FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR TUESDAY, 15TH AUGUST, 2017- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 14 Aug 2017
FROM THE HORSES MOUTH - RACE FORM ANALYSIS GUIDE FOR TUESDAY, 15TH AUGUST, 2017
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Thanda Plate – Div. II – Maiden 3 year olds – Distance :- 1000M
DURHAM LAD :- Is the only 3 year old who is making his debut in this race and hails from the Magansingh P. Jodha stable. He has been given a sufficient amount of prep work so should be fit enough to go first time out and has the services of Nirmal Jodha in the saddle. His prep work has been steady without being brilliant but he is taking on a field in which none of the runners really have any noteworthy form to their name so he would not have to be an exceptional type to win this. He is a full brother to My Blessings trained by the same trainer who has done well in her limited career so far and was a fluent winner here last week. A paddock check is advised but if he looks fit then he could be worth chancing at a price.
TOWERING STORM :- This 3 year old colt from Faisal Abbas's in form yard has had 3 runs till date, 2 in Mumbai and one in Pune. He made his debut over 6 furlongs back in March where he made late progress from the rear to finish 5th behind Lord Commander. He was then upped to 7 furlongs next time out and after being urged right from the 800M marker, stayed on at the one pace to be 4th to Turning Point. His run in Pune was also over 7 furlongs and he was way behind the field in the early stages before making some progress to finish mid division. He has not displayed any early speed so this drop to the minimum trip is surprising. However, he has shown some speed in his last couple of workouts and is taking on a relatively weak field so comes into the reckoning as one of the main contenders with C.S. Jodha now taking over. He is a full brother to Minstrel Heights who is an out and out 5 furlong sprinter which would further enhance his chances on pedigree.
FINANCIER :- Steinbeck filly trained by the wily C.D. Katrak who had an introductory run in the early part of the Mumbai season and has not been seen since. She finished unplaced that day so has been given time to come to hand and her last few workouts have been quite impressive. She is entitled to need this run and the booking of Amyn Merchant suggests that she may indeed be out for an airing. She is a full sister to Reflections who was a 10 race maiden in Hyderabad and a half sister to Respect and Multiglory both of whom have done well over staying distances. She looks like one who may be better over further in due course but should be watched and could spring a surprise.
LOIRE :- This 3 year old Surfrider filly is one of three entries from the Narendra Lagad stable and appears to be the number one choice from them judging by the Jockey bookings with main stable jockey Dashrath Singh up. She has run twice till date, both times in Mumbai and over sprints. She made her debut over this trip in February and ran modestly finishing 6th in the R.J. Kolah Trophy about 2 lengths behind Stunner who reopposes today. She then contested a 6 furlong race in March but was never in the reckoning and ended up well beaten behind Gentillesse. She too has been broguth along steadily since then and has been working fairly well. She should have improved and looks likely to make the frame. Leit Motif the dam has thrown plenty of youngsters such as Cut Diamond, Khamsin and Star Studded but they have been just average performers who have been effective mainly over 7 furlongs.
STUNNER :- 3 year old Varenar filly from Dallas Todywalla's yard who has a pure sprinting pedigree with her dam Monopoly racing in Western India with Bezan Chenoy and herself a crack 5 furlong specialist. Stunner appears to have the best form amongst this lot and is the only one who looks ideally suited to this stiff 5 furlong trip. She made her debut over 6 furlongs back in January finishing 4th to Timeless and Windsor Forest, about 6 ¾ lengths behind the winner. She was well fancied next time out over 5 furlongs but could only manage 5th behind the speedy Oracle although she did show early speed before fading. She was once again prominent for a long way in her 3rd start before weakening in the closing stages and ending up 6th to Kramer. She has shown good speed in her couple of workouts that she has had on the Pune course and has managed to bag the No. 1 draw right on the rail. P.S. Chouhan has been booked to ride and in this field, she appears to have the best chance to shed her maiden tag.
CONCLUSION :- Stunner appears to have ticks in most of the right boxes and looks to have found an excellent chance to get off the mark in this weak field. The debutant Durham Lad a full brother to My Blessings could be the one to trouble her if fit enough. Towering Storm and Loire should fight it out for minor honours.
