After an absence of eight years, Air Mauritius are back as sponsors of the Gr1 Maiden Cup for the 164th renewal of the island’s longest and premier races today.
The former Gavin Van Zyl-trained Bulsara has been well-prepared for this race.
Bulsara – should go close
He was last seen winning the Barbe Cup, producing his trademark strong finish in the final stages. A classy sort, he has shown up well during his workouts, and all signs point to him running another cracker and maintaining his unbeaten record for the season.
Diamond Light is expected to be his nearest rival.
He threw his hat into the ring, after he romped to victory in the Turf Magazine Golden Trophy – the final warm up race. He has been excellent at track work, and can give Rakesh Bhaugeerothee his biggest win yet.
Skippyjon Jones must be taken very seriously here. A two-time winner this season, he will have support in the betting. He will have Swapneel Rama on board – a jockey that has tasted success big time so far this season.
Ricky Maingard has chosen One Cool Dude instead of Top Jet. This decision could pay off, as the former not only has a better record over longer trips, but is in very good nick at the moment. Even if it is the first time that he is running over 2000 metres or more, his claims must be respected.
Vettel has been drawn in the ace, and if given a soft lead, he will try a pillar to post. He is in much improved form compared to his last run.
Everest is worth a thought, with the in-form Derreck David on board, while Love Struck can sneak in for the minor placings.
Our choice: Bulsara
The Dangers: Diamond Light, Skippyjon Jones, Vettel
1st Race
EK THA TIGER gets the nod in the opening race of this classic meeting. He was last seen in the winner’s enclosure, back in the 17th meeting. He has benefited from a short break, and can confirm.
BILLY BOJANGLES should be his nearest opponent. His last start saw him finish runner-up to Evergreen, failing to put up a challenge in the final straight. He impressed during his workouts, and a bold bid is forthcoming from him.
Cools Style ran honestly in his recent start. He can do even better, and is worth a thought.
Don’t Tell Mama is back after a long spell out. She is worth following in this class.
Big Lion and Question Time are rated as interesting outsiders.
Our choice: Ek Tha Tiger
The Dangers: Billy Bojangles, Cools Style, Don’t Tell Mama
2nd Race
The tandem of Derreck David and Gilbert Rousset are bang on form, and CHERISH THE CHARM can keep that run going. He opened his account last time out, and the win was very dominant. He is in excellent shape, and is taken to confirm.
Eagle Award is rated as the biggest danger to the favourite. His first two races for Patrick Merven have been honest enough. Well-trained, he should go very close.
Cula has joined the yard of Alain Perdrau, and has already settled down to his new surroundings. He had no answer to the invincible Argo in his previous outing. Don’t rule him out from going one better this time round.
Wind Glider returned to form in his recent run, and he warrants serious consideration in all combinations.
Blue Lord is in improved condition. He is worth keeping an eye on in this class.
Our choice: Cherish The Charm
The Dangers: Eagle Award, Cula, Wind Glider
3rd Race
MR LEYEND may have arrived in Mauritius without a big reputation, but it is fair to say he has been a star performer this season.
He has won three times in five starts, and his other two races have seen him finish 2ndplace. In the winner’s enclosure in his last two races, he is taken to complete his hat-trick.
New Star will be the main danger for the favourite. He has worked very well and will be fitted with blinkers.
Carson City has adapted well to his new yard, finishing runner-up twice in-a-row. He has a chance of making it third time lucky, although he would have liked running over a much longer trip.
Parado has not gone close to repeating his win in the 3rd meeting. This Ricky Maingard-trained gelding showed nothing wrong at track work, but more is needed if he is to topple the favourite. Even so, he should be thereabouts.
Traianius will appreciate running over this Draper’s Mile, but on his last runs, he is hard to follow.
Our choice: Mr Leyend
The Dangers: Carson City, Parado, New Star
4th Race
If 2014 was a dream season for Maestro’s Salute, this campaign has been anything but. He is still looking for his first win, although four place finishes must not be scoffed at. He was excellent in training, and all signs point to him running a cracker.
