The first meeting of the Mauritius 2015 season kicks off today with an eight-race programme. The first race is off at 09h30 and full Tellytrack coverage will be provided.
Race 1
STEEL OF APPROVAL ended last season with two consecutive wins, after having gone 3 years without winning a race. He remains in good nick, and will be very hard to stop, if given a soft lead. He is the tip for the opening contest of the new season.
Point Of Policy warrants plenty of respect, winning in his last race, and having shown good form during his gallops. His connections are expecting another big run from him.
Absalom would have preferred a much longer trip, but it would be wrong not to label him as one of the dangers to the favourite. He looked impressive in his workouts, and should go close.
For the lower placings, Joyful and Winged Captain are to be considered.
Favourite: STEEL OF APPROVAL
Watch out: Point Of Policy, Absalom, Joyful
Race 2
Shailesh Ramdin had to wait until July to win his first win of 2014. He may not have to wait that long for his first this season, if EAGLE AWARD can bring his A-game. This six year-old won brilliantly in his previous race, and will take a lot of beating.
Pont d’Avignon won three of his six starts last season. He should have no problems over the Draper’s Mile, and is the main danger for the favourite.
Cinchona showed improvement in his last race. He has benefited from the off-season, and there were some positive reviews on his work in training. With Darryl Holland in the saddle, expect a bold bid from this four year-old.
Outsiders worth considering include Torotino and Spin A Coin.
Favourite: EAGLE AWARD
Watch out: Pont d’Avignon, Cinchona, Torotino
Race 3
Preference is for PRINCE OF WINGS, who scored a memorable win in his last start, giving his jockey Cedric Segeon the title. He appears to have lost none of his ability during the off-season, and can start the new season on a winning note.
The danger could come from the Vincent Allet-trained Freedom, who scored just once in 2014. Like most of his stable mates, he looked on it at track work, and warrants serious consideration in this contest.
Arabian Empire scored twice last season, the last of which coming in his last run. Now under the colours of Shirish Narang, and having shown satisfaction at track work, he can start off his season on a high note.
Brandon Lerena – rides Chinese Gold
With Brandon Lerena on his back, and having caught the eye in training, Chinese Gold looks a good each-way bet, whilst Mighty Mars and Cash Lord decent place bets.
Favourite: PRINCE OF WINGS
Watch out: Freedom, Arabian Empire, Chinese Gold
Race 4
RUBY KING shades the selection in this contest. He had a hard time of things in 2014, but still visited the winner’s enclosure not less than twice. He looked impressive at track work, and is backed to put in a bold bid.
Rear Admiral had a fine 2014, scoring three times, and finishing in the money in his other runs. Even if he is shouldering the top weight in this race, his trainer is expecting a big showing from him.
Solar Captain has not been the same, ever since he burst onto the scene with three consecutive wins in 2012. This son of Captain Al is in good condition, but whether he can show up during the real thing remains to be seen.
Southern Heights has scored all of his eight wins over longer trips than the Draper’s Mile. A line can be put through his previous run, and is expected to bounce back under the ride of Rye Joorawon.
Carson City only managed 4th in his last start, but it is generally accepted that he could have finished much higher, had he not suffered with an interference. He is another horse that appreciates longer, although he is not without his chances of victory in this race.
Favourite: RUBY KING
Watch out: Rear Admiral, Solar Captain, Southern Heights
Race 5
Akash Aucharuz – Captain Magpie could be his best
The best shot of the day for Akash Aucharuz lies on CAPTAIN MAGPIE over this 1400m contest. The 3-year-old champion has come out very well from a long rest, and appeared in tremendous form at track work. He will be hard to stop.
Maestro’s Salute was the author of a brilliant 2014 season, winning five races, and finishing in the placings no less than three times. This Jean-Michel Henry-trained gelding has remained in excellent condition, and with Davy Bonilla back in the saddle, he can start the new season on a good note.
Living With Heart was not disgraced last season, even though he did not score any wins. Based on his form in training, he looks a changed horse, and should be right up there in the final reckoning.
Outsiders include Hot Rocket, Ashanti Gold and Seeking Angelo
Favourite: CAPTAIN MAGPIE
Watch out: Maestro’s Salute, Living With Heart, Hot Rocket
Race 6 – The Noble Salute Cup (Gr3)
This Group 3 race looks hard to predict, with the presence of several good horses.
Casey’s War – who won this race in 2013 – had a fine 2014 season. He has been well prepared is predicted to give a bold account of himself.
Polar Royale has risen through the ranks, during his short time in Mauritius. A five-time winner last season, he has every chance of starting the new season with a visit into the winner’s enclosure.
Champion horse RYDER CUP will be a very tough nut to crack. He is the sole frontrunner in this field, and looked his usual self during his gallops. Rye Joorawon will be riding him, and has drawn Stall 1.
2013 champion Liquid Motion scored just a solitary win last season. He did come very close to victory in the Duke Of York Cup, and a repeat of that run can see him go one better but he’ll have to overcome his outside draw.
2012 champion Ice Axe showed some glimpses of his old form. He would prefer a much longer trip. He looks to be an interesting outsider.
His stable companion Francois Bernardus looks the dark horse of this sprint, and will be a threat at the finish, if the pace is hot.
Favourite: RYDER CUP
Watch out: Polar Royale, Casey’s War, Liquid Motion
Race 7
YODA MAN ended last season with two brilliant wins. He has proven that he has a powerful finish in him, and the vote is given to him in this penultimate contest.
Cools Style is now trained by Randhir Pertaub. He did fairly well at the end of the season and is entitled to give the favourite something to think about.
Lietuva is new to Gilbert Rousset, and has already adapted well to the Mauritian track. It is worth keeping an eye on him.
Prince Alwahtan looks an interesting outsider, having caught the eye in his gallops. He is expected to improve after a disappointing 2014.
Other horses worth keeping an eye on includes Isipho and Bongo Beat.
Favourite: YODA MAN
Watch out: Cools Style, Lietuva, Prince Alwahtan
Race 8
ELITE CLASS made it a debut to remember, scoring a handsome win. Having been gelded, and shown progress during the off-season, he looks the one to beat in this final contest.
Kaafel ran with such promise in his last outing. This Alain Perdrau-trained colt has continued to progress, and should be the main danger to the favourite.
There is not much beyond those two, but Harba should go well here if he breaks well. He has benefited hugely from a very long rest. His jockey Derrick David thinks he has a good chance.
In The Frame and Annaconda Moon are good contenders for minor placings.
Favourite: ELITE CLASS
Watch out: Kaafel, Harba, In The Frame
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