From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 8th April 2018 - By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 08 Apr 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Sunday, 8th April 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Sion F. Nessim Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1600M
SPONTANEOUS EDDIE :-Well bred gelding from the ImtiazSait yard who is now 7 years old and has only managed to win once in his 23 starts so far. He has been out of form for a long time but has come down considerably in the weights as a result and showed that he was starting to look well handicapped last time out when he finished on well over 1400M to be runner up to Flower Dust although he was 8 lengths behind the winner. The extra furlong should be to his advantage and if building on that last effort, he can get involved here. Out station rider Deep Shankar is an interesting booking and he looks one to consider seriously here as he has current form to his name.
HIGHLAND WIND :-Nicely bred 4 year old gelding from the yard of Rehanullah Khan, this Excellent Art gelding has run 8 times till date and has looked to be finding some form in his last few starts. He made a satisfactory reappearance this season in January over course and distance finishing 3rd to Arashi and Royal Éclair and followed that up with a close 4th over 1200M behind Checkmate where he was only 2 ½ lengths behind the winner in much better company. Pokerface and Tenerife who were 2nd and 3rd that day have gone on to win subsequently as has the 5th placed Arc Shine so the form looks very strong and he has now been eased in grade into the lowest class. The booking of A. Sandesh for the first time also catches the eye and he looks to have leading claims back up to this trip and seems the most likely winner against mainly older exposed horses.
SIR SONG :- Another aged 7 year old who is a veteran of 39 races and has managed to earn himself 2 victories till now, the last of those coming last time out where he came with a rattling late run to pip the hot favourite Cupido and score over course and distance. He should gain confidence from that win and the handicapper has given him a chance by only penalizing him 4 kilos for the win. Most of his best form has come over this trip and although D.S. Daman replaces Dashrath Singh in the saddle which is a slight negative, he looks to currently be in good form and is expected to make a bold bid to repeat over a trip that suits.
MASTER SERGEANT :-5 year old gelding who comes from the small yard of trainer Vinesh and is yet to taste success in his 15 runs till date. However, like Sir Song, his best runs have come over this sort of trip and he has finished 3rd in two of his last 3 runs suggesting that he is in good form. After finishing a decent 3rd to Snow Blast and Medellin on his reappearance in December he finished a close 5th over an inadequate 1200M in January and then had a break of 2 months, reappearing again in mid March over this trip where he ended up 3rd behind Huzzah’s Grace and Angels Harmony. Out station jockey Hindu Singh has been booked to ride and if building on that last effort, he can be involved although the fact that he is still a maiden is off putting.
WIZARD OF ODDS :- Well bred but poorly performed 6 year old in the care of S.A. Waheed, he has run 23 times so far without success, his best performance being a faraway 3rd over 1800M back in August. He has run 4 times this season and has suggested that he may be finding some form in his last couple of starts, first ending up a late finishing 5th over an inadequate 1000M and then finishing 5th behind Sir Song over this trip last time out. With his rider’s claim he comes out marginally better than Sir Song on the scale, Kunal Bunde has already ridden a winner on the Mahalaxmi track and he although he is totally unreliable, he has the potential to upset and looks the dark horse.
CONCLUSION :-The 4 year old Highland Wind has plenty of positives going for him in this company and is selected to shed his maiden tag. Of the older horses the main dangers appear to be Spontaneous Eddie and Sir Song .
Race No. 2 :- The Sprint Star Plate – Terms Maidens 3 Years Old Only – Distance :- 1400M
BUSHTOPS :-Got abroad 3 year old grey from the M.K. Jadhav yard, he made a very favourable impression on debut when coming with a strong run from the rear and just failing to catch fitter and more experienced Augustus Caesar on that occasion, ending up a creditable 2nd. He has been given almost a month to improve and strengthen up and his subsequent track work has been very encouraging so he looks to have definitely improved. A. Sandesh who rode him that day retains the ride and with normal progression, he very much looks the one to beat and seems set to shed his maiden tag at the 2nd time of asking.
