Bangalore Selections 09/07/2016

Race 1: Twice failed favourite Roaring Thunder with a switch in jockey is in contention. But the low rating of 21 does not inspire confidence and may fail again as favourite. lightening Strikes who finishe 24 lenghts in arrears to the winner in his last start and a no hoper in this race. Similarly the front runnimg tactics of Nazailla does not cut much ice since available vidence suggests she finally finihes at the back end of the field. The one who catches our attention is Bharath Queen who has finished 3rd behind Star Cracker in one of her starts .

Race 2:  While all the attention will be focused on Shining Magic who goes into this with a massive switch in jockey and 18/10 in odds as compared to 60/1 with Naveen aboard, and Honour vying for attention with Blinkers on this time the one that appeals to me is Vicious Circle who satisfies all my handicapping theories like Bottom-up, beating younger horses in previous run etc and rated 43 (Pucca clas theory).

Race 3:  This race is a difficult one to decipher in that Rocket Man, Spiritual Act, Bolts Colt & Sea Dove are all in with a chance. But my vote goes to Rocket Man who has been under steady preparation in training tracks with some notable work outs (rare for Class V horses).

Race 4:  Shield Of Achilles has shown enough potential while skipping clear of the field in his last start and is considered a good type of youngster is my choice though I am little wary of Amber Crown who surprised many in his last start and may do so again.

Race 5:  Avant Garde   is the one I expect to score in this race eventhough there are some good horses like Thomas More & In The Sunrise in the fray.

Race 6:  I am passing over all the fillies in this race as I have evidence that fillies find it difficult agaisr colts and geldings in this type of races so Sateelite & Starlet are out of my selection. Among the geldings I suspect Auriga may need a race run this season before succeeding, Pentagram & Machiavellianism have got their form line blunted,the race could be between last start surpriser Shivalik  Star & Bold Command and my vote goes in favour of the former.

Race 7:  Torrorosso, who has been having eye catching trial tracks, may give a run for the money to the likes of Ashwa Ashoka, Hall Of Famer & Serena Ballerina..

Race 8:   Tactically retained in division 2 of the same class so that she has to tackle only a weaker set of horses, Babhuska is likely to give a quick double to owner, trainer & the rider.

All the best..

My impressions for today’s (02/07/2016) Bangalore races.

Race 1:  Tuscano who seems to have exhibited some sort of form in his last start may get his long overdue win tomorrow. Failing which, Thallasa may pounce on the opportunity.

Race 2:  Just as Tarini did last but one week, High Hawk is likely to repeat tomorrow. The connections will exploit the unexpected form of the horse.

Race 3:  Sans Peur is poised to make it four in a row. If she fails for any reason Vivid Impression is likely to make a winning impression.

Race 4:  Multi App & Storm Ahead ran no sort of a race in their last start, perhaps the the underfoot conditions made it difficult, yet they are in contention. Back if Beyond is a fluent winner of his last start beating younger horses in lower class but has to defy 17 points penalty to win here. Opening Act on the other hand, though also beat youngsters in her last start, has been penalised just 10 points for 3/4 lengths win. This could perhaps decisively tilt the advantage in her favour.

Race 5:  Usually I don't prefer fillies in any race if they reach above 70 rating points as they usually don't progress beyond 80 rating points, unless they are exceptional. But in this race where Sea Fairy & Renee are running, the geldings they face are either out handicapped or too backward. But I am to make up my mind between these two, though Sea Fairy enjoy the advantage of age.

Race 6:  Diamond Green who raced along with Spirit and Truth, Indian Brahmos, Rare and Famous, Fantasy Queen, New Prince, & Jersey Wonder in race number 64 who have all won subsequently is now poised to claim his victory with some steady preparation on the training track.

Race 7:  Spirit And Truth at the bottom of the scale in this class 2 race appeals to me. Bonfire it appears to me the only other contender who can challenge.

