Tamarisk Tree photographed in Mauritius (MTC)
FUTURE SWING DEBUTS IN 1850m WINTER STAKES:
Former Justin Snaith inmate and winner of last year’s World Sports Betting 1900, Future Swing makes his local debut at Champ de Mars under top weight in the 1850m G3 Winter Stakes, with the 6yo son of Futura’s sights firmly set on the Maiden Cup during the first week of September. Future Swing meets a competitive field and may just come up a little short in the fitness department, having had a minor setback which ruled him out of the Barbe Cup.
Raymond Danielson, Grant Van Niekerk and Iannish Taka are all absent for due to copping 1-meeting suspensions, but Ryan Curatolo is back from injury and Denis Schwarz returns to ride for the Vicky Ruhee stable.
The first of 8 races is due off at 10:30, with the Place Accumulator getting under way with the running of Race 2 at 11:05.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM31 Handicap – 1400m:
On a generally well-filled card, the first race is the exception as only four horses head to post for this BM31 Handicap over 1400m. Upwardly mobile Ashikule, a 3yo son of Erupt, is a very short-priced favourite to complete a hattrick of victories on the Island and he looks to have the race at his mercy.
Betting: 3/10 Ashikule; 6/1 Cybotix, Cider House Rules; 14/1 Captain Marsala.
Selection: (3) Ashikule; (1) Cider House Rules; (2) Cybotix; (4) Captain Marsala.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM25 Handicap – 1450m:
Competitive start to the Place Accumulator. Newcomer World Warrior, who ran second to Note To Self over 1200m back in July last year, heads the early market but the 3yo son of One World has it all to do from the widest gate of all. Paved With Gold has ability but is also drawn wide and preference is for Amandla who may have just needed his last run when running out of puff late and finishing third behind Trick Or Tequila. Gang Leader has won twice on the Island from 26 starts but the 8yo is none too reliable these days. New York City has not been seen since October last year and the betting may be the best guide to his chances, while both Gun Barrel and Spirito Selvaggio have done enough to suggest they can get involved in this low-grade handicap restricted to Mauritian Jockeys and Apprentices.
Betting: 28/10 World Warrior; 4/1 Gang Leader, Paved With Gold; 9/2 Amandla; 6/1 Gun Barrel; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (8) Amandla; (4) World Warrior; (3) Paved With Gold; (6) Gun Barrel.
Race 3: (11:40) – Middle Stakes – 990m:
The very talented Warhead returns from a lengthy injury-enforced lay off but the 4yo son of Lancaster Bomber looks set to go close under returning jockey Denis Schwarz. Captain Mike is a course and distance specialist and his last run over 1365m is best ignored. Ryan Curatolo returns to ride the smart 7yo son of Captain of All for Vincent Allet. Daring Dash has been running himself into the ground in recent races but reverting to 990m might be a smart move by trainer Sam Mahadia. The 4yo son of Rabada could certainly surprise. William Rufus was only a length behind Captain Mike when last they met and cannot be lightly discarded. Pennsylvania debuts for the Preetam Daby stable and is finding some market support in the early betting exchanges. Solomons Seal has been a source of frustration for punters and connections alike, and the drop back in trip is an experiment that may yield dividends.
Betting: 11/10 Warhead; 3/1 Pennsylvania; 5/1 Captain Mike; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (5) Warhead; (6) Captain Mike; (4) William Rufus; (1) Daring Dash.
Race 4: (12:15) – BM41 Handicap – 1600m:
Could be a match race between Happy Days and Tsunami Warning. Happy Days has had two nice preps leading into this race and strips a very fit horse for the potent Hewitson/Nunes combination. Likewise Tsunami Warning has his third run of the season and is likely to take another step forward. Wugug has been a little lack-lustre in recent races but is equipped with blinkers for the first time in her career. Fireflare needed his last run and is probably better over slightly further, but the 5yo son of Futura would not be a shock winner.
Betting: 1/1 Happy Days; 2/1 Tsunami Warning; 5/1 Wugug; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Happy Days; (5) Tsunami Warning; (4) Wugug; (1) Fireflare.
Race 5: (12:50) – Middle Stakes – 1850m:
Superior Force was very impressive when slamming Bacchus over 1650m last time and the step up in trip is unlikely to pose any problems for the 6yo son of Pathfork. The ever-consistent and useful Courtly rates the obvious threat and is at his absolute best when allowed to dictate from the front. Secret Oasis fluffed his lines last time but is best judged on his previous effort when beating Bugalugs comfortably, with the latter having come out to finish a close second in the Barbe Cup. Join The Dots goes well over track and trip and is not without winning claims.
Betting: 8/10 Superior Force; 7/2 Courtly; 7/1 Secret Oasis; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Superior Force; (6) Courtly; (5) Join The Dots; (4) Secret Oasis.
Race 6: (13:25) – The Winter Stakes (G3) – 1500m:
The spread of weights makes for an interesting renewal of the Winter Stakes. Future Swing has been set to carry 61kgs, conceding 8kgs to both Spelling Bee and Bacchus, which may prove a tough task given that Future Swing has not raced since November last year. Tamarisk Tree has his third run of the season and steps up to a more suitable trip. Given his record in South Africa and his promising start here in Mauritius, it is fair to suggest that the 6yo son of Ideal World sets the standard and is the one they all have to beat. Formagear and Port Louis venture into unknown territory having never raced beyond 1600m previously, but there is no questioning their ability. Tough race, but Tamarisk Tree may just have the edge.
Betting: 2/1 Tamarisk Tree; 9/2 Spelling Bee, Future Swing; 5/1 Bacchus; 13/2 Port Louis; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) Tamarisk Tree; (6) Spelling Bee; (5) Bacchus; (1) Future Swing.
Race 7: (14:00) – BM26 – 990m:
Bombardier Boy and Holds The Key made their local debuts in the same race on 13 June and were separated by a little more than a length behind Carnarvon. Both are popular in the market and either could have made the necessary improvement to win a race of this nature. Simbine, stable companion to Bombardier Boy, makes his first appearance with the same comment applying to the Carl Hewitson-trained Fire Starter. The market will be the best guide as to their chances here. Blown Away has had two fair runs over track and trip but leaves the impression that he would appreciate a touch further.
Betting: 14/10 Holds The Key; 2/1 Bombardier Boy; 5/1 Fire Starter; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) Holds The Key; (1) Bombardier Boy; (6) Fire Starter; (2) Simbine.
Race 8: (14:40) – BM56 – 1365m:
Very competitive handicap to round off the race meeting. Hollywood Racing’s Isikwishikwishi made an eye-catching local debut when second to Monumental at the end of May. The 4yo son of Alado has obvious scope for further improvement. Hollywood Racing are also represented by Mfethu who was seen to good advantage when finishing third to Ashikule over track and trip and the good-looking 3yo son of Vercingetorix is open to significant improvement. Secret Passage has won both his starts in impressive fashion but steps up in class here and faces his toughest test to date. Spirit’s Unite was badly in need of his last run and is likely to improve on that effort. Van Hunks has cracked pole position, critical over this distance, and possibly represents good each-way value.
Betting: 22/10 Spirits Unite; 5/2 Secret Passage; 3/1 Isikwishikwishi; 8/1 Mfethu; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Secret Passage; (1) Spirit’s Unite; (5) Isikwishikwishi; (4) Van Hunks.
Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 09 July.
Suggested Place Accumulator (Races 1-7):
3,4,8 x 5,6 x 3 x 3 x 1,2,5,6 x 4 x 1,4,5,7 (R96)