MYSTIC FLAME :- Excellent Art gelding from the powerful stable of Pesi Shroff, he is a full brother to Hudson and comes from a proven family which has produced the likes of Mystic Romance and Southern Emperor. He has just been given a few easy workouts building up to this race and will most likely not be fully fit today. He is entitled to need this educative run on debut and should definitely do better next time out but he looks a promising sort on paper and must be respected with S. Zervan taking the ride.
TRULY EPIC :- Twice raced son of Mull of Kintyre from the in form stable of ImtiazSait, he was given a quiet educative run over 6 furlongs in January where he finished well down the field but was then thought good enough to run in the Breeders Produce Stakes where he finished 7th of 8 runner to Pioneer. He was not disgraced that day and this field looks decidedly easier. Another positive is that his recent track work has been very good suggesting that he has improved from that last run. C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride today taking over from S. Zervan and he is expected to run a much better race today and should be in the firing line.
NON PLUS ULTRA :- This bred in the purple got abroad filly is very highly regarded by her connections being out of English 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach who was a Champion miler in the UK out of an American mare called Willowing and she gave a decent account of herself on her racing debut over what was probably a stiff 6 furlongs when making promising late progress to finish 3rd to Steppenwolf. She is sure to improve appreciably for that run and the extra furlong will clearly be to her advantage. She has been working well of late and with P. Trevor booked to ride today, she looks a danger to all and should be a strong fancy.
XPONENTIAL :-Debutant from the yard of Faisal Abbas who again looks an exciting prospect on paper, by Dean’s Kitten out of a mare who has already produced some well performed individuals. She is a half sister to Antiquarian and Shaktiroop, both of whom finished 3rd in the Calcutta 1000 Guineas as well as the well performed Benezeer and Solitary Eagle. She has been displaying good speed in the morning trials and appears to have been given enough work to be fit and ready on her debut. T.S. Jodha has been booked to ride and in spite of lacking in experience she looks a nice sort and should not be ignored.
CONCLUSION :-This looks a good standard 3 year old contest with many promising types on display. Bushtopswho made an impressive display on debut and looks to have improved and the beautifully bred Non Plus Ultra appear to be the two to concentrate on and they should fight out the finish.
Race No. 3 :- The Ebco Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy (Grade 2) – Terms, 4 Years Old & Over – Distance :- 1600M
WHOMAKESTHERULES :- Tough and classy 5 year old colt trained by MaleshNarredu who has been a loyal servant to connections over the years and overcame injury and hardship to return to his best last time out when scoring a thrilling win in the Super Mile in Kolkottabeating the mighty Castlebridge with New England back in 3rd that day. Overall a winner of 6 of his 15 starts his best form has been in Kolkota where he won the Monsoon Derby, the 2000 Guineas and most recently the Super Mile. He has been working very well since returning to Mumbai but it is yet to be seen if he can maintain that consistency as this was his first victory since his return from injury. Also, his regular saddle partner SurajNarredu is not available and C.S. Jodha takes the ride. He should be a force to reckon with if back to his best and is definitely one of the main contenders.
B FIFTY TWO :- Tough and consistent 6 year old who has a creditable career record of 8 wins from 31 starts with 11 placed efforts to boot and he has won numerous Group Race over distances ranging from a mile to a mile and a quarter with his best distance appearing to be the latter. He likes to control the pace from the front and is usually at his best in small fields where he can dictate the pace so the size of this field may not suit him ideally. He finished a gallant 2nd to Themis in the C.N. Wadia Gold Cup over 2400M last time out and comes into this race in fine trim. P. Trevor who gets on extremely well with him takes the ride and although he should be able to make the running again today, he looks to have a tough ask in this company and may have to settle for minor honours today.