Race 8:  As a Favourite Side Winder ran a pathetic race in his last start. Can’t expect any great improvement within two weeks. Therefore, Red Galileo who is showing great promise in his latest spurt in track work, especially with Shan Ben Aari, who finished 2^nd in Fillies trial at Mysore to Anantara, on 25/06/2016 should confidently get this race with positive switch in saddle..

ALL THE BEST..

My Impressions on today’s Mumbai Races, 02-04-2016.

Race 1: The Jehan Numa Plate Div-2 :  Eventhough race is listed as Class % rated 1-26, this race is as good as age group race 5YO & Over. It is a pity that no 4YO has been accepted to run this race. A quick analysis shows that this race has been so designed to give Super Bolt, who was a favourite last start (and was sacrificed in favour of the horse trained by the trainer’s brother), a winning opportunity. The only challenger Secret Oath, who is now entrusted to the rider who rode Super Bolt in his last start, is there to get Super Bolt a decent odds.My fancy Super Bolt.

Race 2: The Diego Rivera Trophy:  When there are just 3 or 4 runners participating in a race winner picking becomes tricky. However considering that Melinda thumped her opposition in class 2 by 5 ½ lengths margin clocking 1:35.91 and the fact that her 3 opponents are running listless races of late she gets my vote to lift this trophy.

Race 3: The V R Menon Plate: Another race in the bottom most category. Allegiance & Charging Empress have finished distance behind the winners in their previous starts and hence stand no chance here unless the other contenders refuse to move out of the gates. That leaves us with 4 other contenders. Jester, is very much in the reckoning due to his consistent performance in this class and distance but the riders record leaves a question mark here. Joy Chinoy has seen the winning post first only twice this season (astride Street Jammer on both occasions), out of 91 rides which is very poor. Diablo is attempting to run the 2000M first time in his career, therefore is suspect here. That leaves us with Secret Flame & Pracs. The former 4^th behind Red Fort in her earlier run and getting a positive switch in Jockey stands a good chance. However my fancy is Pracs who is carrying feather weight and was ahead of both Jester & Secret Flame in one of her earlier start.

Race 4: The J Robinson Plate: I always refrain from predicting the outcome of the results of Maiden 3 yo races especially you have very little information about the real potential of the participants. However it appears that Eiger’s Tiger may hold a slight edge over Imperial Heritage & Synchronicity, who it seems have been getting preparations in the training tracks.

Race 5: The K M Munshi Trophy: An interesting sprint race. Maleficient holds the course record for this distance but is conceding 5kgs to his nearest rival Merchant of Venice who is no mean contender. This gelding in his last start was up in the van till the last furlong was hemmed in between horses and Rathod was unable to extricate him. Golden Belle who was the winner of that race is again in contention but is conceding 5Kg to Merchant Of Venice as compared to his last start. Ravello has always ben there and thereabouts in a 1000M race but I feel he lacks the finishing punch to land the spoils. Incentio is long in tooth and is for the fluke hunters who go by the long odds alone without considering the capability of the horse against its competition. My fancy is Merchant Of Venice.

Race 6: The V P Koregaonkar Plate: The trainer of Stand And Dance it appears has the least interested in getting his wards winning. Perhaps he is eyeing Pune season to perform. Of the three other contenders, Alisha’s Pet, Few Dollars More & Hedwig I am inclined towards the last named since though the first two named have better credentials they may find it difficult to defy the penalty they got for their last start winning efforts. My fancy is Hedwig in this race.

Race 7: The Jehan Numa Plate Div-1: Looks like a minefield this race. But considering Golden Glory was a failed favourite in one of her earlier starts, this weak field may allow her to break away from the maiden rank at 6 years of age.

Race 8: The Ahmed I Rahimtoola Trophy:  Again a maiden race for juveniles. Mustang who is an half brother to Maximus is my fancy here.

Race 9: The Jayant M Shah Plate: A race for class 4 horses 5YO & over always throws some surprise results. For me among all contenders Arsenal who was a facile winner in her last start has been well placed to score an encore in the hands of the apprentice S A Amit.