From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 13th December 2018- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Posted on - 12 Dec 2018
From the Horses Mouth - Race form Analysis Guide for Thursday, 13th December 2018
- By Cyrus Naterwalla
Race No. 1 :- The Beautiful Stranger Plate – Div. II – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
FIRE FLAME :- 3 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad who has already had a quite a busy time having run 13 times till date and she gained her maiden success on her penultimate start over this trip where she edged out Bohemian and Silver Cap in a fighting finish with J. Chinoy in the saddle. She had a lung opener on the opening day, finishing 6th to Blitzkrieg and that should put her spot on for this race. Her win came off a mark of 18, she is now rated 25 and Vishal Bunde who rides today claims a further 3 ½ kilos in the saddle so she is running at practically the same mark as her win. She has gotten a wide draw in Stall 10 but seems to be taking on a relatively weak field and looks to have a strong chance to add another quick bracket to her record and looks one of the main fancies here.
NAME OF THE GAME :- 6 year old veteran mare from the small stable of C. Rajendra who has run 28 times so far, winning on 2 occasions in the past. She was a very speedy sort in her younger years and both of her wins were pillar to post affairs the last of them coming in September 2017 so it has been a while since she has won. Her last decent effort came exactly a year ago when finishing 3rd to Backstreet Bay over 1200M and she has been sparingly raced in the last 12 months. She needs to prove that she retains her old ability but has come back down to a handy mark and M. Ayyar who has been riding well of late and claims 3 ½ kilos has been booked to ride. She too has been drawn in Stall 9 but is given an each way chance if she bounces back to form.
OUTSTANDING :-4 year old filly trained by S.K. Sunderji who seems to have recently come to hand and is a winner of 1 of her 17 starts. She took plenty of time to come to hand and did nothing of note in her first several starts but seemed to finally hit form during the Pune season, finishing runner up to Lesrel over 1200M and then going on to score an overdue maiden victory over this trip beating Rising Concert by 1 ¼ lengths. She ran poorly next time out when upped to 1200M but showed improvement on the return to this trip, ending up 3rd on the opening day, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Fire Flame who was 6th. She appears to be working well since that run, R. Ajinkya retains the ride and in this company, she looks to have an excellent chance to return to winning ways.
FINANCIER :- Very interesting and lightly raced 4 year old filly who began her career with C.D. Katrak before moving recently to Noshir Cama and she is still a maiden after 10 starts but has yet to be seriously tried and has been brought down in the scales to a very workable mark. She hinted at some ability on her last run on this track when finishing on leisurely to be a disinterested 3rd to Bohemian and has been given 2 easy runs in Pune. She appears to be well placed on the scales at present, has P.S. Chouhan in the saddle and looks good enough to score off her current mark especially if there is some money for her today.
MACGYVER :- Another untried 4 year old, this one trained by S. Waheed who has tumbled down in the weights with a string of poor efforts and finished 6th behind Fire Flame when last seen in Pune. Overall unplaced from his 11 runs so far, he appears to be fancied today as good apprentice K. Nazil has been booked to ride, replacing S.G. Prasad and has been working quite well of late. He has not shown anything on the race track so far so plenty to be taken on trust but he looks well handicapped and looks capable of being involved. Good outsider who looks more of a place candidate today.
FOREVER FREE :- 5 year old maiden who comes from the yard of Adil Dajee she too is quite exposed having run 18 times so far over varying trips and most of her form has come over slightly further so she is likely to find this trip on the sharp side. She ran 4 times during the last Pune season finishing 3rd once over 1400M but was not beaten a long way in her 2 five furlong attempts. S.A. Amit who rode her the last twice is up again today and she is another who looks likely to fight it out for minor honours and can make the frame.
CONCLUSION :- A poor contest to get things underway but the unexposed Financier is selected to begin the season on a winning note. She looks to have come down to a very handy mark at present and if in a galloping mood, should be able to tackle this bunch. Outstanding, who has been quite consistent in her last few starts and finished 3rd on the opening day shapes as the main danger while the top weighted Fire Flame too looks a potential danger.
