The Centurion has been tipped to win The Sophomore Challenge Cup (Picture: MTC)
EMERGING STARS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN 1500m SOPHOMORE CHALLENGE CUP
Five three-year-olds stood their ground for the 2026 renewal of the Sophomore Challenge Cup at Champs de Mars on Saturday and it’s fair to suggest that all are likely to progress through the divisions over the coming months. The Centurion from the powerful Gujadhur Stable has found the early market support, but the presence of Zacatoo, Exalted Love and Blackjack Randall will keep him honest as The Centurion attempts to maintain his unbeaten start to life on the Island.
The MTCJC presents an 8-race programme with the first race kicking off at 10:30 South African time. The Place Accumulator gets under way in Race 2, the Pick 6 in Race 3 and the Jackpot in Race 5 – and punters are reminded that these exotics are all commingled with the Mauritian pools.
Race 1: (10:30) – BM36 Handicap – 1500m:
Only four runners contest the opener but as the betting suggests, it is nonetheless highly competitive. Dalmeny Factor (Grant Van Niekerk) made a pleasing local debut when second to Master Point three weeks ago and is expected to show further progress. My Archangel (Manoel Nunes) is coming to hand nicely and appears ready to deliver a peak performance. The slight step back in trip should suit. Canford Club (Iannish Taka) finished half-a-length in front of My Archangel last time and even rank outsider here, All About Love (Donovan Mansour), was not far behind the pair in the race won by the talented Master Of Mystery, suggesting there is little to choose between the trio.
Betting: 13/10 My Archangel; 18/10 Dalmeny Factor; 28/10 Canford Club; 10/1 All About Love.
Selection: (4) Dalmeny Factor; (2) My Archangel; (3) Canford Club; (1) All About Love.
Race 2: (11:05) – BM31 Handicap – 1650m:
Rising star New World (Raymond Danielson) has been smashed in the early betting exchanges and the 3yo son of One World is widely expected to complete a hattrick. He has admittedly beaten little of note in his last two starts, but the manner of victory suggests there may be a lot more to come from Soon Gujadhur’s inmate. Jevin Awotar-trained Lava County (Van Niekerk) presents the only threat to the favourite’s dominance. The 3yo son of Erupt has plenty of scope for further improvement and should appreciate the step up in trip.
Betting: 4/10 New World; 3/1 Lava County; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) New World; (4) Lava County; (3) Zooberi; (1) High Key.
Race 3: (11:40) – BM26 Handicap – 1365m:
On form it is very difficult to oppose Carnarvon (Van Niekerk) but there is shrewd early support for Vicky Ruhee’s only runner on the day Jet Blackfire (Denis Schwarz). Carnarvon has won and placed over the minimum trip of 990m but given his style of racing he should relish going the extra as he steps up to 1365m. Jet Blackfire was all at sea on his local debut over 990m and his form in South Africa suggests that he will be ideally suited here. He is capable of taking a huge step forward. Midnight Flyer’s last run was too bad to be true and the well bred 3yo son of What A Winter should do significantly better here.
Betting: 8/10 Carnarvon; 7/2 Jet Blackfire; 5/1 Dwight Eisenhower; 7/1 Midnight Flyer; 14/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (1) Carnarvon; (3) Jet Blackfire; (4) Midnight Flyer; (5) Cape Cannery.
Race 4: (12:15) – BM41 Handicap – 1365m:
Iko Iko (Nunes) is a short-priced favourite to follow up on his last victory over Diamond Days, but from Gate 8 over 1365m, things can go awry and I would not be rushing to claim the even-money on offer. His market rival Ibhele (Curatolo) is also faced with a tricky draw but he will improve on his local debut when a promising fourth behind Mind Map over 990m. From pole position Babylon (Perez) could be the lurker in the pack and should be included in all exotics. Siriano (Van Niekerk) has proved an awkward ride in both his first two starts at Champs de Mars but the penny will drop one of these days and the 3yo son of Querari has plenty of upside. On best form Not In Doubt would be a definite inclusion but he has been struggling with soundness issues. Iko Iko clearly rates the one to beat but, given his draw, this is a favourite that may be worth “taking on”.
