MUMBAI Sunday, January 16 , 2011

A 9 race card with few competitive races. 

Race1.  Rob N Rob(E/W), Grey Phantom.  Upset:  Swoosh

The 7 horse race, where the race is between only Rob N Rob, Grey Phantom, and Swoosh. The handicap of Swoosh is very stiff, with C.Rajendra riding will go flat out, but winning will be very tough. Grey Phantom is running after a long layoff, last time broke blood vessel, is a fast horse, tracking well as well, and with Suraj to ride has a fair chance. Rob N Rob is running a class race for the first time, always ran with better companies in terms race, if fit enough should win at this handicap.

Race2. Silk cut Upset:  Flying Kiss.

A 3 year old maiden race. Silk cut is bred for speed, tracking ok, will need the run. Black Magic Woman ran well last time out, would have come up a lot after last run, but tracks are not very impressive. Flying Kiss, is out of Kiss of Luck, which was a proven horse over 5f race, tracking well, can upset. Sprauncy, tracking very well, but does not look a contender, mainly because of Jockey.

Race3. Solor Upset: Mia Stella

A four horse race for the mile and a half trip. The pace of the race will determine the final outcome of this race.  Solor ran well last time under the same jockey. S.Pasquier is a specialist in this distance, is the best jockey for this distance, which might enable Solor to pull off an upset. Mia Stella has improved a lot, will fight surely. Forever amber won a race in Pune of similar distance, but today’s competition if different altogether. Camacho can win, is at the best handicap, but difficult to judge its staying capability. The true potential of the horse may come out in this race as it failed miserably in last race.

Race4. Ares.

Race5.  Our Chieftain(E/W), Incognito, Mountain Glory Upset: Aidan(E/W)

The 3 year old Juvenile million. A race which has lot of good quality horses, and winner picking won’t be easy. The draw, luck of race, and Jockey competency may finally decide the race. Aidan won very well in Bangalore, one of the best horses Khaitan has in his lot for this year. Will like the Mumbai straight, but relative jockey merit is a concern. Crown Rule won very impressively last time, is tracking well, but the quality of horses running today looks far better. Can place at most. Our Chieftain is a good type, last time lost only due to Jockeys incapability, the Jockey change is very positive for the horse, the step up in distance will also help. Tracking well as well will make a race of it for sure. Incognito, has improved a lot, ran well last time, will relish the step up of distance as well. Warms up little late, but looks like a good fighter. Mountain Glory, last run was good, with R.Hughes to guide its fortune, will be there.  Zorba, is very well bred, will relish step up of distance but is not well prepared for today’s race.

Race6.  Tell Me More, Aston Martin, Tzigane Upset: Visionaire

The main contenders are Tzigane, Aston Martin, and Tell Me More. Tzigane last run was mighty impressive, the handicap is good, and with Prakash to guide it will be there. Aston Martin lost narrowly to Premier Connection, today is better handicapped, will be one to watch. Tell Me More, has not run to merit for some time, the Jockey change shows the intent today, will be hard to beat today. Gamba can only hope to place. Visionaire’s handicap is very good, tracking well as well can surprise.

Race7. D'artagnan, Arts, Forest Flair Upset: Violetta.

A 6f sprint class I race, having genuine sprinters. Forest Flair is a genuine sprinter, very speedy, was unlucky in last race can make amends here. Arts, another classy horse, can make all run, ran very well in Pune, with Hughes to guide it will make a race of it for sure. Celestial Way is good for 7f in this class, no chance in 6f in this set. Violetta had a mighty handicap advantage over Forest flair last time out, seems to have improved after that run, can run well. D'artagnan was sluggish in last run, has been trimmed fit after last run, with Sylvester to guide, will be the one to beat surely. Scholar, though at a very good handicap, is not in the same league as the other horses.

Race8. Berlusconi, Ocean and Beyond, Beautiful Stranger Upset: Star Warrior

The main race of the day THE RAMNIWAS RAMNARAIN RUIA GOLD CUP (GR.2), which often provides us with the contenders for The Indian Derby.

Beautiful Stranger: Last run was not very impressive, the tracks are impressive, is bred to stay, will relish the 2000m distance.

Berlusconi : Last run came too early for it, has improved a lot after last run, the distance will suit it just fine, has got good turn of feet, with S.Pasquier to guide it will be tough to beat.

Macchupicchu: Last run was disappointing; the trip will test its staying capability. I think it won’t stay the trip.

Ocean Admiral: Bred to stay, so distance won’t be an issue.  Is it classy enough? No. Can only place if others tire out.

Ocean And Beyond: Has nothing to prove, with Hughes to guide, will be a one of the main contender.

Star Warrior: A very speedy horse, well rested, if Srinath rides as competently as one of those foreign jockeys, can surprise a lot.

Strategic Change:  It is bred very well, but somehow couldn’t live up to the expectations set very early in career. No chance today.

Su Chaliyo: Most underrated horse of all horses here, a slow pace race will make its task easier as it has good turn of feet.

Race9. Adallia, Tudor regent, Leap Of Faith. Upset : Kite runner

The race is between these 4 horses only. Note Kite runner for any upset.

All the best and have a good day.