Race No. 2 :- The Desert Lightning Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 2400M
GDANSK :- Solid 4 year old stayer from the yard of S. Waheed who found good form towards the end of the last Mumbai season but has run only once since then and seems to be making his way back from a setback. Winner of 2 of his 14 starts so far, he showed good improvement when stepping up to this distance last season, finishing a close 2nd to Smasher on Derby Day and duly scoring next time out, easily beating Cisticola and Adonijah. He was made a hot favourite next time out but could only finish 3rd to Gold Bond and Happy Birthday again over this trip and was then off the track for an extended period. He still appears to have fitness to prove after the long break and has to concede weight all around but the booking of P.S. Chouhan today suggests that connections are quite serious and although he just may need this run, a big effort is expected and he cannot be ignored.
STAR ALIGNED :- Lightly raced and interesting 4 year old filly from the mighty Pesi Shroff yard who has won 1 of her 4 starts so far and looks open to plenty of improvement yet. Making her debut last Mumbai season, she ran 2 decent races over middle distances but looked vastly improved when reappearing in Pune, scoring a clear cut 3 ½ length win over Daughterofthesun over a mile. However, she ran a shocker when well fancied over 2000M, ending up a very poor 4th to In It To Win It. She was put off and given time to improve since then. The booking of Leigh Roche suggests that she is better fancied than stable companion Cavarozzi today and if finding some improvement for the step up in trip, she has an excellent chance to resume her upward curve.
CAVAROZZI :- 3 year old grey who is a stable companion to Star Aligned and has run 6 times so far with a win and a 2nd placed finish to his name. He has a strong staying pedigree so it was no surprise when after having his first 3 starts over 1200 and 1400M, he showed significant improvement when upped to 1800M, scoring a fighting win over Savage Kingdom and Lambretta and followed that up with a good effort in open company when runner up to Pathan, with some useful types in behind. He tried to make all in the Pune Derby on his last start and understandably finished well beaten but this looks decidedly easier and he should relish more galloping ground. The booking of Akshay though is a bit perplexing but he is a decent judge of pace from the front and he is likely to attempt start to finish tactics. Star Aligned appears to be the yard’s main fancy but he should not at all be discounted and could shock them all if allowed too big a lead up front.
TAR HEEL :- 4 year old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, he has developed into a quite a consistent stayer himself and bounced back from a couple of poor efforts in Pune to finish a good 2nd to Tasawwur over 1800M last time out, finishing on well to suggest this longer trip would be within his compass. Overall a winner of 1 of his 12 starts so far, he looked quite progressive finishing a close runner up twice after gaining his maiden success before running 2 poor races in Pune where he may not have been suited by the track. He is tackling this trip for the first time but seems to be in good form and rates as a danger to all with Robbie Downey in the saddle and gaining confidence with every ride.
BRAZOS :-The 3rd runner sporting the Vijay Shirke colours in the field of 6, he is trained by M.K. Jadhav and will be ridden by A. Sandesh. The 5 year old gelding is one of the most experienced in this field having run 16 times so far and took advantage of his lenient handicap mark to score a battling success over Lucky Luciano over this trip on his penultimate start. He was given a lung opener earlier in the season which should give him some added fitness and now returns to a trip which will suit him. He could have a little more room to work with off his current mark although he did bleed after his win last time out so a word of caution is advised while supporting him. Possibilities.
CONCLUSION :- Very competitive in spite of the small field and it may pay rich dividends to take a chance on the 3 year old Cavarozzi. He is bred to stay this longer trip, is likely to control the gallop from the front and should be available at attractive odds. Tar Heel looks to be returning to form and shapes as the main danger while the unexposed Star Aligned has something to prove after a poor last effort and is not guaranteed to stay the trip either so may not be value as she is likely to go off favourite
Race No. 3 :- The Dhun P. Kothavala Cup – Terms, Maiden 3 Year Olds only – Distance :- 1400M
CORMORANT :- Promising looking 3 year old gelding trained by Faisal Abbas who ran most impressively on his debut last season, when just failing to catch Divine Power over 1000M but failed to improve on that performance in his 2 subsequent starts. He was well fancied in the B.K. Rattonsey Million on Derby Day but ran poorly finishing a poor 4th to Dance The Dream. He did not reappear on the track again until late October where he again finished 4th behind Julio Cesaro over 1000M and is likely to strip fitter and improve for that run as he looked rusty that day. He is being stepped up to a middle distance trip for the first time now and is likely to be suited by more galloping ground. Neeraj Rawal takes the ride today in place of S. Zervan and he looks a strong each way contender and should be in the firing line.
