Keen contest for mid-day Trophy

Representational Pic

The seven-race card slated for Saturday opens with a Class II event over the shortest trip of five furlongs (1000m), named after your favourite newspaper: the mid-day Trophy.

Despite there being only four runners in the fray, the race promises to be an exciting contest as three of the four--Midnight Express, Esperanza and Cellini--have given proof that they can shoot from the gates like rockets from the launcher.

The four-year-old filly Midnight Express clocked her career's fastest time exactly a month ago on this track; the nine-year-old Cellini, who had an excellent rehearsal in the last start is now stepping down in class and getting a positive jockey switch; and Esperanza, who comes out of a compulsory ban of four weeks after having bled when racing as a 10/9 on favourite, is claiming a crucial five kilos in the hands of apprentice rider Ramswarup who of late seems to be handling his mounts with much more maturity than expected of a rookie.

I expect Cellini to prevail over Esperanza and Midnight Express in a close finish.

First race at 1.10 pm.
Selections:

Mid-Day Trophy (Class II; 1000m)
Cellini 1, Esperanza 2, Midnight Express 3.

Indiarace.com Cup (For 4y&o, Class V; 1400m)
Lord Murphy 1, We Still Believe 2, Taabir 3.

Racingpulse.in Trophy (For 5y&o, Class V; 1000m)
Maysara 1, Etoile 2, Mirae 3.

Times Of India Trophy (Class I; 1400m)
Shambala 1, Market King 2, It's My Time 3.

Hindu Trophy (For 3y, Maidens; 1000m)
El Moran 1, Trail Blazer 2, Lightning McQueen 3.

Free Press Journal Trophy (Class III; 1600m)
Giacomo 1, Rosario 2, Vincero 3.

Race Mirror Trophy (For 3y, Maidens, Class IV; 1400m)
Phantasmique 1, Jackson 2, Miracle Of Hanukah 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: Phantasmique (7-4)
Upsets: Arbitrage (2-1)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 2,3,4,5,6,7
Jackpot pool: 3,4,5,6,7
Treble pool: 4,5,6
Tanala pool: All races