YOUR ROYAL MAJESTY :- Another battle hardened and wonderfully consistent colt, he is now 7 years of age but just does not know how to run a bad race and in a wonderful career spanning 36 starts he has won 11 times and placed 2nd on 10 occasions. His pet distance used to be 7 furlongs but he seems to prefer the mile trip as he has matured. He has been sparingly raced this season, running 3rd to Ruffina and Supreme General in the Darashaw Million and then holding off Costa Del Sol and New England to win the R.N. Kanga Gold Trophy before travelling to Kolkotta and ending up a gallant runner up to Tutankhamun in the Suresh Mahendra Million. He looks to have retained the zest of old still but is slightly worse off with New England on the Terms. He will be ridden today by S. Zervan in the absence of NeerajRawal and is expected to be right there fighting out the finish.
THEMIS :- The sole representative of the Classic generation but one who must be respected and feared, she is relatively lightly raced having had just 12 starts till date and she has finished in the first two in 7 of them winning thrice. She has taken her time to hit full stride this season but currently appears to be in the pink of condition and outclassed and outstayed her rivals to easily win the C.N. Wadia Gold Cup last time out in an excellent time. The drop back to a mile does not appear to be in her favour but she comes into this race at a handy weight and fillies in form are a force to reckon with. A. Sandesh keeps the ride, she has been working very well and looks one of the principal contenders here in spite of the sharp trip.
NEW ENGLAND :-Rapidly improving 5 year old who is very well suited by the Terms of the contest and looks set to earn his first Group race success. Stable companion of B Fifty Two, he is a winner of 6 of his 16 starts and although he has yet to taste Group Race success he has been running creditably in top contests this season. He has already had a busy season running 5 times on this track and comes into this fresh off a fluent win in the R.M. and RukhmaniGoculdas Million over 7 furlongs. He did finish 3rd to Whomakestherules in the Super Mile in Kolkotta but they were at level weights that day and he is now in receipt of 6 kilos. He is slightly quirky and Dashrath Singh rides him for the first time which is a slight deterrent but otherwise on paper he looks to be the one they all have to beat.
SUPREME GENERAL :- 5 year old got abroad from the stables of Karthik G, he is one of the most frustrating 5 year olds in training clearly having the ability to hack it with the best of them as he has shown on numerous occasions but is a veer moody customer and has often disappointed when looking very well placed on the scale. He comes into this race off a 3rd in the C.N. Wadia behind Themis and B Fifty Two and there is no obvious reason why he should reverse that form although the return to a mile should not trouble him. Bhawani Singh is up again today and he can upset if in a galloping mood and looks an interesting outsider.
CONCLUSION :-New England looks set to gain his first Group Race success, being very well suited by the Terms of the race but he can be troublesome in the gates and Dashrath Singh rides him for the first time which is a slight concern. If he does get left, then the two battle hardened rivals Whomakestherules and Your Royal Majesty should fight out the finish with the 4 year old Themis also considered in spite of the trip being sharp for her.
Race No. 4 :- The Stylecracker Gold Cup – Class III & IV– Distance :- 1200M
GLYNDEBOURNE :- Lightly raced and progressive 4 year old from the yard of Vishal Gaikwad, she has run only 7 times till date, winning twice, on her debut and most recently last time out when taking advantage over a straightforward opportunity to win from end to end. She has raced exclusively over 1400M till date and this will be the first time that she is attempting a different trip. She showed good speed last time out so should not be too inconvenienced by the sharper trip and A. Sandesh returns to ride her taking over from P. Trevor. She currently appears to be on an upward curve and in spite of the 7 kilo penalty, is strongly fancied to repeat.
MAKINO :- 5 year old handicapper trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, he has run 21 times so far and managed to win on 3 occasions but has been without a win in his last several starts. His last win came over this trip back in July off a mark of 52 so he is slightly higher up in the scale now. He has run 6 times this season over varied trips without much success but looked to be finding some form last time out over a sharp 1000M where he finished on to be 4th to Priceless Girl. C.S. Jodha has been booked to ride today and he looks to have each way claims back up at this trip and should be involved in the finish although winning looks tricky against the improving younger horses.
