Bangalore Races 20/05/2017

Race 1: The Lady Gibraltar Plate

Master Glory: This 7YO is entered in this race to maintain racing fitness with a view to compete in 5YO races later and has no scope in this open class IV race.

Internal Affair & Thunder Squall: Both these horses have come down a class after competing in higher class in last start, in a million race, and were adrift the winner by only 2 ½ & 4 lengths adrift the winner of that race. Both have an outside chance in this whip less race. But age is against both and one of them could finish in the frame. Can’t be fancied for a win however.

Amazing Love: Had finished disappointing second to In To The Spotlight as a favourite in his last start almost a year back. Obviously something has gone wrong since he has to be shifted to different stable. Very difficult to fancy in his reappearance after a long gap.

Blazing Faith: Eventhough finishing closer to the winner in his last three starts it is unrealistic to fancy him here as he is a 5YO now competing in open class whereas her better performances came in his own age group races.

Galino: With D Patel declared to ride even the connections are not aiming to win.

Majestical: Single 3YO accepted to run in this class IV race. Has not performed a great deal in his previous 3 starts but has run in some prestigious races. This aspect coupled with the fact he is the youngest in the fray should make him the obvious choice. And he is certain to live up to this expectations.

Happy Dancing: A back marker in every sense should trail the field.

Race-2 : The Astounding Plate Div-2

Wrekin:  This long in tooth runner whose last start was in higher class, is accepted to run to gain experience with superior runners and also in a mission to reduce rating points so that can make a winning or place attempt in age group race. Not today.

Sharnolen:  This no hoper has been running races consistently finishing way behind the winner and has nothing to show any improvement and can’t win this race.

Golden Success: Was withdrawn last start in August 2016 due to lameness in left fore. Has skipped the entire winter season. Not here.

Precious Moments:  This is the first career start for this daughter of BECKETT, one of my favourite horses. Even though the solitary morning work published appears to be very good, cannot fancy here. Must have had some set back early in training for the belated debut.

Ramon: This 5YO does not hold any promise. Consistent backmarker.

Zafrina: Should run at cramped odds as a favourite in this race. This highest rated maiden 4Yo has disappointed many times before but I reckon should get it right this time with expanding odds at race time. Not worth a bet if odds are around 6/10 are thereabouts. Morning work do not show any great improvement however.

Love For Life:  With a last start second in Lower class B class I would not fancy this runner in this race especially when she is forced to run in this class. A word of caution though, if for any reason the favourite loses then I would not be surprised if this runner emerges victorious.

High Profile: Is a 5YO who was a fluent winner of B Class, but broke his blood vessel and finished 25 lenghts behind winner in his last start. Will be closer to the frame but difficult to win in this race.

Hidden Deal: This 6YO runner is accepted to run in this race has very little chance to make it to the winning post and could be aiming to use this experience in order to attempt a win in lower class later in the season.

Cashmere: This last start winner of a B class race does not inspire much confidence with the rider declared to guide her fortunes. Must be planning a coup in lower class later.

Finally it is #7 Zafrina may not get a weaker set to shed her maiden status. If she fails it is racing!

Race 3: The Southern Empire Trophy

            In this maiden race for 3yos ,only 3 horses come into reckoning either by the weight of their earlier performance or by the latest track trials. They are Shaman, Castanea & So Mi Dar. Castanea may grab the trophy since Shaman is expected to fail by the sheer weight of expectations.

Race 4: The Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Cup

       Taking advantage of the drop in rating by 6 points the last start winner of the same class Gypsy has excellent credentials to annexe this trophy race though tough competition could emerge from Top Striker & Siobhan both of he has conquered in his last start win. The joker in the pack is Havelock Princess.

Race 5: The Karnataka Police Cup

            Rafa who is a last start winner of the same class and now running with an advantage of 6 points drop in rating for season change is the one to be beaten, especially with a positive change in the saddle from PSC to YSS. Magistero is out of reckoning with drop in distance from 3000M to 1400M.  Spirit And Truth and Royal Sceptre goes out of contention due to the riders inferiority.

Race 6: The Kunigal Stud Plate

            In this race for 5YO & over in Class 3 Shining Magic who finished 3^rd in higher class in his last start and Mariko who was not far away from the winner in same class in her last start are vying for attention in the betting board. Mariko especially with massive change in the saddle from Ajinkya to Suraj could end up favourite at race time. But I am impressed with Rare And Bold who finished second in his last start ahead of Mariko and advantageously placed in scale today and gets my vote.

Race 7: The Dupont Plate

            Areca Cruise who failed as a favourite in his last 2 starts gets my nod ahead of Star Comrade (Mumbai import), Tanoura & Lamrei.

Race 8: The Astounding Plate Div-1

            Dagobert who has been closer to the winner and who is still a maiden should win this race from the likes of Tamara, Cool Springs & Girl With Pearl.

Best of Luck..