LAMBRETTA :- One of 2 runners for the Karthik G stable and presumably the more fancied of the pair with first Jockey A. Imran Khan taking the ride. Winless from 6 starts so far, he was highly tried on the first 2 occasions but ran promisingly over 1800M in Pune, when leading for a long way and just being reeled in late on by Cavarozzi. He ran poorly the next twice though and has something to prove now. He is dropped down to this 1400M trip now and is likely to try and dominate again but is probably best watched today.
VINTAGE :- Exciting looking debutant trained by Pesi Shroff, he is a full brother to last year’s Derby hero Rochester and looks a very promising prospect on paper, making his debut in what looks just an ordinary maiden. He appears to have been well prepared for his first run with plenty of prep work and has also been given 2 Mock Races, one apiece in Mumbai and Pune. While he looked green and inexperienced in his first Mock Race, he was very impressive on his 2nd one where he finished alongside Awesome One travelling on the bridle. It is a bit surprising that first Jockey P. Trevor has opted for Western Front instead of him but he looks a quality prospect in the making and is strongly fancied to score at the first time of asking with S. Zervan booked to ride.
WESTERN FRONT :- Owner mate of Vintage but trained by Dallas Todywalla, this 3 year old son of Strong Suit has been doing some very impressive work in the morning gallops and appears to be vastly improved from his 2 Pune runs where he finished mid field on both occasions. He has probably strengthened up and improved over the past couple of months and it looks significant that P. Trevor has opted to ride him from among the 4 runners owned by Shapoor Mistry and Pallon Mistry in this contest. He looks likely to make a bold bid to succeed if reproducing his excellent track work and looks a strong contender to score
CONCLUSION :- The Manjri Horse Breeders appear to have a very strong hand here, fielding half of the field and full brother to Derby winner Rochester, Vintage is selected to make a winning debut for Pesi Shroff even though the first Jockey P. Trevor has opted for Western Front who has been blazing the track in the morning gallops. The son of Phoenix Tower moved very attractively in a recent Mock Race with Awesome One and should get his career off to a flying start.
Race No. 4 :- The Murioi Plate – Class IV & V – Distance :- 1400M
SAWGRASS :- Aged but effective 6 year old mare from the stable of Bezan Chenoy who seems to have a small string nowadays, she has finished in the first two in 6 of her 21 starts so far, winning on 3 occasions mainly over this sort of trip. She seems to reserve her best for the Mumbai track and has been eased in Grade into the lower class after a couple of indifferent efforts in Pune although she did manage one 3rd placed finish. She appears to be up against it taking on some good younger horses and having feeble 5 kilo claimer N.B. Kuldeep in the saddle. She may be going out for an airing today but could run into one of the minor places and bears watching as a rank outsider.
PERPETUAL WINNING :- Improving 3 year old son of Net Whizz who is trained by M.K. Jadhav and was an impressive maiden winner over this trip last season, scoring a 4 ¼ length win over Mount Olympus and was a hot favourite on his Pune debut but could only manage a late finishing 5th to Epiphany. He had one more run towards the end of the Pune season when again finishing on late to be 4th to Grand Tenton but looked to have improved on his first run of the current campaign where he was prominently ridden and ended up a close 3rd to King Khalil and Valegro. He is entitled to improve further for that effort and this field looks less threatening so he is strongly fancied. Robbie Downey takes over in the saddle from A. Sandesh today and looks set to add another winner to his account.