UNTITLED :- Speedy 5 year old gelding from the H.J. Antia yard, he had nothing to show for his first several starts but appeared to be coming to hand towards the end of the Pune season and has really come into his own this term, winning 3 of his last 4 starts and shooting up in the ratings from 19 to 48. All his wins have been over this trip and Hanumant Singh, who was on board for the first two wins returns to replace rookie claimer M. Ayyar who was aboard for his last win. He likes to dominate proceedings from the start, should not be taken on for the lead today and could prove to be extremely dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
BUNTING :- Another lightly raced and potentially unexposed 4 year old from the M.K. Jadhav yard, she has raced only 7 times till date gaining back to back victories in Pune over 6 and 7 furlongs and running an excellent close 3rd to Cambridge and Bottega Louie on her reappearance before seemingly going off the boil in her next 2 starts. She has not run since the end of January so she returns from a short break and may just need this lung opener. N.S. Parmar has been booked to ride today and if returning to her best form, she could trouble them all and looks a dark horse here.
WILSHIRE :-Another improving and progressive 4 year old, this Phoenix Tower gelding was fancied on a couple of occasions in Pune without success but seems to have come into his own this season and may still have some improvement left. His form figures this season read 2-1-3-1 looking a shade unfortunate on both his defeats, especially on his penultimate run when his rider alerted him very late in the contest. He was a decisive winner over Philadelphia and Highland Woods last time out, seems to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and with P. Trevor up again and further improvement not ruled out, his hold up style could see him pouncing late and beating them all.
CONCLUSION :-The race should be between the top weight Glyndebourne and the bottom weighted Wilshire and the latter could prove to be more value at the forecast odds. He has been improving with every run this season and with a strong pace ensured, he could pick them up late on.
Race No. 5 :- The A. Hoyt Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1000M
SOUTHPAW :-Lightly raced and potentially smart sprinter in the making this 4 year old gelding from the stable of Faisal Abbas has only run 4 times till date and returned this season in good form after a long absence following his debut run last April. He was strongly fancied on his penultimate run when going down fighting to Checkmate who went on to win again and he duly made amends next time out over this trip when scoring a comfortable maiden success. Fine Tune and Transform who finished 3rd and 4th that day have both gone on to win so the form looks solid and he is sure to improve again. He only has a 5 kilo penalty to endure and G. Amit claims 3.5 kilos so he is barely penalized for the win. He has drawn a good gate in Stall 4 and looks to have an excellent chance to go in again.
STUNNER :-Speedy 4 year old filly from the Dallas Todywalla yard, she is best over the minimum trip but appears to be currently in the grip of the handicapper. Winner of 1 of her 12 starts, she has made the frame on 9 other occasions so is always on the premises and usually likes to blaze a trail up front. This season too she has run on 4 occasions, finishing 4th thrice and last time out showing a little improvement to end up 3rd to Epiphany. Sandeep Jadhav is a relatively surprising Jockey booking but she appears to have maintained her condition judging from her recent work and is likely to be involved in the finish again today.
MINE THAT BIRD :-Formerly known as Durham Lad, he is returning from a long absence which is presumably due to a setback but was in fine form when last seen way back in December where he got up late to pip Priceless Art and Star Of Thea and score a maiden win over this trip. He was withdrawn on his next intended start in January and has not raced since so has fitness to prove and may just need this outing. Lack of recent trackwork and a very wide draw in Stall 12 are also deterrents and Nirmal Jodhaa replaces A. Imran Khan in the saddle. He has changed hands as well since his last run and is probably best watched today having his first run for his new yard.
WINDCRAFT :- Now 9 years of age and is a veteran of 69 races but still seems to retain his speed and scored a valuable success over this trip in an older horses event a couple of starts ago and has been acquitting himself well since then. He ended up 4th to Beneficial over course and distance last time out with the same rider up and is given a place chance here again today although he has been drawn wide in Stall 11. K. Nazil keeps the ride and he could battle it out for minor honours.
