War Chariot pictured winning in Cape Town (Picture: Wayne Marks)
WAR CHARIOT THE PICK IN A TRICKY HEADLINER:
Graeme Hawkins
With only six races programmed at the Champ de Mars on Saturday 14 November, the Pick 6 kicks off in the opening event which is due off at 11:05 SA time. The headliner, The Kisnah Ramalungum Memorial Cup (BM56) over 1365m, is without doubt one of the trickier races on the card and punters are advised to cast their nets wide. Jumping from pole position, War Chariot may be the pick of the 7-strong field but the form of his rivals is solid and the selection is far from being a confident choice.
Race 1: (11:05) – BM20 Handicap – 1450m (First Leg of the Pick 6):
As suggested by the ante-post market, this low-grade handicap is very competitive. Captain Marsala (Taka) has shown some improvement in his last two starts but faces a tricky draw. River Hawk (Sooful) is capable of winning a race of this nature but is none too reliable. San Andreas (Nunes) has plummeted down the ratings after winning back-to-back races last season and gets the services of Manoel Nunes. He could certainly bounce back to winning ways in this league. Kaisarissa (Sonaram) blotted his copybook last time but rates a winning chance on his previous effort. High Key (Orffer) and William Blake (Rama) are the longshots here, but on their best form could have a say in the outcome.
Betting: 2/1 San Andreas; 28/10 River Hawk; 3/1 Captain Marsala; 9/2 Kaisarissa; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (1) San Andreas, (2) River Hawk, (3) Captain Marsala, (4) Kaisarissa.
Race 2: (11:40) – BM20 Handicap – 1450m:
Lava Burst (Orffer) has been runner-up in his last three starts and looks primed to shed his maiden ticket. Cosmic Captain (Mjoka) ran a cracker last time behind the talented The Centurion and a repeat of that performance will see the well-tried 6yo son of Global View go close. Gang Leader (Joorawon) is highly inconsistent but has a chance when judged on his best efforts. Zooberi’s last run, when trapped wide throughout, is best ignored. He drops in class here and could surprise.
Betting: 8/10 Lava Burst; 13/10 Cosmic Captain; 6/1 Gang Leader; 20/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (1) Lava Burst; (4) Cosmic Captain; (2) Zooberi; (3) Gang Leader.
Race 3: (12:15) – BM33 Handicap – 1450m (First Leg of the Jackpot):
Looks a match race between Jet Blackfire (Schwarz) and Future Frequency (Curatolo) and victory could go either way. Future Frequency has more than his fair share of problems and has only been seen on three occasions this season, but the 5yo son of Futura has above average ability. Jet Blackfire has been knocking loudly at the door for a while now and the 5yo son of One World certainly deserves his maiden victory. Fine One (Orffer) has some decent pieces of form to his credit and he could surprise.
Betting: 8/10 Jet Blackfire; 12/10 Future Frequency; 8/1 Fine One; 16/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (4) Jet Blackfire, (1) Future Frequency, (3) Fine One, (2) Iditarod Trail.
Race 4: (12:50) – BM31 Handicap – 1650m:
This looks a three-cornered contest between Canford Club (Chaves), Flag Champ (Schwarz) and Fear Of Fire (Nunes). Canford Club bounced back to winning ways in a modest race last time but cannot be ruled out here. Flag Champ was hard ridden to win over 1400m on his local debut, but the 4yo son of Canford Cliffs has plenty of scope for further improvement and will love the step up in trip. Fear Of Fire has caught the eye since relocating to the Island, with a win and two runner-up berths from only three starts and rates an obvious winning chance.
Betting: 13/10 Fear Of Fire; 18/10 Flag Champ; 2/1 Canford Club; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (3) Flag Champ, (4) Fear Of Fire, (1) Canford Club, (2) Wugug.
Race 5: (13:25) – BM56 Handicap – 1365m:
Competitive middle division handicap over 1365m with winning chances to all but one of the 7-strong field. On past form there is nothing to choose between War Chariot (Chaves) and Salt ‘n Peppa (Nunes). Only a whisker separated the pair when they finished 1-2 over 1450m on 27 June and War Chariot is now 1kg better off. Grand Bay (Curatolo) set a new course record for this distance when storming home from the rear of the field to beat Mauritius Kestrel going away on 10 October. From a wide gate similar tactics are likely to be employed and the 6yo son of Silvano could follow up. United Prince (Schwarz) has won six races from only 14 starts at Champ de Mars and his recent form over the trip is encouraging. With the Ruhee stable in a rich vein of form it would be foolish to ignore his chances. Daring Dash (Mjoka) showed a glimmer of his true self last time but needs to build on that effort. Twenty One May (Bheekary) is priced up at 20/1 but was far from disgraced on his local 990m debut behind the impressive Secret Passage and the 5yo son of Erupt has plenty of upside.
Betting: 18/10 War Chariot, Salt ‘n Peppa; 4/1 Daring Dash; 6/1 United Prince; Grand Bay; 20/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) War Chariot, (4) Salt ‘n Peppa, (7) Grand Bay, (6) United Prince.
Race 6: (14:05) – Low Division Stakes – 1850m:
It’s difficult to oppose the progressive Exalted Love (Joorawon) who has won his last four starts on the bounce. The 4yo son of Quasillo steps up in trip but he leaves the impression that this should pose no problem for Jevin Awotar’s charge. I have a feeling that we have yet to see the best version of View Of The World (Curatolo). On the evidence of their last meeting, View Of The World is well held by Exalted Love, but the former’s best effort this season was when finishing a close second behind Master Of Mystery over this extended trip back in August. Zacatoo (Chaves) has useful form but races beyond 1500m for the first time. He receives 3kgs from Exalted Love and View Of The World which brings him into the race with a chance, if he stays the extra. All About Love (Sonaram) has good consistent form but has yet to find the winner’s circle at Champ de Mars. The further the better for the 5yo son of Trippi and 10/1 looks good each way value.
Betting: 4/10 Exalted Love; 4/1 View Of The World; 11/2 Zacatoo; 10/1 and better the balance.
Selection: (2) Exalted Love, (3) View Of The World, (5) All About Love, (6) Zacatoo.
Betting correct as at 17:00 on Thursday 12 November.
Suggested Pick 6 (Races 1-6):
Field x 1 x 1,4 x 1,3,4 x 1,2,4,5,6,7 x 2 (R216)