QUEENS BEST :- Beautifully bred but seeming to have a touch of ‘seconditis’ this half sister to Dandified from the Karthik G stable has finished second in 4 of her 10 runs till date but is still hunting for that elusive first success. She managed to make the frame on every occasion during her 4 runs in Pune with her last run over this trip being her poorest effort when ending up 4th to Lorraine. She is yet to convince that she is better suited by this 7 furlong trip but persists with it for the time being and A. Imran Khan who rode her last time out keeps the ride. She needs to show a little more spark over this trip to command respect but is another who could spring a surprise if finding her galloping feet.
BARACK :- Fashionably bred 3 year old gelding from the powerful Pesi Shroff yard, this brother to Bold Majesty ran twice during the last Mumbai season and is now returning from a substantial break having skipped the whole of Pune. 3rd to Iron Age and Pablo on his debut over 1200M, he went on to finish 4th of 6 to Strong Storm over 1400 next time out and was put away and given time to improve since then. He looks likely to need the run after such a long break but has the services of Leigh Roche in the saddle and is dangerous to ignore. A paddock check is advised to ascertain his fitness and he is fully capable of winning in spite of the long absence.
ROGUE ONE :- Much more exposed 3 year old gelding trained by Narendra Lagad, he has run 7 times so far over varied trips without much success, finishing a faraway 3rd on a couple of occasions and in spite of being gelded in between, failed to show much improvement. He ran 4 times during the last Pune season, upped to 2400M last time out but only managing 6th to Brazos. The return to this trip is likely to suit as he has run some of his best races over this distance and stable Jockey Dashrath Singh takes the ride. He looks a handy outsider and can add some pep to the finish if finding some improvement.
CONCLUSION :- With the promising Barack returning from a long absence and likely to be a bit rusty, Perpetual Winning shapes as a decent bet. He finished a promising 3rd on his first run of the season and is likely to strip fitter for it.
Race No. 5 :- The Beautiful Stranger Plate – Div. I – Class V – Distance :- 1000M
BONAFIDE :- Speedy 3 year old filly trained by Deepesh Narredu after having her first couple of starts for father Malesh, and will be ridden by Yash Narredu. She was well fancied for the opening race of the season over this trip but went down fighting to Blitzkrieg by a long neck and stands a good chance to gain revenge today. She has had 5 runs overall, showing a little improvement when dropped to 1000M the last twice and is expected to progress again. She seems to have maintained herself well since that last run and the switch to a full jockey from a 5 kilo claimer is a positive. She looks to be better than her current mark and stands an excellent chance to get off the mark today.
ABRAXAS :- Speedy but exposed 4 year old filly trained by Narendra Lagad, she has managed to win 1 of her 19 races so far, campaigned almost exclusively over 1000M except for her last run where she was tried over 1200M for the first time. She scored her maiden win during the recent Pune campaign but has been struggling under her penalty since then. After being ridden by 5 kilo claimer in her last several starts, it is a positive that Dashrath Singh takes over in the saddle today. The long Mumbai straight will not be to her advantage but if she has built up some more stamina then she could be a factor today.
BLITZKRIEG :- 6 year old gelding from the yard of Adhirajsingh Jodha who still seems to have zest for racing as he showed on the opening day when getting up late with the same rider up to upset Bonafide who reopposes again. He appears to have maintained his form and fitness since the run and his 4 kilo penalty is somewhat offset by his rider’s claim. He is likely to make a bold bid to repeat and although Bonafide looks likely to reverse the form today, he cannot be ignored and should be involved in the finish.
GOOD THING :- Exposed 5 year old mare trained by C. Rajendra who is trying to find her way back to her best after having had numerous injury problems throughout her career, she seems to have slipped down to a reasonable mark at present and looked like her turn was not far away last time out when finishing a close 3rd to Dance of Fire over this trip with Bonafide back in 4th that day. Overall a winner of just 1 of her 21 starts, she needs to show that run was not a fluke and also has a bit of fitness disadvantage having her opening run of the season. However, she seems to be well placed on the scales and must be respected as a good handicap chance.
