Trophy – Div. I – Class IV – 1000Mv
ROCK N RIO :- Has one just once from 15 starts but has been running with credit over this trip in large fields and looks particularly well handicapped on the pick of his form. He has bagged the plum rail draw No. 1 and with Dashrath Singh up he looks to have an excellent chance to score his 2nd success.
ALMOST MAGICAL :-was a wide margin winner over this trip in Pune but presumably had a setback and did not race again that season. His last effort over 6 furlongs where he finished 3rd to Wonder Story showed that he was on the comeback trail and with his rider taking a valuable 5 kilos off, he could win from end to end.
FRINGE BENEFIT :-Has been quite consistent since scoring her maiden success a few starts ago and showed she has the speed to tackle this trip when finishing a close 4th last time out just ahead of Rock N Rio. She is unfortunately drawn widest of all in stall 15 but her apprentice gets on with her well and she is expected to be in the shake up.
EL TYCOON :-Has little form to his name save for a surprise maiden win over 1200M in Pune and has generally been untried till date. However he has a good rider on board today and has been working well so must come into consideration in this open looking finale.
DUBROVNIK :-Finished an impressive close 2nd on debut in Pune but seems to have gone backwards since then and has finished down the field in his last 2 starts. He returns to the trip over which he ran his best race and looks a good outsider although he has plenty to prove now.
CONCLUSION :-A tricky finale with Rock N Rio taken to score from Almost Magical
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
