Selections for 23rd August, 2008 - Pune Races

Hi folks,

Trainer Bezan Chinoy's ward Taanush, appeals most in the Rajaram Chhatrappati Trophy (1,800m),the main event which wears an open lookto be held here on Saturday (Aug.23). Taanush is better placed than his rivals in the Rajaram Chhatrapati Trophy and even though has disadvantage of a run, has won in Mumbai over the same distance in smart timing in the present class.

Madamme Bijoux with apprentice jockey N.S. Parmar astride appeals good in the supporting event of the day The Rose De Bahama Trophy. My rest of the selections for the day are as follows:

Race No.1 : Red Dawn 2) Hitz 3) Born To Lead

Red Dawn finished a good 3rd to Pacemaker over 1000mts when finishing on from the 5th position at the bend and even though was outpaced by Pacemaker, the extra furlong should go his way. Earlier at Mumbai in RNo.222 was always racing ahead of Born To Lead inspite of conceeding marginal weight. Also taking into account the running of Born To Lead last outing wherein it lost a certain race due to feeble handling of Nadeem Aalam, it looks difficult for Born To Lead to score over Red Dawn. At best it can fight for minor placings alongwith Hitz and Master Craft.

Race No.2 : Golden Grace 2) Sierra Vista 3) Sioux Chief

Since the youngsters are making their debut and no form to go by, the recent track performance of Golden Grace and Sierra Vista is worth taking note of and hence they are expected to give a bold show. By all means an avoidable race.

Race No. 3 : Madamme Bijoux 2) Personal Point 3) KataniaMadamme Bijoux twice took charge till distance and weakened to finish 2nd over the trip, can do better with additional drop in weight. Personal Point even with the positive jockey switch on and having shown in the recent trials that she is in a forward condition, has no recent form to go by. Katania also comes next in contention having good initial speed and will definitely add spice to the finish. One can safely eat the favourite in average quantity.

Race No.4 : Real Dream 2) Accumulate 3) Calypso Queen An avoidable race from the betting angle. Real Dream is fancied solely because of Numerological factors as it is having a strong force of No.4 from all sides which generally wins. Hence one can safely bet each way. Else one can eat the jodi of Secre Talk and Calypso Queen as many runners are in the contention.

Race No.5 : Taanush 2) Aquadisiac 3) Kingdom of LoveTaanush has won at Mumbai over the same distance and in the same class in a smart time. Whereas Aquadisiac has yet to prove its mettle over the mile distance and in the present class. Being an odds on favourite is not worth taking a chance instead one should eat. Taanush with a marginal increase in weight in the present class has a bright chance to score. One can safely bet each way.

Race No.6 : PTOLEMY Needforspeed 3) WahyPtolemy finished good close 3rd from the 5th position at bend to Sparta over 1200mts. Has escaped the handicapper' s view for that run. If allowed to run start to finish in its customary fashion as exhibited at Mumbai wherein it won, I am sure both Needforspeed and Wahy will finid it difficult to catch. Wahy though an impressive winner at Mumbai in the present class, has been penalised for that victory and has disadvantage of a run. Hence another eating propostion for the day. Ptolemy holds an edge over Needforspeed and Wahy and in fact appeals as the days best proposition.

Race No.7 : Nara 2) Touch Of Land 3) Rags To RichesAn open race wherein most of the runners have poor form to go by. Nara for the first time jumped out awkwardly in its last outing for some unknown reasons and got planted at the gates. Twice failed favourite if jumps level should score here. Earlier runs were impressive wherein she has come from the last position and finished on. Touch of Land was not stretched in both her outings this season and is now running in a handicap race. Tracking well but still one cannot take chance on playing as an odds on favourite. Also it has yet to travel 1400mts. Instead one can take a chance on eating the same.

Days Best : PTOLEMY

Good Double: Red Dawn and Ptolemy

Good luck to all and please be extra cautious where favourites are concerned as on paper as per the odds looks easy but in realty they can be beaten.

Thanking you,

Jimmy