Race No. 2 :- The Mayor's Trophy – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1800M
GOLD BOND :- He is a half brother to Joshua and Mountbatten, both of whom did well in Western India and is trained by Imtiaz Sait. He has had 3 runs till date, all of them in Mumbai and was withdrawn on his first intended start this season after being unruly at the gates. He made a satisfactory debut over 7 furlongs, not given a hard time and finishing up a close 3rd to Timeless Deeds and Zanara. He was then given a tough task on his 2nd start, contesting the Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Multi Million on Derby day over a mile and could only finish up 6th behind Perfect Star. He seemed to regress on his last start in Mumbai over 1800M, running poorly to finish 5th of 6 to Lord Of The Sea. It is hoped that he has improved over the summer and his preparatory work has been decent. He could go well over this longer trip with C.S. Jodha up for the first time but his form looks a bit below some of the others and he will most probably run into a place.
MASTER OF STUDIES :- Nicely bred got abroad colt trained by Altamash A. Ahmed who comes here fresh from 2 runs in Bangalore. He made his debut over 7 furlongs in June finishing up 4th to Aaron the Baron beaten about 10 lengths. He then contested a hot million race over a mile next time out but found the opposition too stiff and only beat one rival home. This constitutes a much easier task and the extra furlong should be to his advantage. Masterofthehorse was trained by Aiden O' Brien and was a major contender for the Epsom Derby in which he ultimately finished 3rd to the mighty Sea The Stars. He also went on to run 4th in the Irish Derby and 2nd in the Chester Vase. Hence this colt should come into his own over distance trips and looks a dark horse who can strike if showing the required improvement.
ROCHESTER :- This Phoenix Tower colt from S.K. Sunderji's yard looks to be the clear form pick in the field and is easily the best rated of this bunch. He is a maiden after 3 starts but has run extremely well on every occasion and should relish more galloping ground. He made his debut over 1400M in January and finished on strongly, going down fighting to Bigsur by a dwindling neck. He was heavily fancied next time out but was given a rare ill judged ride by P. Trevor, again finishing on very late to be 2nd to Windsor Forest. He then ran possibly his best race when upped to a mile in The Breeders Juvenile Colts when ending up a close 3rdto Pure Zinc and Caprisca which is excellent form. He has been working quite superbly in Pune and looks very hard to beat. Krasnaya the dam has already produced the excellent Kolors – a full brother who was a winner of 7 races in Hyderabad, finishing 3rd in the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes and the Golconda 2000 Guineas.
SWEET MUSIC :- Comes from the Malesh Narredu yard and was sent off an odds on favourite in the first 2 year old race of the current crop, ending up 2nd behind Elysee over 5 furlongs back in October. She was unplaced in 2 starts in Mumbai but showed some improvement when stepping up from 5 to 6 furlongs, ending up 5th to Cambridge. She looked greatly improved this season when appearing over 7 furlongs, finishing on strongly from the rear to be a good 2nd to Selfie Star. Her style of racing suggests that this more galloping trip will suit her to a tee and she will have a fitness advantage over the rest. She appears to be progressing nicely and is likely to be the main danger to Rochester. P. Trevor takes over from Yash in the saddle and a good run is expected.
FORTITUDE :- Hails from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and looks a classy got abroad filly. Her bloodline looks impeccable with Nathaniel a multiple Group 1 winning colt trained by John Gosden who was most effective on soft ground. He won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (GR. 1) in 2011 and failed by a whisker to defend his title the following year when going down by a nostril. He also won the Coral Eclipse at Sandown. The dam Sakza raced just twice, placing once over 9 furlongs. Hence indications are that Fortitude should come into her own over distance trips. She was given an educative run in Mumbai over 7 furlongs and ended up midfield. She does not yet look fully wound up judging from a few easy workouts and is sure to come on appreciably from what she does today. She must be respected and should run well with Sandesh up.