Indaba My Children – has a chance
O’CHEE PAN saw his unbeaten record go up in flames in race meeting 18. However, he was hindered at a crucial moment in the final straight. This Ramapatee Gujadhur-trained gelding is expected to bounce back this time round.
One horse which can muscle in proceedings here is Sole Mio. He may have lost out to Win A Million in his previous start, but it was still a good display. He is in even better shape, and is a major player in this contest.
For the lower placings, How Many To Won and Indaba My Children are to be watched.
Our choice: O’Chee Pan
The Dangers: Maestro’s Salute, Sole Mio, Counts Rocket
5th Race
This Draper’s Mile contest looks wide open on paper, with several horses boasting solid claims.
Hillbrow has eyes on completing his hat-trick. His first win may have been dominant, but his second win was even more impressive, producing a terrific finish. Still in top order, he has a strong chance.
Seeking Angelo has performed honestly this season. Back from a short break, he looked bright and sharp in his workouts. With Derreck David riding in confidence, he merits shortlist inclusion.
Azapel will be ridden by Jeanot Bardottier. He was unfortunate not to finish higher than 3rd in his previous start. He is capable of rebounding strongly this time round.
His stable companion and Four year-old champion KREMLIN CAPTAIN is back after a very long absence. Even that has not had an effect on him, as he was simply outstanding in his gallops. He is unbeaten in six starts, and Kevin Ghunowa gets the ride.
Captain Magpie produced his best performance for months in his latest, even if he was beaten by Chinese Gold. A reproduction of that run could see him finally opening his account for the season.
Patrick Merven has a couple of strong finishers in his yard, Beacon Flare being one of them. He was only 1.9 lengths away behind the winner in his last start. If ever the pace is hot, he will be very hard to stop in the closing stages.
Our choice: Kremlin Captain
The Dangers: Azapel, Hillbrow, Seeking Angelo
7th Race
Preference is for LIETUVA in this penultimate contest. He will be looking to bounce back from his last outing, when he came out on the wrong side of a terrific battle involving himself and Act Of Valor. He will appreciate running over longer, and is the horse to beat.
His nearest opponent is expected to be Captains Bounty, who has come out well from a short break. He has ability on his side, and has a good chance of scoring.
Red Lotus will not be far away in this sprint.
Shanghai Kid has gone off the boil in his previous races. He is in better shape though and is not prevented from showing up.
Obligation’s strong finish netted him 4th last time out, although he did not help himself by being slow away. He is in decent order, and if he gets away well, he will fire plenty of tough questions in the closing stages.
After his brilliant win in his penultimate start, No Prisoners was nowhere to be seen in his latest. This Shailesh Ramdin-trained gelding is running in a higher category, and would have liked running over much longer. At best, he looks a good place bet.
Our choice: Lietuva
The Dangers: Captains Bounty, Red Lotus, Obligation
8th Race
HARBA shades the selection in the final race on the card. He was last seen finishing on the final step of the podium, albeit in the Stewards room. This came after two successive wins. Reunited with Derreck David this time round, he can renew with success.
Rebel’s Game had to settle for 2nd place last time out. This four-year-old will have to be at his very best to topple the favourite, but having already won twice this season, he is expected to give his best shot.
Fidelis was last sighted over two months ago, winning the opening contest of the previous classic meeting. This veteran showed no signs of rust in his workouts, and it would be wrong to rule him out from confirming.
His stable mate Ambassador Rex performed under-par in his recent start. He can do much better, and should be thereabouts.
Don’t Say Don’t has lost his early season form, but if he can rediscover it, he can cause an upset in this lower class.
Halabaloo is much better than what he served up in his latest. He can finish in the money.
Our choice: Harba
The Dangers: Rebel’s Game, Fidelis, Don’t Say Don’t
The runners are available here.
The meeting will be televised live on Tellytrack.
