Gold Bag faces uphill task against formidable rivals

Pune: The Adhirajsingh Jodha-trained Gold Bag, who has reeled off five races in a row including a hat-trick on this track, finally faces an uphill task as the four year old filly takes on a specialist sprinter field from the top class over her pet trip of six furlongs. It doesn't help her cause at all that she will be ridden by a five-kg claiming rookie rider in Daman Singh, and may find herself overwhelmed opposite the judge as Ladybird, Providence, Victorious March, Visionist and Polished Chrome will attempt to go full-throttle in the final lap of the Delhi Race Club Trophy, the prime event of Saturday's bumper ten-race card.

While I would never advise a bet in this race, indications are the eventual winner may emerge from the trio of Ladybird, Providence and Victorian March. The first-named, with advantage of a lung opener and assistance from Trevor Patel, is my choice.

One horse for whom I have been waiting for is three-year-old Uncle Scrooge, and despite the presence of the Pesi Shroff-trained first-timer Shooting Star in the fray, my money will most likely ride on Uncle Scrooge in the upper division of the Classical Act Plate. The MK Jadhav trainee has done a class IV+ rating on debut, and is expected to return to the winner's enclosure unless Shooting Star is in the Classic mould.

First race at 1 pm.
Selections:

Cielo Ray Plate - Div II (V, 1400m)
Zabrok 1, Secret Flame 2, Loveable Locks 3.

Thundering Power Plate - Div II (IV; 1000m)
Imperial Princess 1, Royal Sapphire 2, Locarno 3.

Cielo Ray Plate - Div I (V, 1400m)
Kiss The Star 1, Oreius 2, Midnight Star 3.

Classical Act Plate - Div II (For 3y, maidens; 1400m)
Seahorse 1, Grande Vitesse 2, Heather 3.

Party Whip Trophy (For 2y; 1000m)
Dragon Of War 1, Siobhan 2, Night Fury 3.

Classical Act Plate - Div I (For 3y, maidens; 1400m)
Uncle Scrooge 1, Shooting Star 2, Remember The Time 3.

Delhi Race Club Trophy (Class I; 1200m)
Ladybird 1, Providence 2, Victorian March 3.

Godrej Infinity Trophy (For 3y, maidens; 1000m)
Another Ace 1, Altus 2, Aamerican Agatta 3.

Pelican Double Stakes (IV; 2000m)
Birkenhead 1, Huracan 2, Daishonin 3.

Thundering Power Plate - Div I (IV; 1000m)
Few Dollars More 1, Scarlet Of Hope 2, Passion Prince 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: Seahorse (4-8)
Good bet: Uncle Scrooge (6-6)
Chance bet: Imperial Princess (2-1)
Upset: Gold Bag (7-3)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 5,6,7,8,9,10
Jackpot pool: I - 4,5,6,7,8; II - 6,7,8,9,10
Treble pool: I - 3,4,5; II - 7,8,9; III - 8,9,10
Tanala pool: All races.