NIGHT WATCH :- Interesting 4 year old gelding from the yard of Trainer S. K. Sunderji, he has had 3 runs so far, twice on this track last season and then one run in Pune after an extended absence and has finished well beaten on all 3 occasions. The interesting thing to note is that he has been doing some terrific track work of late with some of the good horses from the yard and P. Trevor has been booked to ride today which looks a huge positive. He has yet to prove that he is not just a morning glory but is unexposed after just 3 starts and if he has come to hand, then he looks well placed to score with tongue strap and blinkers going on today.
ANGEL THEA :- 5 year old mare who began her career as Ice Angel with Bezan Chenoy but failed to win on numerous attempts and was sold into the Narendra Lagad stable. She is still winless from 15 runs so far but looks to have come down to a very handy mark now and has been working very well of late. Off the board on all her 4 starts in Pune she appears to have plenty to prove but decent 3 ½ kilo claimer Vishal Bunde takes the ride and she is not without hope and must be considered.
COMMENTS :- Bonafide looked unlucky to get touched off on the opening day and with the benefit of the run and a stronger rider, he is selected to score now. Night Watch has been working superbly and is an unexposed sort so shapes as the main danger with P. Trevor up while the well handicapped Good Thing and bottom weight Angel Thea are also feared
Race No. 6 :- The Kailashpath Singhania Trophy – Class II & III – Distance :- 1200M
GAZINO :- Well performed 4 year old colt trained by Nosher Cama who looked very progressive during the last Mumbai season but had a disappointing Pune campaign, finishing off board on all 3 starts in spite of being fancied on a couple of occasions. He flopped badly when a favourite on his last start but only managing to finish 6th of 8 to Wild Fire and connections will hope the break will have freshened him up. He has been working well in the build up to this race but looks to be facing tough opposition and has a bit to prove. His regular saddle partner P.S. Chouhan is in the saddle again today but he looks likely to fight it out for minor honours today and winning in this company looks tough.
ANGELS TOUCH :- Another vastly improved 4 year old mare, this one from the in form stable of Karthik G, she seemed to really come into her own during the recent Pune season, winning her first 3 starts in great style over varied trips before being found out over a mile on her last run when finishing a poor 5th to Forest Fairy. All her 3 wins from her 14 starts came during the Pune season and she could very well bounce back from 1 poor effort. The yard’s horses appear to be jumping out of their skins at the moment and with A. Imran Khan in the saddle, she looks a strong each way contender and must come into consideration.
CHARGING TIGRESS :- Aged and exposed 6 year old mare trained by AdhirajsinghJodha, she looks to face a very tough task against the younger horses but has been very well within herself of late and advertised her fitness when finishing on strongly from the rear to be runner up to Wise Child over 1000M. The additional furlong will not be a bother for her and Dashrath Singh who rode her last time out keeps the ride. She is expected to be finishing on late in the day again and looks to have decent each way chances if running upto the same level.
IRON AGE :- Classy looking and very progressive 3 year old gelding in the care of Imtiaz Sait, he has quickly developed into a sprinter of Group Race potential and has won his last 3 starts extremely impressively, barely coming off the bridle in his two 5 furlong wins in Pune and clocking a very fast time in the process. He appears to be in the pink of condition at present and P. Trevor, who knows him well takes the ride. He has a very stiff 7 ½ kilo penalty to contend with for this last win and is upped to 6 furlongs again with the long Mumbai straight a slight concern but is clearly improving with every run and should make a brave bid to keep his unbeaten sequence going
CHAPLIN :- Another vastly improved and progressive 4 year old gelding trained by Dallas Todywalla who had a phenomenal last Mumbai season, with 3 wins and 2 seconds from his 5 starts but seemed to lose his way completely in Pune with 3 poor efforts in as many runs so he needs to bounce back. His recent track movements suggest that he is coming back to his earlier form and Robbie Downey is a nice jockey booking. He looks capable of being involved if returning to his best but does seem to have something to prove now.
LA MAGNIFIQUE :- Also very highly regarded by her connections and was tried over longer distances without success but they seemed to hit the winning formula once dropping her to sprints and she comes into this race bidding for a hattrick after 2 stylish wins in Pune. She defied a penalty in the handicap when recording her 2nd win and seems to be very much on the upgrade at present. She is up a further 6 kilos in the weights now but seems to be in the same form as Pune judging from her recent workouts. Neeraj Rawal, her retained rider is in the saddle again today and she could very well prove to be the fly in the ointment for Iron Age. Strong fancy.