CONCLUSION :- Rochester looks the clear stand out here on form and fitness and looks a good bet on paper. Sweet Music is also expected to appreciate the step up in trip and should follow him home. Both Fortitude and Master of Studies have excellent pedigrees and must be considered live dangers although both look like they are still not fully wound up.
Race No. 3 :- The Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy – Class II – Distance :- 1800M
PALATIAL :- Dickey legged 6 year old gelding trained by C. D. Katrak who was languishing in the lower classes for much of his career and came into his own very late. He showed signs of his ability when finishing on to be a flying late 3rd in the Independence Million and has gone from strength to strength since then seeing his rating sky rocket from 34 to 83 and winning 3 races as well as several good efforts in defeat mainly over distance trips. His last win came back in April over 2400M in Class II where he convincingly beat Raees and Frosty and he warmed up for this race earlier in the season when covering a lot of ground over 7 furlongs to be a flying late 3rd behind Traherne and Germanicus. He has to concede weight all around but looks in top form at present and should make a bold bid to earn himself another victory with Neeraj Rawal in the saddle.
EXODUS :- Is a stable companion to Palatial and is a sparingly raced 5 year old who has done very well in his limited career so far, winning 4 of his 7 starts, mainly over 7 furlongs although his last win came over a mile. He raced 5 times during the past Mumbai season winning on 3 occasions and placing 2nd once. His last win came over a mile in Mumbai where he easily beat Traherne by 2 ½ lengths at level weights and on that line he seems to have the measure of Palatial. He has been working very well, should be fit enough and P.S. Chouhan takes the ride. He should not be troubled by the extra furlong and looks a strong contender.
MEKONG DELTA :- 4 year old filly trained by M.K. Jadhav who looked full of promise when running a bottling 3rd in the Indian 1000 Guineas behind Mrs. Patmore and Hall of Famer but has not really gone on to build on that subsequently and that may have just been a freak effort. She went on to finish only 5th in the Indian Oaks and has struggled to win in handicaps after that. She went to Bangalore and raced twice over 9 furlongs, finishing off board on both occasions. She could run into a place here with Sandesh up but in her current form she looks unlikely to win.
RAEES :- 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait who really came into his own this year and has surged up the handicap ranks winning three races on the trot when upped to staying trips. He finished a length 2nd to Palatial on his penultimate run over 2400M and is now weighted to reverse that form. He appears to have been well prepared for this reappearance run and the yard is in excellent form at present. C.S. Jodha retains the ride and he looks to have a strong each way chance on the handicap
BOLD MARCH :- Well bred 4 year old gelding who was the Classic hopeful from the M.A.M. Ramaswamy stable and has been solidly campaigned over multiple centres and has won 3 of his 16 starts. He won twice over 1400M in his juvenile season including the Breeders Produce Stakes but then failed when travelling to Bangalore for the Summer Classics. He then went to Mysore but could only finish runner up to brilliant Serjeant At Arms in the Mysore 2000 Guineas and 3rd in the Mysore Derby. However his recent form over 2000M has been encouraging. He went on to win the Shapoorji Pallonji Million on the Invitation weekend and last time out finished a good 2nd to Themis conceding weight. He comes in at bottom weight on the scale here and must be given a strong chance as he seems to be progressing.
CONCLUSION :- A tough Class II contest. Bold March must be given a good chance in receipt of weight all around and is marginally fancied to the consistent Exodus. Palatial looks a danger to all in spite of top weight while Raees also looks well handicapped.
Race No. 4 :- The Thanda Plate – Div. I – Maiden 3 Year Olds – Distance :- 1000M
BEDROOM EYES :- Debutant from the C.D. Katrak yard who has an attractive pedigree by Multidimensional out of Grand Madame. He is a half brother to Auriga who is a winner of 3 of his 18 starts in Bangalore and Aragon who placed a couple of times in Pune before winning one race in Kolkotta. He appears to be relatively well prepared for his debut run and is also taking on a relatively weak field so he could be classy enough to beat this lot and should be respected.
