Derreck David – cleared to ride
Leading jockeys Derreck David and Jeanot Bardottier will be in action for today’s 25th meeting at the Champ de Mars, despite doubts after work this week.
Bardottier was absent, while Derreck David sustained a minor injury whilst working Hunting Horn. Sadly the former Duncan Howells charge had to be euthenased.
Today’s meeting starts at 10h30.
Here’s the racecard.
Race 1
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS is the pick of this opening contest. He is given another chance as he did not have everything in his favour during his last race. He is in excellent shape and can open his Mauritian account with Niven Marday on board.
Teamog ran well in his latest, completing the podium behind Eastward Bound and Tiger Master. A reproduction of that run can see him giving the selection something to think about.
Young Royal has not shown much this season. However, his stable mates are in good nick, and he looks the true frontrunner in this race. If given a soft lead, he can make it all the way.
For the minor honours, High Accolade and Brandewyn are worth considering.
Our Favourite: KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS
The Dangers: Teamog, Young Royal, High Accolade
Race 2
This kilometre sprint looks quite open, with recent winners and in-form horses taking on one another.
Millenimesta ran a cracker in his last start, earning Gilbert Rousset his 700th win as a trainer. Still in good nick, he will be bidding to make it two in-a-row.
Lord Al was also victorious last time out. He may have won over longer, but he is at his best when running over his very short sprint. Back from a long rest and in top condition, another big run is forthcoming.
ADI STAR won from start-to-finish in race meeting 15, before finishing a very close 3rd in his latest. Another horse that loves this trip, he can renew with success once again and looks the best shot of the day for the returning Darryl Holland.
Man Of His Word is getting closer to his best form. He was an eye-catching 4th just two meetings ago. He has dropped down a class, and should be right up there if he overcomes his very bad draw.
Captains Bounty has been a consistent performer this season, although he is still searching for his first win. He will try his luck over this trip and having done well in training, he merits plenty of respect.
Our Favourite: ADI STAR
The Dangers: Lord Al, Millenimesta, Man Of His Word
Race 3
Former Snaith galloper Why Worry looks the danger
NEW STAR was not disgraced in his previous outing, finishing not very far behind the winner over a trip too sharp for him. He will like this 1600 metre trip and has winning claims here.
Cinchona has won in a lower class, and must be given a chance in this race.
Monsieurnando is worth a thought. He put in a spectacular showing in his recent start. He can do even better over this longer trip and he is not to be underestimated.
His stable mate Why Worry has not gone close to repeating his heroics in race meeting 6, and was declared a non-participant in his latest. He can rebound strongly from that and must be respected.
Urbi Et Orbi and Siddharth will surely have some followers.
Our Favourite: NEW STAR
The Dangers: Monsieurnando, Why Worry, Cinchona
Race 4
ACAPELLA bagged only his second win on Mauritian turf just two weeks ago. In top order and running over longer, he is taken to double the score over this longer trip.
Papa Joe is rated as the biggest danger. He was solid in his debut, taking 3rd. He is a very promising sort and there is a lot more to come from him. But second run after long run is a big concern.
Prince Of Wings showed no signs of rust in his last race, winning brilliantly. He has a strong case of confirming and should be bang up there.
Gameloft makes his first start for Shirish Narang. This four year-old has come out very well from a long rest and has been well-trained. It is worth keeping an eye on him with Stall 1.
Freedom looks an interesting outsider, along with Indaba My Children and Piquet.
Our Favourite: ACAPELLA
The Dangers: Papa Joe, Prince Of Wings, Gameloft
Race 5
MAX RAPAX gets preference over the second Draper’s Mile of the day. He has won in his last two outings and such is his current form, he should have no problems in this class.
His stable companion Aspen Emperor should run him very close. He produced his best showing for months in his latest, even if he was beaten late on by Dustan. He has been drawn in the ace and he will try a pillar to post once again.
Castle burst onto the Mauritian scene with two wins and a second place finish. However, he was nowhere to be seen in his recent start. He showed signs of returning to his best during his workouts and will be a big danger in the final stages.
Carson City won superbly in the Maiden Cup meeting. He has been exemplary since joining Patrick Merven’s yard. Niven Marday retains the ride and he warrants consideration in all combinations
Our Favourite: MAX RAPAX
The Dangers: Aspen Emperor, Castle, Carson City
Race 6 – The Hermes.net Cup
Of the eight races on the card, this feature race is a very open lottery. A case can be made for almost every horse here.
Champion horse RYDER CUP saw his record of finishing every race in the money go up in flames in his last start. He is still winless this season, but he has every chance of putting things right here, if ridden well by Jeanot Bardottier.
Arctic Sun is in red hot form, having won both his last two races. Freshened up, he was excellent in his gallops. With the expected hot pace, he will be a major factor in the final stages if he relishes the trip.
Abington scored a tremendous win in the feature race in race meeting 6, but since then, he has not gone close. This Alain Perdrau-trained gelding is in improved shape and if he follows in a very good position, he won’t be that ridiculous.
Recall To Life performed quite averagely last time out. He is much better than that and having impressed at track work, he is regarded as a decent outsider.
Zhan Hu followed up his win in the Group 3 Lightning Cup with fourth place in his last start. That came over a much longer trip. He is much better over shorter and is not prevented from showing up here only if he overcomes his draw.
Outsiders worth considering for minor placings include Kalinago and Silver Bluff, who will have the Maiden Cup winning jockey on board.
Our Favourite: RYDER CUP
The Dangers: Arctic Sun, Abington, Recall To Life
Race 7
TED BASSETT shades the selection here. A superb winner last time out, he has come out well from a long rest and looked his usual self in his workouts. All signs point to him confirming.
Catwalk Model will have loads of followers. He is running over a shorter trip, and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Supersonic Sam was an excellent 3rd last time out. It looks possible for him to do even better, as he has dropped down a class. A repeat of his last performance should see him give the favourite a run for his money.
Bright Shining is another horse that can frighten the favourite here. He was outstanding in his workouts and with his stable mates in good form, he is given plenty of respect.
No Prisoners managed to break the ice in race meeting 16. He has not gone close since, not even touching the lower placings. He has dropped down a division and is expected to improve.
Our Favourite: TED BASSETT
The Dangers: Catwalk Model, Bright Shining, Supersonic Sam
Race 8
Preference is for ARROWHEAD, who did not take to the racetrack in the 21st meeting after he fell down in the parade ring. This four year-old is back in full health and he looked decent at track work.
Beautiful Bhutan could have an answer here. He produced a very strong finish to take 2nd, 1 length behind Shield Of Thunder. He should have no problems over this longer trip and a first win of the season looks distinctly possible.
Kowloon Bay was full of promise in his first outing of the season. However, he failed to turn up in his last two races. Despite this, he must not be written off and he should be on the premises.
Ice Trigger caught the eye in his recent start with a 3rd place finish. In decent nick throughout and with Imran Chisty bang on form, he merits respect.
Dunraven went very close in his previous showing and looks a decent outsider in this contest, along with La Foce, who showed a good turn of foot when last seen.
Our Favourite: ARROWHEAD
The Dangers: Beautiful Bhutan, La Foce, Ice Trigger
