The 2018-19 edition of the Mumbai races is drawing to a close with the final race day of the month on 31st March. This Sunday has been designated as a “Special Race Day,” with a bunch of Class IV and V races on offer. Many of the races feature horses that have yet to win a race in this season at the Mahalaxmi Race Club. As usual, we will be providing our Indian horse racing tips on the two most intriguing races on the cards.
What Are Our Indian Horse Racing Tips For The Weekend?
1. The V R Menon Plate
This is a Class V handicap race reserved for Indian horses. To be eligible, the horses need to have a rating between 4 and 30. With a length of around 2000m, this is one of the longer races at the course. The field is also pretty crowded with nine different horses in the running, all of them yet to win a race in Mumbai. This race does not allow foreign jockeys. Here are our Indian horse racing tips:
– Top Picks
Romanesque – A four-year-old gelding trained by Imtiaz Sait, Romanesque looks to be among the frontrunners in this race. After a couple of unspectacular results in January and February this year, Romanesque finally found itself in the money with a second place finish in the 2000m W Buckley Plate race in mid-March.
Power of Thor – This is a 6-year-old gelding from the stables of Narendra Lagad. The horse is yet to win a race in six attempts so far. However, Power of Thor did manage a commendable third place finish in early March in the 1600m Washington Irvine Plate. Though he only managed an 8th place finish in the last race on 21st March, this gelding could turn up among the places come Sunday.
His Master’s Vice – Trained by Adhiraj Sodha, this 6-year-old gelding is an experienced racehorse with five starts in his kitty. Of those five, he managed to secure third place behind Romanesque in the 2000m W Buckley Plate. If he can maintain his current form, he could prove to be a real handful on Sunday.
Our Pick – Romanesque to win the race if the bookies list him at 5/1. Meanwhile, His Master’s Vice is tipped to finish right behind as a second-place contender, just like in the W Buckley Plate earlier. But Power of Thor could throw a spanner in the works if he can come up with some form on Sunday. So he gets our vote as the long shot choice.
2. The JD & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy
This is a terms race open for all Indian horses above three years of age. At 1600m it promises plenty of excitement with 6 proven contenders in the running. The race card indicates that out of the six, at least three have won races in the recent past. This sets the stage for a terrific contest on Sunday evening. Foreign jockeys are eligible to take part in this race.
– Top Picks
Astounding Bay – With its first victory in the Col Govind Sing Trophy (1600m) happening as recently as 17th February, this colt is certain to be among the favourites for the Sunday race. Born in 2016 and trained by M Narredu, Astounding Bay also has a third-place finish dating back to December 2018. In total, Astounding Bay has a record of 1 win and 1 place in 3 races.
Square the Circle – This colt was one of our earlier picks for the Shapoorji Pallonji Breeder’s Million on February 17th. However, it returned a below-par performance that day with a 5th place finish. But he still has the pedigree and the form to roar back into the top spot on 31st. His last three races went 1-3-5. Therefore, another first-place finish is well within its reach.
Mishka’s Pride – This filly has had a very tidy start to its racing career in 2018-19. She has had two top half finishes in three races so far. Her best performance came in the Forbes Breeders Million on 17th March, where she finished second in a Grade 3 race. With the standard of competition lowered this time around, Mishka’s Pride could easily bid farewell to her win drought on Sunday.
Our Pick – Mishka’s Pride to win the race, if the odds-makers list her at 5/1, based on her performance in a Grade 3 event. Meanwhile, our Indian horse racing tips have Square the Circle as the main contender. Astounding Bay is good for a long shot bet, as he needs to up his game to beat the other two horses to the post.
For all the latest odds on horse races in India and abroad, head to Bet365.com. They even have live feeds on all the races from around the world!