OPTIMUM :- Comes from the Shazaan Shah yard and has had 3 runs till date. He ran a decent race on debut over 1200M when finishing 4th to Benefactor but appeared to take a backward step next time out when finishing only 7th to Lord Commander. Dropping down to this trip last time out he ran his best race when finishing runner up to Nextstar towards the end of the Mumbai season. He has had just a couple of workouts so may be a touch short on fitness but looks the type to progress again and with P.S. Chouhan up, looks to have a strong chance in this weak field.
BEWITCHED :- Another filly who catches the eye on pedigree by Arazan out of Black Magic Woman who was a fine sprinter in Western India. She was given an educative run in the early part of the Mumbai season and has been brought along steadily since then. She has been working quite well and in spite of the booking of Amyn Merchant to ride, she looks the type who could spring a surprise and should not be ignored.
LOVELY FAIRY :- Another debutant from the small yard of C. Rajendra who appears to be a speedy sort. She is by Ace out of Fairy Tale and she has looked quite speedy in the few workouts that she has undergone. Yard is not really known for first time out winners but this field looks quite weak and hence she looks the type of merit each way consideration and could add some pep to the finish.
WILD FIRE :- She is one of the most experienced runners in this field having raced 6 times till date and appears to have the best form out of this lot. She has been tried over a variety of trips ranging from 1000M to 1400M and has mostly been running forward races so should have the speed for this stiff 5 furlongs. Her best effort till date came over this trip when she led for a long way and battled on to finish a close 3rd to Pokerface and Ascension. She had a lung opener over 1400M earlier in the season and showed good speed to lead into the straight before fading. She looks to have a fitness advantage and this looks her best chance to shed her maiden tag with stable rider Dashrath Singh up.
CONCLUSION :- This division too looks very weak and it seems to be a good chance for Wild Fire to shed her maiden tag. Debutante Bedroom Eyes catches the eye on paper and could prove to be a danger whilst out of those with a run, Optimum is respected.
Race No.5:- The Nawab & Begum Faiyaz Husain Memorial Trophy – Class III – Distance:- 1200M
ODESSA :- Got abroad 4 year old from the Malesh Narredu yard who appeared to have suffered a setback after finishing down the field in his 2nd start but seems to have bounced back in no uncertain Terms. He made his debut towards the end of the last Pune season finishing up 3rd to Lucas over 1400M. He was very strongly fancied on his Mumbai debut over a mile but apparently suffered a setback that day and finished in the ruck. He was brought along steadily after that and did not reappear until mid April where he scored a facile victory in Class IV where he won toying with the opposition under an inexperienced 5 kilo claimer. He was even more impressive on his last start a couple of weeks ago when coming with a strong and powerful stretch run to sweep past the opposition and win readily. He appears to be ahead of the handicapper still and in spite of the hefty penalty which he will now carry, P.S. Chouhan takes over from inexperienced rider and he is strongly fancied to complete his hattrick in spite of conceding weight all around.
SPARKLING EYES :- Enigmatic4 year old filly who was won 2 of her 12 starts, both wins coming in the early part of her career after which she has appeared to struggle with the handicapper. She has placed on quite a few occasions over varying trips but does not seem to be a totally straightforward sort. Her last effort over this trip was promising when finishing 3rd in a 3 way photo with Jimbo and Franz Ferdinand. She may have been freshened up over the break and her recent trackwork has been very encouraging so with the talented Prashant Dhebe up, she must come into consideration and could make the finish interesting.
GREY FLANNEL :- Another tough and consistent 4 year old sprinter from the Dallas Todywalla yard who appeared to come into her own during the last Mumbai season, performing consistently on almost every run and winning twice over this trip. Her last start and her first attempt in this Class saw her finish 6th not too far behind Sparkling Eyes but that was her 6th run of the season and she may just have been feeling the exertions. She appears to have been freshened up by the break, is another who has been working very pleasingly and merits strong each way support with P. Trevor back in the saddle.