YUTAKA :- 4 year old gelding who is probably better than his overall record of 1 win from 11 starts suggests as he was untried for his first several runs and scored a facile maiden success over 1200M a couple of starts ago in the lower class. He has run respectably in both his starts since, finishing just outside the frame on both occasions and the drop to the minimum is likely to suit. P. Trevor who rode him to victory returns to ride him again today, he has been working well and appears to be the main danger to Southpaw.
ART O WAR :- Speedy but inconsistent 4 year old gelding from the stable of Narendra Lagad, he has won 2 of his 18 starts till date but both those wins have come at a lower level and he has usually struggled to find form in this grade. He has had 4 unplaced runs since winning back in January in Class V and needs to find some more improvement if he is to progress further. Hindu Singh has been booked to ride today and he should be fit enough but again looks to have a small upset chance at best.
CONCLUSION :-The progressive Southpaw is selected to continue his progression and win this with Yutaka the one feared most.
Race No. 6 :- The S.A. Wahid Plate – Class IV & V– Distance :- 1400M
ORION’S BELT :- 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who has been out of form recently but could very well bounce back now. Winner of 2 of her 11 starts she seemed to be in good form during the Pune season, beating Turning Point and Dibaba over this trip back in October before seemingly losing her way. She has been woefully out of form in her 5 runs this season but the first of those was in the Indian 1000 Guineas and she has now been dropped into the lower class. K. Nazil takes over in the saddle claiming a useful 3.5 kilos and if she is able to rediscover her form in this lesser grade then she does have a chance to upset.
ARC SHINE :- 4 year old filly who comes from the small yard of S.N. Joshi but has been running very well and consistently in maidens and after a string of placed efforts, scored a deserving maiden success on Derby Day when coming with a strong run to beat Tenerife over 1200M. She came desperately close to repeating that feat over course and distance last time out and was pipped narrowly by Harmony of the Sea in a battling finish. The 3rd placed Collegium has won since giving substance to the form and the switch from Amyn Merchant to P. Trevor is a huge positive. She currently appears to be in great heart and looks a strong contender to earn herself another success.
QUESTIONABLE :-Nicely bred and lightly raced 4 year old gelding trained by S.A. Waheed he has a nice pedigree and is returning from a break having had 3 quick runs between October and December. Making his debut on the final day of the Pune season he finished 6th over 1000M and was again unplaced when turned out early in the Mumbai season over 1200M but showed some improvement on his 3rd run in December when he ended a close 5th to Democrat on his handicap debut. He has been rested and well prepared since that run returning after a break of almost 3 ½ months and appears to have been judiciously prepared with this event in view. P.S. Chouhan is an eye catching Jockey booking, he has been working well and could potentially be a lot better than his current mark. A paddock check is advised but if looking well, he looks to have strong chance to succeed.
TORETTO :-Another promising and untried 4 year old this one from the yard of Imtiaz A Sait, he too has had 3 runs so far and has been unplaced on all 3 occasions. He has well beaten on his first 2 runs over 1000M but showed a little improvement last time out when upped to 6 furlongs with a good rider up for the first time and finished closer with the field. He is now tried over 1400M, Dashrath Singh has been booked to ride and his recent track work has been encouraging and suggests that he has improved. He is another unknown quantity who is worth considering for an in form yard and looks to have an each way chance today.
PORVI :-4 year old grey filly from the stable of Trainer Vinesh, she is still a maiden after 7 runs but ran her best race yet over a mile last time out when she finished on strongly to be 3rd to Dixieland with the runner up Gold Bond a winner since. The slight drop to 7 furlongs should not be a bother and that run suggested that she seemed to be hitting top form. In form apprentice H. Zeeshan has been booked to ride and if building on that last effort, she could prove to be very dangerous and must be respected
CONCLUSION :-A tricky looking finale but we will stick with the proven form horse Arc Shine who will no doubt benefit from the services of P. Trevor and was unlucky to lose last time out. Questionable appears to have been prepared for this event and will have his supporters with P.S. Chouhan up while Toretto and Porvialso cannot be ignored.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
