The Gr2 Princess Margaret Cup is known as the classic of Mauritian sprint races. Run over 1400m on Saturday, the race has attracted nine horses, including the bang in-form Profit Report and former horse of the year The Cardinal.
Profit Report is going for three in a row after his convincing win in his last start over 1365 m in record time. The good looking Serge Henry-trained chestnut gelding is holding his form very well and could well win again here. He has a lovely turn of foot and in what is bound to be a small field, his rider will have every opportunity to ensure that he gets a clear run when turning into the home straight.
War Of Conquest is a consistent performer who was a little bit unlucky to get caught in the last 50 metres by Profit Report in his last start. His jockey on that day, made a slight error of judgement in making his move too early and he weakened in the last 100 metres. Being a strong galloper, War Of Conquest could be hard to edge should he get the chance to dictate his own pace. He has been kept fresh and is in great shape.
The Cardinal is a courageous horse that has been consistent despite winning only once this season. He is a horse who often rises to the big occasion and with young Richard Fourie up, he stands a good chance over a distance over which he has won often.
Capitaine has been impressive this season, having already won three races and and having finished twice second in just five starts. His trainer Ricky Maingard feels that his charge could have had a 100% record with a bit of luck. He should have beaten Gliding High at the 11th meeting when his jockey, Rye Joorawon, stopped riding him in the last 50 metres and he landed up being caught on the line. Capitaine is in tremendous shape and with a favorable weight to carry, he stands a big chance to win again.
Capitaine’s stable companion, Alitalia, has also been impressive with four wins in the bag since the beginning of the season. The magnificent bay gelding started his career here in the lowest class and will now face some of the best sprinters on the island. He is in very good shape and does stand a chance of causing an upset on Saturday. He likes to race handy. Irish Coffee has been very unlucky in his last two starts. In the first race he was badly hampered and then next time out he travelled too close to the pace and weakened badly in the final straight. He has been impressive in his track work and his rider Glen Hatt has indicated that the Perdrau horse will be ridden with more restraint on Saturday. Short Corner, winner of the 2009 running of this race, has lost a lot of his sparkle this season. He looks hard pressed to make his presence felt on Saturday.
Chivas has won most of his races here over 1000 metres and having changed stables, is now with the Vincent Allet stable. Like Short Corner, he has only shown very average form this season although reports are that his track work has actually improved. He could be a quartet lurker!
Field: Chivas, The Cardinal, War Of Conquest, Always A Pleasure, Profit Report, Capitaine, Alitalia, Irish Coffee and Short Corner.