MADURO :- Got abroad rig trained by Altamash Ahmed who was a winner on debut over this trip as a juvenile but has not been able to rediscover the winning touch in 9 starts since, although he has several good efforts in defeat to his name. His last 2 runs have been quite pleasing, running an excellent close 2nd to Fringe Benefit off top weight in his penultimate start and then caught the eye on his earlier start on this track when finishing on strongly from the rear to be a close 3rd to Makino. He is likely to improve for that run and strip fitter and stands a strong chance to return to winning ways in this competitive field.
YANNA RASCALA :- Highly regarded and well bred got abroad from the Pesi Shroff yard who is returning after an extended absence but caught the eye in his 2 starts last season. He made his debut only in August and was not given a hard time when finishing 3rd to Eternalinspiration with Grey Flannel finishing 2 lengths ahead of him. He showed he had improved appreciably for that run when coming with a powerful surge to win over this trip, comfortably beating Cyclone and Domination. He is entitled to need this run after 10 months off the track but has moved quite well in a couple of recent workouts. He has plenty of scope to improve and must be respected but may just need this run and is sure to do better next time out.
CONCLUSION :-A competitive looking affair with several having claims. Odessa appears to still be ahead of the handicapper and is taken to complete his hat-trick with P.S. Chouhan taking over. Maduro ran impressively last time out and heads the list of dangers.
Race No. 6 :- The PRA Independence Million – Class IV and V – Distance :- 2000M
UNFORGETTABLE YOU :- Looks the class act in this field and was a one time Classic prospect before presumably encountering a setback which has seen her miss the better part of 10 months. She has only raced on this track till date, making a most impressive winning debut over 7 furlongs easily beating Never Say Never and Sherlock. She was then stepped upto 9 furlongs travelling strongly throughout the race and looking a winner before being shocked by rank outsider Striking Story close home. She was quietly fancied in the Pune Derby and was prominent turning for home but was badly hampered at a crucial stage by the riderless Vulcan and dropped out of contention thereafter. She is disadvantaged at returning from almost 10 months off the track but she has been solidly prepared and seemed to move well in a Mock Race a couple of weeks ago. Top weights have a good record in this contest, she clearly has tremendous scope to improve and with P. Trevor booked to ride, if she is fit enough then she could prove to be too classy for this bunch.
STAR COMRADE :- Fully exposed 4 year old Rebuttal gelding who has raced 15 times till date and took ages to shed his maiden status before finally sneaking home over 7 furlongs back in December. He went very close to scoring over 1800M in Mumbai and has since been racing in Bangalore where he has performed modestly. He is still relatively unexposed as a handicapper and has been racing mainly in the higher class so this would be a drop for him as well. He has the potential to score if running upto his best but does not appear completely straightforward and looks a bit of a risky proposition.
DARK GOLD :- Got abroad 4 year old trained by S.K. Sunderji who has also been lightly raced and has tremendous scope to improve after just 4 starts. He was unplaced on his debut back in September but showed significant improvement when appearing again in December to score a convincing maiden win over Wild Jack and Sporto again over 7 furlongs. However, he suffered a major setback when tackling a mile next time out on Derby weekend where he finished tailed off and was put away after that. He has been working well since the start of the current season and was given a lung opener on the opening day, where he travelled strongly in 2nd place until turning for home before fitness probably became a factor. He looks likely to appreciate the step up in distance, should be fitter and sharper for the run and with the man of the moment A. Imran Khan in the saddle, he is expected to run a very big race.
OLLY BOY :- This 5 year old from the in form stable of Adhirajsingh Jodha is another who has the advantage of having had a good preparatory run already this season, finishing on nicely to be 2nd to the impressive Drogo over 1800M on the opening weekend. He has already established himself as being effective over staying trips with his 2 wins so far coming over 1800 and 2400M so this trip should be right up his street and D.S.Daman is good value for his claim. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness and is another who is expected to run well and should be in the shake up.
OTHELLO :- 4 year old gelding from the Vishal Gaikwad yard who comes from a family with a powerful staying line and has been progressing gradually in 6 career starts till date. He gave first signs of ability when finishing on to be 4th over a mile and stepped up to 2400M subsequently, he first went down fighting to another potential improver in Geranium before outstaying Jager Bomb and Care Free to score a battling maiden success. He looks a strong galloping sort who will likely not appreciate the large field and the short Pune straight but he too looks to have the scope to improve and cannot be ignored although he may find things happening too quickly.