CONCLUSION :- This looks likely to be fought out by the speedy 3 year old Iron Age and the vastly improved 4 year old La Magnifique both of whom appear to be at the top of their game at present. Angels Touch also looked progressive in Pune and is respected
Race No. 7 :- The Vesuvius Plate – Class V – Distance :- 1800M
GOLD MEDALIST :- Steadily improving 3 year old gelding trained by S.K. Sunderji who has finished on board in 5 of his 7 runs so far but is still a maiden and failed to take advantage of what looked a straightforward opportunity last time out when going down by a long neck to Aquarius when firm favourite in a similar contest. He did get going a little late that day so the extra furlong should suit him and P. Trevor who rode him last time retains the ride. However, today he seems to be taking on some more promising and less exposed 3 year olds and is also conceding weight all around so although he is in form and looks to have a good each way chance, place seems a safer option today and he may find one or two too good for him.
SAVAGE KINGDOM :- Lightly raced 3 year old gelding trained by Pesi Shroff, he is bred to want distance and appears to be a long striding sort who showed a little improvement when upped to staying trips and may eventually want even further. He is open to improvement having had just 4 runs so far and went very close to opening his account on his penultimate run over this trip when just pipped on the post by Cavarozzi. He was no match for Roberta last time out upped to 2000M and finished well behind Benevolence that day so looks hard to reverse that form. He looks a touch short on fitness today and may be out for an airing but can be involved in the frame if running upto his best with S. Zervan in the saddle.
BENEVOLENCE :-5 race maiden who was recently sold into Imtiaz Sait’s yard and looks likely to develop into a staying handicapper having showed improved form in her last couple of starts. She looked like she was finding her feet when finishing a faraway 2nd to Roberta but well clear of the other runners and last time out, ended up a close 3rd to Oriana and Gnostic Eyes. She looks to have made further progress judging by her recent workouts and Robbie Downey takes over in the saddle from Akshay Kumar. She looks to be an improving sort and a big run is expected from her today. Strong fancy.
BLUEBELL :- Returning from a little less than a year off the track, this Paco Boy filly in the care of Vishal Gaikwad created a good impression on her racing debut over 6 furlongs last year when given a nice educative run to finish 3rd to Octavius in a good 6 furlong maiden. She presumably suffered a setback after the run which accounts for the extended break but has been well prepared for her reappearance and moved nicely in a recent Mock Race with better quality horses. She appears to have been handed a very lenient opening mark and with Leigh Roche booked to ride, appears to be the one that all have to beat, taking a marked step up in trip though.
RETAINED ASSET :- Good looking son of Sedgfield trained by AdhirajsinghvJodha, he appears to be a bit of an enigma at present having run 7 times so far without a great deal of success. After being tried over shorter distances in his first few runs, he was upped to this trip the last twice and flattered to deceive on both occasions, travelling strongly into the straight on the bridle but then fizzling out very quickly on both occasions. One suspects that he is better than what he has shown so far, he could have found some improvement after the break and will have the services of A. Sandesh for the first time today, who has been riding well for the yard. He looks a dark horse who could spring a surprise at a long price here and should be included in the Jackpot.
BHAKTAWAR :- Another fashionably bred but not completely sound 5 year old gelding trained by C. Rajendra he has run some decent races mixed with some poor efforts in his 9 runs so far but is still a maiden, one of his best efforts coming last time out though when finishing up 3rd behind Aurora Australis and Kalina. He has been working well once moving to this track and Neeraj Rawal is a good jockey booking. He needs to unlock some more improvement to be a factor but is dangerous to ignore and may add some spice to the finish.
CONCLUSION :- A tough finale with several potentially good 3 year olds in the fray but Bluebells looks an interesting sort and could be better than a lenient opening mark, moving well in a recent Mock Race. Benevolence has shown good improvement the last twice and also looks a strong contender while the surprise package here could be Retained Asset and those looking for a fluke could well be rewarded at a double figure price.