Betting: 1/1 Iko Iko; 33/10 Ibhele; 7/1 Babylon, Iditarod Trail; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (7) Iko Iko; (1) Babylon; (8) Ibhele; (5) Siriano.
Race 5: (12:50) – BM46 Handicap – 1500m:
Summer Snow (Nunes) was an easy course and distance winner a month ago when beating Tsunami Warning by more than four lengths. Tsunami Warning is clearly limited and Summer Snow (Nunes) may have been flattered by the margin of victory, but the eye-catching 4yo son of What A Winter is very genuine and another bold performance can be expected. Comedy Club has his third run of the Season and should strip very fit. His last run behind Salt ‘n Peppa was a promising effort and Comedy Club should make his presence felt in a big way. View Of The World is a newcomer for the Gujadhur/Danielson but he is friendless in the early market exchanges and the 4yo son of Ideal World may need the run and further than he gets here.
Betting: 5/10 Summer Snow; 7/2 Comedy Club; 13/2 Opague; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) Summer Snow; (5) Comedy Club; (1) Opague; (3) Sea Dance.
Race 6: (13:25) – The Sophomore Challenge Cup – 1500m:
The early betting exchanges paint an interesting picture in this keenly contested event for 3yo’s. Zacatoo (Taka) was the initial favourite but bucket loads of cash has come for The Centurion (Danielson) and the 3yo son of Gimmthegreenlight quickly shortened into 12/10. The Centurion has won both his starts on the Island, beating Bugle Boy on each occasion. The strength of that form comes under the microscope here as all of Zacatoo, Exalted Love (Van Niekerk) and Blackjack Randall (Mansour) have shown above average potential. Hard to nail one’s colours to the mast here and I would be playing wide, but it is worth noting that the Gujadhur team runs The Centurion in this Feature in preference to New World who has already proven himself over the trip.
Betting: 12/10 The Centurion; 5/2 Zacatoo; 28/10 Blackjack Randall; 6/1 Exalted Love; 33/1 Boom Town.
Selection: (4) The Centurion; (3) Blackjack Randall; (1) Zacatoo; (2) Exalted Love.
Race 7: (14:00) – Middle Stakes – 1500m:
This Middle Stakes event shapes up as a very intriguing clash between Havana Moon (Mansour), The Grey King (Van Niekerk) and Zoomie (Danielson). Cumbre Vieja is the only horse to have lowered Havana Moon’s colours on the Island and the 4yo son of Last Winter could resume winning ways, but he will need to be at his absolute best. The Grey King only just failed to make a winning local debut when second to Boundless Energy and he rates an obvious lively threat in this class. Zoomie has to concede 5,5kgs to Havana Moon which may be a tall order, but he is a quality son of Querari and cannot be summarily overlooked. Watch out for huge improvement from Gimmeanotherchance. He has not been seen for two months but the 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight is quite capable of causing a major blow-out here.
Betting: 14/10 Havana Moon; 18/10 The Grey King; 33/10 Zoomie; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) Havana Moon; (3) The Grey King; (1) Zoomie; (2) Gimmeanotherchance.
Race 8: (14:40) – Pinnacle Stakes – 1400m:
Good quality race to close the card. Boundless Energy (Nunes) caught everyone napping when scoring at long odds on his local debut, just holding off the persistent challenge of The Grey King. That form-line comes under scrutiny in the previous race. The 4yo son of Vercingetorix is likely to have made significant improvement with the benefit of that run under the belt and may prove difficult to beat. Captain Lannister found 1600m just beyond him when trying to make all in the Barbe Cup and he should run a solid race here. Unzen showed signs of life last time but should be held by Boundless Energy while Captain Bombshell needed his last run badly and will improve. Royal Wulff, Quasiforsure and Betathantherest rate upset chances but the form book points to Boundless Energy. If, for whatever reason, the favourite fluffs his lines then any kind of result can be expected.
Betting: 8/10 Boundless Energy; 5/1 Unzen; 6/1 Captain Lannister; 12/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (5) Boundless Energy; (4) Captain Lannister; (7) Royal Wulff; (8) Betathantherest.
Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 16 July.
Suggested Pick 6 (Races 3-8):
1,3 x 1,5,7,8 x 2 x 1,2,3,4 x 1,2,3,4 x 5 (R128)