HIS MASTER'S VICE :- Another relatively unexposed and lightly raced type who has raced just 5 times, finishing runner up on 3 occasions and unplaced the other two. He made good late headway to chase home Sherlock over a mile in Mumbai but then flopped badly next time out when strongly fancied over 9 furlongs, refusing to raise a gallop when asked for an effort and ending a dismal 8th. He reappeared a month and half later on Derby Day and showed good stamina for the step upto 2400M when runner up to Raees who has gone on to frank the form. He has not raced since then so is returning after another significant break and although he did go a Mock Race last week to sharpen him up he may be found wanting at the finish. Olly Boy appears to be a stronger contender for the yard but he is given a chance nonetheless.
CARNIVAL :- Comes from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard and is another unexposed and improving sort who should relish this galloping trip. This half sister to Midnight Dancer has raced just thrice till date and gave notice of her potential on her 2nd start when she made casual progress from midfield to end up 4th to Drogo over a mile in Mumbai. She has had a lung opener here already over 7 furlongs which should put her spot on for this race and she is receiving weight all around. Neeraj Rawal has been booked to ride and from the foot of the scale and with further improvement likely she looks to have an outstanding chance if progressing as expected.
CONCLUSION :- Never easy to find a winner in this race which has had it's share of both victorious favourites and stunning upsets. Although several can make claims to win this, the pair most likely to fight it out appear to be Unforgettable You and Carnival with true to his name, Dark Gold being the dark horse.
Race No. 7 :- The Floods of Fortune Plate – Class IV – Distance :- 1400M
AIRLIFT :- This 4 year old gelding from the stables of Faisal Abbas does not quite appear to have fulfilled his potential in 7 starts till date and there is a suspicion that we have yet to see the best of him. An impressive debut winner over 6 furlongs back in April last year, he appeared to have excuses on his next few starts, being forced to travel very wide on his debut run in Pune and then finishing 5th in a muddling contest where he was unsuited by the Terms. He bounced back with a couple of good seconds, going down by a whisker to Adeline and then finding Triple Threat too speedy next time out, both over 6 furlongs. He had a run this season but appeared to be out for an airing as he was kept well back and made leisurely late progress to be 6th. That run should have sharpened him up, he has been working well and with D.S. Daman claiming a valuable 2 ½ kilos, he looks set to regain the winning thread.
KISS FROM A ROSE :- Compact 4 year old filly from S.A. Waheed's yard who has acquitted herself well till date and has been very consistent since being tried for the first time back in January. She gave notice of her potential when finishing an excellent 2nd to Jetaway over this trip in the lower class she shed her maiden tag a couple of starts later when scoring a fighting victory over Firenze and Allegria. She showed that she had maintained her form when finishing a good 3rd behind Drogo and Ventura over a mile on her first run in this grade and she looks the sort to go on improving. She appears to have been well prepared for her reappearance run and is expected to be in the thick of things.
TIMELESS DEEDS :- 3 year old who was a shock pillar to post winner over 1400M on debut and then was campaigned rather highly and failed to live upto expectations in some tough contests. However, she looked greatly improved when making her handicap debut on the opening day, seemingly full of running but getting no room to gallop in the straight and finishing a bottling 4th very close behind 2nd place Auroden who reopposes today. She should benefit from that run and improve further and provided that she is better ridden today, she looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways. A. Imran Khan is in top form at present and she looks a very serious contender.
AURODEN :- 4 year old gelding trained by Shazaan Shah who was being talked about well before his reappearance run in Mumbai as he had been working exceptionally well and was highly regarded by connections. He was strongly fancied with Sandesh booked on his handicap debut but failed to raise a gallop and could only finish mid division. He showed a little improvement on his next effort when still beaten by New England but finishing on to be 3rd and giving a glimpse of some ability. He seemed to have flourished over the summer and very nearly pulled off a win on the opening day when well ridden by 5 kilo claimer and going down to stronger Neeraj Rawal in a fighting finish. Neeraj himself now takes over in the saddle and this improving 4 year old seems to be going the right way and is given a strong chance to go one better.
