The fourth and final leg of the Sprinters’ Championship is the highlight act of today’s Champ de Mars meeting, with the running of the Gr1 Porsche – Princess Margaret Cup at weight-for-age terms.
Ten runners from seven different yards line up in this 1400 metre contest, which will decide this year’s champion sprinter.
The Gujadhur stable have spurned golden chance after golden chance in ending their long winless drought in this fabled race.
Since Haystar won in 1973, numerous horses from Mauritius’ oldest yard have come so close, yet so far in this race. Now the onus falls on BLACK CAT BACK to not only end 45 years of hurt, but earn Ramapatee Gujadhur his first ever win in this race.
Former Brett Crawford runner Black Cat Back wins well (Pic – Mauritius Turf Club)
The Six-year old has already proved his worth in his debut season. Winner in his second start in the 14th meeting, he went close to striking in the Barbe Cup and Lightning Cup, finishing 3rd and 2nd in those respective races.
This classy sort has been a regular presence at track work, showing complete satisfaction in his gallops. He has every chance of earning his yard and Olivier Plaçais their first Group race wins this season.
In terms of the Championship, it is two revelations of the season that lead the way. Alain Perdrau’s star performer RULE THE NIGHT (Kersley Ramsamy) holds the advantage with 10 points, 3 ahead of the Vincent Allet-trained WALL TAG (Derreck David). After the former took out the Lightning Cup, he was only beaten by the latter in the Hinterland Cup after a titanic finish. Both horses remain in top order and even if they are up against higher-rated opponents on level weight, they are big runners here.
BARITONE (Cedric Segeon) will be looking to emulate Albert Mooney (2014-15) in winning this Group 1 contest back-to-back. His last start saw him complete the podium and that was with 61 kg on board. Running with 3 kg less this time round and on the back of some eye-catching workouts, his chances are greatly respected.
Champion horse HARD DAY’S NIGHT (Diego de Gouveia) is still winless this season. He did catch the eye in his last showing, making up plenty of ground to land 4th place. He has looked his usual self at track work and considering his yard’s form in the Group races this season, he is expected to have a major say in this.
Horse Guards – back from a long lay-off (Pic – Gold Circle)
HORSE GUARDS (Randall Simons) makes his seasonal debut after a long injury enforced absence. His yard have afforded him plenty of time to fully recover. In preparation mode since late-July, he has shown quick progress and looked very convincing in two barrier trials. Based on that, it won’t be a surprise to see him make it here.
Gujadhur stable’s second runner TABLE BAY (Kevin Ghunowa) has not had it easy this season. He was not disgraced in his first two outings, but he was unplaced in his last two attempts. It can be said that he has not been helped by being constantly drawn wide. He looks to be in good shape and is capable of making the frame.
PROCAL HARUM makes his first start since his transfer to Shyam Hurchund’s yard. In better condition, and with the in-form Manoel Nunes on board for the first time, he must be followed closely.
WOLJAYRINE (Tajesh Juglall) and NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (Yashin Emamdee), second runners for Jean-Michel Henry and Rameshwar Gujadhur respectively, complete the line-up. The former did what he could in the Hinterland Cup, finishing 5th, 2.2 lengths behind the winner, while the latter has been unplaced in his last two attempts, following his win in the 9th meeting. Both are rated as just outsiders in this.
ERNIE, trained by Jean-Michel Henry, is the Emergency Acceptor. He was in action in the last meeting, landing 4th place, albeit 4.3 lengths behind Barrack Street. Based on his recent form, he has it all to do.
- Mauritius Turf Club
