Newspaper THE HINDU was my racing lifeline in the period of seventies, eighties and well till the dawn of last century/millenium. I am still a fan of this newspaper. MR S RANGARAJAN was a person who was a good newspaper man , a keen sports follower, owner of thoroughbreds and responsible for ensuring the best horse racing coverage in the country till he lived. Todays feature race is to commemorate his big contribution to the sport.
1. VIJAY VAISHNAVEE is a fine stayer who was laid low with problems, has tracked fit. RIO ROJO is on a winning streak and has beaten ALAMEDA at level weights finishing on, has a fine chance to do it again.
RIO ROJO(3)-WIN
ALAMEDA(4)-PLACE
2. SILVASSA had come up nicely to stride away for an impressive win, has a fine chance to repeat as she looks superior to PRUDENTLY PERFECT on comparison.CASH FOR RANK may ind the distance hard to get.
SILVASSA(2)-WIN
PRUDENTLY PERFECT(3)-PLACE
3. WESTERN WIND is a money spinner having done well in all outings over varying trips, last run was a good effort. MIRACLE KING destroyed the opposition literally in last run, maintains form in tracks. CHARMING BEAUTY has come up with back to back wins.
MIRACLE KING(5)-WIN
WESTERN WIND(3)-PLACE
4. CASH LANDING has not been able to win so far, has scope to go all the way in this category.NEW COMER is shaping well in tracks.PENTHESILEA is from an ordinary sire, has improved in works. YES BABY is a front runner who has to handle youngsters, has fine form.
CASH LANDING(1)-WIN
YES BABY(7)/PENTHESILEA(4)-PLACE
5. CITY OF HARMONY never gave any anxious moments and won all the way in a facile manner, may repeat. ASHWA RAFTAR may need more ground, was coming up well in last run. GANGADHAR was sent over an uncomfortable mile, is basically bred for sprints. BIG FLASH impressed with a rattling win , has come up in category.
CITY OF HARMONY(1)
ASHWA RAFTAR(5)/ GANGADHAR(7)-PLACE.
6. ROCK BABY ROCK has been tracking notably and impressed in gates. BHARAT KING has a short fuse, rookie on top can place. VIJAYS DELIGHT was offered measly odds and obviously was not interested, failed favorites should not be backed in next run if odds are meagre, has a chance to rebound. WINE N DINE can win if odds suit the connections, last run was notable.
ROCK BABY ROCK(1)-WIN
VIJAYS DELIGHT(3)/ BHARAT KING(2)-PLACE
7. ISLAND BIRD and DELTA FORCE need more ground for effect. TOKYO BLOOM was given a shabby ride in winters, is speedy and has trained well in tracks. PICTURE PERFECT won under the hard ride from an experienced rider, rookie may not be ideal for getting the same finish. MANOGAMINI has improved a lot since easy run.
MANOGAMINI(5)-WIN
PICTURE PERFECT(4)/ TOKYO BLOOM(3)-PLACE.
8. Someone should tell the trainer that CARNIVAL EXPRESS is not bred for sprints, i'll be surprised if she wins. ASHWINI sprinted ahead till the furlong post, rider repeats. MAN OF SERIES is from one of the weakest sire standing in the country. AMAZING WEAPON is the oldie who has a chance.
ASHWINI(3)-WIN
AMAZING WEAPON(9)/ MAN OF SERIES(5)-PLACE
9. FULL OF LIFE finished on strongly and rookie repeats but over a sprint, drop in distance be factored. SEFARINA is still a maiden, has improved a bit with runs. JEMSTAR also has to tackle shorter trip, not ideal for finishers like her. BRIONI had run a hard race against ROYAL RAJKUMARI earlier, has a chance.
BRIONI(5)-WIN
FULL OF LIFE (1)/ JEM STAR(3)-PLACE
DAYS BEST====RIO ROJO