DAZZLING EYES :- Nicely bred once raced Western Aristocrat filly who was given an easy educative run towards the end of the Mumbai season and is sure to have learnt plenty from that and stripped much fitter. She is a half sister to Splash Proof who has done well in Kolkotta with 3 wins and 5 placed efforts from 11 starts and also Tap Dance who rattled off a hattrick of sprint wins in Western India when catching form. She has been working extremely well and has been solidly prepared for her handicap debut and the yard already pulled off one smart gamble with Harmony Of The Sea. This looks another potential winner in waiting with P. Trevor being booked to ride and a close watch should be kept if there is money for her. Unknown quantity.
BAY OF LOVE :- Tough and consistent handicapper even at the ripe old age of 7 and showed he can still raise a gallop when chasing home Adam's Beginning on the opening day albeit in an older horses contest and in the lower class. Is likely to give it his best again with good apprentice booked but may be up against it in this higher grade and looks vulnerable to the unexposed improvers.
CONCLUSION :- Timeless Deeds was badly hampered on the opening day and would have gone very close with a clear run. She is the tentative selection with the in form Imran retaining the ride. Dazzling Eyes is an unknown quantity who has been working well and has P. Trevor up so she could be the medium of another gamble while top weighted Airlift and improving Auroden also command respect.
Race No. 8 :- The Woven Dreams Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1200M
JEENA :- Solid 5 year old handicapper trained by Nirad Karanjawala who has 22 wins to her name from 24 starts, both victories coming when dropped back down to this mark. She is brought down in the scales each time that she wins and has returned to her mark of success after her last win. This trip is slightly on the sharp side but she is now eased in grade and must be respected in spite of top weight.
SUPER ICON :- Now 6 years of age and has been able to manage just a solitary career victory in 28 starts till date so percentage call is to oppose him. However, he did advertise his fitness by running on to be a good 2nd to Generous Lady on the opening weekend, beating Rich N Rare and Asahi that day. This extra furlong will be to his advantage and he has been working well suggesting that he has maintained his form. He looks in good nick at present and is one to consider each way again.
ASAHI :-Now 8 years old and a veteran of 44 races with only 2 wins to his name. However, it is interesting that he was very heavily backed just before the off over 1000M on the opening day, was in the rear early on but made eye catching late progress to finish just outside the frame. He has a little ground to make up on Super Icon for that run but Sandesh retains the ride and over this additional furlong, he is worth giving another chance to.
DIVINE ANGEL :- Well bred 6 year old mare who has done nothing of note in 7 races till date but has plunged down in the weights as a result and seems to be on an attractive mark at present. She has been working quite well of late and has a good jockey in the form of Neeraj Rawal declared for the first time so although there is a lot to be taken on trust her owner/trainer is very shrewd and if she does come into the betting, then she must not be ignored.
GOLDSMITH :-Another 5 year old who is mainly erratic but took advantage of his plunging handicap mark to record a fluent maiden success on this track last October, easily beating Rich N Rare and Starry Image. He has raced unplaced 3 times in Mumbai but his mark has eased as a result and his recent trackwork has been quite encouraging. He has been handed a very poor draw in 16 but K. Nazil already booted home a winner for the yard from a similar draw last week and he is another who must come into consideration.
RICH N RARE :- The five year old Narendra Lagad ward is still winless from 21 starts and she is becoming quite frustrating to follow, having run well in defeat on numerous occasions but still not obtaining that elusive first win. She again finished 3rd to Generous Lady on her last start and the switch from Dashrath Singh to her regular rider N.B. Kuldeep may not be a bad one. She is another who is sure to pop up on one of these occasions but catching her on the right day will be tough.
CONCLUSION :-Like most of these older horses Class V contests, it is well left alone from a betting standpoint. A tentative recommendation is Asahi who was well backed last time out and finished on very late over 1000M. Super Icon and the unexposed Divine Angel also are worthy of consideration .
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
