Former SA-based Listed winner Zambezi Torrent could be a danger in the sixth
The first race at the Champ de Mars in Mauritius kicks off at 10h30 today on what looks to be a typically competitive programme.
Here is your racecard.
1st Race
Preference is for DOUBLE DASH over this 1600 metre contest. This Patrick Merven-trained gelding had been performing consistently up until his last start. In good shape, he can finally open his account for the season, with Jeanot Bardottier steering him.
Parkwood was second best to Kentucky Bluegrass in race meeting 25. However, it was still a good showing from him and a repeat of that run could see him make amends.
Halabaloo started the season solidly, but he has failed to show up since. He has shown big improvement in his workouts and with Kevin Ghunowa on board, he warrants serious consideration in this contest.
Teamog has defied his age in his last two outings. He should give another good account of himself and with only 52kg on his back, he will be a threat in the closing stages.
The yard of Rameshwar Gujadhur is in good form and Ravatak comes into consideration here. Back from a long rest, he runs well fresh and should be in the shake up here.
Our Favourite: DOUBLE DASH
The Dangers: Parkwood, Halabaloo, Teamog
2nd Race
AMBASSADOR REX is given another chance to renew with success. He has gone close several times, just like in his last start. He looked in good form in training and is taken to strike.
Wonderlaine is rated as his biggest danger. He finished a good second behind Catwalk Model over a shorter trip last time out. He is better over much longer and will have the in-form Derreck David in the saddle.
Straight Jab has not confirmed his win in the 11th meeting. He has finished in the money in his last two outings and should go close here.
For the lower placings, Don’t Say Don’t and Bright Shining are rated as good bets.
Our Favourite: AMBASSADOR REX
The Dangers: Wonderlaine, Straight Jab, Don’t Say Don’t
3rd Race
HARBA shades the selection. He landed the final podium place last time out. The longer trip is firmly on his side and is taken to resume his winning ways.
Cinchona will not make it easy though. His win in the 19th meeting seems to have lit up a fire in him. He is in top order and he has every chance of scoring here.
Seven Fountains has raced four times, finishing in the money in all of them. He was only 1.3 lengths behind the winner in his latest and he should be on the premises once again.
Spin A Coin is worth a thought. He has not disgraced himself since arriving from South Africa and he should be up for this.
Our Favourite: HARBA
The Dangers: Cinchona, Seven Fountains, Spin A Coin
4th Race
After winning in his only start last season, King’s Soldier had some issues and took time to get over them. After two mediocre performances, he showed his ability in his last start when he finished on the podium. In very good shape, there are expectations of a big run from him.
Act Of Valor performs best over this very short sprint. This Alain Perdrau-trained horse excelled in his workouts and he has a good chance of going in here.
ADI STAR scored a highly convincing win in his last start. He is the latest kilometre specialist unearthed by Vincent Allet and his partnership with Darryl Holland can continue its unbeaten run.
Mount Hillaby’s sole success has come over this trip. He has not been disgraced since joining Ramapatee Gujadhur’s yard. He showed satisfaction at track work and if he puts his right foot to good use, he will be hard to resist.
Down in class and back running over this trip, Acapella must not be discounted here. A line can be put through his last run and he should be bang in the shake up.
Papa Joe will appreciate running over this short distance. He has impressed since his debut and he is not prevented from showing up here.
Our Favourite: ADI STAR
The Dangers: Papa Joe, Act Of Valor, King’s Soldier
5th Race
MAX RAPAX proved too hot for the opposition in his recent start, completing his hat-trick in the process. In very good nick, a fourth consecutive win is on the horizon.
Carson City produced a flying finish to open his seasonal account in the Maiden Cup meeting. He then produced a similar kind of finish to take 4th, after coming from a long way back. If he follows in a good position, he will be even more dangerous in the final reckoning.
Castle was a revelation in his first three races, winning twice and finishing 2nd. He was below-average in his penultimate start, before dropping the bit last time out. He looked very bright in training and must be included in all combinations.
Bay Of Bengal produced an eye-catching run in race meeting 25. In good condition and with Darryl Holland riding him once again, he is worth a mention here.
Unbridled Joy is back after a very long break. Well-trained and with Imran Chisty on board, he must be watched very closely.
Our Favourite: MAX RAPAX
The Dangers: Carson City, Castle, Bay Of Bengal
6th Race
Derreck David
An inspired ride from Derreck David saw SOLE MIO open his account in the Maiden Cup meeting. Magnificent would be the best word to describe his showings in training and he is the horse to beat in this main event.
Bobby Bear returned to form just two weeks ago, scoring his first win in almost a year. Still in good condition, he is looking to double the score and with a hot pace expected, he should be bang in the finish once again.
Zambezi Torrent was last seen finishing a solid 3rd in the 20th meeting. Back from a rest, he is in good nick and can earn his yard another feature race win.
His stable mate Valere did not disgrace himself over a trip too long for him. He was only four lengths behind Kremlin Captain. He will love running over the 1365 metres and if he is able to secure a soft lead, he can make it.
Streetbouncer looks an outside bet in this, but only if he performs much better than last time.
Our Favourite: SOLE MIO
The Dangers: Bobby Bear, Valere, Zambezi Torrent
7th Race
CHERISH THE CHARM can do no wrong at the moment. He comes into this race on the back of two impressive wins. Even if he is running over shorter, he is still backed to produce a bold showing.
Elite Class was a beaten favourite last time out, but it doesn’t look so bad, considering the winner of that race has gone on to confirm. In very good shape and form, this four year-old can resume his winning ways once again.
Strum lost nothing in his latest, going down to an unbeatable Max Rapax. This son of Fort Wood has been freshened up and is rated as the biggest danger to the favourite.
Another horse that is not without his chances here is Apple Pie, who bagged a convincing win in his recent run. He merits shortlist inclusion in this contest.
Brave Leader has yet to show his hand since arriving in Mauritius. However, he was promising in his workouts and if he can replicate that in the real thing, he can show up.
Our Favourite: CHERISH THE CHARM
The Dangers: Elite Class, Strum, Apple Pie
8th Race
GENEROUS GENT ran a good race in his debut for his new trainer.
Both of his two wins have occurred over this 1365 metres and a third is a strong possibility here.
Van Der Scaler’s last start made the headlines, mostly because of his antics before the start. What was forgotten is the fact he finished runner-up to Steel Of Approval that day. He is in good shape and if he is on his best behavior at the start, he will give the selection a run for his money.
Don’t Tell Mama is worth a thought here. This filly has performed admirably this season. She will have Nishal Teeha on board and she must be watched very closely.
Destiny’s Tale and Port Albert are two good place bets.
Our Favourite: GENEROUS GENT
The Dangers: Van Der Scaler, Don’t Tell Mama, Destiny’s Tale
