BANGALORE SELECTIONS  08/03/2019 & reflections on results.

Race 1:   Coming out of setback of sorts 5yo mare,  Savisa(7), was expected to score in her last start, but unfortunately stumbled badly at a crucial stage and thereby extinguishing all her chances there. Now entrusted to top rider should get this race as favourite. If for any reason, dubious or otherwise, she fails then Dallas, Turf Prospector, Jersey Storm or Tiger Returns may have chances in that order of preference.

Results & Reflections:    Savisa won at 4/1 odds. Tiger Returns ran a game race. Savisa will come on after this race having seen the winning post first after a setback. Tiger Returns now got exposed and the gamble failed, will bide his time. Forget Jersey & Turf Prospector till they improve gate manners. Dallas was in the vanguard in first half of the trip, note in a similar set with positive switch in saddle.

Race 2:  David Allan choosing to ride Well Connected (11) over Lady Of Fame(8), the full sister to the illustrious Sir Cecil, is an indicator of its better chances. Both are working well. But keep an eye on another Win Legend progeny Winall(12) who has had an eye catching spurt with S John astride in the morning work.

Results & Reflections:    With the withdrawal of Paddy’s horses Electra used the opportunity to notch up victory and very well at it. Winall had an educative race run.

Race 3: The race has a seemingly good contest between Ninon(2), Fiorenzo(3),Limato(5) & Love Is Life(8). LIL if wins, then it is a made up race bidding farewell to 9yo, but ability wise difficult. Fiorenzo was withdrawn for lameness last start, discounting his chances a great deal. Ninon is a higher class runner finishing within a length to the winner in her last two starts and has a very good chance with her regular rider. But after watching Limato winning his last start without being fully extended and clocking the same timing as Ninon in higher class encourages me to nominate him to score an encore.

Results & Reflections:    The intentions from the connections of Limato appeared to be place money and the rider did not attempt for victory. Kept far behind came up well after the race has been well & truly sewn up by Ninon. The race panned out accordingly. Other runners lack ability and should struggle in this class. Third placed Noble Splendour can pick up a race in the lower class if placed judiciously in summer.

Race 4:  As per the pattern for D2 of class 4 races, only maiden 4yo with the rating of 22 & above should be considered and as such horses 1 to 5 come into consideration. Touch Your Destiny(1), has been within 4 lengths to the winner in his last 3 starts with more reputed riders. Now with a claimer declared and with a finishing timing of around 1:14.15 to 1:14.35 can at best place. Colonel Harty (2) having career first start does not impress with morning workouts and hence cannot be confidently backed. Bella Destiny(4) is a back marker hence ignored. Tio Roco (3) could not clear maiden status in 8 attempts and does not instill confidence despite being entrusted to top rider. That leaves us with Chula Vista(5), who has had an educative run in R 156 and finished just 2.5 lenghts behind Star Man the winner, who can be expected to take this D2 Trophy race.

Results & Reflections:    Chula Vista had every chance in the final furlong but went down like a pricked balloon. The hype surrounding the Win legend progenies are not founded on sound facts. Nor every Win Legend son or daughter will perform well. Tio Roco did well to clear her maiden status.

Race 5:  A difficult race to decipher but if you look at the obvious choice i.e. #4 Nitromax who failed as a favourite in R 69, should make amends with top rider assisting the mare. If you make it complicated, then Maada, Reference, Wild Wild Angels & Colour of Gold come into picture. I strongly advice to keep it simple and go with Nitromax.

Results & Reflections:    This race has brought to light the qualitative difference between the top two riders Suraj & Trevor. Whatever the reputation Suraj is carrying he is one or two notches above Trevor. In the final furlong Suraj proved he is far superior in riding talent. Once he came abreast Nitromax he stopped whipping and rode out hands and heels vigorously at the same time allowing just only that much room on the inside to Trevor. Trevor continued to whip in the cramped space losing the momentum. Clever ride by Suraj. Trevor taking Nitromax on a start to finish is also not helping matters. Perhaps Nitromax is one paced, I am not sure. Although Masada is a year older, her experience of running in higher class has given her the edge over Nitromax and Suraj ride has clearly proved decisive in the end.

 Race 6:  Even though Aesir(7) has strong claims with last start victory in lower class Louisiana has better credentials to claim honours this class 1 trophy race, in my opinion.

Results & Reflections:    Louisiana is suffering from some veterinary issues and also not in good frame of mind it appears by the fact that it was led early to the starting gates but arrived last there. Naoh’s Ark ran a fantastic race but unlucky to be defeated by PSC & Aesir, who has responded tremendously in the final 50 metres. Both have clocked excellent time.

Race 7:   As per the pattern for D1 races of class 4 races, maiden 4yo horses with a rating of 27 & above generally wins with rare exceptions. On this score Armin(1) stands tall with Great Celebration(12) likely to finish faraway 2^nd.

Results & Reflections:    Armin proved me right even though there were lot of jostling in the race. The win was not fluent though. An 8yo almost caught him. Nothing much can be read from this race on his potential.

Race 8:    In this class 2 race it is very difficult to choose between Shesmyscript(7) & Velocidad(10). Iam sticking my neck out in favour of the former, who is a first start maiden winner and has graded race experience against the latter who needed 4 runs to shed his maiden status.

Results & Reflections:    Shesmyscript has vindicated my faith by winning the race in no uncertain manner. If campaigned in a terms category next start can be followed.

Race 9:  Most challenging race of the day. Secret Superstar(5) has clocked 1:12.64 which is class 2 winning time. Aceros (9) has beaten the former when they met in lower class. Sahara(7) has been highly thought of by the connections initially that they entered her in Hyderabad & Cheenai classics but now taking handicap route is not far behind in potential. And finally Sun Power in his 12 th start may suddenly sprout wings. My vote goes to Sahara(7).

Results & Reflections:    Secret Superstar has reproduced the last start form by winning this race nicely. Baymax was gallant in defeat. Nazerul Alam on Sahara took her on a world tour, and finished 2.75 adrift the winner, finally. Aceros was not interested in the proceedings as was Sahara but the rider of the former is an experienced one and did not exhibit it in the race but Nazerul Alam did. All these 3 horses will get their turn eventually.